Lefkada is
one of the very few Greek islands to be visited by ... car...
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This is
because it is only a 50 meters away from the coast of Etoloakarnania. Before
becoming an island, Lefkada formed part of the coasts of Akarnania until the
6thcentury B.C. Nowadays it is shaped as an island, being separated from
mainland Greece by this narrow canal. A floating bridge provides access to both
sides. This along with the fact that it can be frequently reached by ferry
boats departing from other Ionian Islands as Zante, Ithaca and Kefalonia make
Lefkada a very good base for trips and excursions to the Ionian Islands and
western Greece.
Capital and
port at the same time, the city of Lefkada welcomes visitors with its beautiful
narrow streets, small squares, traditional houses, fine belfries and paved
pedestrian streets. The medieval castle of Agia Mavra is the first thing that
catches the eye when passing the bridge. Was built on the 13th century by the
Sicilian Ioanni Orsini, to protect civilians from the pirates’ attacks and
Turks later on. The fortress initially was built next to an artificial canal on
an islet of the lagoon; later, both Venetians and Turks have added some pieces.
The
Archaeological, Folklore Museums and the Charamogleios Special Library of
Lefkada (unique in the world) compose the image of an atmosphere, spread on
every small paved alley (locally called ‘kantouni’) leading you into old
neighbourhoods of which, in every corner, reveals the hidden aspects of the
islands’ history and culture.
The island
is surrounded by a total of 24 islets, including the renowned island of
Scorpios, property of Aristotelis Onassis. You will find remarkable sights,
churches and monasteries, picturesque settlements, green surroundings and
wonderful beaches. Smaller or bigger caves, waterfalls water springs and pine
forests are some of the mainland’s beauties.
Scorpios is
with no doubt the most famous private island of Greece. Was bought back in
1963, and Onassis turned it to a tropical paradise. It is covered with trees
from one side to the other, with a beautiful villa in the middle, where most of
the global celebrities of his time spent their summer time as guests. It was
used among others: by the Kennedy’s family, Maria Callas, Greta Garbo, and
Winston Churchill. In the small church next to the house Aristotelis Onassis
got married with Jacky Kennedy. His natural love for the island of Lefkada
helped it become a world known leisure destination with thousands of tourists
visiting it every year.
The biggest
among these islets is Meganisi (only 4 miles away from Nydri) with small
villages, bays and picturesque beaches. You should visit the water cave of
Papanikolis, the place where boats and sailing boats found shelter when they
were threatened by storms. It took its name after "Papanikolis"
submarine as the cave was its base during the World War II. Its chamber is very
large covering 3.800 sq. m, 30 metres deep, and is the second biggest cave in
Greece.
The
wonderful beaches start just from the front-step of the capital. Gyra apart
from the windmills has a magnificent sandy beach that joins the lagoon with the
Ionian Sea. Heading south with direction to Kalamitsi, you will pass by Drakano
(with a nice steak tavern of Sesoula) and turn right at Athani, on the way to
Gialos, Egremni and Porto Katsiki beaches. You can choose among numerous hotels,
studios, restaurants and traditional taverns. When reaching the beach of Porto
Katsiki, make sure that you have parked at a spot that doesn’t block traffic,
the road is very narrow.