Cycladia | Island Practical Info

CLIMATE
Lefkada’s climate is typical Mediterranean. The winter is mild with heavy rainfalls and the summer is hot with cool, exhilarating winds. There is abundant sunshine almost all year round.

TELEPHONE
The national prefix of Greece is +30, if you are calling from abroad. The area code of Lefkada is 26450 and the local phone numbers have 5 digits. If you wish to call abroad, you have to start by dialing your country’s national prefix and then continue with the desired area code and number.

CURRENCY
Euro Coins: 1 and 2 euro coins (golden and silver) 10, 20 and 50 cents (golden) 1, 2 and 5 cents (copper) 1 euro = 100 cents. The euro paper currency comes in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500.

Lefkada is a very popular destination. One of the main reasons is its easy access, even by car, through the floating bridge that connects it with the mainland. However, this beautiful Ionian island is also connected by air with Athens and Thessaloniki throughout the year, as well as with various European cities during the summer months.

BY CAR
The distinctive characteristic of Lefkada is that you can actually drive there without using a ferry boat, as the island is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel. Visitors can use the public interurban buses (KTEL) or a private vehicle to access Lefkada from Western Greece, Aetoloakarnania Prefecture. The trip from Athens lasts approximately 5 hours.

BY AIR
Aktion is Lefkada’s airport and it’s located about 18 kilometers from the island’s capital. There are daily flights to and from Lefkada from Athens, Thessaloniki and Crete. During the summer months there are numerous daily charters from almost all major cities in Europe.

BY SEA
Lefkada is connected by boat with other Ionian Islands (Kefalonia, Paxoi and Ithaca), as well as by smaller liners with the nearby islets (Meganisi, Kastos and Kalamos).

THE MARINA
The capital town’s marina is one of the most well-developed in the Mediterranean Sea, it has a capacity for 620 yachts and covers an area of approximately 70.000 sq.m. Those who choose to sail through the emerald Ionian waters will highly enjoy the luxurious services provided in this impressive marina.

The road network of Lefkada is very good and well extended and the local transportation is frequent and covers most of the island’s hot spots, settlements, villages and beaches. There are buses between Lefkada (the island’s capital) and Vassiliki, Lygia, Nikiana, Nydri and Vlycho, as well as between Lefkada and Agios Nikitas, Karya and Agios Petros.

KTEL buses: Tel.: +30 26450 22364

Taxi Services
Taxis are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can take you anywhere you like. You can either get a taxi from the main piazzas, located in all the major towns, or hail them on the street. You can also call for a taxi and have it pick you up and drop you off at the location of your choice.

Taxi Piazza: 26450 24600/26450 92000
Radio taxi: 26450 26555
Website: www.lefkasradiotaxi.gr

RENT A CAR OR MOTORBIKE
There are many car rental agencies in Lefkada, but you are urged to book well ahead if you are planning on visiting the island during the months of July and August (peak season). You need to be 21 years old to rent a car and you also need a valid driving license.

Make sure you check the condition of the car before signing for it. Otherwise you might be charged with damages. Remember that, even though the road network of Lefkada is very good, the mountainous terrain is pretty rough, so you need to be extra careful. Do not park where not allowed –tickets will be given-, do not speed –as you might see animals or pedestrians crossing- and always wear your seatbelt or helmet if you are on a motorcycle or a scooter.

BANKS & ATMs
There are many bank branches in Lefkada, which are open from Monday to Thursday from 8am to 2.30pm and on Friday from 8am to 2pm. However, there are also many ATMs that operate 24/7, scattered throughout the island.

MONEY EXCHANGE
If you are travelling from a non-European country, you can carry travelers’ cheques and exchange them at a bank. If you carry your own currency, you might want to exchange it at the Athens International Airport or any major airport. Do remember that coins cannot be exchanged.

POST OFFICE
The Greek post is called ELTA. The post boxes for regular snail mail are Yellow and they are separated for international and domestic mail. The Red post boxes are used for Urgent mail. Registered mail is handled by the Post Office and you shouldn’t forget to get a receipt.

Lefkada Post office:   +30 26450 24225
Vasiliki Post office:   +30 26450 31295

POLICE STATION
Do not hesitate to call the Police in case there is an accident, a criminal act or you have a serious problem with someone or a public service. If there is an issue with your hotel, you can contact the Tourism Police.

Lefkada Police Station: +30 26450 29370
Vassiliki Police Station: +30 26450 31012

MUNICIPALITIES OF LEFKADA

Apollonion: +30 26450 31131
Ellomenou: +30 26450 92228
Karya: +30 26450 41213
Lefkada: +30 26450 23000

Tourism Police: 171
Port Authorities in Nydri: 26450 92509
Port Authorities in Lefkada: 26450 22176
Aktion Airport: 26450 28343
Hospital Lefkada: 26450 38200
Regional Medical Centers

a. Vassiliki 26450 31065
b. Nikiana 26450 72130

INTERNATIONAL PRESS
You can find international press (newspapers and magazines) in the island’s capital and in several newsstands around the major towns.

PHARMACIES
There are numerous pharmacies on the island, which are open Monday and Wednesday from 8.30am to 2.30pm and on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 2.30pm and from 5.30pm- to 8.30pm.

Aravanis Gerasimos – Agios Minas Square (Lefkada) Tel. 26450 23864
Vandoros Vasilios – 37 I. Mela Str. (Lefkada) Tel. 26450 25620
Gazi Konstantina – Nydri Tel. 26450 92888
Kouzaridou Tina – Karya Tel. 26450 41205
Fetsi Ioanna – Vassiliki Tel. 26450 31200