Car Hire in Lefkada

About Lefkada

Lefkada, also known as Leucadia, Lefkas, or Leukas, is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea on the west coast of Greece. It is part of the regional unit of Lefkada. It is connected to the mainland by a long causeway and a floating bridge. The capital is located in the northern part of the island and is called Lefkada. The island has a rich and turbulent past. The first evidence of people living on this island dates back to the 7th century BC. Some historians believe that the home of Odysseus was Lefkada and not Ithaca. In the past, many different nations and religions ruled the island. However, by far the greatest influence on the island's appearance was the earthquakes.

Today, the island is best known for its beautiful beaches. This tropical paradise in Greece, or as some call it, the "Caribbean of Greece" is truly a perfect place for a vacation. When you arrive at the beach, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the island. Also, you can do so many activities here on the island such as Windsurfing, kitesurfing, paragliding, scuba diving, flights in a propeller plane, horse riding, mountain biking, sailing around the surrounding islands...

Lefkada has not only beaches but also amazing nature inside the island. You can explore Lefkada in many different ways. If you want to spend an active vacation, you can explore the island through many activities. But perhaps the best way to explore the island is to rent a car. This way, you can move freely from one place to another and organize yourself according to your preferences. There are so many historical and cultural sites to visit on Lefkada, but there are also some great towns and villages to explore here. You should visit the capital of Lefkada island. It is a relatively small town that you can explore on foot and leave your car in one of the many parking lots at the entrance to the town. You will be enchanted by the traditional architecture and the pretty streets with small gardens that give this town a completely different charm.

Of course, when you are in Lefkada, you should also explore all the beautiful beaches of the island. The range of beaches is really wide and each of them is special in its way. Here are some suggestions: Porto Katsiki, Egremni Beach, Mylos Beach, Megali Petra Beach, Avali Beach.

we should mention that there is also a great culinary offer on the island. If you are a foodie, Lefkada will not disappoint you. There are many great tavernas and restaurants all over the island where you can try traditional Greek dishes made with local ingredients.

All in all, Lefkada proves to be a perfect summer destination for all kinds of tourists. There is a lot to see and do on the island. It is up to you what kind of vacation you prefer, but be sure that Lefkada will meet all your expectations.

Basic info and car hire in Lefkada

• Location: Ionian Sea, Greece
• Population: 22,652
• Official language: Greek
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Lefkada has a typical Mediterranean climate   
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Lefkada are in good condition.
• Car hire in Lefkada: The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Lefkada is Lefkada Downtown. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Lefkada!

 Driving in Lefkada

You can get to Lefkada by car, as there is a floating bridge that connects this island to the mainland. If you want to holiday here, a rental car is the best solution for you. This way you can move freely and explore the island properly. The traffic on the island is not very heavy, but this thing changes during the high season, but if you get away from the crowded resorts or attractions, you will be on your own. This allows you to enjoy the drive as the scenery is fantastic and the roads are in good condition.

The towns on the island are pretty much pedestrian-only, so you will not need a car to explore them. However, you do not need it either because the towns are not very big and can be explored quite quickly on foot.

