Lefkada is frequently called "the island you always return to", as anyone who visits it falls in love with it and makes a bet with himself that he will come back. A place that combines everything to a superlative degree. From exotic beaches, natural beauty and cosmopolitan villages, to water sports and intense nightlife. The most important thing is that you do not need a boat to reach the island (!), which makes Lefkada easily accessible and attractive all year round.

A few words about the island

 Lefkada is an island of the Ionian Sea and together with the rest of the Ionian Islands make up the region of Ionian Islands. In fact, it is the fourth largest in area (320 sq.kilometer.) and population (23,000 inhabitants) island in the Ionian Sea, while along with Euboea are the only two islands in Greece that can be accessed by road! The name comes from Cape Lefkata at the southernmost point of the island, where the Lighthouse "Doukato" is located. Underneath I chose for you what I think you should see when visiting the island for the first time.

10) Lagoon

 The lagoon of Lefkada is one of the most remarkable wetlands of Ioanian Sea, as well as one of the largest in Greece. It is protected by the International Convention Ramsar, since it is considered a wetland of international importance, while it is still included in the NATURA 2000 network as a landscape of special natural beauty. There you will find many species of animals, such as ducks, pelicans, herons, seagulls as well as endless greenery. Finally, this spot is particularly well known as in winter it gathers many species of migratory birds, like swans which prefer the mild climate prevailing in the area.

9) City of Lefkada

 The city of Lefkada is the capital and the main port of the island. Without exaggeration, I would say that it is the heart of the whole of Lefkada. It stretches along the beach, with a strong picturesqueness that it derives from the colorful houses with tiled roofs, the charming squares, the narrow streets and the coastal promenade, which shows a lot of traffic especially during the summer.

8) Kalamos and Kastos

 Kalamos and Kastos are two small islands south of Lefkada that are definitely worth visiting. The first is located directly opposite Mytikas and is mostly mountainous, green and with mainly rocky shores. It is known for its windmills in Agrapidia, its dozens of impressive caves and its glorious pebbled beaches.

 Kastos, on the other hand, is even smaller occupying only 5901 square kilometers area and has a unique settlement. It has nothing to envy though, as it is a very picturesque place, with stone houses and taverns around the port. Although its size hides some "diamonds", such as the church of Saint John the Baptist, the chapel of St. Emiliano and an olive grove with centuries-old olives. Both islands can be reached by boat from the port.

7) Archaeological Museum-Photographer's Museum

 The Archaeological Museum of the island is located in the center of the city of Lefkada, in the large building of the Municipal Spiritual Center. It started its operation in 1999 and is housed on the left side of the building. Inside the museum you will discover all the cultural treasures that have been found in the prefecture of Lefkada, while at the same time through interactive exhibits the evolution of the island through the centuries is presented. Admission costs 2e.

 And the second museum, the photographer's Museum, is located in the town of Lefkada, in a vertical strait in the central pedestrian street known as "Bazaar". It is essentially a folklore museum, full of exhibits that define the way people lived on the island at that time. There is no entrance fee, but if you want to contribute something, you can buy some CDs, with old Greek music that cost around 3e.

6) Kathisma Βeach

 Kathisma Beach is located in the western part of the island and is one of the most beautiful of Lefkada. Surrounded by impressive cliffs, it has fine pale sand, while its emerald waters give the visitor the feeling of being in a heavenly place. In fact, it is fully organized, filled with dozens of beach bars, while it has a fairly large parking lot. However, during the summer months, there are too many people, so go early enough so that you do not find yourself surprised.The access is quite easy, and the route is fantastic, since you will cross picturesque small villages with a view of the Ionian Sea. Ultimately, Kathisma is ideal for paragliding. If you are adventurous, don't hesitate to try it, since you will enjoy the view and the turquoise waters, from a unique perspective.

5) Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni

 The Holy Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni is undoubtedly the most magnificent and historic temple on the island. The monastery is founded on a green pine-covered hill located to the west of the city and from where the view is magnificent. It is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, who is, moreover, the protector and patron of the island, while it is a manor monastery, with an abbot and four monks. Tradition states that at this point the Disciples of the Apostle Paul, who arrived first on the island, gathered people and preached Christianity! However, its current form was taken during the Venetian occupation in 1734. The church was rebuilt in the 19th century, after two fires, and has features that reveal a strong influence of Zakynthian architecture.

4) Castle of Saint Mavra

 The castle of Saint Mavra dominates at the entrance of the island, next to the floating bridge and is one of the most imposing medieval buildings in Greece, being a model of fortification art of that time. The original building was constructed by John Orsini in 1302 AD and took its name from the soldiers of Valteros Bryennios, who came from the French town of Sainte Maure. It occupies an area of about 25,000 square meters with a rich War history, having been besieged a total of 12 times in the 7 centuries of its existence. With your visit you will have the opportunity to tour the ruins of the castle and travel to other times. Admission costs 2e.

3) Nydri Waterfalls

 The waterfalls in the Dimosari gorge of the cosmopolitan area of Nidri are one of the most idyllic spots of Lefkada, although they are widely unknown. They are located just 4 km from the sea, in a green place with dense vegetation, plane trees and running waters among the rocks. The route is particularly passable, since it is enough to follow the paved path indicated by the sign at the entrance of the park. Along it you will find small natural "pools", while at the end of it, you will meet the big waterfall of Akoni, which has water even in summer!

2) Egremni Beach

 Egremni Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in Greece, but unfortunately it is no longer accessible to the general public. The reason is that during the devastating earthquake of 2015, the beach suffered significant damage and huge dirt blocks changed its form, with the fear of a landslide still existing. Of course, now you can reach it by boat, staying away from these big rocks. This way you will have the opportunity to see the approximately two kilometers of coastline, with the blue waters and fine sand, which made it famous all over the world.

1) Porto Katsiki

 Of course, Porto Katsiki could not be missing from the first place. It is one of the most famous beaches of the country, with wonderful blue waters, small pebbles that sparkle under the light of the sun and towering white vertical rocks standing along it. According to legend, the beach took its name from Italian soldiers, who in their effort to avoid the rough seas, anchored at this point. When they went ashore, they noticed a corral full of goats (katsiki in greek means goat), where their shepherd fed the animals and in his honor they named Porto (Port in Italian) Katsiki. Of course, this particular story is strongly disputed by the locals, who simply claim that it was named simply from the countless goats that existed in the area. And Porto Katsiki suffered damage from the earthquake of 2015, but it is visited and remains beautiful and impressive.

How to go

 Going to the island of Lefkada should not concern you at all, since it can be done in many ways. As I mentioned above, one can reach Lefkada by road, via a 50-meter long floating bridge that connects the island with the land. Moreover, it can use the bus station of Lefkada or a ferry, since during the summer months there is a daily connection with Ithaca and Kefalonia. Finally, one can arrive by air from Athens. The airport serving the island of Lefkada is located in Aktio of Preveza and from there you can reach the island by car or taxi.

What to eat

 Lefkada, like all the Ionian Islands, thanks to the mild climate has a large production of agricultural products of excellent quality. The most famous products of the island are the lentils of Eglouvi, the lathyria of Karya, thyme honey from Athani, salami and sausages, oil, Bertzami wine, grapes and citrus fruits. It is also worth trying some local pies, such as ladopita, fresh fish, roe and sweet Nougat and pasteli. Finally, on the island, apart from the excellent wine, it is worth tasting local liqueurs, soumada and rosoli. If you are on the island in August, do not miss the opportunity to be at the Egluvi lentil festival on August 6, the Honey Festival and the wine celebrations take place in many parts of Lefkada.

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Mouzakidis Pantelis