Spend a week exploring sunny Lefkada, Greece

If you love Greece and have already visited the well-known Greek Islands, you might be wondering where next? Well, why not spend a week exploring Lefkada! We did and loved this gorgeous island.

Located south of Corfu and north of Kefalonia, Greeks refer to Lefkada as the ‘Caribbean of Greece’ because of its amazing beaches and turquoise waters.  Also known as Lefkas, there’s a lot more than beaches to explore.

Enjoy waterfalls, explore mountain villages, & easy day ferries to nearby islands and fabulous restaurants. We recommend you rent a car for the week to explore at your own pace.

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Helpful Lefkada Planning Tools

Practical Trips (transport, weather, currency)

Skip this section if you want to straight to our Lefkada itinerary section. But if like us, you want to check a few essentials up front, here they are:

Weather: Check Average Weather for typical temperatures.

Getting Here: Fly to Aktion International Airport near Preveza on mainland Greece. This is the closest airport to Lefkada and is only 22km away.

Currency: Greece is in the EU so uses the Euro currency.

Visas: No visa required for visits of up to 90 days for most passports, including U.S., EU, UK, and Canadian citizens.

Best of Lefkada Day by Day Itinerary

A week is a good amount of time to spend in Lefkada, Our day by day guide below gives a good balance of activities and relaxation, which of course you can move around to suit your schedule and interests.

Day 1 – Arrive in Lefkada

Spend your first day settling in. Take a walk around your village or area you are staying and check out local restaurants for dinner. Relax on your local beach or at the hotel pool.

Chat to your hotel about events and check your island map to get your bearings of where things are. Make your bookings for trips you want to do, in particular boat trips, as these get busy if it’s high season.

🔍 Click Here to Book Island Hopping Boat Cruise from Nydri

Day 2 – Explore Nydri and Hike to Nydri Waterfalls

Nydri, 16 km from Lefkada Town, is a popular base and where many choose to stay. Not only is it geographically well located, at mid point on the island, but there’s lots going on especially along the waterfront.  

If you’re not hiring a car, it’s your best central location to stay in.  Nikiana, just 7km away is another good base.

Nydri is also your gateway to island hopping with day boats and ferries heading out daily. Lively tavernas, cafes, waterfront restaurants line the promenade so it can get quite busy but there is still a relaxed vibe here.

There are tourist shops, and great bakeries – try the bread and cakes at Kominatos. Is it a big town? No, it has only two main streets. Nydri has a beach which is pebbly but the water is calm and shallow so for a quick dip to cool down, it’s great.

If you are not staying in Nydri, visit for the day. Perhaps come for lunch and then combine it with a trek to the water falls or vice versa.

Nydri Waterfalls

Nydri Waterfalls are definitely worth a visit. They’re 3km from Nydri so walkable from the town but of curse you’ll have to walk back after. Drive there if you have a car and park for free.

Once parked, walk up to the falls.  There’s no entrance fee so just follow the signs and pathway. It’s an easy hike of about 20 minutes through shaded forest and over small wooden bridges.

Easy enough for kids too but wear trainers or walking sandals as you’ll have to step over rocks in some places.  

If you are brave enough, take a plunge into the cool pool at the bottom of the falls. Don’t forget your towel!

On your return, enjoy a refreshment at the gorgeous Plane Tree restaurant/cafe by the carpark.  Sit underneath their 500 year old plane tree- it’s a great spot and the coffee is wonderful. 

Afterwards, head back to Nydri for lunch or dinner. Walk along the promenade, browse local shops or just relax on the beach.  

Day 3 – Catch a Ferry to Meganisi

Nydri is a great place to take a cruise from. If you want an organised one, here are three popular ones. Some of these include access to beautiful remote beaches so check out these in our list below.

Lefkada Cruise Highlights:
➡️ Full Day Wildlife Cruisewith BBQ Lunch and Swim Stops
➡️ Full Day Island Hopping Boat Cruse with Beach BBQ Lunch
➡️ Sailing Through Greek History Cruise with Lunch

However, if you want to do your own independent trip and spend less time on a boat, visit Meganisi. This tiny island is popular for its quieter beaches and villages where the pace of life is unhurried and relaxed.

