Lefkada Town

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Lefkada

The northern tip of the island of Lefkada is largely dominated by Lefkada Town, the capital city and the first settlement you see when you arrive at Lefkada island. It is a picturesque medium sized town surrounded by the sea on three sides. The town has a modern marina where dozens of sailboats and luxury yachts are moored. The marina is situated to the southeast of the city center and due to its popularity, it has become a very popular meeting point for both locals and tourists. Along the waterfront, there are plenty of restaurants and bars bustle with visitors, especially at nights.

The town has a main street which is a paved pedestrian zone and many narrow alleys and small squares around it. The main street is named after the German archaeologist William Dörpfeld and is lined with arcades of exclusive shops and cafes. It is a pleasant place to stroll through and make some shopping. A further attraction are the many old churches dotted throughout the town. Most of them are decorated with wooden carved iconostasis and icons painted by famous local artists. The most remarkable churches are Agios Minas at the beginning of the pedestrian zone, Agios Spyridon in the main square and the church of Pantokrator which was built in 1699. Behind the chapel of this church, is the grave of the distinguished epic poet, Aristotle Valaoritis. Furthermore, you will find many more old churches, often topped by impressive bell towers.

The main square is a lively and vibrant spot with traditional Greek restaurants and many cafes. The town features beautifully painted two-storey houses and a canal that separates the urban area from a spectacular lagoon of great ecological value. The harbor area along the canal is a perfect place for evenings strolls, ride bikes and photo captures. It boasts many bars and taverns with stunning views to the lagoon and to the yacht port. You can walk over the small bridge that spans the canal and go to the other site where there are some benches to rest or you can just sit in one of the cafes or restaurants and enjoy the vibe. A bit further is a small park with the busts of some of Lefkada’s most famous writers and poets including Aristotle Valaoritis, Agelos Sikelianos Lefkadios Heam, Dimitris Golemis and Kleareti Dipla-Malamou. This park is known as the “Poet’s Garden”.

While walking around the town, you will discover many picturesque alleys, a public library housed in an old mansion and an interesting Archaeological Museum with a remarkable collection of findings from the excavations on the island. The museum is also home to a large number of books, manuscripts and post-Byzantine icons. If you ever visit the town, do no miss to visit the impressive Agia Mavra castle, situated approximately 1km to the northeast of Lefkada Town. The castle was constructed around 1300 to defend the city against pirate attacks and even though it has suffered great damages during the past, is one of the town's main highlights. A visit to the castle itself and to the restored church of Agia Mavra within its walls, is highly recommended.

Lefkada Town is in the north of the island, close to the floating bridge that connects Lefkada to the mainland. It is easy to get to the island by car but you can also go by boat if you have one. There are many transportation options between Lefkada, other Ionian Islands and the mainland. Lefkada Town is a great place to stay and explore the rest of the island.