All About Meganisi
A part of a 16-island archipelago in the Ionian Sea, Meganisi is a gem of a destination situated to the southeast of Lefkada. Even though the island is close to the mainland, it remains an exclusive travel destination in Greece, admired chiefly by travelers with a penchant for lands with a bucolic persona.
Meganisi, translating to “big island,” has an area of only 22.35 km2 and a 30km jagged coastline. When seen from above, some believe it looks like a flower. A true-blue natural respite, the island’s traditional villages, quaint tavernas, and secluded coves are its main attractions, enchanting day-trippers, and yachters every summer.
Routes and Ferries to Meganisi
The only way to reach Meganisi is via the sea route. Travelers can use the booking services of Ferryscanner to reserve ferry tickets to Meganisi from Nydri in Lefkada and Pisaetos in Ithaca.
Operated by Lefkada Palace, the ferry from Nydri to Spilia takes 45 minutes and costs as little as €4.10 one-way per adult. The Ithaca to Meganisi journey has a travel time of 1 hour 45 minutes, with seats costing approximately €9 per adult. It is also possible to purchase ferry tickets to Meganisi from Corfu and Kefalonia. These trips, though, require a transfer through Lefkada or Ithaca.
Tourists planning to travel by car, bus, train, or airplane must first reach Lefkada from Mainland Greece and then take the ferry to Meganisi. Furthermore, the island is a common stop for many on private yacht island-hopping trips in the Ionian Sea.
Ports of Meganisi
Due to Meganisi’s location near Lefkada and because it is a popular yachting destination, the island is home to two ports. Vathy is a sheltered inlet in the north that caters primarily to private vessels. Along with Odyseas Marina, the port can moor 80 boats. Several tavernas and bars beside the harbor keep the atmosphere alive and busy.
Passengers arriving with ferry tickets to Meganisi disembark at the port of Spilia. The natural harbor is close to the village of Spartochori in the northeast. It remains jam-packed during July and August. Occupying a safe spot in a deep bay, Spilia offers essential docking facilities along with a marina for up to 50 yachts. Since the ports in Meganisi are small, the Port Authority of Nydri is responsible for managing their operations.
Capital & Villages of Meganisi
The three main villages of Meganisi are pastoral settlements steeped in traditional ethos. No matter which village you choose as your base, visiting the others promises new findings and surprising discoveries.
Katomeri
The hilltop capital of Meganisi, Katomeri, is a humble hamlet on the island’s eastern shore. Unlike other Greek capital villages, it has a very unhurried ambiance. Besides the municipal offices, the town has a few tavernas, shops, a pharmacy, an elementary school, and limited accommodation options. Besides offering spectacular views from its hillside location, Katomeri’s traditional stone houses make for interesting subjects during a leisurely walk along its streets.
Spartochori
About 4km from the capital, Spartochori rises over Spilia Bay in the north, drawing tourists with its stone houses, stunning views, and all-around greenery. The picturesque village is about 10-15 minutes uphill from the harbor. You can go up by road or steps. Surrounded by lush green pine trees, Spartochori is an excellent place to stay in Meganisi for nature lovers. Authentic in its character, the village has an old-world appeal visible in its architecture and quaint family-run tavernas.
Vathy
Vathy is a traditional Greek fishing village situated 2km from Katomeri. Popular among yachters, it stays busy during the summer months. Consequently, you’ll find several tavernas, bars, and ice cream parlors here. Still, the beautiful village maintains its classic atmosphere and is a popular choice for visitors planning to stay in Meganisi for an extended period.
Best Beaches in Meganisi
Beaches in Meganisi fall under the small and sheltered yet quaint and inviting category. They grant water lovers a chance to relish the serenity of the environment. Most beaches on the island are pastoral, surrounded by lush vegetation and deep blue waters. Either reachable by boat or boot, beaches in Meganisi are idyllic locations for a carefree day under the sun.
Agios Ioannis
About 7km from the capital, you can reach Agios Ioannis on the west coast by boat or by taking a dirt road from Spartochori. The pebble beach, named after the eponymous chapel nearby, is a narrow strip with no facilities or tavernas. Still visited by offbeat sunseekers, Ioannis is an attractive rural spot, ideal for a long and relaxing swim in clear blue waters.
Fanari Beach
The white pebble Fanari strand is one of the most fun beaches in Meganisi. Taking up a tiny spot in the northeast, it is roughly 3km from the capital and easy to visit by boat or car. The café at Fanari is well-known in the region for creating a Caribbean-like atmosphere. There’s music, sun loungers, beach volleyball, delicious food, and boozy cocktails for all to enjoy. A favorite with yachters, the beach is perfect for swimming and snorkeling in its warm and clean waters. A little-known fact about Fanari is that if you come here around 8 AM, you can stand in the water and feed bread to the fish.
