The fortress was built in the late 13th century by John Orsini during the Frankish occupation to guard against attack from the mainland. The fortress suffered numerous attacks until in 1497 it fell to the Turks. The Venetians wrested control of the island nearly two centuries later. This was the first place where the flag of the Eptanisios Politeia (a Greek state under the auspices of the British) was first raised in 1810. The fortress became important again during the Greek war of Independence with the Greeks fighting off attacks of the Ali Pasha. Each August the fortress is home to the festival of 'Speech and Art'

The lagoon is the largest biotope of the island and is connected with the that of the Amvrakikos gulf - which is internationally protected by the Rasmar treaty. In the lagoon numerous species make their home - herons, swans, wild ducks and geese and other species of water fowl. The plant-life is of similar variety.

The city's main park is filled with busts and statues of the islands numerous men of cultures - poets and writers such as are honoured here. The park makes for a pleasant walk and is surrounded by numerous cafes, both traditional and modern and is an excellent rest stop if you are visiting the town's other attractions.

Ancient Leykada was founded by Corinthian settlers in the 7th century B.C. They built the first canal effectively making Leykada into an island. The city appears to have been constructed using a well-planed orthogonal system. Leykada became an important trade hub during the Greek golden age. Today remains of the city's amphitheatre and city walls are evident while there are fragments of buildings and important water-works.

The monastery of Panagia Faneromeni, the most significant religious monument on the island, stands 2 km east of the capital outside the village of Frynio. It is believed to have been built on the site of an ancient sanctuary for Hera or Artemis. According to tradition, the apostle Paul taught there. The church was built in 1634. In 1763 it was burned by the Venetians  in 1886. It was transferred some kilometres southwest a year later. In its precinct stands the beautiful chapel of the apostles Peter and Paul. Inside, one can admire the screen created by the well-known artist Efstathios Prosalendis, and the notable icon of the Virgin with its valuable offerings. In 1889 the relics of St Arsenios Kappadokis were transported here. The area around the monastery is full of pine trees planted by the diocese from 1940 - 1970. During that time, the cistern, the cells, and the bell-tower were built. The singularity of the landscape and its religious piety attracts many visitors, especially in the summer months.

The church of the Presentation of Virgin Mary stands in the center of the town of Lefkada. It was built in 1720, during the Venetian domination. Later, at the end of the 18th century, it was renovated to its present form. Inside, there are notable hagiographies by Lefkadian artists from the beginning of the 19th century. One can also admire the baroque screen with the depiction of the Second Coming on its gable.

The small museum of Gramophones is situated in the town of Lefkada. Among the various exhibits are jewels, coins, embroidery, guns, pictures, photographs of the old town, books and as its name indicates, gramophones and musical instruments. The museum offers an interesting insight to Ionian life from the 18th century onwards.

The church Christou Pandokratora is located in the town of Lefkada. It was built in 1684 by the Venetians as a reminder of their first victory against the Turks in their struggle to re-conquer the island. The church once belonged to the Valaoritis family, and in the garden stands the grave of the great Greek poet Aristotelis Valaoritis. 

The church of Agios Ioannis Antzoussis is the oldest church of the island. According to legend, while on his way to Rome, the Apostle Paul stopped here to spread the word of Christianity. The original church was destroyed at an unknown time and this building was constructed by Frankish crusaders in the early 13th century.

The archaeological museum of Lefkada includes exhibits from the excavations of the famous archaeologist, Dorpfeld, in Nidri, Evgiros, Kariotes and other parts of the island. The collection includes findings dating from the Proto-Hellemic period to the Roman era, including ceramics, pots, statues, signs, ecclesiastic pieces and photographs from the excavations in Nidri.

A small picturesque village which has been declared a preservation zone. The village is inside a large grove of centuries-old olive trees and no motor vehicles are allowed inside. Kathamia beach, one of the biggest in Lefkada, is here. 

The cape of Lefkata is situated at the most southern part of Lefkada, and it offers a majestic view. It was named after a tall rock, surrounded by smaller rocks. This rock was called "Lefkatas" in the ancient years, and it is said to be the "white rock" which Homer mentions. The name "Doukato" was given by the Venetians. Originally, sacrifices to the gods and the spirits of the Rough Sea took place hear. Later (400 BC) on the current location of the beacon, stood the temple of Delfinos (Apollo Lefkata) of which there are no ruins remaining today. Try to visit the cape at sunset.

