Levkada (Lefkas)

Ionian Islands; Greece's Wild West - “ Where burning Sappho leaped and sung..”.

Byron's wonderful Ode to the Isles of Greece picks out the extreme westernmost point of the island, where the range of white cliffs dropping down to turquoise water and white sands comes to an end. The end of the cliffs, from which the ancient poetess Sappho leaped to her love-lorn death is now marked with a lighthouse. The beach of Porto Katsiki with its powdery white sand and brilliant pale blue water, further along the cliffs is perhaps the most perfect beach in the Mediterranean. Even though coasches now go there, it is a must. Levkada has a wild western, cliff -girt coast with the sea rolling in from Italy across the water, lined with huge stretches of long sandy beaches now accessible by car. The east coast borders the narrow channel to the mainland, and fronts gentle green hills indented with small pebbly coves and calm green water. Onassis' island of Skorpios lies just outside the port of Nidri - a bustling marina and commercial centre for boat hire and excursions. Between the two coasts rise high mountains and fields dotted with small traditional villages. You may still see older women dressed in the brown homespun costume of long skirt and headscarf, while a flock of goats follow an old man on a donkey. The south coast is a famous centre for wind-surfing and dinghy-sailing. The northern tip has the very useful distinction of being connected to the mainland by a bridge, leaving some people to question whether Levkada really is an island or not. It has a different atmosphere from the rest of the Ionian, having endured the Ottoman occupation for far longer than the other islands, and having been in ancient times actually a part of the mainland for long periods when the narrow channel silted up. Access to Preveza airport (40 minutes) Thessaloniki (a stunning 5 hour drive away) and Athens (6 hours) by road mean that tourism here is beginning to gain ground, and some top quality villas are now being built. Levkada has a couple of pretty seaside villages; Sivota and Vassiliki, but its wonderful beaches, authentic mountain villages and virgin landscapes once one gets away from the spoiled areas Nidri, are what are beginning to attract top end visitors all over Europe. www.lefkas.net is a useful website.

Best for

Exploring North West Greece, calm swimming, boating around the archipelago of small islands, and local produce ( Levkada was a mainly agricultural island until very recently.) The old parts of Levkada town with their pastel painted corrugated iron roofs and hidden sprinklings of old Venetian belfries and churches.

Beaches: endless Pefkoulia has a bar, a taverna and beach chairs and umbrellas Pretty Agios Nikitas has a popular sheltered “village” beach with decent snorkelling and great access to all the tavernas ; hop in the taxi boat or scramble over the rocks and you find beautiful long stretches of sandy beach either side of the cove. Drive a few minutes longer to Kathisma, a stunning, endless stretch of clean sand stretching for several miles; there you'll find several tavernas and The Beach Club, one of the coolest beach bars. Try Kalamitsi, and the jewel in the west coast crown - Porto Katsiki.

Worst for

Lack of cultural tourist attractions, poor level tourist development around Nidri.

Would suit

Beach bums, lovers of clear calm seas, those wanting home cooked meals in small tavernas, those wanting peace and quiet, sea sick prone types who want to go to an island by car, those wanting to explore unspoiled mountain villages and buy local honey and rugs...

Would not suit

Seekers of stylish scenes, elegant cafes, those wanting hip shops - Lefkada is not a chic island yet -

Activities

Water sports and boat hire from Nidri,wonderful boating, snorkelling, day trips to the sprinkling of beautiful islands in the area - Atokos, Arkoudi, Ithaca, Meganisi and Cephalonia , driving in the mountains. Take advantage of the road connection and try a day trip to Delphi or up to the Zagoria mountains, or even Meteora - 3 hours away.

Don't miss

Sunset at Porto Katsiki, or Pefkouli beach - a fabulous place to watch the sunset with a bottle of Retsina and a plate of excellent octopus salad. Lunch in Agios Nikitas, at “Sappho's” in a stunning location right on the beach

A boat trip to the Blue Grotto of Papanicolaou on Meganisi, a trip to Skorpios, the lovely little island with 18th century villa on it outside Nidri belonging to the poet Vaianos, a visit to the pretty little yachting harbour of Sivota in a natural enclosed bay, that escaped the depredations of 19th century pirates as it was invisible from the sea - 21st century pirates are harder to escape though...

Geni is a pretty peninsular with some tiny pebble coves picturesque little tavernas, and stunning views.

The world windsurfing championships at Sivota.

High Season

The yachting scene is in full swing and August is crowded.

Low Season

The sailing flotillas based in Sivota and Vassiliki keep going till early October. Walk the many paths with wonderful views, and enjoy the beaches all on your own.

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