Sparti: The Hidden Island of Lefkada with a Story Untold

Greece is full of small, unexplored islands—some so unknown that most people don’t even know their names. One of them is Sparti, a tiny island with a fascinating story, located between Lefkada and Aitoloakarnania, in the island cluster of the Televoides.

Sparti is a lush, uninhabited island that, along with the surrounding islets of Lefkada, forms part of the so-called “Princes’ Islands” of Greece. You’ll find it just across from Perigiali, and despite its very low elevation—just a few meters above sea level—it stands out for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere.

During the Ottoman period, the island belonged to a French family. In 1963, however, it was purchased by Aristotle Onassis, along with the nearby Skorpios. While Skorpios became world-famous, Sparti remained largely overlooked, even though Onassis had ambitious plans for it.

His intention was to create a private retreat similar to Skorpios, but this time for his son, Alexander Onassis. Tragically, those plans were never realized. In 1973, Alexander died in a plane crash, an event that deeply affected Onassis. Following this devastating loss, all construction work on Sparti stopped—and was never resumed.

Years later, the island came into the ownership of Dmitry Rybolovlev, often referred to as the “king of potash,” who reportedly acquired it with the intention of gifting it to his daughters.

Today, Sparti remains uninhabited and untouched—a hidden paradise in the Ionian Sea. It can only be reached by boat, and swimming in its crystal-clear waters is an experience you won’t forget. It’s proof that Greece’s lesser-known islands are often its most magical.