With two lagoons, a canyon, a gorge, plenty waterfalls and a mountainous inland with rewarding views over Lefkada, you will enjoy exploring this beautiful island to discover much more than just stunning beaches. Here are just few of the many routes and points of interest of Lefkada.

Route through Melissa Gorge (Kavalos village)
If you’re looking for fairy-tale beauty on Lefkada, trek this enchanting route. Just follow the river as it winds through ancient oak, plane and elm trees skirted by wild rose bushes. An important part of Lefkada ’s ecosystem, Melissas Gorge offers birdwatchers and everyone else the opportunity to admire swooping falcons and hawks as you trek alongside the river. You’ll also be able to admire vestiges of Lefkas ’ commercial history, as watermills, that used to process sulfur and grain, dot the banks of the river. Let the moss-draped trees cast a spell on you as you explore the forest – which is in lefkada ‘s folklore tales is inhabited by fairies, elves and demons. Less experienced hikers can benefit from easier trails which nonetheless takes you through breathtaking forests and quaint watermills.

Route through Dimosari Canyon – Nidri Waterfall
Another breathtaking route of Lefkada takes you through Dimosari Canyon. Gushing waterfalls pool into exotic lagoons shaded by moss-draped oaks. This is a perfect swimming spot if you’re hiking in the summer, although the waterfalls and thick forest keep the temperatures comfortable. Take a break and drink some spring water – the locals swear it’s the best drinking water in Lefkas. Once you’ve relaxed, continue your trek by climbing the stone steps carved into the mountain. Dimosari Canyon is one of Lefkada ’s vital ecosystems, and played an important role throughout antiquity by powering the island’s waterworks by harnessing the surge of river water from Mount Vafkeri. If you enjoy caving, there are a few small caves throughout the canyon for you to enjoy.

Hike through Skaron Forest
Located up in the river-crossed mountains of Lefkada, this forest is made up of centuries’ old moss-draped trees, along with a very rare type of oak which can only be found in Lefkada and in a handful of other forests in Europe. Skaron Forest is exceptionally beautiful and plays a vital role in the Lefkada ’s eco-system. This fact was only highlighted during the Venetian and Ottoman occupation, when guards were posted throughout the forest to protect it. If you’re an avid hiker and look forward to the climb all the way up, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Lefkada ’s dozens of villages as well as beautiful sea vistas. Hikers will occasionally run into wild goats, so look out for herds as you explore.

Explore the carious picturesque mountain villages
Lefkada ’s inland boasts a landscape of small mountains which can easily be hiked through by experienced hikers. Stop by a number of enchanting villages which cling to the sides of the mountain and are often shrouded in fog.

To find routes and info click here

The low tourist season is a perfect time to enjoy a day of fishing in Lefkada. When you get fed up of the beach you can do something different. You can experience fishing from the shore or join an organized fishing trip. Local teams that organize daily fishing tours claim that you can find species of fish such as bream, garfish, meru, and tuna. People who are keen on sport fishing share that in October is the best time for catching mackerel, seabass (lavraki), or barracuda from the sea shore because they may come close to shore.

The best places for fishing are on the Eastern coast of Lefkada – around Nikiana, Nidri and Lygia. Take into account that to fish from a boat you need a special license. You can also rent a boat with a fishing guide who will bring you to appropriate fishing places.

Visit the link to find out more information about Lefkada fishing Cruises!

Lefkada is famous all over Greece for its stunning beaches – but what about snorkeling Lefkada? As long as you get away from busy sandy beaches and look for rocks and pristine coves, you’ll have no problem finding your own Lefkada snorkeling place. The best snorkeling places in Lefkada can be found on the east and south coast of the island, home to truly amazing beaches with rock formations and colorful fish. Some good choices are Agiofili Beach, Megali Petra, Mylos and Porto Katsiki. The latter is actually on the west coast of Lefkada, where seas are often rough, but on a calm day snorkeling at Porto Katsiki can be really amazing. 

 – but what if you don’t have a diving license or equipment? That’s why snorkeling is so amazing- you only need a mask, snorkel and fins, and the marvelous Lefkada coast is yours to explore!

Seated in Nikiana, Nydri and Vasiliki, organised Diving centres are operating in Lefkada, arranging diving excursions. The diving centres offer all the diving opportunities with an escort of qualified divers and specialities: First dive, discover scuba, diving of any kind, first aid lessons. Together with these excursions, organise activities of: seaside cleaning, underwater cleaning, exploration of flora and fauna etc

For the comfort and the security of the students, offer, for those who have their own equipment, a secured place for the protection of private equipment.

