KEFALONIA
Ionian
A Green Oasis of Turquoise Waters
Scattered off the western coastline of Central Greece and to the south of Peloponnese, the Ionian Islands are an island group comprising large and small islands.
Zante (Zakynthos), Ithaca, Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Paxi (or Paxos) and Kythira are the seven largest and most popular islands of the group, while Antikythira, Antipaxi, Ereikousa, Mathraki, Othonoi, Meganisi and Strofades are lesser-known smaller islands, which have a lot going for themselves. They are destinations attracting many visitors every year for a variety of reasons: Their temperate climate, lush vegetation, beautiful mountains and breathtaking beaches will provide the perfect surroundings for your next holidays.
CLUSTER OF ISLANDS
CARETTA CARETTA SEA TURTLES
IONIAN SERENADES
BELOVED SAILING DESTINATION
Where to go...
Antipaxoi
Although a small island, it is endowed with outstanding beauty. The island of Antipaxoi (literally meaning “opposite Paxi”) lies at just 3 nautical miles from the port of Gaios.
Antipaxoi is famous for its renowned beaches, among which Voutoúmi, with its exotic turquoise waters, is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. But travellers will cherish the place as much as the wine. Apart from the traditional methods of producing wine of fine quality and other Greek varietals (the worldwide famous “mavrodáfni” is one of them), enhanced, biological cultivations transform the local wine into a product of high nutritional value.
Corfu
With the passage of time the island of Corfu may have changed, but any traveler can still feel the spirit of a distant glorious past. Its rich multi-cultural heritage, its historic monuments, its stunning natural landscape, its crystal clear seas, and its excellent weather all year round explain why Corfu is one of the most cosmopolitan Mediterranean destinations weaving a powerful spell on its visitors.
Corfu (Kerkyra in Greek), unlike the rest of Greece, never fell under the Ottoman oppression. Due to the successive dominations of the Venetians, the French and the British over the centuries, the island has primarily become part of the Western rather the Levantine world. Their culture wielded strong influence in the city: it was here that the first Greek University (the Ionian Academy), the first Philharmonic Orchestra and the First School of Fine Arts were founded.
Let Corfu weave its spell over you with its historic monuments, rich multi-cultural heritage and stunning natural landscape.
Ithaca
Worldwide famous as the home of Odysseus, Ithaca symbolises the return to the haven, the discovery and the fulfillment. Today, it is a peaceful, quiet and secluded island, an ideal place for alternative activities such as scuba diving and kayaking, which can live up to your highest standards. Through its plethora of hiking and mountain bike trails you can explore the coastal and mountainous areas of the island, where olive, cypress, pine, oak, arbutus and carob trees grow. Explore the island on foot - on ancient historical and enchanting trails - and don't forget to visit the Cave of the Nymph (or Marmarospilia) near Vathy. According to the Homeric myth, this is where Odysseus had hidden the gifts he had brought along from the land of the Phaeacians.
Kefalonia
This green island with its breathtaking beaches and crystal clear waters of greenish-blue colours will take your breath away. Kefalonia a gem in the Ionian Sea. It carries a rich history in cultural tradition. It’s the biggest Ionian Island and the green of its mountains blend with the blue of the water making it truly unique and a beloved destination. Pine, cypress and olive trees cover Mt. Ainos' peak, while at its foot you’ll come across vineyards where the popular Kefalonian Robola wine variety is produced.
If you happen to love snorkeling or diving then the seabed around the island will definitely satisfy you. You might even get the chance to encounter the rare, caretta- caretta, sea turtle that take refuge here, as well as the monk seals monachus monachus. Kefalonia’s culinary tradition, history, traditional villages, upbeat nightlife and pristine beaches will make you fall in love with the island.
Kythera
Kythera Island is the birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love, according to Hesiod (ancient Greek poet who lived during Homer’s time). The island was a source of inspiration for French painter Jean Antoine Watteau as well as for the 19th c. great French poet Charles Baudelaire, and for 20th c. Greek filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos.
It’s a place endowed with great beauty: valleys that end on the seashore; mountainsides dressed in green, or rocky and barren; spring waters gurgling or cascading down the slopes; wonderful beaches; beautiful picturesque little villages; local tasty dishes; and an architecture that blends the apparent Venetian influences with the style found in Crete and Mani (south Peloponnese). The above is an outline of what you can expect to experience in this must-visit destination that is picture-perfect Kythera Island.
Lefkada
Lefkada is surrounded by a total of 24 islets - Aristotle Onassis’ Skorpios being one of them. It connects to the opposite coast of Central Greece via a floating swing bridge (length: 50 m). The bridge offers easy access to Lefkada to visitors from all over Greece. On Lefkada you will find noteworthy sights, churches and monasteries, picturesque villages, lush vegetation, idyllic coves of transparent, turquoise waters, busy and secluded beaches of stunning beauty, a significant cultural heritage and hospitable locals.
Lefkada is the island’s capital and port town. The town planning is a very particular one and resembles a “fish backbone”. There are picturesque alleys, small squares, traditional houses, elaborate belfries and paved pedestrian zones that give this town its character. The city is surrounded by a canal and a lagoon, while, farther north, lies Gyra, a thin stretch of a sandy beach forming a circle, dotted with windmills and scant vegetation.
Paxi
Cultural village of Europe for the year 2004, Paxi (or Paxoi) is the ideal island for a peaceful holiday. Beautiful beaches, underwater caves, small bays and green hills welcome you in the most delightful way. According to the legend, the island would be the southernmost tip of Corfu, if the God of the Sea, Poseidon, had not broken it off with his trident when he needed a god-deserving place to live his love with the Nereid Amphitrite.
