Great Things to Do Near Mare
Lefkada Town
Lefkada Town is the capital of the island. Like most Mediterranean capitals, you will find a charming labyrinth of streets with shops and restaurants in abundance. However, unlike many towns, Lefkada Town also has a glorious natural lagoon which fills with flamingos in the summer months, as well as a beautiful natural beach to the north of the town. From this beach you will have an amazing view of the mainland as well as Paxos and Anti Paxos. Spend a day exploring the area and don’t forget your camera!
Take a walk around the Dimosari waterfalls
Nestled into the hills and forests above the coastal village of Nydri, the Dimosari waterfalls are a haven of beauty and tranquillity. Put on your most comfortable shoes and spend the morning walking around and exploring this impressive landscape. The waterfalls form small pools among the rocks on the hillside, so take your swimwear with you as you may be tempted to take a dip in warm weather!
Bird watching at the Lefkada Lagoons
The two lagoons that border Lefkada Town’s northern coastline, Divari and Ivaria, are an incredible habitat for many varieties of flora and fauna. The abundance of long light rushes and grasses provide the perfect shelter for many birds throughout the year, whilst some migratory breeds only arrive during the warm summer months. One special visitor are the pink flamingos, which use the waters for feeding between May and August while the weather is at its warmest. Other breeds you may spot at these sea lakes are cormorants, herons, swans and white egrets.
Aghia Mavra Castle
Although a lot of the ancient ruins on the island have been destroyed over the years by earthquakes, one of the structures still standing is the Castle of Aghia Mavra. This partially ruined fortress is located north of Lefkada Town, set between a beautiful natural lagoon and the sea. It was built in 1300 by Ioannis Orsini when he bought the island of Lefkada as a wedding gift for his bride and was primarily constructed as a first defence against invaders and pirates.
Try scuba diving
Whether you’re an experienced diver or are just trying it out for the first time, Lefkas Diving Centre in Nikiana is able to offer internationally recognised diving courses, which teach you diving techniques, take you out to open water and let you dive freely around the impressive Lefkada coastline. Nautilus Diving Club in Nydri also offers diving experiences and certified courses. Their experiences range from a 4-5 hour session to courses lasting a few days.
Try the local dishes...
Although we can buy ‘Greek’ produce in the UK, there is never anything as good as the real thing. Wherever possible, choose local and traditional dishes and sample the produce grown on the island. Seek out some deep fried feta cheese drizzled with honey as a starter, or try fresh tzatziki with fresh bread as a mid-afternoon snack.
The Gramophone and Radio Museum
Tucked behind the busy streets of Lefkada Town, you will find this charming museum with its collection of classic gramophones and radios. A lot of care has been taken to ensure these beautiful machines are kept in good condition. Look out for the sign on the main street in the town indicating the way to the museum.
Spend a day on Ithaca...
Ithaca, the second smallest of all the islands in the Ionian Sea (after Paxos) is well known around the world from Homer's epic poems 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey' and his central hero Ulysses. You can catch the ferry from Vasiliki or from Nydri, which takes around an hour, and spend the day exploring this historic island full of tradition, legend and myth!
The Faneromeni Monastery
Spend an afternoon exploring the Faneromeni Monastery, which is currently the only working monastery on the island. An annual festival is held here 50 days after Easter and a market is set up along the roadside. It is located near the village of Frini in the north of the island and its hilltop position affords wonderful views over Lefkada Town and across the sea to the mainland.
Papanikolis Sea Cave, Meganisi
This cave is the second largest cave in Greece and is believed to have been the hideaway for the Papanikolis submarine during the Second World War. The cave can only be reached from the water, and boats can be rented from Nydri on the east coast or from Sivota in the south.
Visit the Archaeological Museum in Lefkada Town
Located on the outskirts of the old town, Lefkada’s Archaeological Museum has four rooms exhibiting historic artefacts from the island such as tools, weaponry and traditional costumes. Visitors can also learn about customs and culture on the island from Palaeolithic times till the late Roman years. Spend a couple of hours learning about the history of Lefkada and then head around the bay for a coffee on the sea front overlooking the lagoon.
Go dolphin spotting...
Just onto the mainland in Preveza you will find a company offering eco-cruises that guarantee dolphin and sea-turtle sightings. The team will take you out on their boat around the Ionian Islands searching for these beautiful animals. Make sure to take your camera with you and learn about the conservation of dolphins and their habitats during your trip!
Visit the Folklore Museum in Karya
Established as a tribute to Maria Koutsochero, this small museum showcases her unique embroidery technique, taught to young girls of Lefkas when Maria lost her hand in an accident. This intricate stitch was developed over 100 years ago and was conceived to show the cultural tradition of the region and the island’s beauty.
Rent a boat from Sivota...
Head to to Sivota Bay and rent a boat for the day from Sivota Boat rentals and visit the nearby island of Meganissi, the beach at Mikros Gialos or the Papanikolis sea cave, also on Meganissi. Please be aware that you need a license to hire certain boats.
Island of Skorpios
Take a boat day trip and sail around the famous island of Skorpios, once home to Aristotle Onassis and where he and his family are buried.
A Visit to Nikopolis in Preveza
As Lefkada is within easy reach of mainland Greece, why not take the car and drive over to Preveza and head for the World Heritage site of Nikopolis. You can visit the amazing museum and walk around the old city of Nikopolis.
Further away Arta
Easy to drive to from Lefkada is the town of Arta, with its famous stone bridge over the River Arachthos – although rebuilt many times over the centuries, the current bridge was an Ottoman construction from the early 17th century. The town also has a great selection of shops if you fancy some retail therapy.
