----- The Greek island of Lefkada -----

Select a hotel in the Ionian Isles

Land and Climate

Introduction

Land and Climate

History

The island has a Mediterranean temperate and pleasant climate. A lot of sunshine and few clouds. The hot summer is moderated by the breezes which cool it and keep it dry. Lefkada is also suitable for winter holidays because it is mild. Ice and snow are rare though rain is more common.

The island is very green. The southwestern section of Lefkada is covered with small pine trees. Many cypress, oaks and plane trees are to be found elsewhere. You will also discover very rare and beautiful kinds of plant life (peregrina and mascula). The watery biotope of its salt lake plays host to many of the feathered inhabitants of the island where they can be admired: herons, swans, wild ducks and wild geese among them.

The largest part of the land of Lefkada is mountainous, the highest peak being Stavrota at 1,182 m. Lower mountains set off from this central mountain mass and fall abruptly into the sea, forming sheer and rocky cliffs. Narrow plateaus in the mountains and valleys lower down, at various heights, the largest being Vassiliki, make for impressive alterations in the landscape.

West of Lefkada is the large tectonic rift in the Ionian. The great depth of the sea and the sheer western cliffs of all the Ionian islands are due to this. Lainaki, Achlada, Sikero, Skaros, Megali Rachi and the peninsula Lefkata are the haughty rocky shores here which form the natural backdrop to an uncommon, wild beauty.