Limonari Beach
Limonari is one of the closest beaches to the capital, on the island’s northeast coast. The 2km trip to the beach from Katomeri includes driving on a short dirt road. You can reach here on foot and via the sea as well. Still under the tourist radar, Limonari is a natural pebble beach with a blue-green snorkel-worthy sea. Bring along water shoes as the seabed is stony. Although there is a small beach stall selling snacks here, there are no toilets or showers in the vicinity. Moreover, only a lone tamarisk tree provides shade on the strip. So, either get here early to save a spot or bring along your umbrella.
Barbarezou Beach
Situated close to Fanari, on the northeast coastline, Barbarezou is your trademark Meganisi beach. A small cove with white pebbles, a green border on one side, and endless blue waters on the other, it creates a charming ambiance for a laidback sunny day. Sometimes referred to as Cape Akoni, the beach is 5km from Katomeri, stays uncrowded, and is reachable by road and boat.
Ammoglossa Beach
Located on the island’s west coast, Ammoglossa is one of the few family-friendly beaches in Meganisi. Shallow and ideal for swimming, the beach has a café that serves snacks, drinks, and ice cream. Ammoglossa stays busy during the summer months, primarily due to yacht traffic. When swimming at this time, do keep a lookout for passing boats.
Things To Do in Meganisi
Due to the island’s undeveloped character, there are only a few things to do in Meganisi. Most of these attractions focus on exploring the island’s natural splendor above the land and below the water.
Swim in the Papanikolis Cave
The rugged coastline of Meganisi is full of small and large caves, particularly in the south of the island. The most popular of them all is Papanikolis Cave which is also the “second largest sea cave in Greece.” A grand natural formation, the cave is 60m wide in places with a ceiling that rises to a dizzying height. Legend has it that this particular cave was a hiding spot for the legendary Papanikolis submarine during WWII. Access to the cavern is only by boat. You can take smaller vessels inside the cave and swim in its crystal-clear waters. The cavern also has a tiny gravel beach on one side.
Find the Sunken Airplane
A free attraction in Meganisi that doesn’t require much effort is searching for the famous sunken airplane. Crashed in 1972 by two mysterious gentlemen traveling from Corfu, the plane now rests a few meters opposite the church in Vathy harbor. The plane’s entire front and part of its body are easy to spot from the shore as long as the sea is calm.
Cycle around the Island
At first, the thought of cycling around the hilly terrain of Meganisi might not appeal to everyone. However, you can set aside any worries about strenuous uphill rides as it is possible to rent motorized e-bikes on the island. Those wishing for a workout can always go for a mountain bike instead. Bicycle hire is available near Vathy harbor. The rental shop is happy to recommend routes that pass-through villages, down to isolated beaches, and higher up to scenic viewpoints.
Visit the Villages of Meganisi
The three main villages of Meganisi are pastoral settlements steeped in traditional ethos. Spartochori rises over Spilia Bay in the north, drawing tourists with its stone houses, stunning views, and all-around greenery. Vathy is a classic Greek fishing village. Popular with the yachting club, it is more of a tourist hotspot with several tavernas, bars, and ice cream parlors. In comparison, the hilltop capital, Katomeri, is a humble hamlet with next to no activity. Still, its old-world charm, whitewashed houses, and winding narrow streets demand at least an hour-long wander.
Go Scuba Diving
Ferry tickets to Meganisi allow you to admire its landscape above the water. However, the sea around the island, protected by NATURA 2000, is no less fascinating, teeming with a rich variety of aquatic life. One can always snorkel off the coast at leisure. However, scuba diving makes for a more immersive experience. Offering up to 30m of visibility, dive sites in Meganisi promise myriad fish, caves, and reefs. Harry’s Place is among the most popular sites, having various depths for beginners and professionals and a sandy floor.
Transportation Around Meganisi
A few different modes of transport make it easy to travel around Meganisi. Tourists can walk or rent bicycles if planning to stay in and around the villages. It’s also possible to book a taxi transfer to the port if required. Additionally, a bus service runs between Vathy to Spartochori a few times during the day.
Ideally, if you are spending an entire day or more on the island, the best way to travel in Meganisi is by rental car or moped. Both allow unlimited access to some of the far-off corners of the island.
Boat hires from the ports are another great option. When arriving with ferry tickets to Meganisi, you marvel at its dramatic beauty from afar. However, a boat trip takes you closer to the coastline, allowing visitors to discover the island’s otherwise unreachable secluded bays.
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