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The Greek Island of Lefkas or Lefkada lies off the West Coast of the Greek mainland between the better known islands of Corfu and Kefalonia. Lefkas is uncommercialised compared to its more celebrated neighbours but slowly more of us are discovering the island and being drawn back year after year. The miles of pristine coastline dotted with secluded coves and calm seas, are a delight for sailors and make Lefkas an ideal base for flotilla companies, bareboat charters and private yachts. But visitors to Lefkas will quickly discover there is more to the island than just boats.
Beaches
Lefkada, meaning white in Greek, is so called because the west coast of the island is characterised by towering limestone cliffs. Beneath the cliffs shelter the island's most beautiful white sands. Some beaches are completely cut off by cliff bands and can only be reached by sea; so it's well worth hiring a boat if you like the idea of your own private beach. In contrast, the beaches on the east coast are shingle and gently shelving and it's on this side of the island that the resorts of Nidri and Vasiliki have established themselves. Between the east and west coast lies a fertile mountainous interior, blanketed with olive groves and vineyards. Drive or hike up into the mountains and you'll be rewarded with outstanding views of the island dotted inner Ionian Sea.
Lefkas Town - 20 minutes from Preveza (Aktio) Airport
Lefkas Town, the island's capital, is located on the extreme north of Lefkas where a causeway bridges the waters to mainland Greece. It's a small but bustling place with narrow streets lined with a jumble of buildings - where fishmongers sit amidst stylish boutiques, electrical stores, museums, fresh fruit stalls, Venetian churches, and souvenirs shops. There's also a pleasant town square packed with welcoming cafés where you can sit, relax and take it all in. The whole colourful mishmash is serenely surveyed by the ancient Faneromeni monastery. The monastery affords fabulous views of the town, its brand new marina, the ocean and the mainland. The new marina was built in the still waters around Lefkas Town to meet the demand from yachters stopping off en route between Kefalonia and Corfu. If you're not fortunate enough to have your own yacht, it is well worth taking a stroll along the marina to see how the other half live. As well as the yachts, a sea plane that operates between Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia and Patras, also docks in the Marina.
Nidri - 40 minutes from Preveza (Aktio) Airport
15 kilometres south of Lefkas Town lies Nidri. Nidri, the largest resort on the island, is set against a stunning ocean backdrop with views over mirror-flat waters to Meganissi and Skorpios: the privately owned Onassis island. Nidri is an ideal base from which to explore these offshore islands and as such attracts thousands of yachting enthusiasts in the summer season. And for one day, usually the third Thursday of September, when the Annual Ionian regatta is held, the water is teaming with boats. The Regatta, attracting close to 200 entrants, is one of the largest and most spectacular yachting events in the Med. If you're a sailing novice, Nidri's tranquil waters are also ideal to learn to sail and hone your newly acquired skills while exploring the neighbouring islands and islets. And if your skippering skills are not quite up to island hopping, you can always take an organised boat trip. There are also regular car ferries to Kefalonia, Ithaca and Meganissi for those who want to venture even further a field.
Nidri town has a really cosmopolitan feel, especially in July and August when it bustles with Continentals alongside the Brits and of course the Greeks. The main road on the island runs through Nidri and on both sides you'll find an eclectic mix of small hotels, local shops, bars and restaurants. In peak season the town brims with tourists, so if you're after some peace and quiet consider staying in one of the many luxury villas perched on the hillside above the town and offering spectacular ocean views.
Vliho - 45 minutes from Preveza (Aktio) Airport
Vliho, a sleepy little village five minutes outside Nidri is home to a handful of bars and to Sail Ionian.
Sivota - 60 minutes from Preveza (Aktio) Airport
Sivota is a pretty fishing habour with a pleasant promenade lined with tempting tavernas. The natural habour is also home to Sailing Holidays, one of the longer established sailing companies, and to smaller operators like Bayan Blue. Sivota is roughly equidistant between Nidri and Vasiliki and is therefore the perfect place to stop en route between the two for a drink or lunch.
Vasiliki - 90 minutes from Preveza (Aktio) Airport
Follow the coast down and round and you come to the second largest resort on the island, Vasiliki - sleepy fishing village for 9 months of the year, windsurfing Mecca the remaining 3. Vasiliki is quiet at the start and end of the summer but comes alive in July and August when conditions are perfect for windsurfing. Vasiliki is nestled in a wide sheltered bay, where the water is flat and an afternoon wind charmingly called 'Eric' blows. During the peak months the sight of hundreds of windsurfs skimming across the water is remarkable. When you're not on the water, the harbour, with its small bars, restaurants, ice cream stands, and shops, makes for a pleasant stroll and there's some nice flat terrain for biking. From Vasiliki tour boats operate to nearby beaches and a ferry runs daily to the islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca.
Have Your Say
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Getting There -
Flight Timetable -
Where to Stay
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