Almost too beautiful to be true: for millions of years, the white chalk cliffs in the western part of the Ionian island have caused the sea to shimmer in an incredibly milky blue at the Lefkada beaches.
In the east of the island, on the other hand, the bays are made of darker gravel and not quite as attractive, but they are sheltered from the wind and usually have no high waves. Nydri and Nikiana are also among the most popular resorts on Lefkada.
Below we present our Top 10 beaches of Lefkada and also show you the most beautiful beachfront hotels on Lefkada.
🏖️ Dream beaches & hidden bays
🍽️ Restaurants, tavernas & cafés
🏛️ Must-see highlights & ancient sites
🗺️ Worthwhile spots & insider tips
🚘 Practical info like rentals & parking
♾️ Lifetime access & updates
Lefkada beaches in the west
#1 Agios Nikitas Beach
A narrow beach section awaits you at the village of Agios Nikitas in the northwest of Lefkada. It’s a fine, bright pebble beach with crystal clear water, gently sloping and therefore suitable for families with children. At the western end of the beach, cold groundwater rises to the surface.
The beach is not managed, so you should bring a parasol. Taverns and cafes are located right on the beach. In midsummer, Agios Nikitas Beach is unfortunately very overcrowded, so it’s advisable to head to Milos Beach instead, which can be reached on foot or by water taxi (see #2). Parking is available outside the village on the main road.
→ Our accommodation recommendations in Agios Nikitas (links to Booking.com*):
#2 Milos Beach
A long dream beach with fine gravel and turquoise blue water. Largely unspoilt, with no shade and no sanitary facilities on site.
It is best to bring your own parasol and food, as the few sun loungers on site cost between €30 and €40. The location is very exposed to wind and therefore usually has high waves. The shore drops relatively quickly into deep water.
You can reach Milos Beach on foot from the coastal town of Agios Nikitas. At the level of the Klimataria tavern, a road branches off to the left, which turns into a trail. The climb is short but steep and passes by an old giant olive tree.
Once at the top, you will have a magnificent view of Milos Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on Lefkada. After about 15 minutes of walking, you will reach the beach. Sturdy shoes are recommended for this short hike.
Alternatively, in high season there are regular taxi boats from Agios Nikitas to Milos Beach (approx. €4 p.p.). However, trips will be cancelled in the event of strong waves.
By the way, the old windmill perched on a rocky plateau at the northern end above the beach gave the beach of Milos its name (Greek mylos = mill).
→ Accommodation tips at Milos Beach (links to Booking.com*):
✓ Full coverage & unlimited mileage included
✓ Free cancellation until 24h before pickup
✓ Best price guarantee via Discover Cars
#3 Kathisma Beach
A kilometre-long beach with fine sand and turquoise waters. Well organised with several beach bars offering sun loungers and umbrellas. Changing rooms, showers and toilets are also available.
Depending on the wind strength, waves can get very high with a strong suction effect. As with the other western beaches, the shore drops off relatively steeply, so this Lefkada beach is not suitable for small children.
Due to the easy accessibility and the numerous parking spaces, many campers visit Kathisma Beach. Parking in the designated spaces comes with a fee (approx. 5–10 €), though parking was free during our visit in October. In high season, Kathisma Beach gets very crowded, so it’s not ideal for those seeking peace and quiet.
→ Accommodation tips at Kathisma Beach (links to Booking.com*):
💡 Lefkada book tip: The Greek Islands travel guide by Lonely Planet includes a compact chapter on the island of Lefkada and other Ionian islands, complete with maps. Order here: View on Amazon*
#4 Avali Beach
Caribbean beach scenery of white gravel and turquoise blue sea, not far from the town of Kalamitsi. Natural and somewhat remote, but not overcrowded even in high season.
The cozy Beach Bar Avali serves bathers with snacks and cool drinks. Bathing shoes are recommended due to the gravelly ground, and the shore drops away quickly here too. The approach is a little tricky because of the narrow and steep road. Not far from the Avali Bar, there is free parking on the roadside.
→ Accommodation tips at Avali Beach (links Booking.com*):
#5 Kavalikefta & Megali Petra
A long stretch of coastline with photogenic beaches near Kalamitsi, which merge directly into one another. In the shoreline area of the fine pebble beaches, large boulders lie in the turquoise blue sea. Large parts of the beaches are unspoilt, and in high season some sunbeds and umbrellas are provided.
At Kavalikefta Beach there is a simple snack bar with fast food and drinks. Toilets and changing rooms are available. The approach is difficult and road conditions are poor. Parking is subject to a fee (approx. €8).
→ Accommodation tips at Kavalikefta & Megali Petra: see Avali Beach
#6 Gialos Beach
A long, grey pebble and stone beach with free parking. Sun loungers and parasols can be rented on site, otherwise it remains natural. The Medousa Beach Bar provides a shower (for a fee) and a portable toilet.
Water shoes are recommended due to the stony shoreline. Since Gialos Beach is not as picturesque as its sister beaches, it doesn’t get overcrowded even in midsummer. In October we came across some campers here too. The road down to the beach is newly paved but steep and winding.
