Nidri (Νυδρί) is a popular seaside resort in Lefkada Island, Greece, which offer daily boat trips, beautiful seaside promenade with wide range of restaurants and cocktail bars. The location of Nidri is also idyllic, because the town is surrounded by small islets and picturesque mountains, where the east coast meet emerald coloured sea.

Nidri is known also on Lefkada maps as Nydri or Νυδρί in Greek language, has thousands of visitors every year, who enjoy its unique atmospheres and the local tourist services. In the area there can be find more than 200 apartments and hotels, which offer great options for a stay. It’s worth to know that from June to August Nidri has one of the most bustling nightlife in Lefkada, where the main pedestrian road and the coastal promenade getting filled by travellers.

Hotels and apartments in Nidri for 2025: click here for prices, dates, reviews and booking!

If you are looking for a place for a vacation in Greece, where daily boat excursions to the best Lefkada beaches are available, where you can choose between dozens of restaurants and has a charming port, you have to read this travel guide about Nidri!

Where to find Nidri in Lefkada Island and how to get there

Nidri is located on the east coast of Lefkada, approx. 16 kilometers away from the capital of the island, and 38 kilometers away from the International Airport or Preveza – Aktio. The houses of the village were built on the plain areas near the Ionian Sea and on the slopes of the mountains, in front of Yenion peninsula.

The entire area is characterized by green hills and forests. One of the highest mountains behind Nidri is Skaros (Skaroi), which is a legendary place for its ancient oak forest in Lefkada Island. From higher places, such as the slopes of mountains the panoramic views are amazing to the entire region and to the small islands of Ionian Sea, where Skorpios, Madouri and Meganisi can be seen.

According to the famous German archaeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld, the area of Nidri was once part of the famous state of Ancient Ithaca, a legendary home of Odysseus. Even tough this is just a theory, near the village there were discovered some archeological sites, such as ancient tombs.

The access of Nidri is quick and easy in Lefkada Island, because the main road which leads on the east coast between the capital and Vasiliki, runs directly next to this village. From a bypass road there are also some junctions into the central areas.

Near the center there are mostly paid parking lots for the vehicles, but further away in some streets you can park for free. It’s worth to know that the center of the Nidri is closed for road traffic, due to the newly constructed pedestrian street.

The prices in the parking lots of Nidri depend on how long we stay in the parking lot, there are cheaper periods for 2-3 hours and all day rates as well. We noticed the best (cheapest) prices are offered in the southern parking lot, which is located on the southern side of Nydri, just a 2 minute walk from the port.

Nidri can be reached by KTEL public buses as well, there are daily routes between the bus stops of Lefkada town, Nikiana, Lygia, etc. The nearest bus stop to the central parts of Nidri is on the north side, near the church of the village.

What you need to know about Nidri before a visit

The area of Nidri and its area is the largest tourist resort on the east coast of Lefkada Island, where a lot of of tourist services are offered. Most of the supermarkets and gift shops can be find on the main street, which became pedestrian road in recent years: car rental agencies, tourist offices, restaurants and coffee bars are open from May until the last days of summer season, which means the end of September.

This street is important for locals as well, because the bakeries, a pharmacy and a post office are situated also here. On a sightseeing tour in Nidri this street can’t be missed, it’s worth to walk through, especially if your apartment or hotel is located in village.

The famous coastal promenade is situated just about one minute walk from the pedestrian street, which are connected by narrow alleys to each other. Many travellers mention the port as the best attraction in Nidri, which is worth to see: a beautiful and well maintaned promenade, where palm trees, a lot of flowers, statues and monuments can be visited.

If you are looking for excursion boats to sail to the best beaches on the west coast, such as Egremni beach or Porto Katsiki beach, this will be your primary destination in Lefkada Island, because most of the daily boat trips depart from here.

By walking on the promenade you will meet incredible wide range of restaurants and cocktail bars, most of them has a special designs and imaginative layouts with bougainvilleas and oleanders. The coastal promenade of Nidri is the place also, where the statues of Aristotle Onassis and Wilhelm Dörpfeld can be visited, who have done many honorable things for the island of Lefkada in the past.

The best restaurants in Nidri are located near the pedestrian street and at the coastal promenade. You can’t missed these taverns, and you have to taste delicious flavours of Lefkada’s cuisine with the best local wines. Many different kind of restaurants are waiting for guests here: smaller taverns offer grilled meats for guests (for example gyros and souvlaki), while larger taverns serve traditional Greek food and fish. There are also Italian restaurants with well made pizzas and pastas.

Recommended restaurants in Nidri with a lot of great reviews are The Barrel, Basilico Restaurant, Catamaran, Pomodoro, Sapore di Piperi, Tasty Gyros, but there are a bunch of other taverns which deserve a chance.

The area of the port is center of local nightlife in Nidri, where the streets are getting filled during high season nights, especially in July and August. From late afternoon hundreds of tourists are walking on the streets, discover the restaurants of seaside promenade, buy in the local shops, and enjoy their holiday in Lefkada Island, Greece.

For local apartments and studios in Nidri just look at the image below.

What to see in Nidri, best sights and attractions for a sightseeing

By visiting Nidri the best sights are definitely near the coastal promenade and near port of course, which are highly recommended for everyone for a sightseeing. We suggest a walk in the port, where the panoramic views to the small islands of Madouri, Skorpios or Meganisi, to the local restaurants and the anchored boats are unforgettable.

