Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands are located along the western part of Greece and to the south along the western Peloponnese. Green stretches of land with patterned coastlines, golden beaches and untouched beauty are shrouded in myth. And arriving here, it’s not at all hard to believe that the paradise islands in the Ionian Sea were created by the Greek gods.
Video: Ionian Islands
ContentsHighlights
The Greeks themselves call these lands “Eptanisa”, which means “seven islands”. Thus, stretching from north to south are Corfu (Kerkyra), Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Kythira. In addition to the main islands, the Ionian Islands include many small, pretty islets, of which about 20 are inhabited. Their total area is 2,300 km².
.Most of the population of Eptanisa is Greek, but there are also many Italians and British living on the islands. The local currency, as in the Greek territory, is the euro.
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The most popular modes of transportation in the Ionian Islands are mopeds and bicycles. They allow you to move through the narrow streets of small settlements. Buses are used as public transportation.
History of the Ionian Islands
The history of the Ionian Islands is closely linked to that of ancient Hellas. Located at the crossroads of three continents, during the Middle Ages they were the cause of constant hostility between Naples, Venice and Byzantium. The final victory over their rivals was won by Venice. The inhabitants of Eptanisa suffered from foreign invaders for more than a century before becoming the Ionian Republic. In the second half of the 19th century, the new state was united with the Kingdom of Greece.
Interestingly, the Ionian Islands are the only part of Greece that was never under Ottoman rule.
.Climate
The region is famous for its mild temperate climate. The mountains protect the Ionian Islands from strong winds in winter. The sea softens the hot summers. Eptanisa is suitable for vacations at any time of the year.
.Traveling in the Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands are similar to each other, with each one having something special to offer tourists.
>Corfu
The verdant island of Corfu leads the Ionian Islands in terms of tourist preference. The capital of the island is the city of Kerkyra. Corfu provides its guests with a huge variety of ways to have a good time.
Most of the local beaches are marked with “blue flags”. This means that a stretch of coastline meets all the necessary international standards. Corfu’s beaches are suitable for vacationing with children.
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Many travelers come to Corfu for diving. For this sport should go to the northern part of the island. Experienced instructors offer training courses for both beginners and experienced divers who want to raise their level.
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Another fun thing to do on the island is shopping. Corfu is one of the best islands to buy a fur coat. Locally made cosmetics are also famous far beyond the Ionian Islands. It is impossible to take home all the products you like, as most of them are perishable. Preference should be given to olive oil. It keeps freshness much longer. Buy oil is desirable not in a store, but in small villages that specialize in the manufacture of the product.
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As for restaurants, experienced travelers usually go to the same family cafe, as regular customers, the owners willingly make significant discounts. This way you can save money and try many national Greek dishes, as well as dishes prepared according to secret family recipes.
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Most of their attractions are located in Kerkyra. Tourists compare it to a small Italian town. The similarity is based on the fact that different cultures have visited Kerkyra and left their mark here.
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It is not easy to find an inexpensive hotel in Corfu. The Domenico Hotel is a good option for those looking for a hotel with comfortable rooms and breakfast. Lunch and dinner are available at the on-site restaurant at Domenico Hotel. The beach is 1.2 km from the hotel. The hotel is pet-friendly. The Vassilis apartment complex, located in a garden on the hillside, a 15-minute walk from Agia Triada beach, also has a good reputation..Zakynthos
Zakynthos is a true jewel in the crown of the Ionian Islands. Two of Greece’s greatest poets, Dionysios Solomos and Andreas Kalvos, were born on this island. The administrative center of Zakynthos is the town of Zakynthos (otherwise Zante). Other popular resort towns include Argassi, Kalamaki, Laganas, Tsilivi, Alikanas and Alykes.
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There are several dozen hotels on the island. An acceptable option for an inexpensive vacation is the Mabely Grand Hotel. The room rate includes breakfast. Lunch and dinner can be in fish restaurants and taverns in the mountain villages. The dishes are based on vegetables, olive oil, wine and cheese. Tourists are recommended to visit taverns that have been owned by members of the same family for many years. In such restaurants, food preparation is especially carefully monitored.
.Nightlife on the island everyone chooses according to his taste. Bars and discos are concentrated in Kalamaki, Laganas, Alykes and Argassi, in the southern part of Zakynthos. This is where those who like to dance until sunrise go. Spending a quiet evening with the family is possible in the center of Zakynthos and in the village of Vassilikos.
.Much more impressions guests get from excursions. It is difficult to get to know all of Zakynthos in a few days, but you can try to do so with a cruise around the island. Better learn the local culture will help the excursion “Greek Nights”, to which some travelers replace dinner. Tourists are expected a dense evening meal of Greek dishes with wine tasting. Guests are entertained by musicians, singers and dancers. For only 30 € you get to taste traditional drinks and appetizers served in the most expensive restaurants on the island.
.Among other souvenirs, beach accessories are in great demand. Stores and souvenir stores are usually open until late in the evening.
Paxi
The island of Paxi is also called Paxos. There is a legend that Paxi came into existence after Poseidon struck the island of Corfu with his trident. The breakaway piece of land was to serve as a resting place for Amphitrite, the god’s consort.
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A small piece of the Ionian Islands was a haven for pirates. When the sea robbers left the island for good, its inhabitants were able to take up fishing and winemaking. Today there are 3 settlements on Paxi: Gaios (administrative center), Logos and Lakka. Tourist infrastructure appeared in these settlements only at the end of the last century.
.Since the island has not been used to receive visitors for a long time, Paxi has few attractions and entertainment venues, and the beaches are not equipped. Most of them are pebbly. Among the few excursions is a trip to the Blue Caves, which are located in the western part of Paxi. One of the main attractions is the monument to Georgis Anemogiannis, a participant in the Greek War of the first half of the XIX century. Christian tourists are eager to visit the Orthodox churches that appeared on the island centuries ago.
