Gira beach can be find on the northenmost part of Lefkada island, where the nature formed an interesting peninsula-like geographical shape with a shallow lagoon. This place is known on maps also as Gyra or Παραλία Γύρας in Greek language, and offer a calm place for relax to its visitors. One of the best features of Gira beach is its location and easy access, because it is situated just a few kilometers away from Lefkada town, and has one of the easiest access.
- Location: Lefkada 311 00, Greece
- Coordinates: 38.849562, 20.697084
- Where to stay in the area: the nearest apartments can be rented in Lefkada town and in Agios Ioannis. Click here for the accommodations nearby!
Location and access
Gyra beach or Gira is located just about 2,5 kilometers from Lefkada town, and it can be reached by car or by walking from the capital. The floating bridge of Agia Mavra is also near, within one kilometer. The northernmost point of Lefkada island is home for the old windmills, sand dunes and bare landscapes.
When you are looking for this place on the maps, or when you plan your vacation days, this information can be useful: Gira beach is a continuation of the turquoise coloured Agios Ioannis beach, starts from the north windmills, and lasts until the east side of the peninsula, where Kastro beach and Ammoglossa beach are also located.
The access of Gira beach is very easy, and it can be reached two different ways as well. Firstly, just follow the asphalt road which leads from Lefkada town to Agios Ioannis, and follow the road which leads next to the ruined windmills. Drive further a few hundred meters from the last windmills, when you will see a beach bar next to the road, after a large road bend.
The second option to access Gira beach is perhaps more easier, just drive in the direction of the floating bridge from the capital, but do not turn onto it. If you follow the main road, after a left bend you can decide, where you stop your car, because the road leads directly next to Gira.
Why visit in Lefkada Gira beach?
Gira beach is a quite long place in Lefkada with its length of 2 kilometers, and has organized and unorganized parts both. After leaving the windmills (from the direction of Agios Ioannis) there are some dirt trails to the beach, or you go further to east, where you can find the organized parts with a small parking lot with a cantina.
Gyra beach bar
One of the significant bars of Gira beach are known as Kantina Gyra da Varka (Καντίνα Τρύπια Βάρκα Λευκάδα), a small place with free parking lot, offering refreshments for guests. In front of the cantin the sea is quite shallow, with coarse sand and stones. When the winds are not strong, this place can be suitable for children also.
The other bar of the area is Blue Sea beach bar, just about 100 meters away from the small cantin. This place is larger, offering sunbeds and parasols for rent, where the parking lot for cars are situated next to the road. Due to the length of Gira beach there are a lot of places, which are much more secluded and offer some privacy.
Visitors like the calm atmospheres and the crystal clear Ionian Sea, which is usually shallow here. If you see some stones under the sea surface, so you have to take care yourself. It’s worth to know that due for its location Gira beach is sometimes windy, especially in the late afternoons.
Other beaches near Gira
In the area of Gyra beach you can visit the best kitesurf spot in Lefkada island. At the old windmills, between Agios Ioannis and Gira kitesurfers sail in the afternoons, when special winds arrive from the west. If you would like to visit the place and you are interested in this amazing extreme sport, drive here between 3 – 4 PM and enjoy the high speed and the exciting stunts of the surfers!
Another significant places near Gira are Kastro beach and Ammoglossa beach, which can be find on the east side of the beach. You can connect your beach trip by visiting the castle of Agia Mavra, an important historical sight of Lefkada, just about a few hundred meters away from Gira. The fort was under Venetian and Turkish control in the mediaval ages.
Where to stay in the area
As we mentioned above, the nearest accommodations to Gira beach can be find in Agios Ioannis and in Lefkada town. Just click here to see the local apartments of this area, if you would like to stay here during your holiday. (link opens in a new window)
Gira beach (Gyra) info
Known as: Gira beach, Paralia Gyra, Παραλία Γύρας
Coordinates: 38.849562, 20.697084
2 km southwest from Lefkada town
Sea water color: blue
Sand type: pebbles, some rocks
Depth: shallow / normal
Sea surface: moderate
Crowds: usually not crowded
Facilities: beach bars (Blue Sea beach bar, Gyra cantina) during high season
Other Information:
Accessibility: by car, by bicycle from Lefkada town
+ Pros
- calm atmospheres;
- shallow waters;
– Cons
- sometimes wavy and windy for a swim
- at some places there are large rocks in the water