According to tradition, convicts were forced to fall from the tallest rock (72 m.). Survivors of the fall were forgiven. According to legend, those who could not suffer the torture of love committed suicide here. The first to do this was Venus, who could not recover from the loss of her beloved Adonis. Her act was repeated by Sappho, the great poetess, for her love of Phaethon. This is the reason why the location was named "The jump of Sappho" and "Cape of the lady". The poet, Lord Byron, was inspired by the place.

Porto Katsiki, and the less-well known but equally beautiful Egkremnoi, are possibly the most beautiful beaches in the Ionian islands.

A picturesque village in the south of the island. The settlement is a quiet resort town, sheltered in the bay of Vasiliki in the south of the island. Vasiliki is the staging point for daily excursion by small boat to near-by Leykata Cape, Ithaki and Kefalonia. There is a bi-weekly ferry available as well if you are interested in island hopping. Vasiliki, and the nearby village of Ponti, is well known for its wind-surfing schools.

A mountain village that preserves the traditional lifestyle. Karya is very well known for its textile industry - the village even has a unique threading pattern found only here. In 1912 the 'school of Embroidery' was founded in Karya.

Karya has a ethnographical museum - with a special section for Karyan embroidery. In Egklouvi, a small village nearby, are the remains of a early roman period fort. 

The town of Nidri is situated 17 km southeast of the capital, in the bay of Vlihos. It has a population of 800 inhabitants. It is by far the most developed resort on the island, attracting many tourists in the summer, as it successfully combines the natural beauty with development. The landscape is enchanting, the crystal-blue waters of the small port provide refuge for boats, and the lovely beach attracts many tourists - and its ability to absorb them is uncanny. During the summer, the town organizes interesting cultural events. In the small museum of the town, there are exhibits from relics of the Neo-Lithic era, findings from Hirospilia. Outside the town, remains from antiquity (1900-1500 BC) were found, along with an aqueduct and Roman and Byzantine tombs with numerous offerings. The German Archaeologist Dorpfeld, who is buried near the chapel of beautiful Agia Kiriaki, claimed that this was the capital of Ulysses's - Homeric Ithaca. 

In the background, one can admire the islets of Heloni, Scorpio, Sparti, Scorpidi and Madouri, on top of which stands the Neoclassical mansion of Aristoteles Valaoritis. At a distance of 2 km from Nidri, one should visit the gorge of Dimosaris and the Ronies falls, situated among a lush, green backdrop.

From Nidri there are daily excursion to Meganissi, one of Leykada's outlying islets. If one is lucky, passage can be arranged to the far more secluded islets of Kalamos and Kastos.

A picturesque village sheltered in a deep, lush green bay Sivota is excellent for a quiet holiday. The bay is also a breeding ground for numerous species of fish, crayfish and other such delicacies so a visit to Sivota - for the sybarites among us - is a must. 

Both islets are private property. Scorpios was purchased in 1963 by Aristotle Onassis and fields armed guards to deter visitors. Madouri, owned by the Valaoritis family, has a beautiful gothic-style church and an impressive manor house. Despite the lack of armed guards on Madouri visits are prohibited.

The largest island in the group Meganissi is the famed 'island of graves' from Homer's epics. The main attraction of the island is the relatively unspoilt atmosphere - the traditional buildings, picturesque harbors and crystal-clear waters. Meganissi is excellent for a quiet and relaxing holiday.

Of note on Meganissi is the cave of Papanikolis. The cave was named after the submarine "Papanikolis" which hid there in April 1941, during World War II, in order to attack Axis forces. Today, small boats seek refuge here from poor weather. The cave's entrance is enormous, with a height of approximately 30 m, while its total surface area is 3,800 square meters. 

Less developped than Meganissi Kalamos has two settlements, Kalamos and Episkopi. The island has less than 500 inhabitants. The island is covered with a dense pine forest which reaches the sea shore. Another good spot for a quiet holiday.

The islet has no cars - a sure sign of true seclusion. The little harbor-town can shelter smaller boats. The island is covered in thick pine forest. An excellent choice if you want to escape the modern world as no mobile phone network works on the island - except on a very clear day. You should be careful however as accommodation is very limited.