Lefkas Holidays

Lefkas is the sort of place you hear about on the grapevine rather than in the Sunday travel supplements. It’s one of Greece’s below-the-radar islands, and you’ll find it off the coast of the Preveza region, on the west coast of the Greek mainland.

The island’s main resorts line up along Lefkas’ east coast. Nidri is the biggest. It’s a former fishing village, which is bursting out of its traditional seams to great effect. Sailboats have joined the fishing boats at their anchorages off the sandy shore, and the authentic fish tavernas are now accompanied by a collection of family-friendly cafes, restaurants and bars. Roughly 7 miles north, Nikiana paints a similar picture, on a smaller scale.

Lefkas’s west coast is a bit of a clean slate as far as tourism is concerned. Agios Ioannis on the island’s northwest tip is as built up as it gets. There are more olive trees than buildings on the land that lines the resort’s 2-mile beach.

Walking is one of the main ways visitors occupy their time on Lefkas. Hikers exploring the island’s interior are rewarded with waterfalls, pine forests and 1,000-metre mountain peaks. Island-hopping is another day-filler. Lefkas has 10 satellite islands, which can be visited by boat from the quay in Nidri or Vassiliki.