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Lefkada is the fourth biggest island in the Ionian Sea and is very close to the mainland, so close that it is assumed that the island used to be attached to the mainland in the past. Nowadays, it forms the homonymous nomarchy and its capital is Lefkada Town.

Despite the fact that the Drepanos Channel seperates the island from the mainland, there is a long causeway and a floating bridge. Hence, Lefkada is the only island that can be accessed by car. The island covers a 302.5-square-kilometer area while its population comes up to 22,879 people. Lefkada has a typical Mediterranean climate: mainly wet, hot summers and cool winters.
The whole island is a miracle of nature, full of beautiful seaside resorts and picturesque villages, built between the mountains. The majority of the mountainous areas are safe shelters, ideal for the survival and reproduction of many diverse species, and in many cases endangered ones: plants, birds and animals. The visitors are also highly likely to find plenty of caves, waterfalls and natural watertaps.
The island of Lefkada has a great number of really beautiful beaches, whose main characteristic is the clean, blue-green waters, a feature that makes them popular all over the world and accounts for them being considered as the most beautiful coasts, not only in Greece but also in the whole Mediterranean. On the west coasts of the island, lies the famous beach Porto Katsiki, which has been nominated by the international Press, as the best beach in the Mediterranean.
The island's economy is dependent on tourism, oil production, viticulture and fishery. The island is known for its great needleworks and textile fabrics, that constitute real pieces of art and are made by traditional weavers, especially women who live in Karia, a small village in Lefkada. The traditional dishes, served in most restaurants and tavernas in the island, are 'bourdeto', 'bianco' codfish, 'fry-pie', 'frugadeli' and a variety of pies.

source: http://lefkada.org.uk/

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Suggested routes around the island:

Western lefkada

The route passes some of Lefkada’s most beautiful beaches - famous worldwide. The return journey is through the mountainous interior of the island.

Starting out from Lefkada town, follow the signs to Aghios Nikitas village, passing the monastery of Panaghia Faneromeni, the ‘Island’s Palladium’. There is an exceptional view to be enjoyed to the right: the town of Lefkada, the forest of age-old olive trees and its liquid reflection framing it, the two lagoons and the channel; the shades of blue and green are countless and the multicoloured houses of the town a feast for the eyes, the white sails of the yachts and the glittering windsurfers battling with the wind and the waves at Gyra and Ai Yannis. We reach the village of Tsoukalades, built on a height and hemmed in by olive trees. There are gorgeous vistas from there of the Ionian Sea from a number of different angles.. It is worthwhile to go down the hill to one of the beaches on its shore. Continuing along the asphalt road, a few kilometres further on there is a breathtaking sight of the vast Ionian Sea. The sea sparkling under the sun and the clarity of the water invite you to plunge into it without delay!The first beach on the route is one of the best: Pefkoulia. Here the pine trees descend down the slopes all the way to the seashore and provide shade for the many campers who enjoy free camping. The sea is wonderfully clear and the strand is of fine, rice-like grains as on almost all the beaches on Lefkada’s west coast, a caress for bare feet and easily flicked off the skin.

A few kilometres further on is Aghios Nikitas, listed as a village of the national heritage.

The sea that laps the seafront is crystal-clean and is a joy to swim in, with the added enjoyment of its setting amid enchanting scenery.

Aghios Nikitas is a very pleasant resort for a summer holiday, with all the comforts and nothing missing for an enjoyable stay. Swimming, food, entertainment, everything is provided for. From Aghios Nikitas there is the shuttle service of a water taxi departing from the water-front to the next beach, Mylos, considered by some one of the two loveliest of the island. It’s rather difficult access has saved it from the crowds and its endless stretches of immaculate beach and waters can be enjoyed with plenty of space from other bathers.

Returning in the direction of Aghios Nikitas, follow the sign towards another super beach: Kathisma. It was once a virtually deserted nudist beach, nowadays one of the island’s most frequented and cosmopolitan, probably brought about by the building of rooms to let and the beach bars which have transformed it. The sea water is wonderful, but care should be taken when the north-west wind gets up, for the seabed suddenly shelves steeply down and the waves can be quite dangerous.

