Meganisi
Meganisi is a small Ionian island just southeast of Lefkada, 22 square kilometres, separated by a narrow channel that makes it feel like an extension of Lefkada but with a much quieter rhythm. It is covered in olives and pines, with three main villages on the ridge — Katomeri, Vathy and Spartochori — and steep cliffs dropping to sea caves and small coves below.
Accessible by ferry from Nidri on Lefkada, Meganisi is famous for its sea caves at Papanikolis, where a WWII submarine once hid, and for beaches like Fanari, Elia and Spilia, mostly pebbled and crystal-clear. It’s a sailing favourite, with tiny harbours full of yachts in summer, simple fish tavernas, and no big development — an island that still feels like old Lefkada did 30 years ago.
The Ionian island with fjord-like bays and three villages
Meganisi is a small island on the southeastern side of Lefkada, only 4 nautical miles from Nidri, and the largest of the islands between Lefkada and the mainland. Despite its name meaning big island, it covers just 20 to 22.4 square kilometres with over 30 kilometres of exotic coastline shaped by secluded bays and coves.
It has a gentle, relaxing pace and relatively few tourists, with lots of pebbly beaches like Agios Ioannis, Spilia, Barbarezou, Porto Spilia and Fanari to bask on, plus dramatic fjord-like inlets and sea caves best seen by boat. There are only three villages and about 1,000 permanent inhabitants. Vathy, where the port lies, is the most picturesque fishing village in a deep bay popular among sailors; Spartochori is a traditional hill village with narrow streets above Spilia Bay; and Katomeri sits in the centre. The island is lush, mountainous and covered in olive groves, with good walking paths between villages and clear, painted-looking water.
This is for you if you want authentic village life, pristine beaches without crowds and the kind of slow Ionian escape where you surrender to swimming and long taverna lunches. It is not for clubs, large resorts or busy sights.
How to get there & around
The only regular connection is by ferry from the port of Nidri on the east coast of Lefkada. Ferries operated by Lefkada Palace and Meganisi II run 4 to 5 times daily in summer, reducing to 2 to 3 in winter, and the crossing to Spilia takes 20 to 25 minutes and costs from around €4.10 one-way; some sailings continue to Vathy before returning to Nidri. There is also a connection from Pisaetos in Ithaca of about 1 hour 45 minutes. You can reach Nidri by bus or taxi from Lefkada Town, 16 kilometres away, or from Preveza airport. On Meganisi there are no buses, so you explore on foot or by private transport, car or scooter rental.
Sources
- https://www.thethinkingtraveller.com/villas/meganissi | short hop from Lefkada wonderfully unspoilt gentle relaxing pace relatively few tourists diminutive size plenty pebbly beaches sleepy white-washed villages Katomeri Spartochori walking paths
- https://www.thethinkingtraveller.com/villas/meganissi/guide | modest size just 22.4 km2 over 30 km stunning exotic coastline secluded bays and coves authentic village life pristine beaches
- https://www.greeka.com/ionian/meganisi/geography/ | small island southeastern side Lefkada only 4 nautical miles from Nidri frequently connected excursion boats ferries pretty mountainous lush green beautiful clean bays
- https://ferryscanner.com/ferry-to-meganisi | booking reserve ferry tickets Meganisi from Nydri Lefkada Pisaetos Ithaca operated Lefkada Palace ferry Nydri Spilia 45 minutes costs €4.10 one-way Ithaca Meganisi 1h45m €9
- https://visit-greece.info/how-to-get-to-meganisi/ | only regular connection by ferry port Nydri east coast Lefkada frequency 4-5 trips daily summer reducing 2-3 winter
- https://www.lefkas.net/meganisi/ | Meganisi situated off east coast Lefkada between Nidri mainland only six kilometres ferry operates every day more services summer Nidri ferry first to Spilia Bay below Spartochori 20 minutes then Vathi 10 minutes
Back to all Greek islands
The Greek Island Directory is a project of passion where a love of Crete, Data Integrity and Directories converge to create something truly special for users: Learn More.
Last Updated on August 30, 2026 by admin