A Quick Guide to Vasiliki, Lefkada | The Mediterranean Traveller

Thinking of booking a trip to Vasiliki on Lefkada? Here’s what to expect from this popular beach resort and harbour town.

Where is it?

Vasiliki (sometimes spelt Vassiliki) is located in a deep bay on the south coast of Lefkada. For an overview of all the resort towns on the island, check out Lefkada Resort Guide.

What’s the vibe like?

Vasiliki is the second most popular destination on the island after Nydri and it has quite a different vibe. Nestled at the end of a deep bay (called Ponti) with steep mountains on either side, Vasiliki is a haven for windsurfing. Thanks to its topography the afternoon winds are very reliable.

It’s a town of two halves though – the scenic harbour and the long beach filled with watersports activities and hotels.

The area around the wide pebble beach (pictured above) is where you’ll find many watersports centres and most of the hotels. It’s particularly popular with Germans and Scandinavians and so has a bit of a euro vibe. All ages are welcome here – it’s family-friendly but there are also a few lively beach bars.

It’s not just windsurfing on offer either – most centres offer numerous activities. It’s a great place for those who love to keep active and enjoy nature.

On the other side of town is the picturesque harbour which has colourful tavernas along the water shaded by trees. It’s one of the prettiest places on Lefkada and reminded me of Gaios on Paxos. Even if you’re not staying in Vasiliki it’s worth visiting for lunch or dinner. This side of town has a boutiquey feel.

It’s a 5-10 minute walk between the two sides which are separated by a small stream and the ferry port.

The main street leads inland and is home to cute shops, bakeries and grocers, and a few hipster bars.

Vasiliki is spread out but small, only one block deep, and not well connected to the rest of the island. However, there are some excursions to beaches further east and west as well as ferries across to Fiskardo in Kefalonia which is well worth a visit.

What’s the beach like?

The main beach in Vasiliki is wide and spacious but most of it is a grey shingle with a sandy seabed. The beach gets sandier and busier as you go west. The far end is a muddy sort of sand, and packed with sunloungers and some of the noisier bars and restaurants.

There are some organised and free sections, and some parts are sectioned off for watersports.

Truth be told most people don’t come here for the beach. There are plenty of pool bars if it isn’t your kind of beach.

If you’re looking for something quieter keep walking south of the harbour and you’ll find a few hidden coves with bright white pebbles. The swimming is much nicer but there’s not much space. These are unorganised and there are no cafes or amenities, however it’s only a 5-10 minute walk back to the harbour (and don’t forget to take your rubbish with you).

You can also catch a boat to the scenic Agiofili Beach – there’s a water taxi in the harbour that runs throughout the day.

Activities and amenities

Naturally, watersports are the name of the game here. It’s possible to book a package including accommodation and hire/tuition, or you can pay as you go. If you take a stroll down the promenade you’ll see many of the offerings advertised outside the establishments.

The big names in the area are:

Wildwind (sailing)
Club Vass
Healthy Options (yoga/pilates/sailing)
Surf School
Windsurfing Club Grand Nefeli
Freedive Lefkada
Neilson Cosmos Beachclub

The main activities on offer are windsurfing, beach-based dinghy sailing, paddleboards, kayaking, and wing foiling. You can also find yoga, pilates, fitness classes, mountain bike hire, and SUP safaris.

There are several boards detailing the area’s hiking and mountain-biking trails.

There are two boats in town offering day trips – both go to Porto Katsiki and Egremni – two of the most spectacular west coast beaches – but one also takes in picturesque stops in Kefalonia and Ithaka.

Most of the amenities are in the area around the harbour. It’s home to cafes, tavernas, gyros, ice cream, boutiques, mini-markets and a pharmacy. There are two ATM machines in Vasiliki. By the beach, you’ll find laid-back beach bars and cafes (some showing sports and serving international food).

For a wider range of amenities head to larger Nydri.

The shopping vibe is a little bit more boutiquey than Nydri or Lefkada Town with some watersports brands making an appearance.

Transport and accessibility

From the airport:

Vasiliki is just over 1 hour by road from Preveza-Aktion International Airport. A taxi will cost €85-95.

Public transport:

Vasiliki is served by Lefkada’s KTEL bus service – check the KTEL website for timetables and routes.

The main bus stop is one block back from the port and harbour, with a small shelter (check location on Google Maps).

Buses from Vasiliki are limited but do run throughout the day along the east coast to Lefkada Town. You can connect here for other services such as the airport and Preveza. There are no buses to the popular beaches on the west coast, to visit those you’ll have to rent a car or take one of the excursion boats.

There are small car ferries that run daily from Vasiliki to Fiskardo on Kefalonia – check the West Ferries website for timetables. The journey takes 1 hour. This is a local route which often doesn’t show up on Ferryhopper and other third-party services.

Accessibility:

There are some hotels at the edges of Vasiliki which are uphill but the main hotel area behind the beach is completely flat and has a pedestrianised promenade running its length. Some sections of the beach have a grassy shaded area between the beach and the promenade.

There is no Sea Trac in Vasiliki, the nearest one is at Mikros Gialos.

There are two areas for parking close to the ferry port (between the harbour and the beach) plus a few smaller car parks dotted around.

Prices

Where to stay

If you want to be close to the beach there are plenty of options:

The main road runs parallel to the promenade – the hotels along here tend to be a bit dated but it’s a good place to search for bargains and last-minute availability. There’s also a campsite.

Over at the harbour, you’ll find lots of traditional studios offering good value. Some in the backstreets are gradually being renovated to modern tastes such as Grand Theoni and Coco Suites.

One of the nicest spots is near the hidden coves – 3-star Hotel Apollo has a small pool and pool bar.

Sappho Boutique Suites have several high-end rooms and a pool with sea views. It’s also a short walk downhill to one of the hidden coves.