It’s only around 25 minutes from Nydri with sailings starting from 7am and operating around 5 times a day. Last boats from Meganisi leave around 5:30pm. There is no booking system. Simply turn up at the port on the promenade at Nydri and buy your €2 single ticket on board.

We wouldn’t recommend you take your car. There’s no need as from the arrival port, it’s an easy walk to two beaches and the main village of Spartochori.

The first beach is directly in front of you as you disembark the ferry.  It can get a little busy as it’s the first one from the port. Sun beds were free last time we visited and there’s a large restaurant, perfect for a lazy lunch by the water.

However, if you take a short 10 minute walk up the hill and round the corner, you’ll come to larger beach which we preferred.  There is also a restaurant here. Beaches are pebbly but the water is crystal clear. Even in August, it is quiet as there are no water sports or loud music.  

To stretch your legs a bit later, walk up to the mountain village of Spartochori – another five minutes through the pine trees. There’s a pretty church here, a few shops and restaurants and fabulous views of the harbour. 

We caught the 10.30am morning ferry returning at 5.30pm which was plenty of time to relax, have a snack, a little explore and be back in Nydri for cocktails!   All in all, it’s a lovely day out. 

Day 4 – Discover Sivota, Vasiliki and Nikiana

Today we head out on the road to explore a bit more of what Lefkada has to offer. You could choose to just go to one of these places or combine them. We went to all three but our favourites were Sivota and Nikiana.

Here’s an overview of each place.

Sivota : A pretty postcard village in a quiet, peaceful bay

To get to Sivota head south from Nydri on the main road. It’s a 15km journey which will take about 30 minutes.

Private yachts take pride of place here in the sheltered bay. There’s a lovely curving  promenade to stroll around with a number of inviting tavernas and well-presented shops.  The location is stunning with green hills behind. 

Enjoy morning coffee here at one of the harbour side cafes. It is a really relaxed setting. It was a misty morning when we visited so our photos look a little flat but it really is worth a visit.

Vasiliki : Water taxis to remote beaches and ferry to Kefalonia

From Sivota, head back to the main road and pick up signs for Vasiliki. This resort is much bigger than Sivota and in particular, popular with windsurfers. 

The harbour area is lively and again has a range of tavernas, shops and cafes.  Vassiliki has an organised beach with sunbeds, umbrellas for hire and watersports.  We enjoyed a delicious lunch in a local taverna here.

Water Taxi from Vasiliki

We heard people head to Vasiliki not to go the town or its beach but to catch a water taxi to reach some of the more remote beaches in the south.

If this appeals to you, then you might plan a full day here and head straight to Vasiliki.

The three most popular remote beaches are Agiofili, Egremni and Porto Katsiki. Agiofili is the closest – only a 10 minute hop along the coast. Simply buy your water taxi ticket at the port.

More organised excursion boats operate to Egremni and Porto Katsiki which are about an hour away but a word of warning! They might be remote but in peak season, these beaches get very overcrowded.

Lefkada Organised Cruises:
➡️ Full Day Wildlife Cruisewith BBQ Lunch and Swim Stops
➡️ Full Day Island Hopping Boat Cruse with Beach BBQ Lunch
➡️ Sailing Through Greek History Cruise with Lunch

If you prefer to visit these beaches by car, we plan for this on Day 6. Read this section for a more detailed overview on getting there on the road.

Day trip to Kefalonia from Vasiliki

It’s worth mentioning that from Vasiliki port, you can also sail to Ithaca and the stunning island of Kefalonia. If you are keen to visit this beautiful island, then you will need to allocate a full day for this.

The crossing to Kefalonia is only 1 hour making it a good option for an island hopping day trip. Schedules are yet to be released for 2026 but check the link below from April onwards to book.

🔍 Click Here to Book Ferry from Vassiliki to Kefalonia

But if you’re just looking for a small quiet beach to end your day, head back towards Nydri.

Nikiana and Pasha Beach

Just past Nydri on the way to Nikiana, you’ll find Pasha Beach. It’s unorganised, meaning no umbrellas, sunbeds for rent, cafes or bars. 

You may drive past it as it’s not visible from the road. Look out for a layby type carpark on the left hand side of the road when coming from Nydri.

Park up, cross the road and take a couple of minutes to walk down through the trees.  Then WOW, you’re greeted by a narrow strip of a beach with beautiful crystal water (coarse sand/pebbles).

