Kathisma beach (Παραλία Κάθισμα) is a long and well organized bay in Lefkada Island, Greece, near Agios Nikitas village. It is known as a local highlight, which offer easy access, endless blue colours of the Ionian Sea and incredible wide range of services.
The entire coastline of Kathisma beach is wide and spacious, where the seabed is covered by lightgrey sand and pebbles. This exceptional bay of Lefkada belongs to the best beaches of the island, filled by restaurants, cocktail bars, and long lines of sunbeds.
In the area of Agios Nikitas village this travel destination is one of the most popular places, which can be accessed quick and easy, without climbing a hill. The bay is extraordinary charming, when waves arrive from west, and paint the waters of Ionian Sea incredible blue.
Coordinates: 38.777219, 20.600441
You can find on maps as: Paralia Kathisma, Παραλία Κάθισμα
How to access: by cars, by local buses from Lefkada town
Where to stay in Lefkada: studios, apartments, and hotels
One of the primary locations of ‘Lefkada Blue’ sea colours , when bigger waves arrive
Where to find Kathisma beach in Lefkada Island and how to get there
Kathisma beach is located on the southwest coast of Lefkada Island, situated approx. 3 kilometers away from Agios Nikitas, 18 kilometers away from the capital, and 30 kilometers away from Nidri. The only access of the bay is by cars and by local buses, because there are no boat excursions, which sail here. The road conditions which leads to Kathisma beach are good overall, but drivers have to watch at the last hairpin bends just before the parking lots, because the last section of the road is getting quite narrow.
Behind the beach there are many places as free parkings, but after these places are getting filled by cars, visitors have to drive into paid parkings. In high season months, especially in July and in June Kathisma beach is one of the most visited places on the west coast of Lefkada Island, and free parking lots fill up quickly during the morning hours.
The advantage of the paid parking lots are the shaded lots for cars, which protects cars from the summer heat.
Kathisma beach can be accessed by local buses, which depart from the bus station of Lefkada town, and run daily in summer months. The local bus stop of this travel destination is situated at one of the last bends before the beach bars, just 2 minutes walk from the coast. There are no daily boat trips to Kathisma even from Nidri and from Vasiliki, due to sea distances.
Kathisma beach belong to best beaches of Lefkada
Lefkada Island has many amazing places to swim on the west coastline, but Kathisma beach definitely belongs to the best travel destinations. Its reputation based primarily on the breathtaking natural scenery and the well organized areas, with easy access and wide range of services. Behind the endless blue Ionian Sea several beach bars and restaurants are waiting for guests, many of them were designed to provide cozy, clean and comfortable enviroment.
Despite organized areas the scenery is picturesque, because the entire area of the bay is surrounded by green slopes, where lush mediterranean vegetation grow, with pine trees, olive groves and flowers.
The long coast of Kathisma beach is approx 1 kilometer long, and quite wide at most places. The local bars and parking lots, which were constructed behind the beach are not disturbing, because of the 50 – 70 meters wide and spacious shore.
Near the sea long lines of sunbeds and beach umbrellas can be rented, which belong to bars and restaurants. Prices of sunbeds are often highly varied here – depending on bars, actual season, and the first lines of beds usually cost more, while the other are slightly cheaper. There are places for own equipments as well, but always check the area, because some parts are reserved for paragliding landings.
The coast and the seabed are filled mostly by lightgrey colured coarse sand and some pebbles, water shoes are not neccessary for the most people. The seabed deepens quite quick at most playes, similar to the most beaches which are located on the west coast of Lefkada Island, such as Mylos beach or Megali Petra beach.
Most services of Kathisma beach are provided by the local cocktail bars, best known are Copla beach bar, Areia Club Restaurant, Libre, and Monato da gusto. Some restaurants offer not just cold refreshments and drinks but daily meals and dinners as well, such as Giovanni’s Grill House Restaurant, Libre, Akrogiali restaurant or Anapsiktirio.
The most picturesque parts of Kathisma beach are situated on the northern and in the southern sides, where huge rocks add more exciting views to the area. The two ends of the bay are usually not so crowded than the central areas, especially the southern offers slightly more privacy.
Sea temperatures are usually pleasant here between temperatures of 24 – 26 Celsius from June to mid September. For children and kids Kathisma beach belong to the recommended places, where the local services make comfortable a holiday.