If you wish to explore and enjoy, for the first time the magic of underwater world without being obliged to attend the full training program, you could attend lessons of diving in a pool, theory and sea diving.

During these courses, students gain important expertise and very useful information about the underwater flora and fauna of Mediterranean Sea and Lefkada

• LEFKAS DIVING CENTER
• NAUTILUS DIVING CLUB

Dozens of beaches of unsurpassed beauty crown the coastline of Lefkada. Among them the photo champion Porto Katsiki, gorgeous Egremnoi, busy Gialos, vast Kathisma, peaceful Myloi, youthful Agios Giannis on the west; cosmopolitan Nydri, stunning Syvota and the bay of Vassiliki on the East. Some of them on the leeward side, others sandy, some marked with high white cliffs and deep turquoise waters; no matter which one you’ll like best, they are all perfect for unforgettable moments of fun and joy.

Lefkada is an unparallel destination for the lovers of sea sports. If you are one of them, put on the friskier of your moods and give in to an adrenaline party at the hot spots of the island.

The water track and field of Lefkada is a paradise for surfers and is famous with Greek and international surfers alike. The wind’s strength that reaches its peak in the afternoon has put the beach of Vassiliki, a globally acclaimed surf spot, in the TOP 10 beaches in the world and the TOP 3 in Europe. Slalom and free style in side shore conditions are a must here. In the North of the island, not far from the town of Lefkada, the beach of Agios Giannis almost pairs up with Vassiliki wind-wise, but its different waters mostly attract kite surfers. Huge kites glide on the waves at breakneck speed before soaring in the air to fill the sky with colour. Windsurfing schools and equipment shops facilitate things for light travellers and those deciding to take part in the thrilling activity of surfing.

Enjoy pedalo, canoe and water ski rides, or indulge in the pleasure of more “sophisticated” activities, ranging from barefoot to mono ski, double ski, wake boardand knee board. If you want to alternate beach games with water ones, you are in the right place. Let us just mention a few ones to dispel any possible doubts of yours: fly-fish, tubes, banana, crazy-sofa, big marble, etc. Go parasailing over the bay of Vassiliki and all the way to the beautiful – ex Onassis owned – island of Scorpio. Paragliding is a blast of a choice too, especially when you want to go downhill over the area of Kathisma and land on the beautiful beach. A Centre of Sea Sports is in operation in the area of Nydri, providing expertise and equipment.

Want some fun, click here!

Do you love horses? Do you love nature? Do you like the beach? What if you could combine all this as an experience in your summer destination? Experience Lefkada and its beauties through unique percorses in the back of a horse! An activity that all shall love with no exceptions! Couples, families, group of friends and solo travellers. So, make your vacation a special one and explore your destination by getting in touch with nature! 

The local farms offers daily and all year long horseback riding lessons, theory lessons and excursions into nature and by the sea. In the farms there are experienced horses that will make your ride a safe one and will make you experience an unforgettable adventure. The horses are well cared of, in a natural environment and the height range from 1.38m to 1.60m. For the beginners there are also a trainers/teachers that will escort you and answer all your questions about horses and horseback riding. Each trip can last from a quarter to one hour for kids and beginners and three to four hours for experienced riders.

• 30 minutes in the riding pen or our village.
• 60 minutes in the riding pen or through the olive groves of Apolpena.
• 2 hours and 30 minutes: Leaving the farm in Apolpena passing the lagoon and reaching the beach of Agios Giannis in time for sunset.
• 15 minutes: child riding.

For more info ask us!

The island of Lefkada is a magical place for cycling. 
Starting from the island’s capital, Lefkada, you can travel easily around the town and the suburbs. Ride around to the historic centre and to the paradise beaches close to town.
A unique ride of beauty is the round route of the lagoon from the Venetian Castle of Aghia Mavra, passing through the magnificent beaches of Gira, Mylous, Aghios Ioannis, around the town of Lefkada. 
Also you could ride to the town’s olive grove down to the village of Fryni and the historic monastery of Faneromenis, located at the top of a hill continuing to Tsoukalades and Aghios Nikitas.

The island offers also, an amazing mountain bike experience. The inland of Lefkada is full of green colours with high mountains, scenic villages and magical pathways. You could find many organised clubs all over the island, offering mountain bike experience. In the town of Lefkada, Nydri and Vassiliki, there are many bike rentals where you could find the necessary equipment for cycling around the island.

