Cape Lefkatas (Cape Doukato, Akrotiri, Φάρος Ακρωτηρίου Λευκάδας) is the southernmost part of Lefkada Island, Greece, where breathtaking panoramic views and an iconic lighthouse can be visited. Thousands of years ago on the steep cliffs there was built a Sanctuary of Apollo, which is mentioned by ancient legends in historical events.
The cliffs of Cape Lefkatas and the place of the lighthouse were well known by ancient Greeks and Romans – a famous Greek poet, Sappho was jumped off the cliffs here. Now this this place is an amazing tourist destination, which belong to the best sights of Lefkada Island due to its romantic scenery and exceptional lookouts.
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Where to find Cape Lefkatas and the Lighthouse of Lefkada Island, and how to get there
Cape Lefkatas and the Lighthouse of Lefkada Island (Aktotiri) are located approx. 49 kilometers away from Lefkada town, 36 kilometers away from Nidri, and 15 kilometers away from Vasiliki.
The road which leads to Cape Lefkatas and to the lighthouse is narrow and winding, but the its overall quality is quite good, because it was built just more than a decade ago. While driving to the southernmost place of Lefkada Island, we can see the white cliffs and the silhuette of the lighthouse of Lefkada from some places.
Before you reach the end of the road and the parking lot, there is a great place for panoramic photos, which is mentioned as ‘view of Lefkada Lighthouse’ by some maps. If you decide to climb up to the viewpoint, be very careful, because it is very steep on its top and dangerous due to the slippery rocks.
After a few hundred meters the journey ends in the small parking lot of the lighthouse, which is free. The parking lot of the lighhouse is small, but provide enough spaces of 14-15 cars. From the parking a dirt trail leads dup to Cape Lefkatas and to the building of the lighthouse.
Public buses are not run to Cape Lefkatas, so you have to drive a car, scooter or quad for a visit. On boat trips which depart from Nidri and Vasiliki to the beaches of the west coast, passengers can see the cliffs and the silhouette of the Lighthouse of Lefkada when they sail around the peninsula of Akrotiri.
Sights what to see in Cape Lefkatas and near the Lighthouse of Lefkada
In the ancient times the peninsula of Akroriti, where the iconic Lighthouse of Lefkada Island was built, was dedicated to the Greek God Apollon. At Cape Lefkatas Greek archeologists found ancient coins, small sculptures, and ruins of an ancient Greek temple of Apollon, who was a god of music, dance, archery, and poetry.
According to local archeologists the steep cliffs of Cape Lefkatas and the lighthouse have a legend. The Greek poet Sappho jumped off these heights, and died here in 569 B.C. because of her unrequited love to Phaon, the ferryman.
In recent years the steep white cliffs of Cape Lefkatas and the Lighthouse of Lefkada Island became one of the best sights of the region, listed literally by every travel guides for the exceptional panoramic views.
The steep cliffs of the coastline are up to 20 – 110 meters high, and these walls are almost vertical at many places. A few years ago a fence was built in the garden of the lighthouse to prevent accidents, because the lookout below the cliffs of Cape Lefkatas are incredible steep.
Informations about the Lighthouse of Lefkada
The Lighthouse of Lefkada looks like as you imagine a typical lighthouse in Greece: a high, rounded shaped building with whitewashed walls. It was built on the highest point of the south, from where it makes sailing significantly safer.
The lighthouse is 14 meters high, and visitors can’t enter into the rooms of the building, it is locked for security reasons. The original lighthouse of Lefkada was built in 1890, but an earthquake ruined it in 1950: this building which can be seen today is the second, built in 1956.
According to fans the picturesque cliffs of Cape Lefkatas and the Lighthouse are one of the best sights in Lefkada Island, which show the unique charm of the Ionian Islands for travellers.
It’s worth to know that organized trips usually don’t arrive here, this area can be reached only by car or scooter. The nearest beaches are Porto Katsiki beach approx. 15 kilometers away, Egremni beach approx. 16 kilometers away, and the long bay of Vasiliki and Ponti 16 kilometers away.
A visit to the Lighthouse of Lefkada Island, to the steep cliffs of the area can be combined with a beach day, when you spend your day at Porto Katsiki beach or at Egremni beach, because these place are situated near to each other.
Cape Lefkatas and the lighthouse photos and infos
- Known as: Lefkada lighthouse, Φάρος Ακρωτηρίου Λευκάδας
- Coordinates: 38.563096, 20.543046
- Location: Lefkada 310 82, Greece
- 49 km south from Lefkada town
- Cape Lefkatas, Akrotiri peninsula
- Facilities: free parking lot
- Accessibility: by car, by motorbicycle
- Entry fee / ticket: free (but can’t enter into the building of a lighthouse)