Blue waves of Kathisma beach
The west coast of Lefkada Island, including Kathisma beach is famous for its waves and for incredible blue colours, which made many exciting water adventures to holidays. When significant sea waves arrive from the west, this bay becomes one of the best places Lefkada and Greece, to enjoy such huge waves. Watching these ‘Lefkada blue’ waves is a really unique experience and an amazing attraction for thousands of travellers.
Always be careful on the days, when big waves rule the coast of Ionian Sea – sometimes the strength of the sea waves can be dangerous also. Behind the beach there were built a lifeguard tower, which warn visitors for the actual sea conditions, when the waves are getting too dangerous for a swim. A red flag on the lifeguard tower indicate the periods, when swimming is prohibited for safety reasons.
Its important to know the Ionian Sea at Kathisma beach, and at the west coast of Lefkada Island usually have significant waves just a few days in a month. Sea surface is much calmer most of the time, so it is possible when you visit this exceptional travel destination in Greece, there will be no such strong waves. Of course when these waves arrive, kids and smaller children must stay away from the sea.
It’s worth to know when you see these big blue waves on the west coast of Lefkada Island, other famous beaches of the west have also such character, so Porto Katsiki beach, Mylos beach or Egremni beach look quite similar.
Paragliding
Paragliding is a unique activity in Lefkada Island, and Kathisma beach is considered as the best paragliding spot in the region. Behind the coast, in the higher mountains there are two different take off places, from where paragliders starts to fly. The primary base for paragliding center is located in Exanthia (Εξάνθεια) village, next to Rachi Restaurant (Fly Me Sun & Stars bar), which is famous from its magical sunsets as well.
Birds eye views from above are magnificient
Flight times and prices of paragliding are varied, mostly depend on companies and actual season, up to 150 Euros. The huts of the paragliding teams can be find in the car parking lot, or just ask a paraglide pilot after they had landed. The experience of Lefkada paragliding is extraordinary, the most beautiful views can be seen in sunny and hot weather, when the Ionian Sea is dressed in more blue colours than the sky.
Where to stay near Kathisma beach and what to see
The area of Kathisma beach is well organized place, with several apartments and villas for a holiday. Behind the beach, within few hundred meters from the sea there are some accommodations as well, while the most apartments can be find in Agios Nikitas, approx 3 kilometers away.
Find and book apartments and hotels near Kathisma beach and in Agios Nikitas
Agios Nikitas is a charming small village of the west coast, located in fertile vallery, surrounded by pine forests. We like the atmospheres of the narrow streets, the traditional stone houses and the local restaurants. This area is one of top places for those travellers, who like to discover the best west beaches of Lefkada Island.
To find apartments and hotels all over in Lefkada Island just click the pic below and book your accommodation!
In the area of Kathisma beach there are many other amazing beaches: Mylos beach and Pefkoulia beach are situated just a few kilometers away. Both of these destinations belong to local natural wonders, with crystal clear waters and top panoramic views.
Pefkoulia beach can be reached quick and easy
Photos and infos
- Known as: Kathisma beach, Paralia Kathisma, Παραλία Κάθισμα
- 14 km southwest from Lefkada town
- Sea water color: blue, turquoise
- Sand type: coarse sand, pebbles, rocks at some places
- Depth: normal
- Sea surface: moderate, at some days significant sea wave activity
- Crowds: can be crowded (especially during high season weekends)
- Facilities: restaurants, cocktail bars, sunbeds for rent, free parking lot, paid parking lot (with shaded places), changing rooms, showers, lifeguard service, paragliding, beach volley
- Accessibility: by car, by local bus transport
Why we like
Beautiful scenery, spacious areas
Well organized with wide range of services
On the days when sea waves arrive, water colours are breathtaking
Easy access
Paragliding
Possible disadvantages
One of the most crowded beaches in July and in August
In the afternoons parking may be difficult
Sunbeds and services are expensive at some highlighted bars
Kathisma beach combines well full organized areas and natural beauty. In the last decade the bay become one of the most popular beaches of Lefkada Island, visited by thousands of travellers every year. This coast has similar popularity as Porto Katsiki beach, while other travel destinations are slightly less visited than these two, even Egremni beach has slightly less visitors.
