About This Trip
The Ionian Islands are Greece's lushest and greenest, watered by winter rains that the Aegean islands never see. Lefkada is accessible by car via a causeway (no ferry), making it the perfect gateway island. From its port at Nidri you can hop ferries to Homer's Ithaca and the magnificent Kefalonia.
Porto Katsiki, a white-pebble cove under 200m white cliffs, is considered one of Europe's most beautiful beaches. Kefalonia's Melissani Cave lake is equally jaw-dropping. This route manages both, plus the Myrtos beach that appeared in Captain Corelli's Mandolin.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Athens → Patras (1 night)
Drive: 215 km · ~2h via A8 motorway
- Depart Athens on the A8 motorway west (tolls: ~14€ to Rio, then €15.90 for the Rio-Antirio bridge)
- Afternoon: explore Patras old town, Patras Castle and the Roman Odeon
- Evening dinner near the seafront
Patras → Lefkada (2 nights)
Drive: 130 km · ~1h 30min · Lefkada connected by causeway, no ferry
- Day 2: Drive to Lefkada, afternoon at Kathisma Beach, evening in Lefkada town
- Day 3: Drive south to Porto Katsiki Beach (steps down to the cove), arrive early to beat crowds. Afternoon at Egremni Beach nearby
Day trip to Ithaca
Ferry: Nidri → Frikes (Ithaca) · ~1.5h · ~15€pp + 40€ car
- Morning ferry to Ithaca, Homer's island of Odysseus
- Explore Vathy (the capital), hike to the Cave of the Nymphs, swim in a crystal bay
- Evening ferry back to Nidri
Lefkada → Kefalonia
Ferry: Nidri → Sami · ~2.5h · ~12€pp + 35€ car
- Morning ferry to Kefalonia
- Afternoon: Melissani Cave (9€), underground lake in a collapsed cavern
- Drive to Myrtos Beach (30 min), turquoise water under dramatic white limestone cliffs
- Overnight in Argostoli or Sami, then fly home or take overnight ferry back to Piraeus
🏛️ Must-See
🎟️ Book tours & activities200m white cliffs dropping to a white-pebble cove, one of Europe's most iconic beaches.
FreeUnderground lake in a collapsed cavern. Boat ride through shafts of light, utterly magical.
9€Turquoise water under dramatic limestone cliffs, the most photographed beach in Greece.
FreeHomer's island of Odysseus. Tiny, unhurried, and beautiful, take the ferry from Nidri.
15€ ferry⛴️ Ferry Information
- Lefkada: Connected to the mainland by a causeway, no ferry, drive straight on.
- Nidri (Lefkada) → Frikes (Ithaca): ~15€/person, 40€/car, 1.5h. Operated by Meganisi Lines.
- Nidri → Sami (Kefalonia): ~12€/person, 35€/car, 2.5h. Check Ionian Ferries schedule.
- Book ferries in advance in July and August, car spaces sell out.
- Kefalonia → Piraeus: Overnight ferry (Strintzis Lines) if returning to Athens by sea.
💡 Practical Tips
- Porto Katsiki: The steps down are steep (200+), comfortable shoes essential. No facilities at the bottom.
- Robola wine from the Kefalonia cooperative in Fragkáta village is the best souvenir from the island.
- Lefkada Sausage is a local specialty, buy it vacuum-packed at the market to take home.
- Myrtos Beach has no shade, bring an umbrella.