Karya (Καρυά) is a village in Lefkada Island, Greece, which is famous for its lace making traditions and local folklore. The village shows the beauty of the mountanious areas of Greece, where not just the beaches are exceptional, but the traditional old settlements in the mountains as well.
A visit in Karya is recommended in Lefkada Island if you would like to discover something different, far from the coastal tourist resorts. This region is famous for its lace making traditions and embriodery in Greece, which is introduced by the local folklore museum as well.
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Where to find Karya in Lefkada Island, and how to get there
Karya is located in the heart of the Lefkada Island, approx. 15 kilometers away from the capital of the island, and 13 kilometers away from Nidri. The route from Lefkada town and from Nidri is scenic and mountanious, but don’t be afraid: the road which leads here is wide at most places, just quite winding.
It’ doesn’t matter from which direction you arrive, the road leads through the central parts of Karia. The free parking lots of Karya are situated in the north side of the village, but also there are paid parkings near to the center of the village, next to the main square and the church.
Public buses also arrive to Karya from the bus station of Lefkada town, so it can be reached not just by cars or scooters, but by local buses as well. Buses run between the capital and the village 3-4 times a day, depending on current schedules.
What to find in Karya
The mountainous areas of Lefkada Island are maybe not as popular such as Nidri, Agios Nikitas or other seaside resorts, but there are several reasons to visit Karya. First of all, this place has mountainous atmospheres: when you look around, there can be seen only the beautiful hills and valleys of the area.
Karya is surrounded by extremely lush vegetation, on the hills of Pyrgos thousands of pines and junipers grow. On the streets old plane trees of the village provide natural shade, which is very pleasant in the summer heat. During summer months local temperatures in Karia are always slightly cooler than in the regions of the coastline.
Even when you just drive through on the center, you will meet the large and spacious main square of Karya, where the oldest and highest plane trees of the village grow. The central square is the heart of the village, surrounded by restaurants and coffee bars, from May to September months all of these are open and wait for guests.
The best restaurants in Karya which are recommended by guests are The Crazy Goat (known as Pardalo Katsiki or Παρδαλό Κατσίκι in Greek) and Taverna Eleni. These taverns are situated in the corners of the square, and you can’t miss them.
The main street in Karia is dedicated for a lot of souvenir shops, small supermarkets and embriodery shops. These shops sell handmade laces and wood carved objects, some of these were made locally. Nowadays embroidery is not as popular activity as it was a few decades ago, but some locals are still made beautiful laces and carpets, which can be find in markets.
Sight and attractions of Karya, which are worth to see
When you discover the streets of the village, you will see a lot of traditional houses made by stone and wood. The main square belong to the local sights and attractions as well, where the tall plane trees and the restaurants are situated. Most of the streets in Karya are narrow with some hidden gems, such as old churches and ruins of old windmills on the hills.
An important sight of Karya near the village center is Agios Spyridonas church, situated on the southern side, just a minute walk away from the restaurants.
A small, but famous museum of Lefkada Island opened it gates in the village, dedicated to the traditions and folklore of Karya. Maria Koutsohero Museum, or simply as Karya Folklore Museum can be visited in the north outskirts of the village, there is a junction from the main road to here.
One of the best attractions can be find approx. 7 kilometers away from the village, where Ekklisia Profitis Ilias offer exceptional panoramic views to the island and to Ionian Sea as well. This is one of the best lookouts in Lefkada Island, but you have to know the last road section is narrow and steet up to the Monastery.
The museum for local folklore and traditions of lace making in Karya
The folklore museum of Karya is known as Maria Koutsohero Museum, which is a small private museum located on the north side of the village. It is literally a traditional home with an area of 250 m2, which is dedicated to show the local traditions and the life in the past.
The museum of Karya got its name from Maria Koutsohero (Maria Stavraka), who lived in Karya. She brought back the embroidery technique of old times, and combined it with a completely novel technique. This is called as a unique Karsaniki stitch, a one hand embroidery. The figures and designs of Karsaniki stitch were primarily inspired from the nature, for example from shape of trees and its leafs.
Karya Folklore Museum opening hours: 09:00 – 21:00, entry fee / ticket: approx. 4 Euro / person
Karya photos and infos
- Known as: Karia, Καρυά
- Location: 310 80 Greece
- Coordinates: 38.759739, 20.648544
- 15 km south from Lefkada town
- Population: 590
- Facilities: supermarket, restaurants, ATM, apartments, coffe bars, souvenir stores, pharmacy, bakery, free and paid parking lots
- Nearest beaches: Nikiana beach (13 km)
+ Reasons to visit Karya in Lefkada
- mountain atmospheres
- old traditions and local folklore
- lace making
- nice town square with large plane trees
- folklore museum
– Cons
- lies far from the Ionian Sea
