Learn informations about Lefkada roads and the local road conditions, and know what to expect when discovering the island by car or by scooter.

The quality of the roads of Lefkada is highly varied: the main roads are mostly in good condition, but the side roads have two faces. Due to geographical conditions the island lacks motorways or high speed roads, the mountanious area does not support the constructions of these.

Lefkada roads and road conditions for cars

The primary road network in Lefkada Island is quite simple: two main roads lead through on the island, on the west and on the east, and there is a third one, which lead into the mountains from Lefkada town to the direction of Karya village.

These roads are connected to each other, and the main road network of Lefkada forms an oval – like an egg – and it leads around the island. All of the roads in Lefkada are free to use, and there are no tolls or payment sections.

The asphalt is patched at many places, but deeper holes (witch can be dangerous for cars), or other major faults are not typical on the main roads.

Roads of Lefkada Island on the east coast

The main road, which leads on the east coast of Lefkada, connects Lefkada town with several popular tourist resorts such as Lygia, Nikiana, Nidri and Vasiliki. This road starts from the southern side of Lefkada town, and goes through most of the coastal villages.

In this section there is only one bypass road, which bypasses the central area of Nidri. This bypass road literally let through the significant traffic flow without interferences from local traffic of the village, to reduce bigger traffic jams in the built-up area. Driving on the east coast of is the easiest way in Lefkada, mostly there are no significant steep roads, or dangerous hairpin bends.

Coastal road next to the sea near Ligia and Nikiana

Sometimes, especially in the north region the road leads directly next to the sea, offering great views for drivers and passengers to some emerald bays of the east coast.

From the east main road there are junctions to side roads, which connect smaller villages (such as the tiny fishing resort, Sivota) and some beaches (Desimi beach, Mikros Gialos beach, Afteli beach) to the island’s life. The narrower side roads are primarily asphalted as well, but sometimes have less good quality, these are not wide, and have more road faults. When we drive on sideroads, it’s worth to drive slightly more carefully.

Some roads can be narrow and we can see sheeps or goats

Animals on the main roads are not typical, but on the sideroads sometimes sheeps or goats are walking home or to their feeding ground.

Roads of Lefkada on the west coast

The west side of Lefkada Island is totally different than the east coast, due to the higher and steeper mountains. The amazing natural scenery with cliffs and valleys do not support to built wider roads, so driving on this side is slightly more complicated.

The main road to the west coast starts from Lefkada town, and goes through Tsoukalades, Agios Nikitas, Chortata and Agios Petros villages. In the north part of the road, between Lefkada town and Agios Nikitas driving is not complicated, because the asphalt is significantly wider, and has less serpentines. In this section travellers can meet one of the best lookouts in Lefkada: when the road turns towards the sea after leaving Tsoukalades, the panoramic views to Pefkoulia beach and to the endless Ionian Sea will impress everyone!

On the west coast of Lefkada, the road conditions after leaving Agios Nikitas become slightly harder, because the asphalt is getting more narrow and winding. When reaching some villages, the width of the road will be much narrow and looks one lane – drivers have to pay attention for oncoming traffic, especially in Kalamitsi. The villages are much rare than on the eastern coast, there are just a few settlements.

On the west coast mostly traffic signs indicate the routes and directions to local sights and to beaches. The famous beaches of the west can be reached by side roads, which are known as the most winding sections in Lefkada. These roads have several serpentines, steep sections and hairpin bends, especially the route which leads to Megali Petra beach, Kavalikefta beach, Avali beach and Gaidaros beach.

The quality of these narrow side roads is highly varied: somewhere we drive on brand new sections, but there are many in poor conditions.

In the heart of the mountains the best road quality is located between Lefkada town and Karya – these are winding, but slightly wide roads. Other roads in the mountains, specially when you leave Karya in the south are narrow, including the routes to Egklouvi and to Vafkeri.