Due to its nice location, the visitors of Nikiana can enjoy the shallow and calm waters of the local beaches, the nearness of the charming capital and the excursion options to explore the east and west coast of Lefkada Island in Greece.

Where to find Nikiana in Lefkada Island

As one of the most popular resort of Lefkada Island, Nikiana is located on the east coastline, approx. 9 kilometers away from the capital and 7 kilometers away from Nidri. The village has one of the most easiest access in Lefkada Island, because the main road which leads on the east coast, goes through this village.

From Lefkada town we have to drive just a few minutes, and we reach the central areas. The apartments and studios were built near the sea, and on the slopes of the surrounding hills both: the main road cuts the village into two parts. Most of the local parking lots in Nikiana were constructed next to the main road, and the parking is free.

On the main road there is also a local bus stop, from where you can travel to Lefkada town and to Nidri as well.

What to find in Nikiana village, best features

When we drive through Nikiana, we meet a peaceful tourist resort, which looks long and narrow. A lot of local apartments and hotels were built directly next to the main road, where some bakeries, supermarkets and other shops are open for public. The location of Nikiana is beautiful in Lefkada, because this area is surrounded by hills with lush vegetation, and green coloured waters.

The best restaurants in Nikiana are Taverna Pantazis, La Favola, Spyros Grill-house and Fast-Food, which are waiting for their guests in the center, and can’t be missed. The local port is a small, but picturesque marina of Lefkada Island, situated in the north side of the village. The pier is a home primarily for some private yachts, sailboats and fishing boats. In the port of Nikiana boat rental company is offering basic services, and offer boat rentals without boat driving license, to discover the east coast easy.

For widest range of daily boat trips we have to travel to the port of Nidri, from where the excursion boats sail to the west coast and visit some blue coloured gems of Lefkada Island, such as Porto Katsiki beach and Egremni beach.

The supermarkets of Nikiana, known as Kritikos and Arista markets are situated next to the main road, these shops have easy access with parking lots in front of them.

Nikiana beach

As a coastal resort, Nikiana has some tiny beaches as well, mostly characterized by emerald water colours, coarse sand and pebbles. The main beach of Nikiana is situated on the north side of the village, just a minute walk from the port. Most of the time the sea surface is calm, and due to shallow seabed it is suitable even for smaller children.

The main beach near the port is mostly unorganized, and almost the entire coastline looks the same: these small local bays have calm atmospheres. The apartments and hotels of Nikiana which have direct sea exit, offer some private beach areas here, but most of the public coastline has natural and unorganized conditions.

In the north the nearest beach to the village is known as Episkopos beach, which offer parasols and sunbeds for visitors, situated approx. one kilometer from the port. Episkopos is a small village slightly further away in the north with similar conditions as Nikiana has.

The beach of Episkopos is often mislabeled on some Lefkada Island maps and by some travel guides as Nikiana beach, but these are totally different places!

You can see on the photo above Episkopos beach, which is a different place, and it’s worth not to confuse it with Nikiana beach.

Nikiana sights and attractions, what to see and what to do

For the best sights of Nikiana village, firstly we have to mention the small port in the center. The local port is a tiny harbour of Lefkada Island, where colourful, small-sized fishing boats are docked at most of the time. In the port you can rent a boat without a licence to explore the hidden coasts of the east coastline, or the Greek mainland.

For other great attractions of Nikiana you have to drive to the mountains, where the ancient oak forest of Skaros, the Hermitage of Agii Pateres and the sacred monastery of Agios Georgios can be visited. These are mentioned often as hidden gems of Lefkada, which have ancient histories and offer quite different atmospheres than the coastal region.

Other sight near Nikiana is Alykes (salt pans of Alexandros) near Ligia and Kariotes, which is an old salt distiller area from the medieval ages. For picturesque, Venetian style street views and old town feelings get into the capital of Lefkada Island, which can be reaches by cars or by local buses either. The largest city of the island has amazing sunsets from the wooden bridge, a bunch of great restaurants and wide range of shops.

Nikiana apartments and hotels, where to stay

For many vacationers Nikiana is recommended for a stay in Lefkada Island, because it lies near Nidri and the capital as well. One of the key features of the local accommodations is the good value and great price / range ratio, because some of the local apartments and studios which were built here, offer usually slightly cheaper accommodations than Nidri.

Find and book hotels and apartments of Nikiana here!

On the hills of Nikiana many hotels and villas are waiting for guests, which have high standards, and offer clean, spacious and well maintaned rooms.

Infos and photos

• Known as on maps: Νικιάνα in Greek language
• Population: 100 (increases much during summer months)
• Facilities: taverns, bars, apartments, studios, supermarkets, souvenir shops, bakery, rent a car agency, port, ATM, boat rent
• Nearest beaches: Limni beach (0 km), Lygia beach (Ligia) (3 km), Perigiali beach (5 km)

Reasons to visit Nikiana in Lefkada island

• calm atmospheres
• tiny port
• easy access to Lefkada town and Nidri both

Cons

• local beaches are average