Imagine this: you could take a vacation in the Caribbean, but without a long flight—would you do it? I definitely would! On my last trip, I discovered Lefkada, a breathtakingly beautiful Greek island in the Ionian Sea. Before the trip, I had a general idea of what to expect, but when I saw the turquoise sea and white beaches, I could hardly believe my eyes. The beaches here are just as beautiful as those in the Caribbean, and Lefkada is one of the most stunning Greek islands I’ve ever seen!

First, I flew from Munich to Athens, where I met up with my girlfriends—we managed to book our flights so that we all arrived at the Athens airport almost at the same time. Since we planned to spend a day in Athens, we immediately headed to the Acropolis. It was hot, very hot, but the exhausting climb to the temples was worth it: the temples themselves, the views, and the atmosphere at sunset were absolutely magical! Make sure to wear sturdy shoes, though—it was quite tricky climbing over the giant stone blocks in my sandals.

The next day, we drove from Athens to Lefkada in two cars, passing over the Corinth Canal, where we saw our first sight of the trip. We paused to watch the ships sail through the canal from the bridge. Then we continued over the nearly 3,000-meter-long Rio-Antirrio Bridge to the Peloponnese Peninsula. The drive from Athens to Lefkada was scenic, but the most beautiful sights awaited us on Lefkada itself.

LEFKADA – A PARADISE ON EARTH

What I love about Greece is its diversity. Mainland Greece is completely different from the Ionian Islands, and the Cyclades are different again. For example, Mykonos is a barren island with little greenery but plenty of action: it’s loud, colorful, full of tourists, and the global jet set parties and relaxes there. In contrast, Lefkada is quiet, far less touristy, full of pine trees and olive groves, and perfect for those who want to enjoy a peaceful vacation in nature.

The best time to visit Lefkada is April-May and September. Summer is unbearably hot, which is typical for Greece. Outside of the summer months, the weather is much more pleasant. Even in September, I found Lefkada too hot—it would have been better to visit two to three weeks later.

The most beautiful beach on Lefkada is Porto Katsiki. It lies beneath steep white cliffs, and the bay is indescribably beautiful: white sand, crystal-clear water, and an unspoiled natural setting. You reach the beach by a long staircase, and the view from the stairs is already breathtaking. Lefkada certainly doesn’t lack for attractions. The everyday life of the island itself is a sight: authentic villages, typical Greek grandmothers in traditional black dresses, donkeys, olive trees, small fishing harbors full of cats of all sizes and colors you can imagine, all framed by the turquoise sea.

What you won’t find on Lefkada: stylish bars with lounge and electronic music, Michelin-star restaurants, or five-star hotels with helicopter landing pads. No sports cars, no high heels. But what you will find: incredibly beautiful landscapes, traditional Greek restaurants and cafes with simple but delicious food. Beautiful beaches, almost untouched nature, tranquility, the sound of crickets, the sweet scent of herbs, and friendly Greeks. A paradise on earth!

Lefkada’s cuisine deserves a chapter of its own. Being a true gourmet, authentic local cuisine is always a highlight of my travels. When I travel and try something delicious, I add the recipe to my collection and recreate it at home in Munich. The food on Lefkada is amazing: all sorts of fish and shrimp, grilled to perfection — simple, healthy, and so delicious!

And what you’ll find in abundance here — just like in Parga, where we took a trip — are little shops selling souvenirs, jewelry, clothes, and everything you might need on vacation. The shopping alone is worth visiting Lefkada!

Our return journey was the same as the way there: first passing through Nafpaktos, where it’s worth stopping for a coffee break in the beautiful harbor, and then back over the Rio-Antirrio Bridge to Athens. Honestly, I was happy to fly back to Munich—it almost felt like too much after a month and a half of vacation on the French Riviera. I was excited to finally be home, sorting through, editing, and sharing all the photo material with you. But if you’re not done traveling yet, check out my blog post on St. Tropez!

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