Lefkada: Nature, Water and History

Lefkada brings together a protected lagoon landscape, pine forests, historic buildings and a variety of ways to spend time in and on the water. There are also distinctive dishes and locally grown products. When choosing your holiday apartment, consider which aspects of the island you want to shape your trip: nature watching, culture, water sports or onward travel to other Ionian islands.

Lagoon, Birdlife and Forests

In the north of Lefkada, Gira borders the lagoon with a 7-kilometre strip of white sand. The lagoon near Lefkada Town is designated a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and is part of the Natura 2000 network. It is also a stopover for migratory birds and home to many rare bird species. Traditional fish farms are found in the lagoon: special reed structures allow fish to live and grow under natural conditions.

The island’s natural features also include forests and the sea. Pefkoulia is a pine forest that reaches the sea and ends at a sandy beach of the same name. Skaros Forest is known as an important natural monument; its rare flora includes a hard-to-find species of oak. If you are particularly interested in birdlife, forests or coastal scenery, you can take these different aspects into account when choosing where to stay.

Walking Trails and Water Sports

The Melissas Gorge has a network of hiking and walking trails. The trail through the gorge is about 2 kilometres long, and takes approximately one hour to complete. This approximate distance and time refer to the described trail, not to the entire network. This makes the gorge easy to plan as a separate excursion during your trip.

Different locations are associated with different water sports. Vasiliki Beach offers suitable conditions for windsurfing, including slalom and freestyle. Ai Giannis is considered a suitable kitesurfing spot on the north side of Lefkada. Nydri has an organised centre for water skiing, wakeboarding and inflatable rides such as banana boats and towable tubes. If you want to plan your trip around a particular activity, these examples offer different options; they do not all describe the same activities.

History and Local Cuisine

Agia Mavra Fortress was originally built by the Franks in 1300 and is considered an example of outstanding fortification. The Archaeological Museum of Lefkada displays archaeological treasures from the island dating from the Middle Palaeolithic to the late Roman period, offering an insight into its historical development. The Church of Agios Spyridon stands in Lefkada Town’s central square and is considered the town’s first church, as well as a religious, cultural and historical monument. The salt pans outside the town ceased operations in 1947 and remain an important part of the region’s history.

Traditional Lefkadian cuisine includes thyme honey and the rare Vertzami wine. Englouvi lentils are a rare variety grown in the mountain village of the same name. Handmade pies are also part of the island’s culinary tradition: lahanopita, briani, macaronopita and ladopita. These dishes and products offer a distinctive way to experience local culture alongside nature and history.

Getting There and Other Places

Lefkada Town lies on the northeastern edge of the island, near the mainland coast, and can be reached via an arched bridge. Lefkada is easily accessible from the ports of Igoumenitsa and Patras, as well as via Aktion Airport. The town also has a modern marina with space for 620 boats. Vasiliki Harbour has regular connections to Ithaca and Kefalonia and serves many travellers looking to discover other Ionian islands. If you are planning to continue your journey by boat, this harbour is another factor to consider when choosing where to stay.

Explore other places on Lefkada here: Lefkas, Kalavros, Kálamos, Vasiliki, Perigiali, Aghios Petros, Nikiana, Aghios Nikitas, Aghios Nikolaos Niras, Vafkeri, Episkopos, Spartochori, Fterno, Ellomenos, Marantochori, Apolpaina, Katochori, Poros, Nydri, Katouna, Spanochori, Athani, Karya, Asprogerakata, Alexandros, Sivros, Kariotes, Geni, Meganisi, Plატistoma, Exanthia, Ligia, Lefkada, Kastos and Sivota.

For the broader travel overview: Ionian Islands.