Desimi beach (Παραλία Δεσίμι) is a wide bay on the east coast of Lefkada Island, which offer campings, boat rental options and calm sea surface near Nidri village. The area of Desimi is filled by green slopes with lush vegetation, the Ionian Sea is shallow and calm most of the time, which is ideal for smaller children.
Coordinates: 38.673334, 20.713039
You can find on maps as: Paralia Desimi, Παραλία Δεσίμι, Dessimi bay
How to access: by cars, by boat hire
Where to stay: find and book Lefkada studios and apartments here!
Where to find Desimi beach in Lefkada Island, and how to get there
The long coast of Desimi beach is located on the east coast of Lefkada Island, 6 kilometers away from Nidri, 18 kilometers away from Vasiliki, and 23 kilometers away from the capital. The wide bay can be accessed from the main road, which leads on the east side of the island. Traffic signs show the pensula of Geni (Yenion) and the local campings, and after we have leaved the main road, we can see the name of Desimi at some places as well.
There are two ways to reach Desimi beach, because the road splits into two: these lead to northern and to southern parts of the bay. The road conditions are average, not difficult to drive here.
At the end of the roads some parking lots were built, but one of these parking lots is a paid parking (on the southern side of the bay). On the north side of the beach there can be find some abandoned areas to park free.
Free parking areas of Desimi
What to find at Desimi beach in Lefkada Island
The main reasons to visit Desimi beach in Lefkada Island are the tranquil atmospheres and the snorkeling options, because not just the waters are calm here, but the entire area as well. The bay is very well protected from the waves due to its eastern location, and the calm waters can be suitable for smaller children as well.
The seabed of Desimi beach is quite shallow, providing safer conditions for kids. The bay is one of the longest coves on the east coast with its 350 meters length, but very narrow – literally just a few meters wide at the most places. Due to the narrow shore Desimi can be crowded in the afternoons during high season days, and if you would like to discover this bay in Lefkada Island, it’s worth to arrive earlier.
The coast of Desimi beach is usually not organized, there can’t be rented sunbeds due to the narrow shore, but restaurants were built here. The best restaurants of Dessimi are Taverna Μάζα Μάσα, Menes beach taverna and Taverna Pirofani, which wait for guests during summer months, and serve cold drinks and hot meals.
On two opposite sides of the Desimi beach two official camping sites of Lefkada Island are open for guests. The local camping sites are called Camping Desimi beach and Beach Camping Santa Maura, both are listed among the best campings in Lefkada.
Due to calm waters of the bay, boat rental companies offer rent a boat services in Lefkada Island. Visitors can rent a boat here without boat driving licence, and they can discover the secluded coves on the east coast of the island, or can sail to Meganisi. The local company is called Dessimi boats, and can be find on the west side of the beach with several small boats and ribs for rent.
One of the local hidden gems is a sea cave of Desimi, which can be reached by kayaks, canoes, sups and pedalos on the north part of the beach. Slightly further away a tiny bay offer crystal clear waters and emerald sea colours for travellers, who are looking for hidden gems on their holiday in Lefkada Island.
Where to stay near Desimi beach, studios and apartments of the area
Desimi beach is situated in Geni (Yenion) peninsula, situated just a few kilometers away from Nidri. This peninsula of Lefkada is very calm and less visited than other parts of the island, but there were built apartments and hotels as well.
For available rooms and prices of the Geni peninsula just click here, where reviews, photos and prices can be compared and book!
Most of the rooms in the region can be find in Nidri, which is the most popular seaside resort here. The village has picturesque port, and offer boat trips, wide range of traditional restaurants, souvenir stores and bakeries. The local apartments and rooms of Nidri you can find and book when click the image below, where you can find prices and reviews as well.
Photos and other infos
- Known as: Paralia Desimi, Παραλία Δεσίμι
- Sea water color: green, blue
- Sand type: sand, small pebbles, pebbles
- Depth: normal, shallow at most places
- Sea surface: calm
- Crowds: normal (during some high season days can be crowded)
- Facilities: paid and free parking lots, restaurants, campings, boat and SUP rentals
- Other Information: child friendly
- Accessibility: by car
Why we like
Snorkeling capabilities
Calm sea surface
Boat rental options
Safe for children
Possible disadvantages
The bay is used as a port
Narrow shore
