Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BOAT TRIPS FROM NYDHRÍ
Nydhrí is the base for myriad
boat
trips
around the nearby satellite islands and further afield
to Itháki and Kefalloniá. The boats line up along the quay each morning, ready for departure
between 9 and 10am, returning late afternoon. Tickets are around €12 per person for the local
trips, €20-25 for the longer distances. Most craft to the nearby islets are interchangeable: small
fibreglass
kaïkia
, with bars and toilets, and open seating areas on the top deck or aft. Where
they do differ, however, is in their itinerary - some will take in the sea caves of Meganíssi,
others not, so it's advisable to check.
Dhessími Bay, Roúda Bay and around
Just south of Nydhrí, beyond somnolent
Vlyhó
, the neck of the Yéni peninsula to the
east joins the main body of the island. Across this thin but steep strip of land, sizeable
Dhessími Bay
is perhaps the prettiest spot on the whole east coast, carved out by deep
pine-ridged promontories.
South of Vlyhó, the coast road turns inland and climbs the foothills of Mount
Stavrotás, through the hamlets of Katohóri and Paliokatoúna to the quiet village of
Póros
. Just south of here is the increasingly busy beach resort of
Roúda Bay
, officially
Mikrós Yialós, some 10km from Nydhrí.
11
Sývota
Around 14km south of Nydhrí, the fjord-like inlet of
SÝVOTA
, 2km down a steep hill
from the main road, cuts a deep gash into the coastline. This is one of the most popular
stops for yachting flotillas. There's no beach except for a remote cove, but some fine
tavernas, mostly specializing in fish.
Vassilikí, Póndi and around
Around 5km due west of Sývota but longer by the winding road,
VASSILIKÍ
, the island's
premier watersports resort, lies at the east end of a huge bay, cut of from the rest of the
east coast by the barren peninsula of Cape Lipsó. Winds in the huge bay draw vast
numbers of windsurfers, with light morning breezes for learners and tough afternoon
blasts for advanced surfers.
The beach at Vassilikí is stony and poor but improves 1km west at tiny
Póndi
. Most
non-windsurfers, however, use the daily
kaïki
trips to superior beaches on the sandy
west coast (see p.735).
ACTIVITIES
THE EAST COAST
Windsurfing
In Vassilikí, the largest of the three beach
windsurf centres, British-run Club Vassiliki (
T
26450
31588,
W
clubvass.com) offers all-in windsurfing tuition
and accommodation deals; Wildwind is another UK-based
operation (
T
697 91 10 665,
W
wildwind.co.uk).
ACCOMMODATION, EATING AND DRINKING
NORTHEAST COAST
Camping Kariotes Beach
Karyótes
T
26450 71103,
W
campingkariotes.com.
The nearest campsite to
Lefkádha Town has shady pitches, a small shop and a nice
pool, handy as the local beach is poor. May-Oct.
Ì
Limni
Liyiá
T
26450 72013.
Excellent and friendly
taverna with a newly landscaped terrace garden and a
range of tasty dishes such as
spartiátiko
(pork, peppers,
mushroom and cheese in a wine and cognac sauce) and
lamb
ladhókolla
.
May-Sept daily noon-midnight.
Pantazis
Nikiána
T
26450 71211.
A good fish restaurant
at the south end of the small curved beach, which also has
simple rooms to l
et in
a row of adjoining bungalows at the
back. May-Sept.
€35
NYDHRÍ
Ì
Ionian Paradise
T
26450 92268,
W
ionianparadise
.gr.
Set in a lush garden only a minute along the Ráhi turning
from the main road. The rooms have been recentl
y refu
rbished
with smart furniture and kitchenettes. May-Oct.
€50
Mamma Mia
T
26450 93102.
Towards the south end of
the resort, this restaurant has a huge patio, where you can
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT
VATHY HARBOUR, ITHÁKI (P.746); CHURCH OF ÁYIOS SPYRÍDHON (P.710); MELISSÁNI CAVE, KEFALONIÁ (P.743) >
