Ancient writers believed the poet Sappho committed suicide by leaping from these cliffs due to unrequited love.
The lighthouse is built directly over the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo.
Local folklore refers to the site as 'The Lady's Cape' or 'Kavos tis Kyras'.
The lighthouse tower reaches a height of 14 meters.
The light is visible from a distance of 18 nautical miles.
Excavations at the base of the cape have uncovered prehistoric pottery and votive offerings.
The cape marks the geographic boundary between the Ionian Sea and the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth.
The vertical cliffs at the cape are among the highest and most prominent geological features on the island.
Cape Lefkatas Lighthouse, also known as Doukato Lighthouse, sits at the southernmost tip of Lefkada Island on a 60-meter-high limestone cliff. The current structure, dating back to 1913, features a square stone tower attached to a keeper's house. The location overlooks the Ionian Sea, where the depth of water drops rapidly to over 1,000 meters just off the cape. Historically, this site was the location of the Temple of Apollo Lefkatas. Ancient records indicate that sacrifices and ritual 'leaps' were performed here during antiquity. It serves as a vital navigational aid for vessels traversing the passage between Lefkada and Kefalonia.
The elevated rocky plateau north of the lighthouse provides the best angle to frame the tower against the deep blue Ionian backdrop.
Visit during late afternoon to experience the cliffside lighting, but ensure you depart before total darkness as the access road is unlit.
Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes; the rocky terrain around the lighthouse is uneven and prone to loose gravel.
Bring wind protection, as the cape is highly exposed and experiences constant, strong sea gusts.
Do not attempt to climb down the cliffside to the water level; the vertical drop is dangerous and there is no safe trail.
Stay behind any fencing or marked boundaries, as the cliff edges are unstable and prone to erosion.
