Things to Do in Lefkada: The Villa Guest's Guide

The beach is obvious. But the best things to do in Lefkada extend well beyond laying on Porto Katsiki's white pebbles. This island has enough range to fill a fortnight: sailing to private islands, windsurfing on Europe-famous thermals, hiking mountain villages, exploring ancient olive oil culture, and eating in the kind of waterfront tavernas where the menu changes daily based on what was caught. This guide is for villa guests who want to experience Lefkada properly.

On the Water: Boat Trips and Sailing

Charter a Private Yacht to Meganisi

Meganisi is Lefkada's closest inhabited island neighbour, 30 minutes by boat from Nidri harbour. It's small, quiet, and genuinely beautiful — three villages, a handful of excellent tavernas, and sea caves accessible only from the water. A skippered day charter lets you swim in Papanikolis Cave (one of the Mediterranean's largest sea caves), moor at Vathi harbour for lunch, and return by late afternoon with the sunset at your back. This is the single most consistently loved experience among Lefkada villa guests.

Visit Skorpios

Once Aristotle Onassis's private island, Skorpios sits in the channel south of Meganisi. It's now privately owned (Ekaterina Rybolovleva purchased it in 2013), but boats can anchor in the bay and swim in the waters surrounding it. The mystique remains: the island is exquisitely maintained, visible from the water but magnificently inaccessible, which somehow makes it more compelling.

Sunset Sailing Along the West Coast

The west coast cliff road is spectacular from a car. From a sailboat, it's transformative. Several operators offer afternoon sailing trips along the coast, timed to anchor below Porto Katsiki or Egremni for a swim before heading north with the sunset directly ahead. Book through your villa concierge for private arrangements.

Active: Windsurfing, Kayaking, and Hiking

Windsurfing at Vasiliki

Vasiliki bay, at Lefkada's southern tip, has been drawing windsurfers and kitesurfers from across Europe since the 1980s. The thermal winds arrive reliably every afternoon, creating near-perfect conditions across a spectrum of ability levels. Club Vass, one of Europe's most respected schools, offers lessons for complete beginners and advanced coaching for experienced riders. Even if you've never stood on a board, an afternoon of beginner lessons here is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Lefkada.

Sea Kayaking the East Coast

The calm, sheltered waters between Lefkada and the mainland are ideal for sea kayaking. Several operators run guided half-day and full-day tours exploring coves and rocky outcrops inaccessible by foot. The morning light on the east coast water in June and September is genuinely exceptional — bring a waterproof camera.

Hiking to Mountain Villages

Lefkada's interior is a world apart from the coast. The road to Karya and Englouvi climbs through olive groves and pine forest to traditional stone villages at 600-700m altitude. Karya is famous for its embroidery tradition (documented since the 18th century) and has a lively central square. Englouvi sits at the island's highest point and is known for its lentils — a local agricultural product of genuine quality. The hiking trails between these villages are well-marked and offer views of both coastlines on clear days.

Culture: History, Villages, and Food

Lefkada Town Evening Walk

The island capital has a character unlike anywhere else in Greece. Its buildings have a distinctive Turkish-influenced architecture — brightly painted upper storeys supported on wooden frames, a legacy of earthquake-resistant construction developed after centuries of seismic activity. The town's central square fills every evening with the Greek tradition of volta — the evening stroll that serves as the island's social heartbeat. Excellent tavernas around the square and along the waterfront make dinner here a reliable pleasure.

Monastery of Faneromeni

Perched on a hillside 3km above Lefkada town, the Monastery of Faneromeni is the island's most important religious site and offers the best view of the town and lagoon from its position above. The current monastery dates from the 19th century (rebuilt after earthquake damage) and is still active. The short drive and walk up are worth it for both the architecture and the panorama.

Olive Oil Culture

Lefkada's olive oil is among Greece's finest, produced from centuries-old trees on terraced hillsides throughout the island's interior. Several family-run presses welcome visitors during harvest season (October-December) and offer tastings year-round. Understanding the difference between early harvest oil (more peppery, higher polyphenols) and late harvest (milder, more versatile) transforms how you use it in cooking. Pick up bottles to take home — Lefkada olive oil is not widely exported.

Day Trips: Beyond Lefkada

Ithaca

Homer's Ithaca — the island of Odysseus — is reachable by ferry from Nidri or Vasiliki. Smaller and less visited than Lefkada, Ithaca has a rugged beauty and a mythology that gives it a particular weight. The capital, Vathi, is set in a deep, sheltered bay and has a handful of excellent waterfront restaurants. A day trip here — arrive by ferry, rent a scooter, drive to a hilltop taverna, return by evening — is one of the more memorable things you can do from a Lefkada base.

Mainland Greece: Nikopolis and Preveza

Lefkada's bridge connection to the mainland makes day trips to the ancient Roman city of Nikopolis (where Augustus Caesar celebrated his victory at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC) and the small city of Preveza straightforwardly easy. Nikopolis's scale is staggering — vast walls and mosaics largely free of tourist infrastructure. Preveza has excellent seafood restaurants along its waterfront that locals consider among the region's best.

Eating: The Essentials

Food is central to any serious Lefkada activities itinerary:

• Tavernas for octopus: Grilled octopus hanging outside a taverna in the sun is the visual symbol of Greek coastal dining. Lefkada delivers this authentically — particularly in Sivota, Vasiliki, and the Nidri harbourfront.
• In-villa chef experience: Arrange a local chef to come to your villa for an evening. Three courses using local ingredients, prepared in your outdoor kitchen, served on your terrace. Non-negotiable for any serious Lefkada villa holiday.
• Morning market in Lefkada town: The covered market near the town centre sells local cheese, honey, herbs, and seasonal produce. Excellent for stocking the villa kitchen.

Plan Your Lefkada Activities

The right villa puts all of this within easy reach. Our villas in Lefkada portfolio covers every area of the island, with properties selected for both quality and location relative to the best activities.

Visit vayancy.gr to browse available properties and speak with our concierge team about building a Lefkada itinerary around your group's interests. Whether you want a week of west coast beaches or a mix of sailing, hiking, and village exploration, we'll help you make the most of it.