Egremni Beach on Lefkada – the long way down to the sea
The way there is part of Egremni
Egremni is one of those beaches on Lefkada where you see the sea long before you reach it. From high above, the view keeps opening up between pine trees and pale rocks, looking down towards the coast. Far below, a long light-coloured beach stretches along the shoreline, with the striking turquoise of the Ionian Sea in front of it.
We visited in July 2024 and deliberately set off early in the morning. At that time of day, the temperatures were still pleasant for the walk down, and it was also relatively quiet along the way.
Even during the descent, it quickly became clear that Egremni is about more than the beach itself. The road winds a long way down the hillside, the view changes around every bend, and the sea slowly comes closer. For us, that journey down has become an inseparable part of our memories of Egremni.
Quick info: Egremni Beach on Lefkada
Location: South-west coast of Lefkada, below Athani
Ideal for: long beach days, impressive coastal scenery, swimming and photography
Good to know: Access by land has changed several times since the 2015 earthquake. It is therefore worth checking the current situation before visiting.
Best time: In high summer, an early start is worthwhile, when temperatures are still more comfortable for the descent and the beach is usually quieter.
Unfiltered tip: Take your time to enjoy the views on the way down as well. Between the trees and around the bends, new views of the coastline and the striking turquoise sea keep opening up.
Where to explore: Egremni Beach on Lefkada – View on Google Maps
From the car park, continue on foot
We were able to drive as far as a larger paid car park. From there, the walk to the beach began.
At the entrance to the closed road, there was a small kiosk at the time selling coffee, drinks and snacks. From there, we continued downhill on foot along the tarmac road Shortly before the staircase, there was also a small taverna where drinks and provisions were available.
We particularly enjoyed this first part of the walk. The road winds downhill in bends, and between the trees the view repeatedly opens up towards the sea. As you make your way further down, the perspective keeps changing.
From above, Egremni seems almost impossibly far away. Pale cliffs, the narrow beach below and that intense turquoise create a striking contrast. At the same time, the descent gives you a real sense of just how much height lies between the road and the sea.
More than 400 steps down to the beach
At the end of the road, a staircase with more than 400 steps leads down to the beach. The stairs appeared to be in good condition when we visited, and we felt safe using them. The descent itself was comfortable enough, especially because we had started early and the heat was not yet too strong.
The further down you go, the larger the cliffs seem. At some point, the view from above disappears, and the beach far below turns into a landscape you are suddenly standing in yourself.
Once you're down, everything spreads out
It is only once you reach the beach that you get a real sense of how long Egremni actually is. The coastline stretches far beneath the pale cliffs, and it is precisely this length that changes the atmosphere.
Egremni was certainly quite busy. Even so, at no point did we feel as though we had arrived at an overcrowded beach. We simply walked a little further, found a spot and were practically on our own there.
That is one of the major differences compared with smaller coves. Even when plenty of people come to Egremni, they spread out over a large area.
The beach consists of pale sand, gravel and small stones. Together with the light-coloured cliffs, this helps give the water an almost milky turquoise appearance depending on the light.
And up close, we found the colour even more impressive than during the descent.
Turquoise does not automatically mean calm seas
On the day we visited, the sea was quite lively. It was beautiful to watch, and of course we also went into the water, but Egremni is not a beach where you should simply ignore the conditions.
Lefkada's west coast is exposed to the open Ionian Sea. The water becomes deep relatively quickly, and strong waves can develop when it is windy. How calm the beach looks in a photograph therefore says little about what the sea is actually like when you are there.
For us, that is part of Egremni too. The sea plays a huge role in what makes this place so impressive – but it should also be treated with the appropriate respect.
An earthquake changed Egremni
The unusual journey to the beach today is closely linked to an event that changed the entire south-west coast of Lefkada.