Next stop, Kalamitsi, “Kalamitsi the beautiful, with blossoms and flowers”. A mountain village with easy access by car to three lovely beaches in its vicinity. In the evening, a stunning sunset can be admired from here (perhaps one of the most phantasmagoric of the island) with the sun flooding the sky with colour and retiring majestically into the distant depths. On the way either to or from the beach, it is worth the detour to visit the little church of Panaghia ton Kypon, situated in an idyllic environment.

Reaching Kalamitsi, you can either return through Drimonas/Exanthia/Sfakiotes or continue with the next route. If at this point you decide to return you should make a stop at the Village of Drimonas which is a wonderful traditional village with stunning views of the vastness of the Ionian Sea. The village that will impress you most is Exanthia, located 3 km from Drimonas. It is in a semi-circle and the site has probably been inhabited since Byzantine times. It is worth a stop to go up to the old church of Aghios Stephanos to see its interesting free-standing bell tower and a courtyard where the panoramic view is amazing. The church has suffered damage in the earthquakes and been rebuilt. The icon screen bears the date 1850.

South-western Lefkada

Past Kalamitsi, the road continues to Hortata village. You should take the new asphalt road by making a right at the crossroads.

Hortata is also a mountain village with the typical stone houses, from where you can see the whole of south-western Lefkada.

Continuing southward, at the crossroads turn right towards the villages of Komilio - Dragano - Athani on the south-western tip of the island.

Komilio is a minuscule village with stone masonry houses, narrow alleys and few inhabitants.

Dragano, one more tiny village in the south of the island, boasts a remarkable example of a building dating to pre-industrialisation, an oil press which for centuries served the needs of the inhabitants in the production of olive oil. Continuing along we pass the right exit to Gialos Beach and the asphalt road brings us to Athani, perched on a sheer rock to protect it from the danger of the frequent pirate raids. The place is well known for the production of thyme honey. Shortly after the village, on the road to Cape Lefkatas, forks lead to the very special and justly famous beaches of the island: Egkremni and Porto Katsiki.

Egkremni is a paradise for those in search of isolated beaches. Such colours are seen only on postcards from some exotic Caribbean island.

The virgin sands meet the sapphire waters and a visit here is a must. However, it should be said that access to this beach is not easy and there are 300 steps to go up and down, but be not disheartened, the experience is truly unforgettable! The Cape Lefkatas road leads to the most spectacular of all the island’s beaches: Porto Katsiki. It is the beach featuring in most tourist guides all over the world promoting the beauties of Greece. The dark turquoise waters, clear as a precious stone, make a striking contrast with the towering sugar-white wall of roc behind and the golden stretch of sand. From Athani, the last stop has to be Cape Lefkatas or Kavos tis Nyras or Kavos tis Kyras. The landscape takes your breath away. Sheer cliffs and bottomless, raging seas create scenery of unimaginable wildness. They say that it is these white cliffs that gave Lefkada its name (lefko = white).

It is said that the ancient lyric poetess Sappho fell from here to free herself from her love for the young Faon. The time of day for the strongest impression of Cape Lefkatas is of course at sunset, when the sun paints the rocks with its rays and gives colour to the sea which in turn in its own tongue murmurs stories of thousands of years… To return to Lefkada town, we suggest that you head again towards Hortata and Kalamitsi, and from there head towards Drymona, a pretty little mountain village that is resplendent in spring with a mass of blossoming Judas trees.

Another very impressive village is Exanthia, 3 Km from Drymonas. It is in semi-circle and the site has probably been inhabited since Byzantine times. From here choose the paved mountain road towards Sfakiotes and continue north to the town.

