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If there’s one thing I can definitely say about Lefkada, it’s that it has astonishing beaches with fine sand and turquoise water, and some breathtaking views.
There are a lot of amazing beaches in Lefkada, but there isn’t enough time to visit all of them, because let’s be real, visiting so many beaches can get tiring. When I started to plan my trip, I found myself in front of a huge list of beaches to see and I knew it wasn’t realistic. What really helped my friends and I to narrow down this list was talking with the locals. The host from our accommodation brought us a map and took us on a virtual tour of Lefkada. After talking with him, our list of beaches had become digestible.
So, here is my list of the most amazing beaches you must see in Lefkada:
1. Egremni Beach
This beach was number one on our must-see list, but we couldn’t find enough information about the visiting conditions in 2021. There are two ways of accessing Egremni: by boat, or by (somewhat) car.
Access to this beach had been destroyed by an earthquake in 2015. We visited Lefkada in June 2021 and, although the road was rebuilt and safe to travel, at some point we reached a dead end. So we parked the car and went by foot in search of the stairs that lead to the beach.
Things you need to know:
- you have to walk approx. 2 km to reach those stairs
- the road is difficult with a lot of slopes
- to get to the beach you will have to climb down some 300 steps
- be extra cautious if you have a fear of heights
- wear very comfortable shoes (not flip flops, trust me on this)
- pack an umbrella, hats, sunscreen, water, and snacks because on Egremni beach there are no shops or sunbeds
- the sun reaches the beach in the afternoon, so keep this in mind if you want to avoid or catch the sun
With that said, even if it’s a little challenging to reach Egremni, I believe it’s all worth it. When you start to go down the stairs, an amazing view will start to unravel before your eyes, and your tiredness will all but vanish. Pure white pebbles, blue crystal-clear waters, impressive mountains and an endless sea will await you on Egremni beach.
If that doesn’t convince you, the pictures I took will definitely show you why Egremni is one of the best beaches in Lefkada.
2. Porto Katsiki
This beach is not only one of the best in Lefkada, but all of Greece. Porto Katsiki is located on the southwestern side of Lefkada and can be reached both by car or boat, from Nidri port.
White cliffs, lush vegetation, and deep blue waters make Porto Katsiki look like a living masterpiece. But I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
The cliff above the beach offers breathtaking views of Porto Katsiki and is definitely worth checking out, as well.
Things you need to know:
- there is paid parking at the site
- sunbeds and umbrellas are available to rent
- there are cafes and taverns (the food here is pretty expensive)
- the beach is made up of pebbles and small rocks
- during the high-tourist season, the beach is kinda crowded and if you arrive around mid-day, it will be harder to find an empty spot in the shade
- the water goes from shallow to quite deep very quickly, so you need to be extra careful.
If you want to visit Egremni Beach, Porto Katsiki and another famous beach (Agiofili) in just one day, then check out this organized tour.
3. Mylos beach
Our host told us that Mylos beach isn’t very popular, as it’s not as promoted as other famous beaches. This is because the locals want to keep this place more secluded. It was a struggle to find Mylos beach, as there weren’t many signs; after we finally got to it, however, we were impressed by its beauty. I can definitely see why Mylos is one of the best kept secrets of Lefkada.
Things you need to know:
- you can reach Mylos by boat, or car and follow a footpath
- if you choose the footpath, you will need to be ready for a bit of hiking
- the trail is through a forest and it takes approx. 15 minutes. The view from the top is stunning
- the beach is less crowded in comparison with Egremni or Porto Katsiki
- prepare your camera because the views will be too breathtaking to not capture and keep forever
4. Gialos Beach
Gialos is another beautiful beach that you should include on your travel list. To reach it, you need to follow a narrow, but paved road from Athani Village.
Things you need to know:
- there is free parking available
- sunbeds and umbrellas are available to rent
- the waves can get pretty aggressive, so be careful about that
- I recommend you wear special shoes when you enter the water
- on the beach there are amazing and private spots where you can have a fun photoshoot (I couldn’t resist the temptation, as you can see)
- you can enjoy a cold coffee and admire the view while sitting at the cafe near the beach
5. Megali Petra
Megali Petra offers a different and unique environment than the beaches described above. It is located near Kalamitsi village and is more secluded and recommended especially for nature lovers. The road is a little difficult to travel and you need to drive with caution. The entire view is so wild and unique, and even if we didn’t stay on the beach, we took the opportunity to take some photos and admire the scenery.
Things you need to know:
- there is paid parking at the site, but…
- you can find a place near the road and park your car for free
- the aren’t any cafes or tavernas near this beach
- the only sounds you will hear are the waves hitting the rocks (nature sounds at their best)
6. Vasiliki beach
Vasiliki is a beautiful fishing village that lies around a picturesque bay. Vasiliki beach is popular because it offers perfect conditions for windsurfing and sailing. We didn’t go to this beach, but we would see a lot of windsurfing enthusiasts having a blast almost every day!
If you are a gyros lover, Vasiliki is one of the best places to eat this delicious and traditional dish.
If you are a fan of water sports, or are looking for a fun activity to do in Vasiliki, then you should try a snorkeling tour by boat. You will also have the chance to explore the Blue Cave. For more details, please check out the link below.
7. Ammousa beach (with a hidden gem)
I put this beach on this list, not because it’s known as one of the best beaches of Lefkada, but because near it, we found a hidden gem that I just had to share. Ammousa is a small beach, a little crowded and too close to civilization for my taste. It’s located near a great taverna that offers amazing and traditional dishes. This place will remind you why Greek food is one of the best in the world. I highly recommend you give it a try.
Having said that, if you take the road to the left, while facing Ammousa beach, and drive for a couple of minutes, you will arrive at a secluded beach. As you can see in the photos, this beach is relatively small and intimate, giving you that ‘one with nature’ feeling.
The landscape is wild, with beautiful cliffs covered in luxurious vegetation and the water is perfect for swimming.
Story time 🙂
Ever since I was a child, my parents always called me a monkey, because I would always climb all the cliffs and rocks during our holidays together. As you can see, now at 31, I still couldn’t resist the temptation and I had to climb the closest rock. The photos can prove it! Don’t worry, I was perfectly safe (I think :)).
I hope you found this article useful and convinced you to put Lefkada on your travel bucket list. If you plan to visit and you don’t have time to do your research, I would love to help you out with your itinerary. I can help you build your “must-see list”, and recommend some amazing traditional places where you can enjoy delicious food.
I plan to write a full article about my one-week itinerary in Lefkada, so if you are interested, stay tuned.