Beautiful, majestic and wild, the Ionian islands have a ruggedly handsome allure. Off Greece’s western coast, mountains formed by the Hellenic collision arc surfaced as islands with spellbinding scenery. They boast some of the most stunning white sand and sapphire water beaches in the country: Egremni and Porto Katsiki in Lefkada (pictured here), Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) in Zakynthos and Myrtos in Kefalonia.
Drama goes beyond the visual spectacle offered by this dream island cluster. Conducive for tots, but particularly appealing to thrill-seeking teens, Lefkada, Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Corfu offer a plethora of waterborne sports and overland adventures. And then there are exploits of the imagination introduced by Odysseus’ Ithaca and other mythological tales.
While the rest of Greece was under Ottoman rule (15th to 19th century), the Ionian islands were governed by the Venetians, British, and French (only Kefalonia fell briefly to the Turkish). The result is an elegant architectural mix of colorful mansions, grand palaces, charming town squares and medieval fortifications.
THE ISLANDS
Its seven principal islands include:
- CORFU – CAPITAL and main gateway to Western Greece, Corfu is a seasoned tourist destination dotted with beach resorts and country estates. From its coastal towns to mountain villages, including a charming Old Town that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s packed with sites to explore. Sun seekers can choose from sandy and shallow kid-friendly shores, to pebbly coves and watersports havens.
- Kefalonia – Largest of the group, Kefalonia is designed for scenic drives. Roads etched into its mountainside take you from one natural beach or cave wonder to winery. It’s easily our favourite destination after a Cycladic itinerary.
- Ithaca – Supposed home of Homeric hero Odysseus, unspoilt Ithaca is small, quiet, lush and surrounded by emerald waters. Only for enthusiasts of small and pebbly beach coves, its inland forested hill attractions are best discovered on foot.
- Zakynthos – A vision of the Promised Land, flower meadows, fruit orchards and verdant forests fill its interiors. Also a marine park with sensational blue beach bays, sun seekers and the endangered Caretta Caretta turtle gather to nest on its shores.
- Lefkada – Possibly Greece’s best kept local secret, Lefkada, too, has its share of breathtaking blue Ionian beaches. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, it’s a possible road trip option that will take you under five hours from Athens city center. Picturesque Parga seaside town is a little over an hour’s drive north and on the way to Igoumenitsa port, where you can catch a ferry to Corfu which takes an hour and a half.
- Paxos – A cluster of smaller islands, the largest being Paxi and Antipaxos. With intimate villages, olive tree carpeted hills, and the clearest waters you’ve seen, you’re supposed to really discover the region by exploring coastlines by boat.
- Kythira – outlier of the group and true off-the-beaten-path destination, Kythira has all: mountain springs, waterfalls, ravines, marvelous beaches, medieval castles. There’s even a bit of the Cyclades in its architecture, and otherworldly appeal as the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite.
Islands with domestic airports / Islands with international airports
GETTING THERE
Islands with airports include Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Kythira. The more well established islands like Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos also offer direct connections from some major European cities in summer, or year round for Corfu.
If you’re considering travelling by boat, all (aside from Lefkada since it’s connected to the mainland) are served by ferries that depart from the ports of Kyllini or Igoumenitsa (the largest port in western Greece and gateway to Italy) on the west coast of Greece. Joy Cruises connect the Ionian islands for island hopping in the summer, but there are none that connect the Ionian islands with the Cycladic islands.