Great Things to Do Near Rigilis
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.
Egremni Beach – one of the most beautiful in Greece!
Located on the west coast of the island, Egremni is a 2km stretch of white sand and cobalt blue waters and can either be accessed by boat from Vasiliki or Nydri, or by descending around 350 steps which take you down to the sand. You can park at the top of the steps. The seclusion and views from this beach will be worth the effort!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 and 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!
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.
Visit Vasiliki
To the South-West of the island you will find the bustling village of Vasiliki. If you are interested in water sports this is just the place for you! With clubs along the seafront offering surfing lessons and equipment rentals, Vasiliki has everything you need to practise your moves on the waves. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars here playing popular music, and designated areas on the beach for bathers.
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.
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.
Papanikolis Sea Cave, Meganissi
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 by boat, which can be rented from Nydri on the mainland or from Sivota in the south of the island.
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!
