Lefkada 2027: Holiday Guide - Beaches, Nidri, Vasiliki, Driving There and Where to Stay
In short
The Lefkada guide for the 2027 season: an island you can drive to without a ferry, the finest west-coast beaches (Porto Katsiki, Kathisma, Milos) and the status of Egremni, which village to choose (Nidri, Lygia, Agios Nikitas, Vasiliki), boat trips to Meganisi and Skorpios, the drive from Serbia and practical tips. Lefkada may have the finest beaches you can drive to from Serbia, and with no ferry: only a causeway and a floating bridge separate it from the mainland. The west coast has white cliffs and a sea whose colour photos never quite capture, the east coast is calm and sheltered from the wind, and the south is a paradise for sailing and windsurfing.
Lefkada may have the finest beaches you can drive to from Serbia, and with no ferry: only a causeway and a floating bridge separate it from the mainland. The west coast has white cliffs and a sea whose colour photos never quite capture, the east coast is calm and sheltered from the wind, and the south is a paradise for sailing and windsurfing. For 2027 Lefkada is again among the destinations Serbian agencies offer most, with Nidri as the main base.
Lefkada at a glance
| Where | Ionian Sea, south of Preveza, right off the mainland coast |
| Getting there | by car over the causeway and the Agia Mavra floating bridge, no ferry |
| From Belgrade | about 970 km by car; 15-18 h by agency bus |
| Airport | Aktion / Preveza (PVK), about 20 km from Lefkada town |
| Beaches | west: white sand and shingle below cliffs; east: calm coves |
| Best for | couples, lovers of the finest sea, sailing and windsurfing |
Getting to Lefkada from Serbia
By car: the usual route runs through North Macedonia and Thessaloniki, then along the Egnatia motorway to Ioannina and south towards Preveza, through the Aktio undersea tunnel and over the floating bridge onto the island, about 970 km from Belgrade in total. The route via Bitola, Florina and Kozani is about 50 km shorter but has less motorway and can take longer. No ferry is needed because Lefkada is linked to the mainland by a causeway and bridge. Tolls and routes: How much does it cost to drive to Greece and Driving to Greece.
By bus: agencies run buses to Lefkada and Nidri; a return ticket from Belgrade was 80-90 EUR for the 2026 season, and the journey takes 15-18 hours.
By air: the nearest airport is Aktion near Preveza, about 20 km from Lefkada town. In 2026 agencies ran a Belgrade - Preveza charter in packages for Lefkada and Parga.
Where to stay on Lefkada: choosing a village
| Village | Coast | Character | Who for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lefkada town | north | right after the bridge, cafés, marina, shops | no car, short stays |
| Lygia | east | small fishing village near town, pebble beaches | peace, lower prices |
| Nikiana | east | quiet village between town and Nidri, narrow pebbly shore | couples, peace |
| Nidri | east | the main resort, port for boat trips and Meganisi | families, things to do, boat trips |
| Syvota (Lefkada) | south-east | sheltered bay with a harbour and tavernas | couples, sailors |
| Vasiliki | south | windsurfing centre, ferries to Kefalonia and Ithaca | windsurfers, active holidays |
| Agios Nikitas | west | picturesque village by the best west-coast beaches | couples, beach lovers |
If your goal is the finest beaches, choose a base in the west (Agios Nikitas) or near town (Lygia), from where the west coast is quick to reach. For families with children and boat trips Nidri is the most practical. On our site the Lefkada offer is in Lygia: starting prices from 26 EUR, with a median starting price of about 40 EUR for the whole unit per night (2026 season), among the lowest on the Ionian coast.
The best beaches on Lefkada
- Porto Katsiki - the island's most famous beach, below white cliffs in the south-west, reached by about 90-100 steps. Private car parks charge, in 2026 up to about 18-20 EUR a day at peak, and there is free roadside space where permitted.
- Egremni - a long beach below the cliff. The 2015 earthquake destroyed the old access; new metal stairs were built and people used them in summer 2026, but according to available information the access road has not officially reopened, and rockfalls in February 2026 damaged part of the stairs. Do not count on safe land access: check signs on the spot or go by boat.
