Lefkada

Lefkada, also known as Lefkas, is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea and part of the Ionian Islands regional unit. It is one of the Ionian islands connected to the mainland by a causeway bridge, allowing road traffic to reach the island without a ferry. The island covers about 336 square kilometers and has a population of around 23,000, concentrated in Lefkada Town and several coastal settlements.

Geography and climate: Lefkada lies opposite the Epirus coast, northwest of the Greek mainland. It features a rugged interior of limestone uplands and dramatic western cliffs facing the Ionian Sea, with more sheltered eastern and southern shores that host numerous beaches. Notable beaches include Porto Katsiki, Kathisma, and Egremni, with access patterns changing after landslides in recent years. The area experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters.

History: Human presence on Lefkada dates to antiquity. The island was ruled by successive powers—Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman—before becoming part of the modern Greek state in 1864, when the Ionian Islands united with Greece.

Economy and culture: Today, tourism is the main economic activity, complemented by agriculture such as olive oil and wine production and maritime services. Visitors are drawn to the beaches, windsurfing at Vasiliki, and various historic churches and monasteries scattered across the island.

Transport and administration: Lefkada is part of the Ionian Islands region and is administered as a separate regional unit. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and ferries operate between Lefkada Town and Nidri and the nearby islands of Ithaca and Kefalonia. The closest international airport is Aktion National Airport near Preveza, with seasonal flights to European destinations.