Uncovered hot springs in the sea
When I’m in Ikaria, you’ll probably find me on this beach once a week, especially in spring, when the cool sea doesn’t necessarily invite you to swim. This is pure natural spectacle.
Lefkada is located about 2 km west of Agios Kyrikos towards Xylosirtis. The road leads directly along the sea in a few gentle curves. Once you leave Agios Kyrikos, there is a small, stony beach at the bottom left and soon you drive on a straight stretch past an old, burnt-down former thermal hotel “Toula” on the right. Soon after, on the right, there are two houses, one beautiful, inhabited and one old with eucalyptus trees in front. If there is a right-hand bend that leads slightly uphill, you are too far!
You can park near these eucalyptus trees or along the street. Right across from this “parking lot” there is a sign mostly hidden in the plants that says: Hot Mineral Springs. There is an initially beautiful, newly designed stone road that leads down to the sea, but it abruptly ends in a small natural path that leads down to the beach. The money seems to have run out. Take good shoes with you, nobody wants to make mistakes. You can reach the hot springs in 3 minutes along the beach via large boulders and stones.
Large rocks, arranged in a circle, lie in the sea
The entrance is to the left of the slightly smoking, rust-colored, hot stones where the spring has been coming out of the earth for thousands of years. Impressive! It is advisable to crouch down and wade slowly through the water, holding onto stones. You can feel for yourself where you are most drawn to, lukewarm or hot. If the waves are too high, swimming in Lefkada is not practical as the waves constantly carry you against the hot springs. Ouch, that burns! As everywhere in thermal springs, the bathing time is around 20 minutes and a subsequent rest period is recommended.
If you have sensitive feet, you should take bathing shoes with you.
By the way: of course there is no changing room! Swimming trunks are definitely desired!
Swimming in Lefkada is a wonderful experience if you have good mobility. The great view of the Fournoi islands, up to the mountains and over to the village of Xylosirtis is enjoyable and cannot be compared with our artificial wellness oases.
Report by Edith Bühler Jud
Ursula’s tip:
Swimming trunks are definitely desired! I recommend taking a bottle of drinking water with you and a few fruits to enjoy the rest after swimming with the fantastic view.a