Lefkáda Town

The approach to Lefkáda is guarded by the massive Fortress of Santa Maura. Built in the 13th century by Giovanni Orsini, rebuilt by the Venetians and Turks, it’s still an impressive sight even though the buildings within the walls were blown to smithereens in an accidental powder explosion in 1888. After 1922, it was used as a refugee camp for Greeks from Turkey displaced in the population exchange.

Before you even reach the causeway, have a look to the north to the islet of Sikelianos, named after the isand’s famous poet, Angelos Sikelianos, the pretty little chapel of Ag. Nikolaos built over a temple of Aphrodite, accessible only by boat or swimming, and only open on 10 May. There was a cottage there where Sikelianós and his wife Eva Palmer Sikelianós would spend their summers; they even tried to buy the island, without success.