If you are driving around the island, be especially aware of the many motorcycles that are on the road. Some of them are locals and many of them are tourists. So they are driving on unfamiliar roads just like you, so be extra careful. The landscape is mountainous, so be prepared for some mountain roads with lots of curves and ups and downs. If you are not used to this kind of terrain, you just need to take extra care and you will not have any problems.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Greece is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old and with some rental companies for people over 75 years old. Young driver surcharges may apply to those under 25 with many rental companies.
• International Driving Permit:  Visitors need a valid driving license to legally drive a car in Greece. Drivers of motorcycles up to 125cc must be at least 18 years old, while drivers of mopeds (up to 50cc) must be at least 16 years old. Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. With an International Driving Permit (IDP), you can legally drive in Greece and 174 other countries and must present your valid driver's license. In the US, only two organizations issue IDPs: Automobile Association of America (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), and you can order it online if there is no office near you.
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company in case your policy does not cover you when driving in Greece). 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle (mandatory in every vehicle), headlight deflectors (for vehicles from UK. Depending on the vehicle, you may either need deflector stickers or have to manually adjust the beam), fire extinguisher (mandatory in every vehicle), first aid kit (mandatory in every vehicle), warning triangles, spare wheels are required, and hands-free devices with hearing aids if you are talking on the phone while driving. 
• Children in the car:  A suitable child seat must be fitted in the car for children under 3 years of age. Child restraint systems that comply with the ECE R44/03 standard are approved by local authorities. A suitable child seat should also be used for children between 3 and 11 years of age who are smaller than 1.35 meters. Adult seat belts are already approved for children over 12 years of age and over 1.35 meters tall. If you wish to fit a rear-facing child seat, you may do so on the condition that the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights: In poor daytime visibility, use low beam headlights. The use of high beams in cities is strictly prohibited.  
• General speed limits: Unless otherwise stated, the maximum speed on the motorway is 120 km per hour. On rural roads, you may drive 110 km/68 mi per hour. In residential areas, the speed limit is 50 km/31 mi per hour.
• Parking suggestions: Parking is prohibited in Greece: Within 5 meters (m) of intersections, within 15m of railway crossings, within 15m of bus and tram stops, within 3m of a fire hydrant, within 5m of a stop sign, or traffic light. In some streets, signs indicate which side of the street to park on. Parking fees vary from city to city, with meters usually operating between 30 minutes and two hours. In Athens, special parking areas are reserved for tourists. EU disability cards should be recognized in Greece. However, to be on the safe side, you should apply for a card from the Institute for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People in Athens or from local prefects in other provinces.

What to see in Lefkada

On Lefkada, you have a variety of ways to spend your vacation. The best way to explore the island is to rent a car and take a little road trip through Lefkada. You'll drive through the mountainous landscape and discover some picturesque villages, and then head to the coast where you can explore beaches and towns with their harbours.

But of course, there are also many cultural, religious, and historical sites that you can visit all over the island. For example, you can visit the Faneromeni Monastery. It is located on the north side of the island in the village of Frini. This monastery is very active and you can see the monks all over the property. There is also a mini-safari that is part of the monastery grounds. Inside the buildings, you can admire beautiful works of art such as paintings, mosaics, and sculptures.

You can also visit some museums like the Archeological Museum in Lefkada Town. This small but very high-quality museum offers an insight into the history of the island from its beginnings until today. A very interesting museum is the Phonograph Museum, which is also located in Lefkada Town. This private museum displays a large collection of gramophones and other musical devices. Another museum that you should visit is the Ecclesiastical Museum of Lefkada. This museum features a great collection of amazing artwork collected from temples all over the island.

 When in Lefkada town, be sure to visit the marina where there are many great tavernas where you can grab a bite to eat. Take your time and explore the beautiful streets of Lefkada Town. If you explore the old town, you will find some amazing little squares and houses with beautiful little gardens that add a lot of charm to the town.

Not to forget the beautiful beaches of the island. This is probably the most important thing Lefkada is known for: beaches. The best beaches of the island are Porto Katsiki, Egremni Beach, Mylos Beach, Megali Petra Beach, Avali Beach. But of course, you can explore the island by car and find many hidden small beaches, maybe even more attractive than the famous beaches of Lefkada. The difference is that there are no infrastructure or water sports on these hidden little beaches. For example, Lefkada is a famous place for windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving, flights with a propeller plane, and sailing around the surrounding islands.

Best restaurants in Lefkada:

Seaside Restaurant

Zorbas The Greek Restaurant (Vasiliki-Lefkada)

de Blanck Wine & Champagne Bar

Familia Restaurant & Grill

Sivota Bakery Cafe

Nirikos