The Ionian Islands stretch along Greece's west coast in the Ionian Sea. Greeks call them Eptanisa, "the seven islands": Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos and, further south, Kythira. Unlike the Aegean islands they get plenty of winter rain and are very green, covered in ancient olive trees, cypresses and pines.
A different history
The Ionian Islands were almost never Ottoman: for centuries they belonged to the Republic of Venice, then passed to the French, the Russians and from 1815 the British, who ceded them to Greece in 1864. So they have a western stamp: towns with arcades and bell towers, churches with baroque iconostases, a musical tradition of bands and choirs, and many Italian words in the dialect. The national poet Dionysios Solomos and the Italian poet Ugo Foscolo were both born on Zakynthos.
The islands
| Island | Character | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|
| Corfu | UNESCO old town, green, varied | Liston, Paleokastritsa, Achilleion |
| Paxos and Antipaxos | Small, refined, Caribbean-like sea | Gaios, sea caves, Voutoumi |
| Lefkada | Joined to the mainland by a bridge, spectacular beaches | Porto Katsiki, Egremni |
| Meganisi | Quiet islet off Lefkada | Bays, Papanikolis cave |
| Ithaca | Odysseus's homeland, authentic | Vathi, Kioni |
| Kefalonia | The largest: mountains, caves, beaches | Myrtos, Melissani, Assos |
| Zakynthos | Famous beaches and sea turtles | Navagio, Laganas, Blue Caves |
| Kythira | South of the Peloponnese, little touristed | Chora, Kapsali, Mylopotamos waterfall |
Getting there
From Italy there are direct ferries to Corfu (from Brindisi, Bari, Ancona, Venice) and in summer to Kefalonia (from Bari), plus many summer flights from across Europe to Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Preveza (for Lefkada). From mainland Greece, ferries leave Igoumenitsa for Corfu and Paxos, Kyllini for Zakynthos and Kefalonia, and Patras for Kefalonia and Ithaca. Lefkada is reached by road. See ferries from Italy.
When to go
May to October. The sea is calmer and winds gentler than in the Aegean, making the Ionian ideal for sailing and families. In August the busiest resorts of Corfu and Zakynthos are crowded.
See also all the islands.