You can discover dozens of small beaches with white pebbles hidden all along the coastline. Here's the result of my hard work!! Lefkada is the fourth biggest Ionian island. If you liked Myrtos Beach, then you will for sure also love Patani Beach. It is a bit of a trek but not overly difficult. Dont forget your snorkel! Apart from the beaches, the best things to do in Kefalonia include: There are direct flights from several European airports to Kefalonia as well as ferries from Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland. There are no sunbeds, bars, or restaurants here so come prepared beforehand. It is also a hotspot for windsurfers and kitesurfers. But what else do you know about this little island? Kithira is accessible from Piraeus, Gythio and Neapoli in the Peloponnese, and Kissamos in Crete. The Perfect Ionian Islands Travel Itinerary, Where I went in The Ionian Islands, Greece. In terms of sightseeing, check out the temple of St John the Martyr, with the interesting artwork, and the chapel of Agios Emilianos. The major islands of Greece's Ionian Sea lived for centuries under Venetian rule and it shows in their castles and churches. Copyright Dave's Travel Pages (c) 2005 - 2023, Corfu International Airport (IATA: CFU, ICAO: LGKR), Zakynthos International Airport (IATA: ZTH, ICAO: LGZA), Kefalonia International Airport (IATA: EFL, ICAO: LGKF), Folklore Museum and the Museum of Gramophones, Milos to Sifnos Ferry Connections, Schedules, and Travel Information, Santorini to Thirasia Ferry Connections, Schedules, and Travel Information, There are connections from Igoumenitsa to Corfu, Kefalonia and Paxi, You can get to Corfu, Kefalonia and Ithaca from the port in, Kyllini port in the Peloponnese offers connections with Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos. Casey Grimes April 16, 2016 Ionian Islands: mythical, magical and inspirational. Materials used include stone, wood and sheet metal, which is very typical of Lefkada town. Also, most Ionian islands' charter itineraries generally begin from Corfu or Lefkada (aka Lefkas). The Ionian Islands - Complete island Guide | Discover Greece Shop Our Guidebooks Im not sure if this is actually allowed by the rental agencies to take a car from one island to the other but no one said anything. Kefalonia is incredibly beautiful and has some of the most beautiful villages of the Ionian islands. "acceptedAnswer": { Ionian Islands Yacht Charters | Worldwide Boat There is public transportation that travel between the towns but youll need a scooter, quadbike, or car to visit the beautiful beaches and viewpoints. The traditional stone houses and friendly people will make your stay unforgettable. As a consequence, the architecture on the Ionian islands is very different from that in other areas of Greece. Combining the Ionian islands and other Greek island groups, like the Cyclades, is often a logistical nightmare as it will involve multiple flights and / or ferries. As the beach faces west, the sun wont fully light up the ocean or mountains until noon. Youll need to follow the directions on Google Maps closely as youll pass through small roads. Therefore, if you want to see all of them, its best to start in Zakynthos (the furthest south island) or Corfu (the furthest north). The viewpoint of Shipwreck beach where all the iconic photos are taken is easily reached by car. Apart from those islands, there are a few dozen more where visitors dont have access to. You are 500 meters above sea level and you see this endless strip of sandy beach with water so blue and so clear that it looks absolutely fake. I visited the following areas on this itinerary. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Kefalonia is the most middle island in the Ionian sea. Generally speaking, Greece is a popular summer destination, but it can be surprisingly warm and pleasant in spring and autumn. A Guide To All The Ionian Islands, Greece: Which Island Is The Best? Up until 2001, they used the Greek Drachma Credit Cards and ATM: Greece uses credit cards everywhere. } Make sure to read that so you know what to expect when you arrive! According to one version, this is where Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, was born. Spartochori, the main port, is a lovely village with narrow cobbled streets and traditional stone houses, overlooking the sheltered bay. From Kefalonia, take another ferry to Lefkada which has the most beautiful beaches in the Ionian and perhaps the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece. Carpeted with olive trees, pines and vineyards, the Ionian Islands are fertile and green, a stunning setting for award-winning white-sand beaches and peacock-blue waters. This is literally one of the most picture perfect and out of this world beaches Ive ever seen. Lets have a closer look at the Greek Ionian islands