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There are no large hotels on Paxi. Hotels are mostly two- or three-story buildings. The most popular is the Amfitriti Hotel & Studios in the vicinity of Lakki. The rooms are equipped with everything you need. Free parking and Wi-Fi are available. There is a beach next to the hotel. Swimming is also possible in the hotel pool..Kitira
Kythira is located off the coast of the Peloponnese, at the point where the Aegean Sea meets the Ionian Sea. The administrative center of the island is called Chora. According to local legend, the goddess Aphrodite was born on Kythira, not Cyprus. There are much more attractions and entertainment than on Paxi. The island offers beaches for every taste: sandy, pebble and red beaches. Visiting some attractions, such as the Museum of Ancient Byzantine Art and the abandoned town of Agios Dimitrios, is free of charge.
.Travelers to Kythira are recommended to try the local variety of yellow alycha “Aphrodite’s nipples”. One of the island’s dishes served to tourists is called “choryatiko”. It is a salad prepared everywhere in the Ionian Islands and in Greece in general. The peculiarity of “choryatiko” on Kythira is the absence of cucumbers, and croutons are added to the appetizer.
.The most suitable hotel is Pelagia Beach Studios near the village of Agia Pelagia. Tourists love this hotel for its proximity to the beach, which can be reached in just 1 minute. Travelers with pets have the opportunity to stay at the hotel.
.Ithaca
Ithaca is formed from two peninsulas connected by a narrow isthmus. In Greek mythology, the island of Ithaca is the birthplace and kingdom of Odysseus. The main city of the island is Vati (or Vafi). Vacation in Ithaca is suitable for those who love festivals and cultural events. In October, the island holds the festival “Marida”, in May there is a Theater Festival, and in August they organize a wine festival. The following museums are open:
.- folklore. Located in Vati. Visitors are invited to get acquainted with the life of the inhabitants of Ithaca, see photographs, furniture, kitchen utensils;
- Archaeological. Also located in the capital of the island. The exposition includes archaeological finds found during expeditions and a rich collection of porcelain;
Once in one of the restaurants in Ithaca, you should try the traditional dishes: rovani (dessert made of honey and rice), savoro (fried fish with spices), riganado (appetizer of white cheese with tomatoes and bread). The best purchase made on the island will be handmade jewelry.
An inexpensive vacation in Ithaca can be found at Iris Apartments, located in Vati. The complex is just 1.1 km from the festival site.
.Kefalonia
Kefalonia is located exactly in the middle of the Ionian Sea. It is the largest of the Ionian Islands. It has an area of 786 km². The capital is the city of Argostoli. The island is popular among beach vacationers.
. Kefalonia will also please foodies. Local dishes are named: aliada (garlic salad) and mandoles (almond pastry). Locally produced honey, cottage cheese, wine and meat pies are also noteworthy..
Kefalonia’s attractions are created by nature itself. Tourists are shown to the lake Akola. The water body is characterized by great depth. According to legend, it has no bottom. Possible excursion to Melissana – a deep cave, inside which there is a lake. You can get to this unusual place only by boat. Melissana was opened after its “ceiling” collapsed. The man-made sights of Kefalonia include the fortress of St. George and Fiskardo, a fishing harbor with a settlement. In 1953 the island was hit by an earthquake, which damaged the ancient architecture. Fiskardo’s buildings were surprisingly able to survive the strong tremors.
.You can stay in Kefalonia at the Skala Hotel. Breakfast is included in the room rate. All rooms are equipped with a safe, air conditioning and refrigerator. The hotel is located just 100 meters from the sandy beach.
Lefkada
Travelers have a special love for Lefkada, setting it apart from the entire palette of the Ionian Islands. White sheer cliffs, simultaneously frightening and enchanting, stretch along the western side of the island and gave it its name. “Lefkos” means “white” in Greek. The administrative center of the island is Lefkas. Legend has it that the Greek poetess Sappho, who suffered from unrequited love, took her life on this island. The largest tourist center of the island is located in Nidri. Beaches can be found in the villages of Vasiliki, Sivota and Vliho. The sandy coast of Katizma is considered the most picturesque.
.Guests of Lefkada should do some grocery shopping. Local products – sausages, olive oil and wine – are of high quality. The island grows and sells lentils, which are considered the best in Greece. In addition to foodstuffs, lace, embroidery and fabrics are in demand among tourists.
.The main attractions of the island of Lefkada are the churches. Tourists visit the ruins of the fortress of St. Maura, whose name was called Lefkada for some time. There are also several museums on the island. Antique Lefkas can be seen near the village of Kalligoni. Here the ruins of an ancient theater have been preserved.
.The most convenient option for accommodation will be a cozy guest house Pansion Filoxenia Apartments & Studios in the village of Tsoukalades. The rooms are equipped with everything you need for a relaxing stay and are furnished with wooden furniture. Guests can prepare meals in the kitchenettes. The beach is a 15-minute walk away.
.How to get there
It is possible to arrive in the Ionian Islands by sea. Ferries depart from the Peloponnese peninsula from two ports, Patras (to Corfu, Ithaki and Kefalonia) and Kilini (to Kefalonia and Zakynthos). Corfu and Paxi can also be reached from Igoumenitsa, and Ithaki and Kefalonia from Astakos.
.To get to the Ionian Islands as quickly as possible, travelers prefer to travel by air. 4 islands have their own airports: in Corfu, Preveza (since 20 km away is Lefkada, the bulk of tourists going there on vacation, fly to Preveza), Kefalonia and Zakynthos, which in the summer period receive many charter flights from cities in Northern Europe. It is also possible to fly with a connection in Athens.
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