Sivota, Lefkada’s Hidden Gem: A Complete Travel Guide

Have you heard about Sivota Lefkada? Perhaps not. The secluded bay on the southern end of Lefkada has long been a tightly guarded secret by yachties who came to the well-protected bay to hide from the afternoon Maestro winds in the afternoon and evenings during the summer sailing season.

However, more and more people are discovering the incredible natural beauty and sleepy seaside appeal of the village of Sivota in one of Greece’s most beautiful bays.

Discover everything you need to know about this hidden gem in this complete travel guide to Sivota Lefkada.

Where is Sivota Lefkada

Part of Greece’s Ionian Islands, Lefkada is located on the western coast of Greece.

The fishing harbor of Sivota is located on the southern end of Lefkada island, approximately 32 kilometers from the town of Lefkada on the northern end of the island.

Sivota is one hour from the nearest airport in the city of Preveza on the mainland.

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How to Get to Sivota Lefkada

How to Get to Sivota

The nearest airport to Lefkada is Aktion National Airport (PVK). You can book a flight from various international airports to Aktion Airport, located in Preveza on the mainland, near the island.

After landing, you can take a taxi, rent a car or use public transport to travel to the village of Sivota Lefkada, which is approximately a one-hour drive away.

Most direct flights leave from the UK and the Netherlands, with a handful from other major European hubs, and a couple originating in the Middle East.

How to Get to Sivota by Car

The island of Lefkada is connected to the mainland by a floating bridge, making it accessible by road.

From Athens, you can drive westward towards the city of Patras, and then follow the signs to Lefkada.

Sivota is 4.5 hours from Athens, 5 hours from Thessaloniki, 3 hours from Igoumenitsa, and 3 hours from Patra.

How to Get to Sivota by Bus

You can take a bus to Lefkada town on the north of the island from various cities in Greece, including Preveza, Athens, and Thessaloniki. The frequency of bus services may vary depending on the season, so it’s advisable to check the schedules in advance.

From Lefkada town, the local Ktel bus runs a route between Lefkada town and Sivota, however, the bus to Sivota is infrequent, and once in Sivota there is no public transport available to reach other destinations on the island.

Sivota Bus Routes and Timetable

• Lefkada to Sivota: Monday – Thursday from 5:45 am – 12:45 pm
• Sivota to Lefkada: Monday – Thursday from 6:30 am – 2:15 pm

The journey duration depends on the distance and the specific route. As an example, Athens to Sivota takes 7 + hours with 1 bus change in Lefkada town.

How to Get to Sivota by Ferry

Lefkada is also accessible by ferry, particularly if you are coming from other Ionian Islands. There are ferry services connecting Lefkada with nearby islands such as Corfu, Kefalonia, and Ithaca.

Ferries run to various towns on the island, including Vasiliki in the south and Lefkada town in the north. From these towns, you can travel to Sivota by rental car, taxi, or local bus.

The frequency of ferry services may vary depending on the season, so it’s advisable to check the schedules in advance.

How to Get to Sivota by Private Boat

Sivota is a popular sailing destination with many private vessels and sailing charters setting course here every season. The village is not only set in a beautiful natural harbor but also has an industry built around the thousands of boats that arrive each summer, with boat rentals, moorings, and marine services available.

Chartering a Yacht to Sivota Lefkada

You can rent a charter boat from many ports in Lefkada or from ports in nearby Kefalonia, Ithaca, or Preveza.

Sivota is also a popular stop for many yacht flotillas, such as Sailing Holidays, that use Sivota Bay as their base for the South Ionian flotillas.

What to Do in Sivota Lefkada

This sleepy fishing village is the perfect base to anchor yourself while you explore the many attractions of Lefkada. Here are some of the best things to do in Sivota Lefkada.

Explore the Best Beaches in Sivota Lefkada

There is only one town beach in Sivota Bay due to the steep rocky cliffs that enclose the harbor; however, there are plenty of beaches to explore nearby and throughout Lefkada.

Ksilokeratidi Cove

This hidden cove can be reached by boat or by driving or hiking 3 kilometers south-west along the shore of Sivota Bay. Strikingly beautiful, not many people make the trek out here so you likely won’t have to share it with too many people.

Paralia Mikro Gialos

Paralia Mikros Gialos is a stone beach with impeccably blue water. There are also chairs and umbrellas available for rent at the beach here. The beach is popular for snorkeling that to the steep rocky cliffs at the edges of the bay.

Afteli Beach

Another beach that is relatively close to Sivota Bay is Afteli Beach located just 7.1 kilometers away.

On the beach, there is a small restaurant where you can rent two chairs and an umbrella for €8 but space is limited and this beach fills up fast. If you do plan on visiting Afteli Beach, we recommend visiting in the morning as this beach can often get crowded.

