Lefkas holidays

Things to do

Explore your destination

Odysseia
Set sail from Lefkas to explore the island of Meganisi, starting at Papanikolis Cave, surrounded by rugged cliffs and turquoise water, and seeing its traditional villages. After that, you can relax on an unspoilt beach with a barbecue and drinks, before sailing around Skorpios island, once owned by Jackie O's husband.

Highlights

• Watching the world go by from Lefkas Town's traditional cafes and strolling past the yachts in the marina are favourite pastimes on holiday in Lefkas
• Seeing the fascinating collection of statues and paintings at Lefkas Town's archaeological museum
• Drawing your sword at the ruins of the 14th century Fortress of Agia Mavra, built when the Venetians ruled to protect Lefkas from pirates
• Climbing up to the monastery of Faneromeni for amazing views of the lagoon and Lefkas Town below
• Cruising from Nidri's harbour to the little islet of Meganisi, to have leisurely lunches in waterfront tavernas, nose around pretty villages and ease into the island way of life
• Sailing to Skorpios island owned by Aristotle Onassis, Jackie Kennedy's husband, where you can swim in the shore and pay tribute to the first lady in Jackie O shades
• Feeling the spray of the Vafkeri waterfall, a few kilometres' walk from Nidri, you'll see the best of the water in May as, during the summer months, it's more of a stream
• Hiring a boat during September's South Ionian Regatta in Nidri, one of the Mediterranean's most spectacular yachting events
• Relaxing over dinner in the harbour of pretty Ligia, enjoying locally caught fish and a fresh Greek salad, with a drop of Vertzamo wine
• Spending the day in pretty Poros, mixing time on Makris Gialos beach with sightseeing at Analipsi's church and nearby Pirgi's crumbling Venetian castle and olive mill

Food and drink

Dining in waterfront tavernas and traditional Greek restaurants is the way of life in Lefkas, and you can spend your holiday evenings enjoying delicious fresh seafood, like sauteed shrimp marinated in garlic.

Whether you're in the mood for traditional Greek grills and souvlaki kebabs or want to be a bit more adventurous, with baby goat or baked rabbit, you'll find something to tantalise your taste buds.

A surprise ingredient in Lefkas's kitchens, spicy sausages and salamis are also popular here, from the days when Lefkas was under Venetian rule.

For a really beautiful setting, try Lighthouse Taverna in Lefkas Town, where you can dine in the vine-covered garden, enjoying fine cuisine washed down with a glass of the island's Vertzamo wine.

Evening Flavour

Once the sun's gone down, you can enjoy memorable nights on your Lefkas holiday. Nidri is the place to be: you can spend quiet evenings dining by the water, before window-shopping for stylish yachts in the harbour.

Despite Lefkas's quiet reputation, Nidri also offers something livelier, with plenty of bars along the main road and a couple of nightclubs buzzing into the early hours.

Lefkas Town also has lively and quieter alternatives for a good night out, especially along the waterfront.

Shopping

To pick out something decorative to put your fruit bowl on, head to the mountain village of Karya for locally made lace and Karysaniki embroidery, often seen on the traditional dress once worn by the islanders during festivals.

If you're longing for a trip to the high street, stroll down Lefkas Town's main shopping street to browse for clothes and Greek gifts, like ceramics, jewellery and olive oil.

If you're into windsurfing, you can find all sorts of fashions in Vassiliki and, for handicrafts and other mementoes, nose into the shops in the island's little mountain villages.

Local weather

Information

Language: Greek. Currency: Euro. Greek Tourist Office: 4 Conduit Street, London W1S 2DJ. Tel: 020 7495 9300. Fax: 020 7287 1369. www.gnto.co.uk

Travel money

Euro

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.