Nydri

From Lefkada town, set off towards Nydri – Vassiliki. Passing through the villages of Kalligoni, Kariotes, Lygia, Nikiana, Periyiali in succession, you reach Nydri village. This is the most cosmopolitan part of the island. Once a quaint fishing village, it is today the destination of most tourists for their stay. There is a choice of modern hotels, rooms to let, restaurants and bars and organized summer sea sports and sailing, visits to the islets just offshore, as well as trips to the islands of Ithaca and Kefallonia. The Pringiponissia rise out of the bay in front of Nydri, the ‘Prince Islands’, shoulder to shoulder, and with the promontory of Aghia Kyriaki forming an archipelago configured like a fjord. They are certainly worth a visit. In the harbour, you can board one of the many little boats making daily cruises or rent a small boat or speed boat to explore them alone. The islands closest to Nydri, from west to east are: Sparti, Heloni, Madouri, Skorpidi and Skorpios.

Each has a history. Onassis had purchased the small island of Sparti, too, in 1963 from the Stavros family, the oldest family on the island. Next to Sparti, close to the mainland, there is a small round and rocky island covered in olive trees, called Helonaki. Next to it, approximately one kilometre from the coast is the small island of Madouri that has belonged to the Valaoritis family since the beginning of the 19th century. Two miles from Nydri, beyond Madouri, is the most famous of these islands: Skorpios, owned by Aristotle Onassis. Onassis purchased it in 1963 and since then the island has been featured in all the magazines and newspapers of the world, as the playground of the rich and famous and the jet set from far and wide, and has known moments of glory, but also of great grief. Now it just waits silently to see what its fate will be. North of Skorpios is the island of Scorpidi, belonging to the Livanos ship-owning family.

Nydri - Waterfalls

Back at Nydri, there are excursions from here to a completely different environment and atmosphere. First objective: the waterfalls (follow the signs on the central road through the village) for a refreshing dip. The route goes through orchards and fields, through the settlement of Rahi, and, having left the carriage road, heads west along a footpath leading up the mountain, alongside the gorge. The leafy path ends at a rocky cliff where the waterfall is formed. A little farther on the water collects in a natural pool, where in early summer the water is still plentiful and a plunge in the icy water coming from the mountain heights is tremendously invigorating. In the past there used to be many wate mills here to grind the wheat of the area.

Meganissi

There is an enticing lacework of coastline, forming deep fjord-like coves especially on the northern side of the island. Its 20 sq km surface is the permanent home of a thousand inhabitants living in the three hamlets of stone houses in the traditional building style:Katomeri, Spartohori and Vathy.

Spartohori commands the best view, and is built on stony terrain surrounded by greenery, above Spilia harbour . The route from Spartohori to the port is most attractive, and half-way along you can glimpse the Cave of the Cyclops, which has not as yet been explored.

Katomeri lies three km from Spartohori and is a small farmiers’ village with olive groves (the biggest olive grove in the region is Messoi).

Vathy, its seaport, is a delightful seaside fishing village. There are many bays to moor one’s boat on Meganissi: Ambelaki, Balos, Platiyali, Svourna, Kolopoulou, Dihali, Limonari, Elia and Limni, and there are grottos on the south-western coast, the most famous of which is Papanikolis’ Cave, about 30 m deep and with a little sandy crescent of beach at the back end.

According to tradition it was one of the hiding places of the Papanikolis submarine. Other well-known caves are those of Yiovani and Demona accessible only from the sea.

A sight worth seeing is the windmills scattered over the hillsides, that whirred busily in the 19th and 20th centuries. Most stand above the harbour of Atherinos. Also the stone wells with their circular parapet borders, the work of skilled master-craftsmen. Churches and monasteries on the island of particular interest include Aghioi Constantinos ke Eleni in Katomeri, Aghios Nikolaos and the monastery of Aghios Ioannis tou Prodromou on a pebbly seashore in the west of the island.

According to sources it was built in 1477.

Nowadays Meganissi is well stocked with tavernas and rooms to let, and has footpaths or little roads agreeable for walks. It is 4 nautical miles from Nydri.

