Cheap island holiday Lefkada

When is the best time to go?

May, June, September and early October are ideal: 24 to 30 degrees, a warm sea and fewer crowds than in July and August, when the island is hot and busy. In Vasiliki in the south the wind also eases outside high summer, handy if you are not a surfer. Out of season (roughly November to March) tourism is largely dormant and many tavernas and hotels close.

The best areas on Lefkada

• Lefkada Town The capital at the northern tip, just behind the bridge, with a marina, a long pedestrian street and the Venetian Santa Maura fortress.
• Nidri The liveliest resort on the east coast, the departure point for boat trips to Meganisi, Skorpios and the green bays, and for the Dimosari waterfalls.
• Vasiliki The southern tip, a windsurfing mecca with reliable afternoon wind; water taxis sail from the harbour to Agiofili and Porto Katsiki.
• Agios Nikitas A cosy white village on the west coast, walking distance from Milos beach and close to Kathisma.
• The west coast No villages but the most spectacular bays beneath tall white cliffs: Porto Katsiki, Egremni and Kathisma.

Top 5 things to do

• Porto Katsiki The iconic white cliff bay on the south-west coast, one of the finest beaches in Greece; reachable by car or by boat from Vasiliki and Nidri.
• Egremni A white pebble beach about 2.5 km long beneath steep cliffs, reachable again since the 2015 earthquake via a long staircase or by boat.
• Kathisma A broad sandy beach with loungers, beach bars and turquoise water, the easiest to reach of the west-coast beaches.
• Vasiliki & Agiofili The windsurfing bay of Vasiliki plus the hidden pebble cove of Agiofili, reached fastest by water taxi.
• Dimosari waterfalls & Nidri A short walk through a green gorge to the waterfalls, easily combined with a boat trip past the islets.

Flights + transport from the Netherlands

In the summer season (roughly April to October) Transavia and TUI fly operate direct from Amsterdam to Preveza/Aktion (PVK) in about 2 hours 50, roughly three times a week from €89 one way. There is no direct flight from Eindhoven; fly via Amsterdam instead. The airport is on the mainland, but Lefkada is linked by a floating bridge, so you do not need a ferry: from the airport you reach Lefkada Town in about 25 minutes.

The best beaches are spread along the west coast and the bus network is limited. For Porto Katsiki, Egremni, Kathisma and the mountain villages a rental car via DiscoverCars is by far the handiest way to explore the island at your own pace. Lefkada uses the euro, so there is no currency to convert.

What does a week in Lefkada cost?

Studios and guesthouses from €30, mid-range hotels €55 to 100, apartments around €75 per night. Food is affordable: a gyros around €4, a taverna dinner with wine €15 to 20. For 8 days budget from €530 per person including a direct flight from Amsterdam.