→ Accommodation tips at Gialos Beach (links to Booking.com*):
Lefkada beaches in the south
#7 Egremni Beach
For us, this is one of the most beautiful beaches on Lefkada. After walking 1.1 km down a steep asphalt road, a fabulous panorama awaits you as you descend over 400 steps along a cliff. Unbelievably turquoise blue water meets a bright, fine pebble beach here.
Egremni Beach stretches along the coast for miles. Since it can only be reached via a long walk or by excursion boats from Nydri, it is not overcrowded and remains unspoilt even in high season. Make sure to bring your own umbrellas.
You can park in front of the gate that closes the paved path to vehicles, for a fee. In October, parking was free. Above the beach, at the top of the stairs, there is a simple taverna serving cool drinks and snacks.
From the car park it takes about 25 minutes to reach the dizzying staircase and another 10 minutes down to the beach. The dreamlike scenery makes the somewhat arduous path worth it. In midsummer, the shadowless descent is only recommended for those with sufficient fitness and water supply.
→ Accommodation tips at Egremni Beach (links to Booking.com*):
💡 Attention for shoe lovers on Lefkada: The stairs down to Egremni Beach seem to swallow shoes at an alarming rate. One wrong step and your flip-flop says goodbye over the cliff. The “shoe fence” along the road to Egremni Beach impressively shows just how many sandals have already met their end there.
#8 Agiofili Beach
A paradise bathing bay not far from Vasiliki with crystal clear water and a bright pebble beach awaits you here. Access to the beach is via private property. On site, there are fees for parking (approx. 10 €) and for sun loungers.
A beaten path and steps take you down to Agiofili Beach. Halfway down there is a canteen and toilets, but they are no longer usable.
The bay on Lefkada is also great for snorkeling. A visit is especially worthwhile in the low season, as this Lefkada beach is usually completely overcrowded in midsummer. It is also accessible by water taxi from Vasiliki.
→ Accommodation tips at Agiofili Beach (links to Booking.com*):
#9 Orfanogianni Beach
Lonely bay with a bright pebble beach and crystal clear water in the far south of the island. Hardly visited even in midsummer, as it is difficult to access. Best reached by boat, otherwise only on foot at the western end of the beach (in front of the gate of a villa) via a narrow path that requires some climbing skills. At your own risk!
→ Accommodation tips at Orfanogianni Beach (links to Booking.com*):
#10 Porto Katsiki
This is Lefkada’s most popular beach and the island’s main attraction. Located in the far southwest, the “goat’s harbour” takes its name from the beach’s former inhabitants. The wide, curved bay is a true postcard scene with its green chalk cliffs, bright pebble beach and turquoise-blue water.
Depending on where you’re staying, getting to Porto Katsiki on the southwestern headland by rental car can take a while. The nearest town, Athani, is about 25 minutes away. You can book affordable rental cars on Lefkada directly through our partner Discover Cars*:
➲ To offers for cheap rental cars*
Behind the Kiosk Cafe Panorama, the main road winds through many curves to a large park area above the beach. Depending on the season, you pay 5–10 € per day.
You get your first glimpse of Porto Katsiki Beach from the parking lot next to the old Porto Katsiki Bridge. This adventurous viewpoint has not been accessible for several years, as the bridge was damaged by earthquakes (see post: Greece Earthquake) and has since collapsed.
In the northern part of the bay, a staircase leads down to the pebble beach. Along the way, you will pass a snack bar and souvenir stalls.
There is no operator at Porto Katsiki Beach, so you will need to bring your own umbrella. The shore drops off relatively quickly, so bathing shoes are recommended. There are no sanitary facilities available.
In summer, the beach gets very crowded from 10:30 a.m. onwards, largely due to the many Porto Katsiki excursion boats arriving (e.g. from Vasiliki). We recommend not lying directly under the cliffs, as larger boulders can come loose.
→ Accommodation tip at Porto Katsiki Beach (link to Booking.com*):
Lefkada Beaches: East Coast
The Lefkada beaches on the east coast are somewhat overshadowed by the popular western beaches, as they can’t boast turquoise blue water and bright pebble beaches. Nevertheless, around Nydri you’ll find some swimming spots with pebble beaches and crystal clear waters, which are more or less crowded depending on the season.
Popular beaches on the east coast are Paralia Episkopos near Nikiana, the beach of Nydri and Desimi Beach, as well as Lakka Beach (accessible only by hike) on the Geni Peninsula.
Excursions and Tours to Lefkada Beaches
Discover the beautiful beaches and bays of Lefkada by boat or kayak and experience the coastline from a completely different perspective. Guided kayak tours on Lefkada and mini island hopping to the surrounding islands such as Meganissi or Skorpios usually depart from Nydri. More information is available from our partner GetYourGuide*:
➲ For organized mini island hopping with BBQ*
➝ More Lefkada travel tips can be found in the following articles:
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