The Lefkimmi Salt Flats, also known as Alykes Lefkimmis, is situated on a peninsula in Molos village near Lefkimmi in southern Corfu. The marshland has long been used as a salt pan but is now an important ecological site and a historical monument.
History Of The Lefkimmi Salt Flats
The start of salt winning in the area dates back to the Byzantine era, but from the 14th century, the facilities were professionalized and expanded under the Venetian rule of Corfu. For centuries, it was the largest salt-winning area on the island, with at least 80 salt wells, several salt warehouses, corridors, and ditches.
From 1681, the salt flats were leased by private citizens, but under British rule, the state took back control over the facilities in 1890. Later, the Greek state monopoly invested in the systemization of its operations and drastically increased the production output. From 1944 until 1988, the salt pans were leased to a commercial party that operated under the supervision of the state.
In 1988, production was halted, and the Lefkimmi Salt Flats were closed. In 1993, the ownership was handed over to the former Municipality of Lefkimmi. Over time, nature started to take over the area, and the salt pans started to digest in the natural environment. As a result, the area has been slowly eroding into the sea and the area now looks more like a marchland with a diverse ecosystem.
Nature Reserve
Alykes Lefkimmis is now a protected nature reserve under the Natura 2000 Treaty, mainly because of it’s importance as a host of avifauna. Over 180 bird species have been observed in the area, including gulls, shelducks, stilts, flamingos, little terns, and Kentish plovers. It is also home to a variety of ampibians, reptiles, and mammals, including hedgehogs, weasels, foxes, frogs, turtles, snakes, lizards, and bats.
The reserve includes a wider area and has a size of 2000 acres and a perimiter of 6 kilometers. The vegetation includes reed beds, tamarisks, orchids, schinus, oak trees, and many other species.
How To Get To The Lefkimmi Salt Flats
The Lefkimmi Salt Flats are located near Lefkimmi and can best be reached on foot, or with a private vehicle, like a rental car, or scooter.
By car, Alykes Lefkimmis is a 3.6-kilometer drive from the center of Lefkimmi and 42 kilometers from Corfu Town. You can park for free at the Lefkimmi Marina.
Unfortunately there is no public transport to the Lefkimmi Salt Flats. The nearest bus stop is in Lefkimi and serves Green Bus line B1 between Kavos and Corfu Town.
What To See And Do At The Lefkimmi Salt Flats
Alykes Lefkimmis is mostly popular as a recreational area where you can walk through the beautiful nature and observe the remains of the former Lefkimmi Salt Flats. You can still see the ditches and corridors of the former salt pans, and some abandoned transportation carts and other tools reminding of the salt winning.
There are also two Venetian Warehouses that were restored between 2000 and 2006 and now house the Environmental Education Center. Next to the warehouses you an also visit the Chapel of Agios Ioannis.
The area is obviously also a paradise for bird watching. Some species can be observed throughout the entire year, but the best time to spot the largest variety of migratory birds is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
Visitors to Alykes Lefkimmis can also enjoy swimming and sunbathing at Alykes Beach. On the east coast there are also a few unnamed virgin beaches and there you an also find the Church of Panagia Zeli.
