Greece · Ionian Islands

Lefkada Lagoon

Directions

Λιμνοθάλασσα Γύρας

A large shallow lagoon beside Lefkada town, with the fishermen's hamlet of Gyra on the narrow strip of land that closes it off from the sea. It is a Ramsar wetland and a Natura 2000 site, one of the largest wetlands of western Greece, and a place for herons, swans, gulls and ducks. The salt pans on its eastern side stopped working in 1947.

History

Gyra’s church, Panagia tis Gyras, was consecrated in 1503, and under its floor lie the marble gravestones of notable Lefkadians, including the poet Angelos Sikelianos. Four of the twelve original windmills survive. To the east, the first salt pans were built in the early 15th century to supply Venice and other Italian cities; the second set, at Karyotes, was built by the Venetians in 1688 and worked until 1989. The salt was hard work, especially for women, who carried loads of 25–30 kg barefoot.

Nature

The former salt pans are now among the most important bird habitats on the island, and migratory birds find shelter and food throughout the Gyra–Ammoglossa area. Rosy flamingos may also be seen.

Visit

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

A flat 7 km walk around the western lagoon starts at the bridge from the town, on a road that doubles as a walkway and cycle track, with water on both sides, past Gyra, its wooden boathouses and windmills. It ends at Ai Giannis, a local favourite with pale sand and clear water. Milos is a major kitesurfing and windsurfing beach, with north-westerly winds from May to September, while Gyra is quieter.

On the eastern side, a flat walk around the salt pans at Karyotes suits wheelchairs and pushchairs, with a bird hide, a picnic shelter and parking along the water’s edge. Turn left a little before the middle of the village on the way to Karyotes beach.