Lefkada is one of the few Greek islands you can drive to. It’s connected to the mainland by a floating bridge, and yet you still get everything you’d dream of in the Ionian Islands: turquoise water, tall limestone cliffs on the west coast and beaches like Porto Katsiki and Egremni.
Your choice of area matters a lot, because the island is bigger than it looks and the roads over the mountains are winding. Here are my recommendations for six areas and hotels in several price ranges, so you can pick the base that suits your holiday.
Contents
The Best Areas in Lefkada
- Lefkada Town - best area for first-time visitors
- Agios Nikitas - best area for couples and a cosy village atmosphere
- Kathisma - best area for sandy beaches and sunsets
- Nidri - best area for families and boat trips
- Nikiana - best area for peace and quiet close to town
- Vasiliki - best area for windsurfing and day trips
Below, I’ll take you through the six areas one by one. For each area, you’ll get a map, the most important practical information and three hotels in different price ranges, from the most expensive to the cheapest.
1. Lefkada Town - best area for first-time visitors 🏙️
- 📍 Distance from Lefkada Town: You’ll be staying in the island’s main town, with the harbour, the marina and most of the shops and restaurants within walking distance.
- 🚌 Transport: The island’s bus station is in town, and the buses run from here to the rest of Lefkada. For the beaches on the west coast, though, a hire car or scooter is the easiest option.
- ✈️ Time from Aktion Airport: The airport is around 18 kilometres from town, so you should allow about 25 minutes by car or taxi.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £65 to £130 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Lefkada Town is a calm and safe town. Mostly, watch out for the traffic and the scooters in the narrow streets in the evening.
Lefkada Town is my top pick if it’s your first trip to the island and you’d like to be able to walk out for dinner without getting in a car. The town is at the very northern tip, right where the bridge from the mainland comes in, and that makes it the most practical base if you land late in Aktion.
The town has been hit by many earthquakes, which is why a lot of the houses are built with timber frames and light upper floors, often clad in coloured corrugated iron. It gives the streets a very distinctive look. Cafés, bakeries and tavernas line the pedestrian street and the narrow side streets, and in the evening the town gathers on the square and along the water by the marina.
See hotels in Lefkada Town here.
Right at the entrance to the island stands the fortress of Agia Mavra, which was founded around 1300 and now has a small museum. North of town, you’ll find the lagoon and the long beach at Gyra with its old windmills, and to the west you’ll quickly reach Agios Ioannis, where it’s often windy enough for kitesurfing.
The downside is that you don’t have a swimming beach right on your doorstep, and the famous beaches on the west coast are a drive away. On the other hand, you’re close to supermarkets, pharmacies and car hire. The bridge to the mainland swings open regularly to let boats through, so expect a bit of waiting if you’re driving to and from the airport.
Places to Stay in Lefkada Town
The Victoria Lefkada - best luxury pick with a pool in town
The Victoria Lefkada is an apartment hotel in the southern part of town, and it had the highest guest rating of the three in my search. You get an outdoor pool with a children’s pool, a bar, a 24-hour reception and free parking, which is a big advantage in town. Some guests feel the beds are too soft, and it’s about 2.5 kilometres to the nearest beach at Gyra.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A lovely stay at the hotel. The staff were fantastic, the room was clean and the location was good.”
See photos and book The Victoria Lefkada here.
Niriides - best mid-range pick with a high guest rating
Niriides is a smaller apartment hotel with a garden and terrace a couple of hundred metres from The Victoria and within walking distance of the centre. Guests praise the hosts and the apartments’ balconies. There’s no pool and no breakfast, and a few guests mention that the water in the shower only got lukewarm.
One guest highlights the service on Booking.com: “Excellent service, a lovely apartment and a beautiful balcony.”
See photos and book Niriides here.
Allure Central Boutique - cheapest pick close to the centre
Allure Central Boutique was the cheapest of my three picks in town, and you’ll be staying a few minutes’ walk from the centre with free parking. Breakfast is served, but there’s no pool. Several guests say the hotel is a little worn and in need of some maintenance, so it suits you best if you mainly need the room to sleep in.