Zakynthos
Zakynthos (aka Zante) is a verdant island endowed with fertile valleys and a temperate climate (area: 406 sq. km; coastline: 123 km). Its landscape diversity has resulted in different types of beaches: there are sandy beaches in secluded coves where the tranquil waters are deep blue on the island’s southeastern part; yet, if rugged cliffs and an interesting underwater world are to your liking, try the western part of the island.
The Venetians, who ruled Zakynthos from 1484 to 1797, called the island “Fioro di Levante” (flower of the East) as there are over 7,000 species of flowers on Zákynthos. The third largest island of the Ionian Sea, after Corfu and Kefalonia, is internationally known as “Zante”. Zakynthos is said to have been the island’s first inhabitant and the ancient acropolis is attributed to him. He was the son of Dardanos who ruled the ancient kingdom of Frigia. A Venetian fort was built at later times on the site.
Island Gems in the Ionian Sea
Nature
Over the millennia, geological transformations have helped shape stretches of awe-inspiring steep coastline, beautiful sandy shores and high mountains. Tectonic changes also account for the great depth of the waters in the region; the Calypso Deep reaches a staggering 5,267 m. depth, making it the deepest point in the Mediterranean Sea. So, it’s no wonder that some of the wildest and most famous shores in Greece are located on this side of the country. Egremnoi and Porto Katsiki beaches on Lefkada Island, Navagio Beach on Zante Island and Myrtos Beach on Kefalonia Island are but a few of the award-winning must-visit destinations in a long list of spots with cool emerald waters.
Activities
Set sail to discover unexplored gems on the Ionian Islands; the sheltered coves and amazing sea caves, such as the Blue Caves on Zante Island and the Caves (called Grahves) on Paxi Island are impressive locations to add on your list of things to see. If you’re lucky enough, you might spot two local protected species, the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta Caretta) and the Monachus Monachus monk seal in Zante’s marine park area.
Try water sports such as scuba diving, windsurfing and kitesurfing οn Vasiliki and Agios Giannis, Lefkada Island, hike οn Ithaca's green hinterland, visit the amazing Melissani and Drogarati Caves οn Kefalonia Island, and see the Neraida (Fairy) waterfalls on Kythira Island.
History and Culture
During the period of Ottoman rule in the rest of Greece, the Ionian Islands were European dominions; this exposure to the western way of life has led to a cultural and artistic development that is evident today in their architectural heritage, their charming dialect, customs and traditions. On cosmopolitan Corfu Island, our suggestions on must-see places include a tour of the Old Town of Corfu (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Old Citadel and the New Fort, a stroll in Spianada Square and the nearby Liston Area, a visit to Agios Spyridonas Church, as well as to famous Pontikonisi. Other must-see places beyond the town limits are Achilleion Palace, and Panagia Palaiokastritsa Monastery.
On picturesque Paxi Island, visit the impressive Venetian Agios Nikolaos Fortress and enjoy the Paxos Music Festival in September.
On Lefkada Island, take a trip to the Santa Maura Venetian Castle, the Archaeological Museum and the Public Library.
On Kefalonia, the biggest island in the group, enjoy your tour of Saint George’s Castle, Assos Fortress, Katavothres (a seaside place with an underwater intriguing geological formation) and Agioi Theodoroi Lighthouse.
On Zante Island, visit Agios Dionysios Church, the remains of the Venetian Fort on picturesque Bochali area, the Exhibition Centre for the protection of the local sea turtle in Zante’s Marine Park, and Milaneio Maritime Museum.
On Kythira, the southernmost island in the group, the most interesting historical sights are the 13th c. Venetian Castle (Fortezza) in town, the Archaeological Museum and Myrtidiotissa Monastery.
Cuisine
Local products include virgin olive oil, thyme honey, fragrant herbs and rare citrus fruit; these are some of the basic ingredients to delicious traditional savoury and sweet dishes you can try in this part of the country. On Kythira Island, you must try the renowned and scrumptious olive oil rusks. Taste cheeses and charcuterie such as salami made in Lefkada Island, ladotyri (a flavourful cheese which matures in olive oil) made in Zante Island and nouboulo (smoke-cured pork meat) made in Corfu Island.
Savour pastitsada (rooster meat cooked with spices and tomato, served on long thick tubular pasta with a hole in the centre) and bourdeto (a fish dish cooked with tomato and spices) on Corfu Island; sofigado, a particular beef dish cooked with quince, tomato & grape molasses & bean soup cooked with salami, on Lefkada Island; tasty meat pies on Kefalonia Island, aliada (a side dish for fish made with potato, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice) & stifado (a type of rabbit stew) on Zante Island.
Locally produced wine is the best way to accompany your meals. Enjoy a glass of white PDO Robola from Kefalonia Island. Taste also red Vertzami, a flavourful wine produced on Lefkada Island. Kumquat liqueur is an absolute must-try on Corfu Island as well as the local Tsitsibira, a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage made with ginger root and lemon.
Local Dishes
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Tips for your Trips
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Sailing the Ionian Sea
If you are dreaming of sailing off, keep in mind the emerald waters of the seaworthy Ionian Sea. Open your sails at the depth of the horizon, where the sky seems to be leaning on the sea.
August Religious Festivals on Greek Islands
Every year on the 15th of August the Orthodox Church celebrates the Virgin Mary, where thousands of pilgrims make use of the numerous shrines dedicated to "Her Grace".
Marine & Zoological Parks in Greece