The largest church of Nydri is called ‘The holy temple of the Dormition of Theotokos’, and can be find in the north side of the village, at the end of the main pedestrian road. It is a small, traditional building which were built of stones, and has a bell tower with a clock.

We must mention among interesting Nidri sights the archeological findings, which were discovered by Wilhelm Dörpfeld. These ancient places are known as ‘Tumuli’ or Royal Tombs, situated next to the main road in the direction of Vasiliki village. Archeologists say these tombs were burial places for ancient nobles.

The best attraction of Nidri, which is worth to see is the most famous waterfall in Lefkada, known as Dimosari. The waterfalls are situated in the west outskirts of the village, about 3 kilometers away from the village center. Dimosari waterfalls (or known as Nidri waterfalls) can be reached by hiking, and offer pleasant walk for everyone.

To the sights of Nidri belong the small islands in front of the village, which can be discovered by the local boat excursions or by boat rentals.

Boat trips and ferries in port of Nidri

The port of Nidri is the second largest harbour in Lefkada island, just the marina of the capital is larger. Nidri port is very important in daily life, because most of the local excursion boats are docked here, and it is also an important ferry station for the ferries of Meganisi island.

For several years the station of the ferries which connect Lefkada to Kefalonia Island was situated here, but you have to know that an important change happened. The local ferry station of the Kefalonian ferries was moved to Vasiliki village. Now the ferries between Lefkada and Kefalonia run from Vasiliki, while the ferries of Meganisi stayed in Nidri.

Nidri port offer the widest range of boat excursions and daily cruises in Lefkada: from smaller boats to the largest ships the options are almost endless. The most famous excursion boats are Nidri Star, Eptanisos, Makedonia Palace, Odysseia, Nikolaos boat, which visit the neighboring Ionian Islands (Kefalonia, Ithaca), and some of the best beaches on Lefkada west coast, including the famous Porto Katsiki beach and Egremni beach, and some hidden gems as well.

There are boat trips which take a BBQ round trip, or visit secluded beaches of the area, such as Lakka beach. If you are looking for daily boat trips in Nidri, just walk to the boats in the port after sunsets, or ask a local tourist office in the village. The actual daily schedules and destinations of the excursion boats are often advertised on billboards and flyers in the port.

In the evenings, when all boats were docked at port, there are some boats which you can board and you can look around – and if you like, you can buy the tickets from the staff. The south part of Nidri port is used by the ferries, so you can transport your car or bike to other amazing Ionian Islands from here, such as Meganisi. For more exciting and personalized naval adventures the boat rental companies are responsible, which offer options to rent a boat without driving licence. With the small ribs travellers have a chance to discover the emerald bays on the east coast of Lefkada Island, and Meganisi as well.

Where to find Nidri beach and what are its features

The local coast, known simply as Nidri beach is situated at the north side of the village, in direction of Perigiali and Lefkada town. This is a long and well organized area with coffee bars, sunbeds, restaurants, and the largest water sport centers of Lefkada. Nidri beach can be accessed from the main road, from where narrow alleys and courtyards lead to the emerald coloured sea.

The sea at Nidri beach is usually calm, there are no such waves as on the west coast, which make this place ideal for smaller children. Sea temperatures are usually higher here, than on the west coast, because the seabed is quite shallow and local sea currents don’t influence it much. Temperatures can be up to 27 Celsius during summer months.

Other significant beaches near are Passa beach (or known Perigiali beach) in the north and Desimi beach in the south about 5 kilometers away. For the best beaches of west coastline of Lefkada Island you have to board a ship or drive from Nidri, because the nearest west coast beaches are Agios Ioannis beach (18 km), Pefkoulia beach (25 km) and Kathisma beach (29 km). Porto Katsiki beach is located approx. 37 kilometers away from this village, while Egremni beach is approx. 35 kilometers away.

Where to stay in Nidri of a holiday in 2025

The area of Nidri offer wide range of accommodation options in Lefkada island, and hundreds of apartments, studios and hotels can be rented for a holiday for every budget. The local accommodations are usually located near the main road and can be reached easy, from where a walk to the port is just a few minutes. Some apartments and villas were built on the slopes of the surrounding hills and mountains, offering quieter places for a holiday.

Nidri has some hotels as well, these are primarily smaller building than the hotels of Nikiana. You have to know that Nidri is the most busling tourist resort in Lefkada Island, and the local accommodations fill up quickly – highly recommended to book in advance.

Where to stay in Nidri: find and book local apartments and hotels!

Nidri info box

• Known as: Nydri, Νυδρί
• Coordinates: 38.706790, 20.709751
• 16 km south from Lefkada town
• Population: 1100 (increases much during summer months)
• Facilities: restaurants, cocktail bars, apartments, studios, supermarkets, souvenir stores, bakery, car rental agencies, ATM, ferry port, daily boat excursions, car wash, post office, fish spa, pharmacy, bus stop, water sports, paid parking lots
• Nearest beaches: Nidri beach (0 km), Perigiali beach (1 km), Desimi beach (7 km)

+ Reasons to visit Nidri village in Lefkada island

• bustling summer life
• a lot of great taverns, coffee bars, souvenir shops and tourist services
• daily boat trips and excursions from the port
• night life
• pretty scenery

– Cons

• can be crowded during high season
• the beach is average compared to the west coast

Photos

Take a look at Nidri photos, which introduce the highlights, location and features of the village.