Megali Petra beach (Παραλία Μεγάλη Πέτρα) is gem on the west coast of Lefkada Island, where calm atmospheres and beauty of the Greece meet. According to many visitors, this exceptional place belong to the local hidden gems, which are worth to visit on a vacation. An interesting fact about Megali Petra beach, that its name means Big Rock in English, due to the huge rocks of the coast.
The long and wide coast of Megali Petra beach belongs to the amazing west beaches of Lefkada Island, where the Ionian Sea is exceptional blue and the natural scenery is picturesque, forming ideal destination for holiday photos.
Where to find Megali Petra beach in Lefkada Island, and how to get there
To visit Megali Petra beach you have to drive to Kalamitsi village, which is one of the most significant mountain villages in Lefkada Island. This coast is located 20 kilometers away from Lefkada town and 6 kilometers away from Agios Nikitas. An important information that the road which leads to Megali Petra beach (and also to Kavalikefta beach, Avali beach and Gaidaros beach) starts at the southern part of Kalamitsi, and usually it is indicated simply as ‘Paralia’ marker on road signs.
The route between Megali Petra beach and Kalamitsi is approx. 4,5 kilometers long, but you need to know this section is very narrow and winding at many places, with numerous hairpin bends. While you drive from the mountains down to the Ionian Sea, you will meet olive forests and lush vegetation – this is one of the greenest part of Lefkada Island.
The road ends in a few parking lots, but these are mostly paid parkings. It’s worth to know paid parkings are recommended here, because the end section of this road is extremely narrow at many places, and it is filled by hairpin bends. Due to narrow bends sometimes difficult to drive here due to the parking cars.
At the parking spots you can choose between Kavalikefta beach and Megali Petra: if you decide to walk down to Megali Petra beach and explore this gem, there are two ways. Primarily Megali Petra beach can be accessed by walking through Kavalikefta beach, where a narrow foothpath leads to the south behind the beach. The other access is on foot, where a short hiking trail starts from one of the last road bends, approx. with a length of 100 meters.
One of the most importants informations about the access of Megali Petra beach in Lefkada Island is that you can’t find daily boat trips from Nidri or Vasiliki villages, which arrive here. Travellers have to visit this hidden gem by car, by scooter or by quad.
What to find at Megali Petra beach and why is this place so amazing in Lefkada Island
Megali Petra beach is well known by beach enthusiasts in Lefkada Island, because of its natural beauty and calm atmospheres. At most of the time this coast has much less visitors than other popular beaches of Lefkada, such as Kathisma beach or Porto Katsiki beach.
As you can see on the photos, the best feature of Megali Petra beach is that this place lacks loud music bars or crowded restaurants. You can hear only the music of Ionian Sea, and the coast is surronded by picturesque rocks and stones. For relaxing this place absolute perfect.
Sometimes a small area is covered by a few parasols and sunbeds which can be rented, but it’s not disturbing at all, and literally you can use your own parasols anywhere you want. If we measure from the southern side of Kavalikefta beach, Megali Petra beach lasts about 700 meters long, so there is no lack of space.
The seabed of Megali Petra beach deepens quite quick at most places, so it is primeraly recommended for experienced swimmers, especially when big waves arrive from the west. Just like at the neighbooring Kavalikefta beach, during these periods be aware because of the rocks in the seabed! Bigger waves make incredible blue colours to the west beaches of Lefkada Island, but also they can be dangerous.
To drink some cold refreshment or eat something you have to walk to Kavalikefta beach bar, which is situated about 200 meters away from this place.
The southern parts are usually less crowded areas, these are often visited by naturists.
It’s no coincidence that Megali Petra beach is one of the best beaches of Lefkada Island, which attracts thousands of visitors years after years. A lot of travellers recommend this beach for everyone who like secluded beaches, but keep in mind, you have to be lucky for parking with cars at some days.
Where to stay near Megali Petra beach
If you would like to stay near Megali Petra beach during your days of vacation, the nearest accommodations of the area are situated in Kalamitsi village, approx. 4 kilometers away from this beach. Kalamitsi is a small, traditional mountain village with narrow streets, which offer some great apartments and villas for a holiday.
The local accommodations of Kalamitsi are here to find and book!
Keep in mind from Kalamitsi you have to driving car or bike to reach the nearest beaches, such as Megali Petra beach, Kavalikefta or Avali.
For the apartments and hotels of Lefkada Island just see the picture below and book in advance your favourite.
Megali Petra beach photos and infos
Known as: Megali Petra beach, Paralia Megali Petra, Παραλία Μεγάλη Πέτρα
- Coordinates: 38.751690, 20.588242
- 21 km southwest from Lefkada town, near Kalamitsi village
- Sea water color: blue, turquoise
- Sand type: coarse sand, small pebbles, pebbles, rocks
- Depth: normal
- Sea surface: moderate
- Crowds: normal
- Facilities: sometimes a few parasols and sunbeds for rent
- Other Information: –
- Accessibility: by walking across Kavalikefta beach
+ Pros
- amazing water colours and natural scenery
- easy to find secluded places
- calm atmospheres
– Cons
- you have to walk for access
- parking difficulties during high season