map: Corfu, one of the biggest and most popular Ionian islands, is located to the north, close to Albania. If these places ring a bell and sound like the places you want to visit, this is the perfect itinerary for you! It appears that a few other uninhabited Ionian islands are currently up for sale. Located in the northwest near the town of Agias Nikitas is the unspoilt Mylos Beach.Picture perfect Mylos Beach. and other life ponderings. If youve never heard of Shipwreck Beach, its likely youve seen the pictures in your Insta feeds, blogs, magazines, postcards, or literally anywhere else. Vathy is a picturesque fishing village and marina, popular with yacht owners. Greek Island-Hopping Basics by Rick Steves The work required to get here will deter the average beach goer, especially as Agios Nikitas beach is next to it. This beach is another rocky beach but the views of the cliffs here are just absolutely stunning. This itinerary starts in Zakynthos, the furthest southern island of the Ionian sea. In addition, there are the cutest little villages in Kefalonia left over from when the Venetians controlled the island. Greek Island Hopping | Greece Travel Itineraries | Bicycle Touring. This is also a great place to watch the sunset. 10 years before I moved to Greece, I spent some time in Kefalonia grape picking. I spent most of time in Erimitis beach because it is more secluded than other beaches allowing you a bit more privacy. By Johnny Last Updated On: February 24, 2023 The Ionian islands are an ancient group of islands in the west Ionian sea of on the northwest coast of Greece. Table Of Contents show Where is Kefalonia? You will see olive trees, cypresses and fig trees all around. There isno way of getting there by land. With its rugged shoreline and gorgeous beaches, combined with favorable winds and protected anchorages, cruising the Ionian is a dream . With its wonderful climate, turquoise waters, and scenic harbors, the Ionian islands are a must-visit destination. If you can only visit one, consider either Corfu or Kefalonia. An Ionian Islands yacht charter offers a very different environment, with lush green landscapes, mountainsides covered in orchids, pink bougainvilleas, cypress trees, olive groves, and serene aquamarine waters. You can get to Meganisi on a ferry from Nydri in Lefkada. The ferry between the two islands run regularly and is just a short ride away. ", Reading about the history of the beach is absolutely fascinating. Explore our recommended itineraries, all custom . A day trip to Ithaki is also a must when in Kefalonia by using the island hopper ferries. Zakynthos is home to the ultra famous shipwreck beach which is sure to impress any traveler. Ionian Islands travel - Lonely Planet | Greece, Europe Surrounded by wild greenery, dramatic cliffs, Megali Petra offers seclusion for a relaxing day by the deep blue waters.Another amazing beach. During normal times, they crammed 100 people into these boats and now about half capacity during Coronavirus times. Ionian Islands Ionian or Cyclades Islands: How To Choose Between Greece's Most Beautiful islands Greece Facts Language: Greek is the official language. Corfu, known as the Emerald island, is definitely the most popular and well known of the Ionian islands. Its ranked up there with the Shipwreck beach in Zakynthos for must visit sights and natural beauty. Kalamos is accessible on a small passenger ferry from Mytikas on mainland Greece. There is a nice taverna on the beach preparing delicious Greek dishes. Another must visit are the Melassani Caves in Kefalonia. Ereikoussa is round and relatively flat, with its highest point at just 130 metres. You can get to Ithaca by ferry from Kefalonia or mainland Greece. As well, travel here in the offseason in the months of October or November and while the water wont be super warm, the surface temperature will still be plenty warm to enjoy the natural beauty. The majority of the beaches in Kastos are on the east side, and you can approach them on foot or by sea. This small, long-shaped island is close to Kalamos and mainland Greece, not far off Lefkada. The name refers to the seven biggest islands, but there are many, many more. The island gets rather crowded in summer, so try to visit outside the peak season if you can. There are international flights to the three biggest Ionian islands. The little island is fairly flat and full of olive trees. Well there is no island hopping without a way to get between the islands. "@type": "Question", Othoni might have been the mythical Ogygia, where Odysseus was kept by Kalypso for seven years. In 2015, an earthquake hit Lefkada and destroyed the road leading up to the beach. Prices from 1995 Rates Book This Trip Overview Itinerary Boats & Bikes Inclusions Dates & Pricing Extra Info Photos Reviews Book This Trip Email 800-951-4384 The Ionians