Vasiliki

A town on a long white gravelly beach, Vasiliki is popular among water sports enthusiasts, especially windsurfers.

Sivota Boat Hire and Boat Trips

Even if you don’t arrive by boat, there are still ways to get out on the water in Sivota Bay.

There are several Sivota boat hire companies where you can rent a boat.

For luxury boat rentals that can accommodate up to 9 people, consider Infinity Rib Cruises. Infinity Rib Cruisers can be rented with or without a skipper. Each cruise comes fully stocked with fruits, traditional snacks, wine and beer, water, and plenty of toys, including snorkeling equipment, sea toys, speakers, and even a GoPro camera. Rentals start from €650 per day.

For more economical options, consider Lefkada by the Sea. One upside of renting with Lefkada by the Sea is that they will rent boats without a skipper’s license. While the boats are not in the same category as Infinity Rib cruises in terms of luxury, the flexibility to rent without a permit is definitely a bonus. If you do choose to rent without a permit, you are only allowed to visit the Sivota Islands and cannot travel large distances to nearby islands.

Hike to Ksilokeratidi Cove

Grab your runners and hit the road to explore one of the most beautiful little coves in Lefkada. A 3-kilometer hike out of town, this cove is well worth the trek. As the sign says upon entering, it is exquisite, and we couldn’t agree more.

To reach the cove, head out of town along the main road, take your second sharp left, and hike above the cove. The paved road will turn into a dirt road, but continue onwards. Once you see a sign that says Villa Anatoli and Villa Leki, take the left fork in the road. It will seem like you are walking onto someone’s driveway, and you are.

Head down the steep path until you reach what is currently a cleared building pad. From here, you will see a blue arrow on the ground headed down a rocky and narrow path. Take this path for another couple of minutes until you see the stunning blue waters of Ksilokeratidi Cove.

Ksilokeratidi Cove is a tiny secluded cove in front of a private villa. Please be respectful when visiting this cove.

Visit Lefkada Earth Wine (Lefkaditiki Gi Winery)

One of the great things about visiting the Greek islands is sampling the local wine and produce. Most Greek wine is not exported and many Greek islands produce a variety of wine that is indigenous to the island, and Lefkada Earth Wine (Lefkaditiki Gi Winery) is no exception.

Lefkada Earth Wine uses three local varieties in its wine production. The Vardea is the local white variety, the Vertzami is the local red, and the Patrino is used to make sweet wine.

Guided tours and tastings are available at the winery lasting about an hour depending on the interest level of the visitor.

• May 1st to June 30th: Daily from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm except Sundays
• July 1st to Sept 15th: Daily from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
• Sept 16th to Oct 15th: Daily from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm except Sundays

Rent a Car and Explore Lefkada

From Sivota Bay take the opportunity to explore some more of the island.

Some of the car rental companies in Lefkada will deliver to the smaller towns and villages, including Sivota Bay.

Things to Do Around Lefkada

There are many things to do in Lefkada, but here are a few of our favorites:

Beach Hop Along the Western Coast

Head south to the western corner of the island where you will find three of the best beaches in Lefkada, Porto Katsiki, Paralia Egremni, and Gialos Beach. These three beaches are recognizable by their white sand, dramatic cliffs, and turquoise-blue waters. These three beaches are routinely recognized as the best on the island and well worth the trip.

Hike to Nydri Waterfalls

Taking a trip to the Nydri Waterfalls, just behind the town of Nydri, is one of the best things to do in Lefkada. The hike one way to reach the falls should take approximately 15 – 20 minutes and is relatively flat and easy. Once reaching the end, you will have a lovely waterfall extending some twelve meters high and two ice-cold pools to cool down in after the hike to the waterfalls.

There is also a small cafe, The Plane Tree (Platanos), at the start of the hike in the covered shade along the river, perfect for an afternoon coffee or beer.

Get Active with One of the Many Adventure Sports in Lefkada

Lefkada is considered the adventure capital of the Ionian and home to many extreme adventures, many of them centered around the strong and predictable wind the island receives through the summer and the beautiful waters that surround it.

Whether you want to try your hand at paragliding over the stunning western beaches, learning how to windsurf in Vassiliki, or kayaking to crystal clear coves, there are plenty of opportunities to try something new in Lefkada.

Best Sivota Lefkada Restaurants

For such a tiny little bay, there is no shortage of restaurants vying for your attention as you walk through the town or motor into the bay.

Vibes

Located on the opposite side of the bay from many of the restaurants, cafes, and bars, Vibes offers an alternative to the traditional Greek taverna style offered by the other Sivota restaurants.

Vibes menu is made of modern twists on Mediterranean classics such as sea bass ceviche, crayfish bruschetta, and quinoa salad with crispy prawns.

