Lefkada Island - My photos

Lefkada is an island of the Ionian Sea and belongs to the island complex of Eptanisa. It lies between the islands of Corfu and Kefalonia. It is very close to the shores of the western mainland of Greece. Only a small strip of sea separates the island from Akarnania and a fifty meter floating bridge connects them.

The name of the island “Lefkada” routed from the name “Lefkas Petra” or “Lefkas Akra”, an ancient name of today’s Leukata, the southern cape of the island.

The wild white rocks of the cape where, according to, the poet Sapfo ended her life in the name of love, gave the name to the city, the Corinthians founded in Lefkada, and then to the entire island. According to geographer Stravonas they renamed the ancient city of Nirikos to Lefkada, capital of the island.

Lefkada’s coastline is very rich. It is comprised of impressive beaches, peninsulas, capes - the Lefkata Cape in particular - coves that make magnificent natural ports, distinguishing the ones of Vlihos, Syvota and Routha in the east and Vassiliki in the south side of the island. Many consecutive coves exist in Meganissi creating small but impressive fiords.

The island has many springs also, like the known Kerasia springs in Sivros, torrents that become rather violent at times and form small cataracts like the one in Nydri, the Dimosaris and impressive canyons like the ones in Mellisa of Sfakiotes and in Haradiatikos.

Lefkada, like all Heptanisian islands, because of the rainfalls, developed an enviable wealth of kinds which excite every visitor. Plants of unique beauty like Peonias, in the highlands, or Pagratios which overwhelms the coastal zone, Arenaria of Lefkada etc, are a small sample. The traditional cultivation of olive and grape, created wide colorful zones, a green shade combined with the crystal blue of the sea.

The 2 lagoons of Lefkada - Divari or Ivaria, according to locals – form unique wildlife sanctuaries, especially from Winter to Spring which are full of life, because of immigrant birds. The birds find a safe shelter inside the rushes covering inch by inch the ground around and inside the lagoons.

Photos taken from me during August 2011 vacations, Click on each image to enlarge.

*Agios Nikitas...*

*Agios Nikitas...*

*Agios Nikitas...*

*Agios Nikitas...*

*"Kataraktes" (waterfalls)* near to Nidri...

*"Kataraktes" (waterfalls)* near to Nidri...

*"Kataraktes" (waterfalls)* near to Nidri...

*"Kataraktes" (waterfalls)* near to Nidri...

*"Kataraktes" (waterfalls)* near to Nidri...

The *small strip of sea* between Lefkada and Akarnania and the *floating bridge, the city of Lefkada* on the right...

*Sparti, Scorpios, Madouri* islands	*Meganisi, Scorpios, Madouri* islands, *Nidri*	*Meganisi* island, *Geni, Nidri, Vlicho*

Sailing... Nidri	Sailing... Geni, Agia Kiriaki	Sailing... Geni

Sailing... Scorpios island	Sailing... Scorpios island	Sailing... Madouri island

*Eglouvi* (altitude of 730m)...	*Eglouvi, lentils* preparation...	*Eglouvi,* windmills...

*Faneromeni* monastery...

*Faneromeni* monastery...

*Faneromeni* monastery...

*Vasiliki*, the beach...

*Vasiliki*, the small port...

*Vasiliki*, the village...

*Porto katsiki* beach...