The 14 Best Lefkada Beaches

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Less popular with holidaymakers than its neighbours, but just as beautiful, the Greek island of Lefkada (also known as Lefkas) is set adrift from the mainland in the turquoise Ionian Sea. It’s a small but easy accessible island that is connected to Greece by a floating bridge. It’s perhaps the most naturally stunning of all the Greek islands, consider it as the Caribbean of Greece, with idyllic bays and white sandy beached backed by historical towns and lush green hills.

The coast around Lefkada varies between pebbly coves, secluded bays and expanses of golden sandy beaches, all lapped by the sapphire waters of the Ionian Sea. It is little wonder these are considered to be some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. Most tourists head to the east coast with its sheltered bays and tourist resorts. Those in search of a quieter spot should stay on the west coast where the beaches become much less crowded, rocky and rugged. The stunning bays on the south of the island maybe more difficult to access, but they are most certainly worth the trip.

The island's most popular beaches are those around Nidri and Lefkada Town; they’re perfect for families with safe waters as well as being packed with activities, cafes and sun loungers. The best place on Lefkada for soft white sands is at Porto Katsiki Beach on the south west coast of the island; here you’ll find a stunning sandy beach secluded behind towering rock formations. Egremni Beach is also a popular sandy beach surrounded by dramatic cliffs and accessed via steep steps. Other notable beaches on the island include the long sandy coastline of Kathisma, Poros Beach with its lush greenery and Agios Ioannis which is popular with watersports enthusiasts.

  • 1. Egremni Beach

    Egremni Beach
    © Milan Baloun / 123RF
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    There is little doubt that Egremni beach is one of the finest on the island of Lefkada, which by default makes it one of the best in Greece. It is a beautiful spot with the long white sand beach backed by high limestone cliffs. However, it is the water colour that sets Egremni apart, a fantastic milky blue yet crystal clear. The 325 steps down to the beach don't seem… read more »

  • 2. Mylos

    Mylos
    © spheeris / CC BY

    Mylos is a particularly lovely beach that is located just 14.5 kilometers southwest of Lefkada Town. It sits between Agios Nikitas and Kathisma, and is a wonderfully secluded beach that is perfect for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the world. As you relax on the beach, you can drift off to the sound of the tranquil sea surrounded by steep green cliffs.

    It is easy… read more »

  • 3. Kathisma Beach

    Kathisma Beach
    © Alf van Beem

    On an island sometimes referred to as the Caribbean of Greece a beach needs to be pretty special to stand out. Kathisma, with its long stretch of white sand and turquoise waters is such a beach. Set on the "wilder" western coast of Lefkada the beach here is backed by rugged mountainous terrain and features some interesting rock formations to one end of the beach. To some extent Kathisma beach… read more »

  • 4. Porto Katsiki

    Porto Katsiki
    © auteur

    Porto Katsiki is one of the most beautiful beaches on Lefkada Island. With its crystal clear blue sea,sheer white cliffs and sandy beaches, this little slice of paradise is quite incredible. Bookmarked by towering limestone cliffs the only access down to the beach is by way of 80 steep steps.

    Porto Katsiki beach is located about 40 kilometers southwest of Lefkada Town, which is the capital city on the island.… read more »

  • 5. Agios Nikitas

    Agios Nikitas
    © spheeris / CC BY

    Agios Nikitas is a charming little beach that lies in a small fishing village just 13 kilometers southwest of Lefkada Town. The clean sand beach here melts into crystal clear turquoise waters, and it is surrounded by green cliffs. You can have a refreshing swim in the tranquil waters and then eat at a local fish tavern for an authentic Greek experience.

    To reach Agios Nikitas you will need to walk… read more »

  • 6. Agiofili

    Agiofili
    © Geraki / CC BY
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming

    Not far from the village of Vasiliki, Agiofili is a charming little beach with crystal clear waters and soft white sand. Surrounded by steep, rugged cliffs covered in greenery, this sheltered cove is reputed to have some of the clearest waters on Lefkada. This makes it a great spot for snorkelling, or just taking a dip in the calm blue Ionian waters. And when you relax in this peaceful… read more »

  • 7. Vasiliki

    Vasiliki
    © spheeris / CC BY
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    Vasiliki is a pleasant sunny holiday village on the south coast of Lefkada Island. There are a host of wonderful beaches around this little resort town, including Amouso Beach, Agiofili, Porto Katsiki, and the famous Egremni Beach, all of which make the village a great base for exploring. But you don't need to travel anywhere as you can relax on the fine strip of beach in… read more »

  • 8. Mikros Gialos

    Mikros Gialos
    © chripell / CC BY
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling

    Mikros Gialos means "small bay", and thatquite accurately describes the beach here. If you are looking for a quiet spot for a peaceful holiday, this could be the place for you. The bay is surrounded by undulating green hills and has white sand with clear, calm seas. The beach is considered part of the nearby village of Poros, which is around four kilometers away from the island's main road.

    Mikros… read more »

  • 9. Megali Petra

    Megali Petra
    © spheeris / CC BY

    Megali Petra translates as "big rock", and when you arrive here you will understand how this beach got its name! It is a pebbly beach with a number of huge rocks dotted along the shore. Just down the coast from Kalamitsi you will find the same bluish green water which forms pools around the giant rocks on this wild beach.

    The spot is backed by cliffs, with rolling green… read more »

  • 10. Pefkoulia

    Pefkoulia
    © www.mustseegreece.com / CC BY
    Great for:
    • Kitesurfing

    Pefkoulia is a wide open sandy beach that gives way to the clear, almost luminous blue-green waters of the Ionian sea. It is situated on the west coast about 10 kilometers southwest of Lefkada Town, near the village of Agios Nikitas. It is definitely one of the biggest beaches on Lefkada and also considered to be one of the best beaches on the island.

    In the summer, Pefkoulia is a… read more »

  • 11. Kalamitsi

    Kalamitsi
    George Terezakis

    Kalamitsi is one of the oldest villages on the island, located just 20 kilometers west of Lefkada Town. It sits atop the steeply sloping coast surrounded by hills and olive groves, with incredible views of the blue sea on all sides. There are many little whitewashed churches, and the hills are home to a number of traditional windmills. This is a quiet spot with very little in the way of… read more »

  • 12. Nidri Beach

    Nidri Beach
    Alan Lam

    Nidri Beach is located on the north side of the popular resort village of the same name. You can follow a path from the village down to the beach, where you will see a busy beach with plenty of amenities and things to do. The sea here is shallow and very warm, although the sea bed is coarse sand and pebble. If you have small children, they will love swimming… read more »

  • 13. Agios Ioannis

    Agios Ioannis
    © Izzet Noyan Yilmaz
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming
    • Kitesurfing

    Located on the west coast of Lefkada, Agios Ioannis is one of the most northerly beaches on the island. The closest beach to Lefkada town, which is just a couple of kilometres away, it is often the first port of call for residents of the town looking for a beach escape. However, its length of several kilometres means there is normally space enough for everyone without Agios Ioannis ever feeling… read more »

  • 14. Desimi Beach

    Desimi Beach
    © ba11istic
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    Situated on the eastern side of the Geni peninsula, roughly six kilometres from Nidri, Desimi beach is easily accessible by car. It boasts free parking alongside the beach amid olive groves, with the beach reached by walking through one of Desimi's two campsites. Visitors will also find a couple of tavernas here, though there are no sunbeds or umbrellas to rent.

    Reflecting some of the colour of the olive trees… read more »