Vacation Packages to Lefkada

General Information of Lefkada

Lefkada (also called Leucade, Leucas, or Lefkas) is an Ionian island, located in the north of the Mediterranean Sea, in the extreme west of Greece.

It is a territory famous for its pearl-colored beaches and cliffs. In fact, the name of this island comes from the Greek word leukós, whose meaning is "white".

This island is the most accessible in the Ionian Sea. Although it does not have an airport, unlike other Greek islands, it is linked to the mainland thanks to a 70-meter bridge, which is located in its northern part, called "the Lefkada pass" or "Leucade bridge" and It allows the passage of wheeled cars.

Unlike the rest of its sisters in the Aegean, it is characterized by its landscape full of fruit trees (lemon and orange trees, mainly), cypresses, and olive trees everywhere, surrounded by a mountainous landscape.

Undoubtedly, on this island, you will not only get to know every particular beach and landscape but also be dazzled by the immaculate beauty that Leucas has to offer you.

The Story behind Lefkada

According to Greek mythology, Venus (the goddess of love and beauty, also called Aphrodite) threw herself into the sea from the huge cliffs of this island after the death of her beloved, the hunter Adonis.

However, the goddess not only did not die but also set a precedent, as many people from all over Greece began to come to the site to throw themselves into the waters and cure their love affairs.

How to Get to Lefkada

There are two options to get to the island: car or ferry. We describe them below.

Getting to Lefkada by Car

Lefkada is linked to mainland Greece by a bridge, so you can travel from Athens or other nearby cities. The first thing you will find when crossing the Lefkada bridge is the building of Agia Mavra (Santa Maura), which dates back to 1300 AD and functioned as a fortress against pirate attacks.

In this case, you can choose to travel by plane to the city of Preveza and from there drive to the island. Its airport is called Preveza Airport (PVK), also called Aktion National Airport, and has flight availability during the summer season. The distance between this airport and the island is 55 km (1 hour and 15 minutes by car).

Travel to Lefkada by Ferry

This is the most common option among travelers who are touring the Ionian Sea area. In this case, if you were already renting a car, you can choose to transfer it from the mainland to the island by ferry.

Something to keep in mind in this last point is that you should check if your insurance company covers possible unforeseen events on the island. You should also keep in mind that you will be charged an extra fee for transferring the car on the ferry.

Beyond these details, the port of Lefkada on which you will arrive is the port of Nidri, which is connected to the cities of Kefalonia and Ithaca.

The most common companies operating these ferry services are Ionion Pelagos, Vasiliki, and West Ferries. You must bear in mind that ferry schedules vary according to the season, so do not forget to take this into account when making your travel itinerary.

What to See and Do in Lefkada

The island offers multiple attractions to observe and explore. All of them have great beauty and, in addition, are loaded with history from ancient times. Now we mention some of them.

Climb up to Doukato Lighthouse

It is located at the southern end of the island, 50 km from the city. Its building functions as a vantage point for travelers who venture in search of it. This lighthouse dates back to 1890 and was built on the ruins of a temple in honor of the god Apollo. The height of the lighthouse is 14 meters and it has a focal range of 70 meters, which can be observed from the neighboring islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca.

Take Photos at the Lefkada Wooden Bridge

It is located on the west coast of the island. It is ideal for taking photos during sunsets. Many couples come to watch a beautiful sunset, which makes it an extremely intimate and romantic moment.

Visit the Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni

It is a building built on the base of a hill in the 17th century. This area already carried great spiritual symbolism, since, during ancient times, there was a temple of Artemis, the Greek goddess of hunting and home; as well as in the year 63 AD the apostle Paul sent his disciples to said hill to spread the word of the Christian Gospel.

Tour the Church of Agios Nikolaos

It is one of the most visited attractions by tourists in Lefkada. It is a Greek Orthodox church, whose construction is reminiscent of old medieval fortresses. It was built in honor of Saint Nicholas.

See the Tomb of Wilhelm Dörpfeld

It is the tomb of an important archaeologist, architect, and researcher who was part of multiple excavations carried out between 1877-1881 in Olympia and Troy.

Get to know the Archaeological Museum of Lefkada

This museum contains multiple pieces dating from the Paleolithic era and the late Roman period, many of them discovered by the archaeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld during the 19th century.

Relax on the Beaches of Lefkada

Lefkada is an island very famous for the beautiful beaches that it houses in its territory,

As you can see, Lefkada is an island with many beaches. In this post, we will mention the most acclaimed by tourists. Among them, we recommend you visit Milos Beach, Egremni Beach, Porto Katsiki Beach, and Kathisma Beach.

Stroll through Lefkada Town

There you will find the most sought-after restaurants in the area, as well as the point from which boats set sail to other islands in the Ionian and Mediterranean Seas. It is a fairly developed city, although it retains its buildings and traditional touches, making it ideal for visitors.

Festivals in Lefkada

Now we tell you a little about the main festivals in Lefkada so that you take them into account when planning your trip to the Ionian island. Something to keep in mind is that a large part of these festivities have strong religious roots, which is why they are usually celebrated before or during the Greek summer.

Among these celebrations, you can take into account the Assumption of the Virgin Mary or Easter. In addition, each town on the island celebrates a special celebration of its patron saint.

International Folklore Festival

It is a celebration attended by different artists (musicians, poets, dancers) to publicize different performances. They make the preliminary preparations themselves. It is an extremely fun celebration, full of cultural tradition. In turn, it takes place at the end of August and admission is completely free. Before your itinerary, you will be able to witness a beautiful “peace and friendship” parade.

Festa del Canale

It is a music festival that takes place at the end of July in Lefkada.

Traditional Wedding Festival

Contrary to what the name suggests, it is a festival in which Greek family traditions and customs are celebrated. It also takes place at the end of July around the island.