Vassiliki is famous for its
waves and among windsurfers it is one of the best place in Greece. I'm not a surfer but still I wanted to experience those
massive waves.
The east coast of Lefkada looks
totally different from the west coasts high cliffs, so that was also one reason to try something other than the already familiar
west coast. The whole east coast is almost one long beach and it's very attractive. I did however pass all the touristy resorts,
like Perigiali, Nidri and Vlyho. Vassiliki was the only thing in my mind. I made only one stop at the Waterfalls, somewhere
in the middle of the island. It's very well signposted from the main road. It was a nice short walk from the car park, but
the waterfalls were disappointingly small. Only small streams were falling down from the mountains. On route by the coast
there was a good view over to the islands of Sparti, Madouri and Skorpios (owned by the Onassis family).
Vassiliki harbour
Vassiliki is actually a twin
village of Pondi and Vassiliki. These two villages are combined with a long beach and it's fast growing in together, as more
and more tourists find this place. Lots of hotels and apartments to choose from, there are tens and tens of hotels from one
end of Pondi to the other end of Vassiliki. The beach here is just great and the waves are really something. I can't describe
how great did the windsurfers look with their sails; they looked like butterflies flying on the surface of the water... But
due to the winds, you have to be extra careful while at sea. Waves can hit you very hard and unexpected, and there are also
a lot of jellyfishes in the sea. You can't even see them and having them sting your skin is very painful.
Porto Katsiki
On the way back to Lefkada town,
you should take a small detour to the Porto Katsiki beach. I don't think I have ever seen such a beautiful beach. While I
was there, it was very early morning. I had the beach almost to myself but since the whole beach was in the shadows, water
was just too cold to swim. Great views though! Another great beach on the west coast is of course Kathisma beach. Full with
tourists by noon but there is plenty of space on this beach. You can find all kinds of facilities here, even a pool. The sea
is turquise and so clear. That day it was windy and the waves were gigantic.
Portokatsiki beach
Lefkada waterfalls
A more private beach is Milos beach, to where you can take a
taxi boat from Agios Nikitas. I visited Ag. Nikitas, as well as Milos beach, last summer. You can read more about it using
a link below. Just before entering Lefkada town, there is one more beach to visit; Agios Ioannis and its famous windmills.
Wind blows always so hard in here, so many people come here para-sailing. On the way back to mainland and on to Parga, we
passed the long Aktio-Preveza tunnel. Last summer it was just opened and it was toll-free, but this summer you had to pay
3 euros to get across. Still it's a great tunnel and worth to pay for a short and quick drive through.
