Exploring the Ionian island of Lefkada

We drove up a steep road through little Greek villages in search of dinner and pulled up outside what looked like some ones house.  We had been told that it had one of the best views over the east coast of Lefkada and I think it may just have.  The place actually turned out to be closed, but with a little persuasion ice cold beers were produced, and we leaned over the balcony and took in the sunset over the picturesque vista below.  We could see the islands and coastal villages and towns that we had spent the week exploring fading out in the distance as the sun disappeared in the evening haze.  We had known it would be lovely here, but the clear blue seas, attractive towns and inviting villages were better than imagined.

It helped that we had some local knowledge and that we had access to a boat.  The trip started well.  We sat in Syvota and watched the boats coming in.  The sea front here is lined with small taveras and bars, and provides a great spot to watch the people that have just picked up their charter yachts.  It was peak season and despite the tranquil atmosphere of the place itself, it seemed no one had told the boats, as they hustled for the best position along side the quay.  No matter that they would be kept awake half the night by the loud and competing music resonating from all the harbour side bars. 

 

We look a speedboat around the coast.  Here were perfect little bays, just right for dropping anchor and getting away from it all.  Here there was no banging music, no light pollution and definitely no tourists.  We pulled up on the west coast of Meganissi island.  A lonely taverna next to a small jetty owned by an island family.  There wasn't a menu, so we just ordered a selection of things we had tried elsewhere and liked.  We ended up with the most delicious piles of chops, salads, and fresh fish, and we pretty much had the place the ourselves. A perfect setting for over indulgence.

 

Meganissi Island itself was very pretty, what you would expect of a picture postcard of a Greek island, cobbled streets in small villages hugging the landscape, and far fewer tourists that Lefkada.

Back on the island of Lefkada, we decided to explore the west coast.  Here are reportedly some of the best beaches in Greece.  Something we couldn't disagree with, when we sat in the warm waters of the Ionian, surrounded by crystal blue seas drinking mojitos and eating gyros, the local freshly cooked kebabs.

 

After we had done with this beach, there were plenty more on offer and we wound our way further north to near the top of the island, where the beaches were less sheltered and were full of kite surfers enjoying the waves.

 

Back on the east coast we picked up a boat with the grand plan to find a spot to BBQ.  We shot off across the bay away from the all inclusive hotels of Nydri and sought out a sheltered bay.  We found a deserted beach, climbed out the boat and waded through the shallow waters.  Here we spent the next few hours preparing our own dinner.  A BBQ on the beach is always a winner no matter where you are, but when you have your own beach there's no need to rush.

 

A holiday on the Greek islands, overcrowded? tacky? third rate?  No way,  this place is perfect, just get away from the crowds and if possible rent a boat, there's no better way to see what the place has to offer than from the deck of a yacht.