If you prefer a quiet beach but want a casual dining option, carry on a couple of kilometres to pretty village of Nikiana and the Breath of Zorba beach/restaurant.  

We enjoyed the great restaurant here and the beach location is super. This was our favourite late afternoon spot on several days.

Day 5 – Visit the mountain village of Karya

When we did our research on what to see and do in Lefkada, Kayra kept coming up as a ‘must go’ place to visit.  It’s a traditional Greek village, perched high in the mountains, away from the beaches and coastline.

Looking at where it was on the map, we knew the drive alone would be an adventure! It was! Although it is only 15km (9 miles) from Nydri, with winding roads, it will take you around 30 minutes to cover this distance.

When you get to Kayra, you look down into deep valleys with pine and juniper trees growing all around. Head through the town to a paid carpark or alternatively park for free just before you enter the village.

Start at the Village Square

There’s really only one main street and a couple of smaller side streets to explore.  You’ll almost immediately find yourself in a large square where old plane trees give shade from the sun.

It’s where the locals sit and take their coffee and share news.  Stop here for refreshments. Enjoy lunch in the taverna which serves classic dishes like slow cooked meats, salads and cheeses. It’s truly peaceful.  

A Village of Lace and Craft

Then take a stroll to the small church further up the main street. Pop into the local handicraft stores to admire their lace products. Buy some honey or olive oil bowls as souvenirs that support local artisans. You know you’ll be getting authentic gifts.

Visit The Folklore Museum

Returning to the main square, take a left turn at the signpost for the Folklore Museum of Orpheus.  It’s a five minute walk up a steep hill and as you enter it is like stepping back in time.

It’s not your standard museum with glass case displays and neatly presented information.  Oh no – the museum building itself is a muesum!    

First of all, we couldn’t see anyone there. Were we even at the right place? Suddenly, we noticed a man with weather beaten skin sitting on a stone type seat under a tree. He tapped the stick he was holding beckoning us to come to him.

With very limited English, he attempted  to explain that many of the artefacts around us were from his parents. 

Inside the Museum

Next, he guided us up some stone steps to a very old room which was on two levels. The top floor housed a loom and several small display cases of original embroidery – some 100+ years old. 

It was here we learnt the fascinating story of the Kayra Karsaniki Stitch made famous by the embroidery of Maria Stavraka. After an accident, aged 10, she learnt how to embroider with one hand – her left. 

On the lower floor he took us to the teaching school where the stitch was taught to other girls and women of the village. 

It’s an incredible story and somehow the lack of few words passed between our guide and us made the experience even more memorable.  Entry to the museum was 3 euros – you will need cash.  

Enjoy the nature of Karya

Karya is also a great base for short walks and hikes. Trails lead into pine forests and other tiny villages.

We really enjoyed exploring Karya so if you are seeking mountain air, an unhurried way of life and the experience of true Greek village life, then go visit.

Day 6 Remote Lefkada and West Coast Beaches

If you still yearn for remote beaches and didn’t go by water taxi from Vasiliki, head today to Egremni, Porto Katsiki or Gialos beaches.

These are in the south west and then on your return to Pefkoula in the north west.

Driving to these spots is quite tricky in places with narrow twisty roads and hairpin bends but that’s all part of the adventure!

Here’s a quick comparison of the south west beaches as it’s unlikely you’ll get to all three.

Pefkoula Beach

From Egremni, it will take about an hour to get to Pefkoula Beach. Stay on the west coast and pick up signs for Lefkada Town as this beach is only 10km from there.

Parking is easy here and it’s only a few minutes walk down from the car park to a stunning wide beach with soft sand and crystal clear waters. Turn right to the quieter part or left to where the day beds are.

There is a good beachfront restaurant called The Deck Bar where we had a delicious lunch. You can use their swimming pool and showers if you’re buying  drinks or food and if you really want to spoil yourself, hire one of their day beds!

Day 7 – Explore Lefkada Town

On your final day in Lefkada, you might like to visit Lefkada Town for a couple of hours. You will have already been here on your arrival to the island but most likely driven through it on your way to your accommodation.

However, it is worth returning to explore for a couple of hours. It has great cafes and bakeries, a lovely marina with sailboats and waterfront restaurants and casual tavernas.