All the beaches:

Ai Yiannis, Mili:

Preferred by wind and kite surfers. They cover a stretch of 4.5 km and the waters are turquoise coloured. You will find tavernas and cafes here.

Gyra:

A particularly popular beach opposite the village of the same name, with two tavernas.

Kastro:

A beach with pristine waters frequented mostly by locals, lying opposite the pontoon bridge accessing the island behind the TAOL building.

Ammoglossa:

To the right of the lighthouse, opposite the fort of Aghia Mavra. White sand and pure blue sea.

Mylos:

The sand is pure white and the deep waters are turquoise, a splendid sight, especially when seen from above. Not accessible by car. The beach is at the end of the scenic footpath setting out from Aghios Nikitas (a 20-minute walk) or you can go by ‘Taxi-boat’.

Pefkoulia:

A large sandy beach, clean sea and pines all the way to the shore. Only part of it is organized. Beyond the big rock is an area for nudists.Aghios Nikitas:

The small beach with pure waters of the village of the same name, in front of the cafes and tavernas, it is preferred by families. On the left, between Mylos and Aghios Nikitas there is another stunning beach, Ammoudoula, accessible only by swimming to it, where the cave Fokotrypa stands.

Kathisma:

Once the favourite of campers and nudists, it is today Lefkada’s most cosmopolitan seashore, organized with umbrellas, loungers, beach bar and restaurants. The sand is white and pebbly, the sea blue-green. Take care however!When the northwesterly wind is strong the waves are high and it is best not to attempt to swim.

Kalamitsi - Kavalikefta - Megali Petra-Avali

There are three sand beaches near this village, with turquoise waters, white pebbles, sand and rocks for all preferences. There is a canteen and a few umbrellas and deck chairs.

Gialos:

Just before Athani there is a big sandy beach, also for campers and with a canteen.

Egremni

A famous beach 2 km long surrounded by impressive cliffs, considered one of the best of the Mediterranean. The landscape resembles the Caribbean, the water a transparent aquamarine and pristine. There is a canteen beyond the parking lot and another on the beach, which is at the bottom of the 350 steps you have to go down.

Porto Katsiki:

A strip of pure white sand at the foot of a towering white rock: the picture is familiar as it was awarded the prize of the loveliest beach in Greece and appears on posters promoting tourism. To get there you go down a steep path with a hundred steps from the parking lot (with plenty of canteens) or by caique from Nydri and Vassilki.

Lygia - Episkopos - Nikiana - Periyiali

The beaches of the eastern side begin just after the picturesque harbour of Lygia which is 6 km from Lefkada town. As far as Nydri (17 km from town) you will find countless and quiet beach spots. The scenery is striking, especially in the Nikiana area and the greenery reaches almost to the water’s edge. There are restaurants and lodgings all along the coastline.

Nydri:

Much frequented by the people staying in Nydri, it is fairly crowded.

Dessimi:

In a bay on the outer shore of Vlychos peninsula. It is small and shady and perfect for canoeing, to explore the little sandy coves and caves along the coast. It is pebbly, with two organized camping sites in the bay.

Mikros Gialos:

Below Poros village, a peaceful and attractive beach with pebbles where the sea is unpolluted, in sheltered Rouda Bay and nearly always calm. There are camping sites, hotels and restaurants in the area.

Ammoussa or Amousso:

Close to Vassiliki. You get there by a detour of the main road at the village of Marantohori. It is small, with pebbles and there is a taverna, a café and residences.

Aghiofili:

One of the island’s best, in a very pretty cove to the left of Vassiliki. The waters are a pure blue-green. You can take the little boat from Vassiliki or go along the path beginning from the southeastern side.

Vassiliki:

The village’s beach, beloved by wind surfers. It is classed among the Europe’s three best beaches for windsurfing. This is where the international water sports festival takes place (www.vassiliki-watersports-festival.com). The sea is invariably calm on the west side.

sourse:http://www.lefkadaslowguide.gr/