An incredible place of Lefkada: Porto Katsiki beach, or Παραλία Πόρτο Κατσίκι is one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, characterized by huge vertical cliffs and breathtaking panoramic views. Travel guides and magazines mention often this breathtaking place as a symbol of the island, because this gem is so unique and exceptional.
On a vacation a visit to Porto Katsiki is a top activity and offer one of the best moments of the holiday, where thousands photos and videos are taken year by year. This place is listed as one of the best beaches in Lefkada, which can be reached by cars and by local boat excursions both, and each access has its own charm.
- Known as: Paralia Porto Katsiki, Παραλία Πόρτο Κατσίκι
- Coordinates: 38.602709, 20.550083
- 42 km southwest from the capital
- Where to stay in Lefkada: apartments and hotels of the island
Where to find
The amazing Porto Katsiki beach is located in the southwestern side of Lefkada, far away from most of the villages. The capital of the island, Lefkada town lies about 44 kilometers away from Porto Katsiki, but Nidri (36 km) or Agios Nikitas (30 km) are also further away. The nearest villages are Athani in the mountains 11 kilometers away. Despite its distance this gem can be visited by two ways, on the road and by boat.
How to get there
The primary access to Porto Katsiki beach in Lefkada is a long and winding asphalt road, which leads in the west mountains. These hills are covered by lush vegetation, where grow millions of pine trees on the slopes of the surrounding hills. The route to the beach offer a great insight into the beauties and wildness of the island, where the nature is almost untouched.
The road is quite narrow somewhere, but its quality is much better than the route to Kavalikefta / Megali Petra beaches from Kalamitsi. At the end of the road you will meet some large paid parking sites, but during high season months these places fill up quickly.
Porto Katsiki beach by boat
If you are looking for a boat trip in Lefkada to Porto Katsiki beach, take a look for boat excursions in the ports of Nidri and Vasiliki. From these villages there are several daily trips which visit this great place. Boat excursions depart in the morning hours, and visit not only this beautiful gem at the west coast of Lefkada, but also other great beaches such as Egremni beach. It may be important, that most of these excursion boats don’t dock ashore during high season, and passengers can only admire Porto Katsiki from the sea.
If you want to visit Porto Katsiki by boat trip, you must travel to the ports of Nidri (Nydri) or Vasiliki, or stay in these charming villages.
Informations
After you have arrived in Lefkada to Porto Katsiki beach, you will see the coffee bars on the top of the high cliffs, directly next the parking lots. These cantinas offer cold drinks and fast food for guests, and these places have some shaded terraces for the magnificient panoramic views. It is worth stop here for a minute, and take some pictures or a video.
And now get ready for some stairs, because from the top of the cliffs a narrow stair leads down to the beach, with more than 80 steps! Don’t worry, a walk down to Porto Katsiki is much easier and less exhausting than the famous stairs of Egremni beach. The walk to the sea takes just about a minute, if you don’t stop for a photo.
In Lefkada the seabed of Porto Katsiki beach is characterized by white coarse sand and pebbles, with deep blue waters: its quite similar to some other places on the west coast. Behind the narrow beach you can see the iconic vertical cliff, with lush vegetation on its top. In recent years there were no parasols and sunbeds for rent, so don’t forget your umbrella!
The surface of the sea is varied here, because Porto Katsiki is one of the west beaches of Lefkada, which are famous for the stunning big waves. In this periods swimming is recommended only for experienced persons, and respect the incredible power of waves. When the waves of the sea are large, swimming is prohibited and every person should stay out of water. Sea temperatures depend a lot about the actual weather conditions and sea the currents at this place.
In front of the beach there is a small peninsula, which offered exceptional panoramic views to the beach several years ago. Unfortunately the stairs which lead there was ruined by an earthquake of 2015, and now it’s not possible to go through. At the bottom of the cliffs you can discover some sea caves, but some of them are closed due to the risk of collapse.
If you visit Porto Katsiki beach by boat from Nidri or Vasiliki port, you will meet the interesting southern side of the island. Daily excursion boats sail past the picturesque lighthouse of Lefkada (Cape Doukato), and the vertical cliffs of the west coastline.
Where to stay
The nearest apartments to Porto Katsiki beach are located in Athani village in the mountains about 10 kilometers away, and in Vasiliki about 14 kilometers away. If you would like to stay near to Egremni beach, Porto Katsiki or Gialos, just look the apartments of those areas. By car Porto Katsiki beach can be accessed from every village of Lefkada, while boat excursions depart from Nidri and Vasiliki.
Other info
- Sea water color: blue, turquoise
- Sand type: pebbles, rocks, coarse sand
- Depth: deepens quickly
- Sea surface: moderate
- Crowds: usually crowded
- Facilities: beach bars, paid parking lot, parasols and sunbeds for rent, toilet
- Other Information: staying on the this beach is at your own risk, due to the danger of falling stones
- Accessibility: by car, by daily boat trips from Nidri and Vasiliki
+ Pros
- amazing water colours, breathtaking natural scenery
- unique panoramic views
- one of the most beautiful beaches in Lefkada, and even in Greece
- can be visited by cars and by boat trips both
– Cons
- crowded during summer months, especially in August
- deepens quick
- expensive services (parking, sunbeds rent if available)
Photos
Take a look to Porto Katsiki beach photos, which show you this magnificient place in Greece.
If you are interested in the best beaches of Lefkada and the most impressive natural forms in Greece, just visit the amazing Porto Katsiki beach: enjoy the wonders of Lefkada island!
