Porto Katsiki

Porto Katsiki is Lefkada's crown jewel — a dramatic crescent of white sand and fine pebbles hemmed in by towering chalk-white cliffs that rise 100 meters above the turquoise Ionian Sea. The name means 'Port of the Goat' because historically only goats could reach this remote beach by scrambling down the cliffs. Today, a staircase of 80 steps carved into the rock face provides access, and each step rewards you with increasingly spectacular views.

The water graduates from pale turquoise at the shore to deep sapphire blue further out, creating an almost painted effect. The cliffs provide natural afternoon shade and the dramatic overhang creates a cathedral-like atmosphere. Porto Katsiki has been repeatedly ranked among Europe's top 10 beaches.

The relatively isolated location means the water is pristinely clean with excellent visibility for snorkeling along the cliff base, where sea caves and underwater arches shelter colorful Mediterranean marine life.