One guest describes the hotel on Booking.com: “A lovely little hotel with a fantastic location.”
See photos and book Allure Central Boutique here.
2. Agios Nikitas - best area for couples and a cosy village atmosphere 🌅
- 📍 Distance from Lefkada Town: Around 12 kilometres, or about 20 minutes by car over the hills.
- 🚗 Transport: Buses run from Lefkada Town in season, but with a car it’s much easier to get around to the beaches further south.
- ✈️ Time from Aktion Airport: Around 40 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £80 to £455 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: The village is very quiet. The water gets deep quickly, and when the wind blows from the west, the waves can get big, so keep an eye on the flags on the beach.
Agios Nikitas is the little village on the west coast that many people fall in love with. The main street winds down towards the water between tavernas, small shops and white houses with flowers, and it ends at a small beach with clear water. Cars park on the edge of the village, so it’s quiet and cosy in the evening.
From the village, you can walk along a path over the hill to Milos Beach, which is bigger and quieter than the village beach itself. In summer, small boats sail over there too. If you’d like to go further, Kathisma is only a couple of kilometres to the south, and from there the road carries on along the west coast towards Egremni and Porto Katsiki.
See hotels in Agios Nikitas here.
I’d choose Agios Nikitas for a relaxing holiday for two, where dinner is eaten by the sea and the sunset is the highlight of the day. The village is small, so don’t expect nightlife or a big choice of shops, but that’s a large part of its charm.
The downside is that space is tight. Accommodation is often on the slopes above the village, so there can be steps and steep paths, and the parking fills up quickly in high season. If you have small children or find walking difficult, check the location carefully before you book.
Places to Stay in Agios Nikitas
Beyond Villas - best luxury pick with a pool and private beach
Beyond Villas are villas with a pool and sea views right by Milos Beach, and they were by far the most expensive place in my search in Agios Nikitas. In return, you get a private beach area and lots of peace and quiet. Guests mention that the walk down to the beach can be tough, so it suits couples and groups who are steady on their feet.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A combination of a fantastic private beach and a villa with a pool and a fantastic view over the sea.”
See photos and book Beyond Villas here.
Afroditi Pansion - best mid-range pick in the middle of the village
Afroditi Pansion is in the middle of Agios Nikitas, about a four-minute walk from the beach, and has terraces and private parking. It’s a good choice if you’d like to stay where the tavernas are. There’s no pool and no breakfast, and some guests feel the rooms are small and a little dark.
One guest highlights the hosts on Booking.com: “Fantastic location and good value for money. Friendly and helpful hosts.”
See photos and book Afroditi Pansion here.
Iris Studios - cheapest pick close to the beach
Iris Studios are studios about 400 metres from the beach in Agios Nikitas, and they were the cheapest of my three picks in the village. There’s daily cleaning, a bar and a high guest rating. According to several guests, though, the kitchen is sparsely equipped, so plan on eating most of your meals out.
One guest describes their stay on Booking.com: “Wonderful. Close to the beach, cleaning every day, a spacious room and fantastic hosts.”
See photos and book Iris Studios here.
3. Kathisma - best area for sandy beaches and sunsets 🏖️
- 📍 Distance from Lefkada Town: Around 14 kilometres, or about 25 minutes by car.
- 🚗 Transport: A car is almost a must, because most places are up on the slope above the beach. Agios Nikitas is about two kilometres to the north.
- ✈️ Time from Aktion Airport: Around 45 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £75 to £280 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: The area is calm, but the sea isn’t always. The beach gets big waves when the wind comes in from the west, and the red flag often goes up, so respect it.
Kathisma is one of the best-known beaches in Lefkada, with pale sand, turquoise water and steep, green mountains in the background. The beach is long, and in season it’s full of beach bars, sunloungers and music, so it suits you if you’d like service and life around you during the day.