seem to be even more complicated. There are no cars, few roads, and even fewer rooms to let, which makes this little paradise a unique island to visit. } There are three main settlements in Meganisi, which is where most of the tourist accommodation and other facilities can be found. I tried getting one of those legs hanging off the cliff type of photos which more than ramped up my adrenaline!Getting closer to the edge, very scary. I'm currently living the expat life in Frankfurt, Germany and traveling the world as much as I can. This is where the loggerhead sea turtles known as caretta caretta lay their eggs. Currently, the number of inhabited Ionian islands is 15. There isnt much to do on Antipaxoi other than enjoy nature and amazing beaches! During their relatively brief occupation, both the French and the British built impressive palaces and other buildings. It is a 20 minute hike over a hill and through bushes. Complete travel guide to 9 Ionian islands, Greece: Photos, things to do, beaches, sightseeing, hotels, restaurants and more in Ionian, Greece. Zakynthos and Kefalonia are perfect to pair together. Even better. It is usually less crowded than Myrtos but also has the stunning water colors. Kalamos, the port town, is where you can find most of the tavernas and cafes, as well as a handful of rooms. What makes this small island so unique is the complexity of the landscape. Antikythera is the southernmost Ionian island, located between Kithira and Crete. Arguably the most famous one is Myrtos, an incredible sandy beach surrounded by cliffs and a thick forest. "acceptedAnswer": { Kithira, the island south of the Peloponnese, has a domestic airport offering connections to and from Athens (IATA: KIT, ICAO: LGKC). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is the biggest of the three Diapontia islands, the other two being Ereikoussa and Mathraki. 10 Days Hopping in Ionian Islands: Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Lefkada Island 14 Days Ionian Islands Yacht Charter Itinerary from Lefkas You can get to Kastos on the small passenger ferry from Mytikas on mainland Greece, which passes by Kalamos on the way. In the 13th century, the Venetians took over from the Byzantine Empire, conquering many areas of Greece. Picture perfect beaches, incredible green nature landscapes, mountains, and more. The road that goes to the beach is a bit sketchy but doable via scooter or car. The water is the deepest shade of turquoise you can imagine. Plan your Ionian Islands Itinerary - Travel Guides and Tips Lefkada is the only Ionian island that is accessible by land from mainland Greece, through a causeway. Ithaca, the homeland of the mythical Odysseus, is a beautiful, verdant island. To a certain degree, their unique history might explain why the Ionian islands are popular destinations for both the Brits and the Italians! If you want to see only 1 or 2 islands, its better to make sure they are located next to each other, aka Corfu + Lefkada or Zakynthos + Kefalonia. Greece Yacht Charter Itineraries. You can see a model of the palace in Stavros village. The beaches of Corfu are not very impressive and the mountain landscapes no more impressive than any other islands. You can drive here from Athens or Thessaloniki as part of a road trip, or fly to the nearby Aktion airport. THE TOP 10 Ionian Islands Tours & Excursions in 2023 - Viator If you walk past the Greek flag, there will be less people and a great place to get photos without the crowds. If you have one week to travel the Greek islands, here are some options for you to consider. The majority of the Ionian islands are located to the west of mainland Greece, in the Ionian Sea. There are also ferry connections with Piraeus, the Peloponnese and Crete. Although island hopping in the Ionian is not as popular as it in the Cyclades or the Dodecanese, it is relatively easy to design your own itinerary with a map, a good and trustworthy ferry search engine, and of course some of our guides. The fishing town of Fiscardo is a favorite of yachters and flotillas and is also an artist colony and was the only village not devastated by the 1953 earthquake. Perfect Ionian Island Hopping Route The west coast ofthe island is known for having the best beaches as well as the most beautiful landscape. Dont miss Spilia, Ampelakia, Fanari, Elia, Pasoumaki, Limonari and the beach of Ai Giannis, with the small historic monastery. Ionian Islands itinerary is ideal for foodies, history buffs, and photography lovers. My biggest advice for Kefalonia is not to rush it. There is a second settlement up on the mountain, called Chorio. The materials used are stone and wood, giving an impression of Greece in the 1960s. It combines gorgeous beaches, transparent, turquoise waters, beautiful rock formations, a verdant landscape and small, traditional settlements.