Steep cliffs with a traditional lighthouse of Lefkada: Cape Doukato, or known as Cape Lefkatas is one of the best attractions of the island, where breathtaking panoramic views are guaranteed. The southernmost place of Lefkada belong to the top local sights due to its romantic scenery and exceptional lookouts, which is famous even in Greece. There are legends, which mention Cape Doukato in historical events, because this unique place was well known in the ancient eras. A visit to the lighthouse of Lefkada and to the southern cliffs can be combined with Porto Katsiki beach or Egremni beach, because these place are situated near to each other.
- Known as: Lefkada lighthouse, Φάρος Ακρωτηρίου Λευκάδας
- Coordinates: 38.563096, 20.543046
- Location: Lefkada 310 82, Greece
- Where to stay: best apartments and hotels of the island
Where to find
This amazing place is the southernmost point of the island: Cape Doukato is located 49 kilometers away from Lefkada town and 36 kilometers away from Nidri. The road which leads here is quite narrow and winding, but the its quality is good, because it was built just more than a decade ago. When you are on the route to this attraction, you can see the cliffs and the silhuette of the lighthouse of Lefkada at some places.
Before you reach the end of the road, there is a great place for panoramic photos, which is marked as ‘view of lighthouse’ on some maps. After a few hundred meters your journey ends in the small parking lot of the lighthouse, which is free for use. From here a dirt path lead directly up to the building of the lighthouse, to the southern cliffs of Lefkada.
What to see
In the ancient times the peninsula of Akroriti, where the lighthouse of Lefkada was built, was dedicated to the Greek God Apollon. In the area Greek archeologists found ancient coins and small sculptures, with a few ruins of an ancient Greek temple of Apollon. Cape Doukato is also a place of a famous legend: the Greek poet Sappho jumped off the cliffs and died here in 569 B.C., because of her unrequited love to Phaon the ferryman.
In recent years the high cliffs and the lighthouse of Lefkada became one of the best sights of the area, which is listed in every travel guides for its exceptional panoramic views. The steep cliffs of the coastline are 20 – 110 meters high, and almost vertical. It’s an important information, that a few years ago a fence was put up to prevent accidents, because the lookout below the cliffs of Cape Doukato are as steep as everywhere here.
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 building, because it is locked for security reasons. The original lighthouse in Lefkada was built in 1890, but an earthquake ruined it in 1950: the building which can be seen today is the second, built in 1956.
According to the fans the cliffs of Cape Doukato and the lighthouse is one of the best sights in Lefkada, which show the unique charm of Lefkada for travellers. It’s worth to know that organized trips usually don’t arrive here, this area can be reached by car or scooter. The nearest beaches are Porto Katsiki beach 15 kilometers away, Egremni beach 16 kilometers away, and the long beach of Vasiliki and Ponti about 16 kilometers away.
Info box
- 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)
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