On our month-long adventure in Greece, as we were driving from Meteora to the Peloponnese Peninsula, we decided to stop make a stop on Lefkada Island. Why not? Lefkada is the only Greek island that is connected to the mainland by a causeway so you can drive there, making it an easy trip to experience activities and a beach in Lefkada.
Lefkada is a gorgeous Greek island sitting in the Ionian Sea with mountainous topography and shimmering turquoise beaches. Lefkada is also home to traditional villages, castle forts, old monasteries, waterfalls, and plenty of water-based activities.
Lefkada is a paradise destination but attracts far fewer tourists than many other Greek Islands, such as Santorini, Mykonos, or Corfu.
If you have more than one day to spend, here is a Lefkada travel guide.
Where is Lefkada?
Lefkada is an island off the western coast of Greece and is part of the Ionian Islands. It is connected to the mainland by a causeway.
- Athens to Lefkada = 5 hours
- Peloponnese to Lefkada = 5 hours
- Meteora to Lefkada = 4 hours
How to get to Lefkada
Lefkada Island is the only island in Greece that is accessible by car. There is a bridge that connects the island with the Greek mainland.
Getting Around Lefkada
The best way to get around Lefkada is by car. Our visit to the island was part of our road trip around mainland Greece before we headed off to visit Crete, then a catamaran cruise around the Cyclades Islands. Having a car is priceless – we were able to stop whenever and whenever we wanted, and the infrastructure around Greece was fantastic. Renting a car can be pricey though, so if you are on a tight budget, you can take advantage of the country’s bus system.
INSIDER TIP: Ready to try a road trip abroad? It’s easy! This International Drivers License covers 150 countries!
1 Breakfast on the Marina
After exiting the bridge onto the island, go around the traffic circle to the boardwalk that runs parallel to the island. This is the perfect place to start your day with a delicious breakfast with a great view!
2 Agios Ioannis Beach
Agios Ioannis Beach is the closest beach to the marina. Before the sun becomes scorching hot, head over to enjoy this windy beach.
3 Historic Windmills
Adjacent to Agios Ioannis Beach you’ll find the old windmills. Twelve windmills were built around 1760 to produce and trade flour. It’s a very pretty place to take a beachside stroll.
4 Lefkas Town
No visit to Lefkada can be complete without taking a stroll around the island’s capital, Lefkas Town, the main town on the island. It starts as soon as you exit the bridge onto the island. restaurants, bars, and cafés.
Many of Lefkada Town’s winding, cobblestone streets lead down to the little harbor (where we had breakfast #1 above). The town’s beautiful pastel buildings were destroyed by earthquakes in the 1940s and 1950s, but have been restored and are meticulously maintained, especially Mela Street, a colorful street lined with shops, boutiques, and arcades.
Tip: pick up some snacks to take with you to eat at the beach later on in the day.
5 Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni
Posted high on a hill just outside of Lefkas Town, Panagia Faneromeni is the home of a centuries-old monastery dating back to the 17th-century. This is one of the most spiritually significant places in the town, housing an icon of the Virgin Mary, the island’s patron saint, as well as other liturgical and spiritual artifacts. Also, for thousands of years, it was the site of a temple to Artemis, the goddess of hunting.
The monastery has had its fair share of incidents; in 1887 it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt, and also destroyed in a fire and earthquake in 1948.
6 Milos Beach
Lefkada has some of the best beaches in Greece. While Milos Beach is gorgeous, it is less crowded than most other Lefkada beaches. This is because it can be a little tricky to reach. The road will take you to the cliff top, but then you’ll have to hike along a rocky trail to get to the beach.
It’s worth the effort, though! The end result is that you’ll have this magnificent secluded beach in Lefkada backed by craggy cliffs almost all to yourself.
There are no amenities or restaurants on the beach, so those snacks you picked up earlier will come in handy!
INSIDER TIP: Click here for the ONLY beach packing list you’ll ever need!
7 Agias Mavras Fort
On your way off the island, stop at the historic Castle/Fort of Agia Mavra, which dates back to the early 14th century, being built to offer fortification and protection for Lefkada from potential invasions.
It’s located right near the bridge to the mainland. The castle, built in the 14th century, has undergone many trials over the years. It was burned down in the late 19th century and bombed during World War II. Luckily, much of the original architecture survived. The castle grounds play host to various festivals and events over the summer.
8 Sunset on the Ionian Sea
If you make it through this itinerary all the way to Agias Mavras Fort, you’ll have spent a full day on Lefkada. Turn back toward the island to catch the vibrant sunset over the Ionian Sea before continuing on your Greek adventure.
Most photos by Kary Kern.
Click below to PIN so you can find the best activities and beach in Lefkada again:
This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer.
About the Author
Patti Morrow
is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the new few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
Leave a reply