- Kathisma - a big west-coast beach easily reached by car, near Agios Nikitas.
- Milos - a cove next to Agios Nikitas, reached by a steep path of about 20 minutes or by seasonal water taxi.
- Pefkoulia - a sand and shingle beach near Agios Nikitas, quieter than Kathisma.
- Gialos - a south-west beach reached by road from Athani; parking is mostly free.
- Mikros Gialos - a sheltered beach below the village of Poros in the south-east.
- Beaches around Nidri and Lygia - calm east-coast coves, good for children when the west is windy.
The west coast is exposed to wind and waves in the afternoon, so go there in the morning; the east coast is calm almost always. For small children, the eastern beaches are better.
Trips: Meganisi, Skorpios, Kefalonia and Ithaca
- Meganisi: the ferry from Nidri takes 20-30 minutes and carries cars; an island of quiet coves and three villages. Check the timetable before setting off.
- Cruises from Nidri: excursion boats sail around Skorpios and to the coves of Meganisi, and also visit Kefalonia and Ithaca. For Skorpios expect to see it from the boat, not to land.
- Ferries from Vasiliki: scheduled routes to Fiskardo on Kefalonia and Frikes on Ithaca.
- Dimosari waterfall: a gorge and falls about 3.5-4 km inland from Nidri; by late summer there is little water.
Vasiliki and the wind
Vasiliki bay is known for the wind that makes it one of the best windsurfing and sailing spots in Greece. For windsurfers that is a plus, but if you want a calm afternoon swim with children, the east coast is a better choice.
Lefkada in a day: the island loop by car
- Morning: Kathisma or Pefkoulia, before the wind picks up.
- Late morning: coffee in Agios Nikitas, then Porto Katsiki.
- Afternoon: Vasiliki and lunch by the sea.
- Late afternoon: Syvota and Nidri along the east coast.
- Evening: a stroll in Lefkada town.
When to go to Lefkada in 2027
June and September are ideal: the sea is warm, and roads to the beaches and car parks are not jammed. From mid-July to mid-August the car parks at Porto Katsiki and Kathisma fill up early. If you are driving at peak season, travel on a weekday. 2027 dates: Greece holiday 2027.
Lefkada or Parga and Vrachos?
If the finest sea is what matters most, Lefkada wins. If you want a shorter drive, sandy beaches and lower prices, look at the Epirus coast an hour's drive north: the Parga, Syvota and Epirus guide and Vrachos, Kanali and Mytikas. Many people combine both: a mainland base and a day trip to Lefkada.
Practical tips
- A car is almost essential on Lefkada; west-coast roads are winding and narrow, drive slowly.
- Water shoes help on the shingle beaches.
- The floating bridge opens from time to time for boats, so expect a short wait.
- Passport: Greece requires a biometric passport.
Frequently asked questions about Lefkada
Do you need a ferry to Lefkada?
No. Lefkada is linked to the mainland by a causeway and a floating bridge, so you drive onto the island without a ferry.
How far is Lefkada from Belgrade?
About 970 km via Thessaloniki, Ioannina and Preveza. The route via Bitola is about 50 km shorter but slower. 15-18 hours by bus.
Is Egremni beach open?
Land access has not been officially confirmed as open. There are new stairs that people used in summer 2026, but there have also been rockfalls. Check on the spot or go by boat.
Which village on Lefkada is best for families?
Nidri, for calm water, things to do and boat trips, or Lygia and Nikiana for a quieter holiday at a lower price.
How much is parking at Porto Katsiki?
In 2026 private car parks charged up to about 18-20 EUR a day at peak, depending on the month. There are also free roadside spaces where parking is permitted.
What is the nearest airport to Lefkada?
Aktion near Preveza (PVK), about 20 km from Lefkada town.
Next step
Look at accommodation in Lygia and on Lefkada or in accommodation search, and send your enquiry directly to the owner, commission-free. Prices by resort: Apartments in Greece for 2027.
