Lefkada is an Ionian island so close to the coast of Acarnania that it is joined to the mainland by a swing bridge over a canal: you can drive there. The name comes from the Greek leukos, "white", for the limestone cliffs of the west coast. According to an ancient legend, the poet Sappho threw herself into the sea for love from Cape Lefkatas, at the southern tip, where a temple of Apollo stood. The poets Aristotelis Valaoritis and Angelos Sikelianos were born here.
Beaches and places
The west coast has the most famous beaches, long white strands below high walls and turquoise sea: Porto Katsiki, Egremni (reached by a long stairway, sometimes closed after earthquakes), Kathisma, Pefkoulia. In the south, Vasiliki bay is one of Europe's best windsurfing spots thanks to its afternoon wind. On the east coast Nydri faces a cluster of islets, including Skorpios, once owned by the Onassis family, and Meganisi; the Dimosari waterfall is nearby. The main town has colourful houses with upper floors of wood and sheet metal, built that way to withstand earthquakes.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Aktion-Preveza, about 20 km away, with summer charters; from Athens it is 4-5 hours by car or bus. Boats link Lefkada with Meganisi, Ithaca and Kefalonia.