Meganisi Island

Meganisi is a small Ionian island off the east coast of Lefkada in Greece, part of the Ionian Islands region. It is low-lying and rural, known for sheltered bays, traditional villages and a quieter character than nearby Lefkada.

Key places include the harbour village of Vathy, the hillside settlement of Spartochori and the inland village of Katomeri; these settlements provide the island’s main services and visitor access points. The island has numerous small coves and beaches accessible by road or boat.

Meganisi has historically been a fishing and farming community and today supports small-scale tourism with guesthouses, tavernas and boat excursions. There is no large-scale development and vehicle traffic is light compared with larger islands.

The island sits a few kilometres off eastern Lefkada in the Ionian Sea and is typically reached by short ferry or water taxi from Nidri or other Lefkada ports; the nearest major city is Lefkada town and the broader region is accessible from Preveza and Aktion Airport by road and sea links.

• Access: Located a few kilometres east of Lefkada, the island is commonly reached by short ferry crossings from Nidri or other points on Lefkada.
• Coastal highlights: The coastline features sheltered bays and coves popular for day trips, swimming and small-boat anchoring rather than large-scale resort development.

What to See#

• Vathy: Vathy is the island’s main harbour and port village serving ferries and local boat traffic on the east coast.
• Spartochori: Spartochori is a hillside village known for traditional stone houses and panoramic views across the Ionian Sea.
• Katomeri: Katomeri is a small inland village and one of the island’s administrative centres with local shops and services.

Ferries and hydrofoils connect Meganisi to Lefkada (Vasiliki and Nidri ports) and from there to the mainland (Nidri to Lefkada bridge). Travel times vary: ferry from Nidri to Meganisi about 20-40 minutes depending on route.

• Ferries tie into Sivota or Nidri (on Lefkada) - check schedules as they can change seasonally.
• Circular hiking path from Spartochori up to the ridge offers the best viewpoints and is less crowded than harbor walks.
• Rent a skiff for a half-day to explore nearby caves and the small beaches at Kalamos Channel; local skippers know hidden coves and steps into sea caves.