Despite being the main town on the island, it doesn’t have its own beach and it’s not really a resort. Instead, it’s a place where locals get on with their daily life and tourists mix in.

Stroll narrow pedestrianised streets with pastel coloured houses and cute balconies. It’s a town with narrow alleyways, some pretty churches and there’s plenty of shopping to be had. We particularly enjoyed walking up to the floating bridge and watching it open. 

Tips for Driving in Lefkada

🔍 Click Here to Book Car Hire

Lefkada is small: 22 miles (35km) from north to south and 9 miles (15km) from east to west. It makes you think that driving between places would be quick but from what you’ve read so far, you’ll realise this isn’t the case.

Few roads are long and straight so you have to drive much slower but the island towns and villages are well signposted along the way.  Road markings are not much of a thing on Lefkada and neither are traffic lights.

Understanding the RED, ORANGE and YELLOW roads

Your rental map will show three coloured roads to drive on. Here’s what they mean.

Red road – Main island Road.  This is the main road around the island taking you to the key resorts.  If you stick to this, you’ll have wider roads which are not too twisty. There are a few uneven surfaces in places but overall these red roads are pretty good. 

Orange roads. You’ll have to take these to reach some places like Kayra.  Note that they’re often very twisty and can be single track. There are some pot holes in places and tight bends because there are either taking you down to the ‘hard to get to’ beaches, quieter villages or up high into the mountains.   

Yellow marked roads. Just avoid these in a car.  Nothing else to add! These are tracks for off-roading in my opinion. Maybe let the donkeys enjoy them!

A Couple of Warnings

Warning! As you drive on the main coastal RED route, you’ll pick up signs for villages and beaches off this road. It’s tempting to divert as looking on the map it doesn’t look far.

The beach at Mikros Gialos, we’d been told, was lovely and the sign from the main road said only 4km (less than 2 miles) away. However, that 2 mile journey took us 20 minutes on a very twisty road.

When we arrived at about 4.30pm, the beach was beautiful but there were no parking spaces. It took us another 20 minutes to get back up the road again. 

Our advice is go early to these smaller beaches and look at the map for the squiggly lines!

Warning! For some destinations, google maps will suggest the orange route as it’s most direct. It may look faster but if there’s another option on the red route do take it. Passing places are limited so we were grateful for our small car!

Warning! Parking is a bit of a free for all so once you get somewhere, pull up wherever although we did use some organised car parks in places. Have loose change in case there is a small charge.

Where to Stay In Lefkada

Our picks are based on location, safe links to transport, and overall value for money. All have on site parking that we feel is essential as general parking can be tricky.

We chose to stay in Nikiana, 7km from Nydri. Nikiana is made up of one main street so it doesn’t look like much is there.  But, venture behind that main street and you’ll find yourself at a quaint marina with beautiful boats.

There’s also a range of authentic restaurants and cute shingle coves and beaches. We enjoyed these three restaurants in Nikiana – Taverna Pantazis, Porto Nikiana and Breath of Zorba. 

Where is Lefkada?

Because Lefkada is not so well known, we’re popping a map in here to help you with logistics after you land.

Look for Preveza first (airport) and you’ll then spot Lefkada to the south. It looks like Lefkada is linked to the mainland but there is actually a ‘floating’ bridge that you drive over taking you onto the island.

When you arrive at Preveza airport, the distance to Lefkada is 22km. It’s an easy airport transfer by taxi taking about 30 minutes. Staying around Nydri, which is half way down the island, is a good base.

To enjoy the things we suggest in this post, we do recommend you rent a car. Having pre-booked your car, head to the rental area just opposite the airport entrance to collect your vehicle.

🔍 Click Here to Book Car Hire

You’ll get a map when you hire the car which shows three coloured roads. Stick to RED and ORANGE roads. Avoid YELLOW. Read more about driving in Lefkada under our Driving Tips section.

FAQs

What’s Next After Lefkada

So, another Greek island ticked off and only another 185 still to explore! Hopefully we’ve inspired you to consider Lefkada.

For a Greek mainland spot check out A Week in Halkidiki Itinerary.  The is another Greece hidden gem and exploring here is a refreshing change from the islands.

Corfu is another excellent island we’ve been to several times, the last visit was with my grown up kids. Read our Corfu With Grown Up Kids post for ideas and tips to plan a fun multi-generation Greek trip.