On 17 November 2015, Lefkada was struck by a strong earthquake with a magnitude of around 6.5. The geological effects were particularly severe along the west and south-west coast. Large rockfalls and landslides occurred around Egremni, and scientific studies identify this stretch of coastline as one of the areas most heavily affected.
Large sections of the steep cliff collapsed, sending material down onto the beach. The access route that existed at the time was also severely damaged.
The changes did not end immediately after the earthquake. Studies in the following years showed that the cliff continued to retreat and material kept sliding down from the slopes. Egremni is therefore not an unchanging backdrop. The coastline continues to be shaped by tectonic activity, erosion, rainfall and slope movements.
Looking back, that makes the beach even more interesting. The high pale cliffs are not simply the backdrop to the famous turquoise water, but part of a landscape that continues to change.
What is access like today?
With Egremni in particular, it is important not to assume that our own experience still reflects the current situation.
Access by land has repeatedly raised questions in recent years. At a municipal council meeting in May 2025, it was stated that the access road was still officially closed. Among the reasons mentioned were safety concerns, landslides and requirements that had not yet been met for an official reopening.
In February 2026, further damage to parts of the staircase was reported after heavy rain and rockfalls. Nevertheless, the route was once again used by many visitors during the summer of 2026. However, we were unable to find a clear official announcement confirming that it had fully reopened.
Recent visitor reports still describe the longer walk and the roughly 400 steps down to the beach.
For that reason, we would always check the current situation again before visiting and pay attention to any closures or signs on site.
Reaching Egremni by boat
If you do not want to take the land route, or if access is not possible, Egremni can also be reached from the sea during the summer season.
Excursion boats travel to the west coast from places including Nidri and Vasiliki. Official information about the island also lists both places as departure points for boat trips to Egremni.
The advantage is obvious: there is no long walk and no staircase to deal with. On the other hand, you are tied to the timetable and the amount of time allowed by the particular boat trip. Weather and sea conditions along the exposed west coast can also affect the route.
For us, the journey down from above was an important part of the experience. Arriving by boat, however, gives you a completely different perspective on Egremni.
What stayed with us about Egremni
Of course, we remember the water. That almost milky turquoise against the pale cliffs is difficult to forget.
But the journey there is at least as vivid in our memories. The first glimpses between the trees, the road far below us, the constantly changing views and finally the many steps down to the beach.
For us, Egremni is therefore not simply a beautiful beach on Lefkada. The height, the exposed coastline, the sea in motion, the long cliffs and the journey down are just as much a part of this place as the water itself.
And precisely because the landscape here does not feel static, but visibly shaped by natural forces, Egremni stays with us in a different way.
Practical tips for your visit
Current access: Access by land has changed several times in recent years. Check the current situation before setting off and pay attention to any closures.
Start early: In high summer, an early start is more comfortable because temperatures are lower during the descent and the beach is often quieter.
Parking: When we visited, there was a larger paid car park above the walking route. Prices and the parking situation may change.
Walk: Between the parking area and the staircase, there is a longer, steep downhill section of tarmac road. This is followed by more than 400 steps. The return journey along the same route can therefore be quite demanding in high summer.
Water: Take plenty of drinking water with you. Do not rely on the kiosk, taverna or other facilities along the way being open.
Sun protection: Sunscreen, a hat and your own beach umbrella or another form of shade are particularly useful in high summer.
Luggage: Take as little as possible. Everything you carry down will eventually have to be carried back up again.
Shoes: Comfortable shoes with a good grip are much better suited to the road and stairs than simple beach footwear.
Cliffs: Do not settle directly beneath the steep cliffs, and pay attention to any barriers or warnings.
Sea: Conditions along the exposed west coast can change quickly. Take extra care when the waves are strong.
Boat: Seasonal boat trips to Egremni depart from places including Nidri and Vasiliki. Check the current timetable and route beforehand.
Discover more around Lefkada
If you would like to explore more of Lefkada after Egremni, these articles are a good place to continue:
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