In the evening, the sun sets straight into the sea in front of the beach, and that’s one of the reasons why many people choose to stay on the slopes here. From here, you can drive along the west coast towards Egremni and Porto Katsiki further south, and you’ve still got Agios Nikitas close by when you want to eat out in a village.
Accommodation at Kathisma is mostly apartments, studios and villas with pools and views, often some way up the hill. That gives you a great view, but it also means you can rarely walk to the beach with your beach bag. Parking at the beach is limited in high season, so arrive early or choose a place with its own access to a beach bar.
I’d choose Kathisma for a beach holiday where you’d like sand under your feet every day and don’t need a town right outside your door. If you want more atmosphere in the evening, Agios Nikitas is the better choice.
Places to Stay in Kathisma
Tellion Villas - best luxury pick with a private pool and sea views
Tellion Villas are new villas with a private pool and kitchen on the slope south of Kathisma, and they were the most expensive of my three picks in the area. Guests praise the view and the high standard. On the other hand, there aren’t many facilities on site, and it’s quite a way to the beach, so a car is essential.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic view and a brand-new property with a very high-quality finish.”
See photos and book Tellion Villas here.
Melikiron Luxury Apartments - best mid-range pick with a pool and views
Melikiron Luxury Apartments are on the slope above Kathisma and have an outdoor pool, a pool bar and free parking. They had the highest guest rating of the three in my search and suit couples who want a view and a pool at a reasonable price. Guests mention that you’ll need a car to get into town.
One guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “Luxurious accommodation with a fantastic view.”
See photos and book Melikiron Luxury Apartments here.
Marathes Studios - cheapest pick with a kitchenette
Marathes Studios are studios with a kitchenette about two kilometres from Kathisma, and they were the cheapest of the three. There’s a small grocery shop on site, a playground and free parking, so it also works for a family with a car. A few guests have complained about a smell from the drain in the bathroom.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything during our stay was fantastic.”
See photos and book Marathes Studios here.
4. Nidri - best area for families and boat trips ⛵
- 📍 Distance from Lefkada Town: Around 17 kilometres south along the coast road, or about 25 minutes by car.
- 🚌 Transport: Nidri is on the main road along the east coast, which the island’s buses use. Boats and ferries sail from the harbour to the small islands.
- ✈️ Time from Aktion Airport: Around 45 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £75 to £160 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Nidri is a safe resort. The main road through town has a lot of traffic in summer, so keep an eye on the children along the road.
Nidri is the island’s biggest resort and the most obvious choice for families. Along the waterfront, you’ll find restaurants, bars, ice cream shops and agencies selling boat trips, and it’s lively from morning to night in high season. The water in the bay is calm and shallow in many places, which makes it easy for younger children.
Boats sail from the harbour to the small islands nearby, including Meganisi and Skorpios, which once belonged to Aristotle Onassis. According to the Municipality of Lefkada, tourism in Nidri began as early as the early 1900s, and the German archaeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld believed that this very area was Homer’s Ithaca.
Dörpfeld loved Lefkada so much that he wanted to be buried here, and his grave is on the peninsula above the bay at Vlychos. A little inland, there are small waterfalls, which make a popular walk when you need a break from the beach.
I’d choose Nidri for a week-long family holiday with boat trips and lots of restaurants nearby. The downside is that the town is busier and more touristy than the rest of the island, and the beaches here can’t compete with the west coast. To get to Porto Katsiki and Kathisma, you’ll need to allow for a long drive over the mountains.
Places to Stay in Nidri
G George - best pick with a pool and restaurant
G George is an apartment hotel about 200 metres from the beach in Nidri with a pool, a pool bar, a restaurant and a playground. It was the most expensive of my three picks in town and has a very high guest rating, so it suits families who want everything in one place. A few guests feel the maintenance could be better.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The whole hotel is a fantastic experience.”
See photos and book G George here.
