Visiting Lefkada, Greece: Top Sights on Foot

Lefkada is the capital and largest town of Lefkada Island, in Greece’s Ionian Islands. Its location is unusual: a floating bridge across the Drepano Strait connects the island to mainland Greece, making Lefkada one of only two Greek islands that can be reached by road. Neywo has a free audio guide for Lefkada with 10 narrated places, available in 11 languages.

The town is a natural starting point for discovering the island and its surrounding landscapes. Mountain slopes, sea passages, historic churches and archaeological heritage all form part of Lefkada’s identity.

What to see in Lefkada

Lefkada Town

Lefkada Town shares its name with the island and serves as the capital of the Lefkada Regional Unit. The wider district includes Lefkada, Meganisi, Kalamos, Kastos and several smaller islands and islets in the Ionian Sea.

The town’s position makes it a useful place to understand the geography of the area. The island lies close to the mainland, while the Drepano Strait and the floating bridge mark the connection between the two. Lefkada Town is also the main urban centre of an island whose other notable settlements include Nidri, Vasiliki, Agios Nikitas, Karya and Sivros.

Ieros Naos Pantokratoros

Ieros Naos Pantokratoros is an Orthodox church also known as Agh. Visarion and Άγιοι Ανάργυροι. It is one of the town’s places of worship and a stop for visitors interested in Lefkada’s religious and local heritage.

Archaeological Museum of Lefkada

The Archaeological Museum of Lefkada, also known as Άγιος Αντώνιος, offers an opportunity to discover more about the island’s archaeological heritage. It adds historical context to a visit that might otherwise focus mainly on Lefkada’s coastline and mountain scenery.

The island’s mountain landscape

Lefkada is notably mountainous, with steep slopes rising from the surrounding sea. Its highest point is in the Stavrota range, which reaches 1,184 metres. The contrast between the island’s rugged terrain and the Ionian waters is one of its defining features.

This landscape extends well beyond Lefkada Town. Nidri and Vasiliki are ports serving connections toward Meganisi and Kefalonia, while the island’s other settlements offer different perspectives on its inland and coastal character.

The monasteries and churches of Lefkada Municipality

Several religious sites are listed among the places to visit in Lefkada Municipality:

• The Monastery of the Taxiarches, also known as the Monastery of the Holy Bodiless Powers or Moni Agion Asomaton.
• The Monastery of Saint George, known in Greek as Moni Agiou Georgiou.
• Agios Minas, an Orthodox church.
• Agios Ioannis tou Antzousi, also known as St John of Antzousi.

Together, these sites show the variety of religious buildings found across the municipality, from monasteries to small churches.

Cape Leucatas

The Cape Leucatas area includes several of the island’s religious landmarks, including the Monastery of the Taxiarches, the Monastery of Saint George, Agios Minas and Agios Ioannis tou Antzousi. It is therefore a useful part of Lefkada’s wider cultural itinerary, particularly for travellers looking beyond the main town.

Kalamos

Kalamos is a small, mountainous island in the Ionian Sea, close to the western coast of Aetolia-Acarnania in western Greece. Its settlements are gathered around the eastern harbour, which forms the practical centre of island life.

A regular ferry connection links Kalamos with Mytikas on the mainland, and local transport boats also cross the water. The island was known as Karnos in ancient times; the name Kalamos means “reed” in Greek. During summer, its population rises significantly with tourism.

Lefkada’s place in the Ionian Islands

Lefkada belongs to Greece and forms part of the Lefkada Regional Unit. This island district includes Meganisi, Kalamos, Kastos and smaller Ionian islets such as Kythros, Petalou and Thilia. It also contains notable sea passages, including the Steno Meganisiou, as well as Vasiliki Bay and the mountain of Elati.

The island was known for a long time by the name Sainte-Maure. Today, Lefkada is the name used for both the island and its main town.

Explore Lefkada with Neywo

Neywo’s free Lefkada audio guide includes 10 narrated places. The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. It is a simple way to turn a visit into a self-guided experience: walk from one stop to the next and listen when you arrive.

Download Neywo and explore Lefkada with its free audio guide.