For more information about cycling you can click here

In addition to Greek National holidays each island has its own particular festivals and holidays. Lefkas seems to have more than its own fair share and if you are fortunate enough to be here for a festival day, it’s really worth making the effort to go and watch – or maybe join in the fun. You should keep in mind that a Greek Festival day is usually a religious celebration and often relates to a particular saint. For some small or ancient churches it might as well be the only day in the whole year that it holds a service. On festival days the church bells start ringing early in the morning and the islanders go to offer their thanks and prayers. It is usually in the evening that the proper “party” begins!

27th May – Agion Pateron, Nikiana:  this religious festival is celebrated at the tiny convent just behind the village of Nikiana. During the day many people walk all the way up the steep and windy hill from Nikiana to honour the saints and gain their goodwill. In the evening there are the usual festivities with loud clarinet music and traditional dancing in the village. This begins around 10 p.m. and goes on in to the early hour of the morning

24th June – Agios Ioannis, Meganissi: a day celebrated throughout Greece commemorating the birth of Saint John the Baptist. Usually the major festivities take place on the eve of the festival. In this area it is celebrated mainly on the island of Meganissi on the beach close to the church of Agios Ioannis. Many people go across by boat during the day to pay their respects at the small chapel but, as usual, the major celebrations take place in the evening with the traditional clarinet music and dancing.

7th July – Agia Kiriaki, Nidri and Vlicho: This is the most significant festival in the Nidri area. The church of Agia Kiriaki, the patron saint of Vlicho, is located opposite Nidri. During the festival period, which lasts three days, a market is set up along the seafront in Nidri. Small boats run a regular ferry service from Nidri harbour across to the church on this day. The evening festivities take place in the village of Vlicho. Tables, chairs and makeshift bandstands are set up all along the seafront. Hundreds of people come from all over the island to join in the evening festivities, which usually begin around 11pm and go through the night till the early hours of the morning. It’s great fun to watch or even join in but be warned, the clarinet music is played at extremely high decibel level!

14 – 15th of July : Riganada Festival which takes place in the mountainous village of Karia. There the locals offer riganada. It is an old traditional snack from sardines on bread slices with olive oil, tomato and oregano. Also late at night local singers and dancers perform at the main square of the village.

17th July – Agia Marina, Agia Marina near Lefkas Town: mainly celebrated in rural areas with feasts to honour the saint as the protector of crops. The church of Agia Marina is just behind the beach of Agios Giannis near Lefkas Town

26th July – Agia Paraskevi, Agios Petros: Agia Paraskevi is the Patron Saint of the small village north of Vassiliki, Agios Petros. A special service is held at the church in the morning but the true merriment begins in the evening.  Usually around about 11pm everybody congregates around the village square where tables and chairs are set out and there is live music for entertainment. As with most Greek festivals the party goes on until the early hours of the morning!

6th August – Agios Donatos Lentil Festival, Englouvi: this festival is probably one of the most peculiar festivals in the Ionian Islands and great fun too! Around 6pm of the 6th August a special service is held to honour the Archbishop Donatos in the tiny church that takes his name, located on the plain above the village of Englouvi. After the service everybody gets together in the area outside the church where the locals from Englouvi offer free wine, sardines and bowls of lentil soup (a speciality of Englouvi). After this, the party continues with music and dancing.

15th August  – Festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This is a big national holiday. Any church on the island dedicated to the Virgin Mary organises a festival and Greek music can be heard coming from everywhere!

1st Sunday in August, Karia: a reconstruction of a traditional Lefkadian wedding takes place in the evening of this day. This is a relatively recent event set up with live music and lots of traditional Greek dancing by the locals in order to preserve old customs and traditions. The village gets quite packed but a visit is definitely worth it.

18th-25th  August  International Folklore Festival Lefkada: The “Lefkas International Folklore Festival” of 2019 completes 57 years of existence. Since its establishment in 1962, the festival has promoted the message of peace, friendship and brotherhood among nations worldwide through its cultural and traditional folk forms in the art of music and dance.

In the festival  folk dance groups from the five continents will reinforce, through their performances, the message of friendship, communication and cooperation. A total of 800 dancers, choreographers, musicians, singers etc.

The festival takes place during the last week of August ,from one Sunday to the other, commencing with the great parade of peace and friendship, the evening’s ceremony marking  the opening night (on that first Sunday night) with a very short appearance by all dance groups.  During the week we have their full appearances and performances by each group and finally reaching the peak on the second Sunday with the majestic ending ceremony to include the exchange of gifts and the final dance of peace on stage by all groups.

The participation of the folk groups in the Lefkas International Folklore Festival is the opportunity for thousands native and foreign visitors of the island to get acquainted with, to appreciate and enjoy the folk art and cultural heritage of other countries.