Papatsas Center Houses - best mid-range pick with an infinity pool
Papatsas Center Houses is in the middle of Nidri, about a two-minute walk from the beach, and has an infinity pool, a restaurant and breakfast. Guests especially praise the host. A couple of guests mention that the curtains are thin, so bring a sleep mask if you’re sensitive to light in the morning.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “We absolutely loved our stay and really appreciated the host.”
See photos and book Papatsas Center Houses here.
Santa Maura - cheapest pick with a pool close to the beach
Santa Maura is an apartment hotel about 50 metres from the beach in Nidri, and it was the cheapest of the three in my search. There’s a pool with a shallow area for children, a playground and a kitchen in the apartments, but no breakfast. Several guests say the place is in need of a renovation.
One guest praises the host on Booking.com: “Spiros, our host, was wonderful. So kind and helpful.”
See photos and book Santa Maura here.
5. Nikiana - best area for peace and quiet close to town 🌿
- 📍 Distance from Lefkada Town: Around 9 kilometres south along the coast road, or about 15 minutes by car.
- 🚌 Transport: The buses between Lefkada Town and Nidri run through the village, but with a car you’ll get far more out of your stay.
- ✈️ Time from Aktion Airport: Around 35 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £55 to £215 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Nikiana is a small and very quiet village. The main road runs close to the water, so cross it carefully with children.
Nikiana is a small coastal village on the east coast between Lefkada Town and Nidri. Here, you’ll be staying by a calm bay with views of the mainland and the small islands, and there are far fewer people than in Nidri. The beaches are narrow and mostly pebbly, but the water is clear and usually completely still.
Along the water, there’s a small harbour with fishing boats and a handful of tavernas, where you can have dinner with your feet almost in the water. It isn’t a place for nightlife, but it’s a good base if you want a quiet holiday and can still reach both the town and Nidri in a quarter of an hour.
I’d choose Nikiana if you want peace and quiet and good prices and don’t mind driving a bit every day. You’re close to the supermarkets in Lefkada Town, and you can take a boat trip from Nidri without staying in the middle of the bustle.
The downside is that you’ll have to drive across the island to get to the big sandy beaches on the west coast, and there isn’t much going on in the evening. If you want sand and waves right outside your door, Kathisma or Agios Nikitas is a better choice.
Places to Stay in Nikiana
Crystal Waters - best luxury hotel with a spa and kids’ club
Crystal Waters is a four-star hotel about 50 metres from the water in Nikiana with a pool, a spa, a gym, a restaurant and a kids’ club. It was the most expensive of the three in my search and has a very high guest rating, so it suits both families and couples who want to be pampered. A few guests mention noise from the buildings around the hotel.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The place was extremely clean and well kept.”
See photos and book Crystal Waters here.
La Casa Di Nonna Anna - best mid-range pick with a pool and views
La Casa Di Nonna Anna is an apartment hotel about a two-minute walk from the beach in Nikiana with a pool, breakfast and free parking. Guests praise the view from the pool area. According to several guests, the bathrooms are a little old-fashioned, but the price is reasonable for what you get.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view from the pool was fantastic.”
See photos and book La Casa Di Nonna Anna here.
Ionio Hotel - cheapest pick on the waterfront
Ionio Hotel is a small, simple hotel on the waterfront in Nikiana, and it was by far the cheapest of my three picks. The breakfast gets praise, and the beach is a couple of minutes’ walk away. The rooms facing the road can be noisy, so ask for a sea-facing room if you’re a light sleeper.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The breakfast was really good.”
See photos and book Ionio Hotel here.
6. Vasiliki - best area for windsurfing and day trips 🏄
- 📍 Distance from Lefkada Town: Around 38 kilometres to the south, or about 50 minutes by car.
- ⛴️ Transport: In season, ferries sail from the harbour to Kefalonia and Ithaca. On the island, you’ll need a car or scooter.
- ✈️ Time from Aktion Airport: Around 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £60 to £135 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Vasiliki is a quiet resort. If you’re new to windsurfing, stick to the morning lessons before the wind picks up.
