Porto Katsiki

beach report and Lefkas map

Porto Katsiki Lefkas

PORTO KATSIKI is one of the best known beaches in Lefkas, if not the whole of Greece. A dramatic backdrop of sheer limestone cliffs, white sands and emerald waters also make this one of the most photogenic beaches.
Porto Katsiki is in the south of the island, about 40km from Lefkas Town, and the beach is regularly voted one of the top beaches in Europe and attracts many thousands of visitors even though it is quite remote.
Access by road can be difficult with some narrow lanes and sharp bends to negotiate after the village of Athani, but those that make it eventually reach a huge car park.
Many avoid the long and winding drive by taking one of the regular boats from Nidri and Vassiliki. Boat trippers also avoid climbing down the wooden steps to the beach from the towering cliffs above.
Porto Katsiki beach is long and sandy and divided by a massive landslide. The beach seems to have been sculpted out of the cliff face but experts insist there is no longer any danger from rock falls.
Early arrivals find the whole west-facing beach in shade until about 11am. In the afternoon the beach shrinks to half its normal depth as the waves encroach.
The biggest problem for Porto Katsiki is the numbers, especially in August when traffic can jam the narrow road above and the beach is heaving with sunbathers.
A car park, tavernas and snack bars can be found on top of the stairs - about 100 or so steps and there are no toilet facilities on Porto Katsiki beach.