Stravos Tavern

One of the most celebrated restaurants in Sivota Bay, Stravos Tavern is, in our opinion, the best traditional taverna-style restaurant in the village.

Open since 1976, this family-run restaurant serves up some of the best traditional Greek dishes that we have had in our +6 months traveling the Ionian.

We ended up eating here a lot during our week-long visit to Sivota and sampled a lot of the menu. Highlights include shrimp saganaki, fried squid, moussaka, lamb shank, briam, and, of course, whole fresh fish.

The service here is also extraordinarily friendly and goes above and beyond to make you feel at home! Stravos also has the most stunning tree growing inside the restaurant with a little family of birds.

For boaties, the pontoons belonging to Stravos Tavern fill up quickly, especially when poor weather is forecast, so be sure to call in advance to make a reservation. Stravos offers free electricity, water, toilets, and showers for boaties dining at their restaurant.

12 Gods Tavern

12 Gods Tavern is a charming and lively restaurant right next door to Stravos along the waterfront. It takes its name from the twelve ancient Greek gods, reflecting the rich mythology and cultural heritage of the region. 12 Gods Tavern specializes in authentic Greek cuisine, prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Their kleftiko, a Greek specialty of lamb cooked in a clay pot with vegetables, was a favorite among our group!

Like Stravos, you can also moor at 12 Gods Tavern free of charge if you dine in their restaurant. 12 Gods Tavern also supplies water, electricity, showers and toilets for patrons arriving with their boat.

Sivota Bakery Cafe

The Sivota Bakery Cafe is one of two bakeries on the waterfront and one of the best places in the village to get a coffee.

Nightlife and the Best Bars In Sivota Lefkada

Sivota Bay is sleepy and most places wind down around midnight. If you are looking to party hard on your holiday, Sivota, and in fact Lefkada in general may not be your cup of ouzo and you might be better off looking to some of Greece’s livelier islands.

If you are looking for something a bit more subdued, then you have come to the right spot. There are a handful of bars along the waterfront catering to the holidaymakers and sailors that make port here each afternoon.

Liotrivi Cafe/Gallery

Located at the end of the bay, it is easy to miss Liotrivi Cafe/Gallery during your visit to Sivota Bay. Liotrivi Cafe/Gallery is a lovely little bar housed in an old olive mill dating back to the early 1900s. The inside of the building has remained intact and you can even see some of the old milling stones where the family used to press the olives to make olive oil inside the bar!

Despite being housed in the most charming of all of the buildings in Lefkada, the main reason to visit Liotrivi Cafe is the cocktails. Delicious cocktails such as the gin basil smash and the spicy rock mountain are just a few of their specialty cocktails that await. Plus, the view overlooking the bay has to be one of the best in Sivota Bay.

Yacht Bar

Located on the opposite side of the bay near Vibes, Yacht Bar is the place to be if you want to catch a game. The beer here is cold and the prices are reasonable. What more can you ask for in a bar?

Pirates

Keen on a happy hour then head into Pirates. With pints starting at €2.50 from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm, you can sit and watch the yachties come in from a day out on the water.

Pirates are also the place that keeps the party going with a closing time of 2:00 am each night.

Accommodation in Sivota Lefkada

All of the accommodation in Sivota Lefkada is private villas or privately owned apartments available for rent. There are no hotels, but many of the private villas are available for booking on your favorite platform!

Sivota Lefkada Villas

Most of the private villas that are available for rent sleep a minimum of six people, include a private or shared pool, and have stunning views over Sivota Bay. Most of them are also a one or two-kilometer drive away from the waterfront.

Villas in Sivota Lefkada that we recommend are…

1. Dream View Villas
2. Ionian View Villas
3. Alfresco Villas
4. Villa Emma
5. Arriva Villas

If you are interested in staying closer to town and are on a bit of a budget, then we recommend booking at Galini Studios. These budget-friendly apartments are only steps from the waterfront and offer everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Other Helpful Information About Sivota Lefkada

• The best grocery store is the Super Market beside Stravos Tavern. Here you can usually find the freshest produce and the largest selection in town.
• There is no pharmacy in town. The nearest pharmacy is located in Vasiliki, approximately 10 kilometers south.
• There is an ATM in town, however, most establishments take credit cards.
• Despite being primarily a sailing destination, there is no chandlery shop in town. We couldn’t even find a place to purchase screws, so don’t plan to stay here if you need things from the shop. The closest chandlery is in Nydri.
• The restaurant Vibes has a self-service laundry with great new equipment. Washing costs €8 a load.

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Hopefully, we have shed a little light on Sivota Lefkada, but if you have any comments or questions, please let us know in the comments below!

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