Vasiliki is in a large bay on the south coast and is known among windsurfers all over Europe. In the morning, the water is usually calm, and in the afternoon the wind comes in over the bay, so both beginners and more experienced surfers can get something out of the day. Along the beach, there are surf centres where you can hire equipment and take lessons.
The town itself is a charming harbour town with tavernas and bars along the quay. A little to the west is Ponti Beach, and from Vasiliki it’s closer to Porto Katsiki than from Lefkada Town and Nidri. In summer, boats also sail from the harbour to the beaches on the west coast.
Vasiliki is also the best base if you’d like to see more than Lefkada. According to Visit Greece, the ferry to Fiskardo on Kefalonia takes about an hour, and if you’d like to stay there for a few nights, I’ve written about where to stay in Kefalonia. A little east of Vasiliki is the small harbour of Sivota, where lots of sailing boats moor in the evening.
The downside is the distance. Lefkada Town and the airport are a long way off, and the road through the mountains is winding, so Vasiliki suits a longer holiday best. The town beach itself is mostly pebbles, and when the wind blows in the afternoon, it isn’t the most relaxing place to lie on a towel.
Places to Stay in Vasiliki
Ponti Beach Hotel - best pick with a pool and views over the bay
Ponti Beach Hotel is at Ponti Beach west of Vasiliki, about 300 metres from the water, and has a pool with a view, a restaurant, a gym and breakfast. It was the most expensive of my three picks in the area, and guests especially praise the view over the bay. Parking is limited, though, and the hotel is officially only two stars, so don’t expect luxury.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view from the hotel is fantastic!”
See photos and book Ponti Beach Hotel here.
Akroyiali Resort - best mid-range pick right on the beach
Akroyiali Resort is right on the beach in Vasiliki, a few minutes’ walk from the harbour. Breakfast is served, and there’s a bar and free parking, but no pool. Several guests mention that the rooms are smaller than they’d expected.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Very clean and comfortable rooms.”
See photos and book Akroyiali Resort here.
Maistrali - cheapest pick at Ponti Beach
Maistrali are apartments right by Ponti Beach, and they were the cheapest of the three in my search, but with a high guest rating. There’s a garden, a terrace and free parking, but no pool and no breakfast. Some guests mention a creaky bed, and you’ll need to drive or walk a fair way to get into Vasiliki.
One guest praises the host on Booking.com: “I’m grateful for the host’s hospitality and cooperation.”
See photos and book Maistrali here.
Where should you avoid staying in Lefkada?
I wouldn’t choose Vasiliki or the rest of the south coast if you only have a few days. The airport and Lefkada Town are a long way off, and you’ll end up spending a lot of time on the winding roads through the mountains.
Be careful with the small mountain villages inland too if you don’t want to hire a car. Accommodation can be cheap, but without a car you won’t get to the beach or the restaurants. The same goes for the many villas on the slopes, which look close on the map but are often a fair way up steep roads.
Finally, Sivota is a charming harbour, but it doesn’t have a proper beach and has very few places to stay, so it works best as a place to eat. If you’re landing late, remember that Aktion Airport is on the mainland and that you’ll have to cross the bridge before your holiday begins.
If it’s your first time in Lefkada and you’d like to be able to walk out for dinner, I’d stay in Lefkada Town. Couples will have the cosiest holiday in Agios Nikitas, beach lovers should choose Kathisma, and families have the easiest time in Nidri. If you want peace and quiet and good prices, Nikiana is a good bet, and if you’d like to windsurf or sail on to Kefalonia, Vasiliki is the obvious choice. You’ll find the island’s buses at KTEL Lefkadas, but for the beaches on the west coast, a hire car is the best option.
If you fancy more of the Ionian Islands, I’ve also written about where to stay in Corfu and where to stay in Zakynthos. If you’re flying via the capital, you can read my guide to getting from Athens Airport to the city centre.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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