Ionian
Meganisi
Lefkada's quiet neighbour — deep bays, olive groves, and sailing yachts at anchor.
Getting around
Scooter friendly
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Quiet
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Ferry only
In pictures
Meganisi
Meganisi is almost entirely known to sailors. The island's three deep-water bays — Porto Spilia, Vathy, and Atherinos — are among the finest natural anchorages in the Ionian, and every summer they fill with yachts overnighting between Lefkada and the southern islands. The villages above the bays are quiet and lovely: Spartochori, the most beautiful, sits on a hill with views across the channel to Lefkada, its stone houses shaded by fig trees. The food is excellent and unhurried — fresh fish grilled simply, octopus dried in the sun and then charcoal-cooked, local olive oil from trees that have been producing for centuries. For those without a sailing connection, a ferry runs from Lefkada town several times daily; arriving as a foot passenger and staying in one of the few available rooms gives you the experience of an island still largely uncomplicated by tourism.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Difficult to visit without being on a sailing holiday — limited ferry connections from Lefkada.
Where it sits
Ionian, Greece
Meganisi — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Meganisi? +
- The best months to visit Meganisi are May to October. It's very quiet, even in August, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Meganisi from Athens? +
- Meganisi has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Meganisi good for couples? +
- Meganisi is one of the most romantic Greek islands — sunsets, candlelit tavernas, sea-view rooms.
- Is Meganisi good for families with kids? +
- Meganisi is a solid family option, though you'll want a car for the best beaches.
- Is Meganisi expensive? +
- Meganisi is affordable by Greek-island standards.
- Do you need a car on Meganisi? +
- A scooter or ATV is the easiest way to get around Meganisi. Buses cover the main routes but a scooter unlocks the quiet beaches.
- What's the catch with Meganisi? +
- Difficult to visit without being on a sailing holiday — limited ferry connections from Lefkada.