"Ithaca is an island with hidden beauties, a real diamond of the Ionian Sea, with Vathi as its capital. It is the second smallest island of the Ionian Islands after Paxos, with about 3,000 permanent residents and is located south of Lefkada and northeast of Kefalonia.
The name of Ithaca has been known since antiquity, as it is mentioned in the Odyssey, the epic poem of Homer. The famous island of Odysseus will enchant you with its crystal clear waters and beautiful traditional settlements.
The intense alternations of the landscape, adorned with the insurmountable beauties of the wild and calm nature, compose a provocatively special relief. Deep blue waters that play on white pebble beaches adored by sailors, steep bare landscapes, occult caves ∙ windless verdant bays ∙ windswept capes but also archeological treasures evoke memories of the past that visit the visitor of the past.
Holidays in Ithaca promise endless relaxation, dips in clear waters, romantic walks and amazing landscapes. One of the quietest islands of the Ionian, Ithaca has many loyal visitors who return every summer. Among them are several celebrities from Greece and abroad.
Your trip to the island of Odysseus will be just as mythical and unforgettable.

 

FILIATRO BEACH
Filiatro is the busy beach of the island.
It is located on the south side of Ithaca, just 3.5km from Vathi and to reach it you will definitely need a means of transport.
It has pebbles and amazing turquoise waters. The beach is organized, with umbrellas and sunbeds. There is also a beach bar. Swimming, you can find on the sides of the bay two more secluded and quiet beaches.

GIDAKI BEACH
Gidaki is considered one of the most beautiful beaches of Ithaca. It has clear blue waters, pebbles and is surrounded by lush vegetation. It is accessible either by boat or by footpath (30-40 minutes) starting from the beach of Skinos.

SKINOS BEACH
Magnificent beach surrounded by a green landscape, with pines reaching the sea. It is stony with shallow crystal clear waters.

SARAKINIKO BEACH
Beautiful beach with white pebbles and clear emerald waters. It is located in Vathi, right next to Filiatro beach. Although it has olives all around, it has no natural shade. The beach is not organized.

ASPROS GIALOS / AI GIANNIS
One of the best beaches on the island. White pebbles, dense vegetation and beautiful rock formations compose the enchanting scenery. It has no natural shade and has only a few umbrellas in one part.
A dip in the crystal clear waters will make you feel refreshed and full of energy.

KAMINIA BEACH
Impressive beach with pebbles and emerald crystal clear waters. It is 3.3 km away from our accommodation and is accessible by a passable dirt road, ideal for those who want to spend a quiet day by the sea. Keep in mind that the beach does not have natural shade and is not organized.

MNIMATA BEACH
Pebbled, windless beach with dense vegetation that offers shade until noon. It is not organized.

KOURVOULIA BEACH
Immediately after Frikes going to Kioni, there are three small, pebble beaches with very cool, crystal clear waters. They are busy, not only for easy access, but also for the idyllic landscape at sunset.

PLATIA AMMOS
Beach with exotic beauty, many consider it the best of Ithaca. Wide, with fine all-white sand and clear blue waters, has no organization. The beach is accessible only by sea, by local boats or by boat.

VATHI

Vathi of Ithaca is the only city on the island, a small, picturesque town with a population of about 1,800 permanent residents. It is identified by Homer's scholars with the port of Forkina, where Odysseus returned from the land of the Phaeacians. The houses are built amphitheatrically around the port, while most are colorful, two-storey, with tiled roofs and narrow balconies, according to Ionian tradition. Around the coastal road in Vathi Ithaca, there are many taverns and restaurants, traditional cafes, as well as nightlife. Vathi Ithaca has two museums, archaeological and folklore, which can be visited. In the small pier of the port there is a dual statue of Odysseus: the king of Ithaca. The special feature of the capital of Ithaca is the small island of Lazareto located in the middle of the port.

FRIKES
Frikes is located in the northeastern part of the island, after Stavros, 13 km from Vathi. You have to go through Frikes to go to Kioni. In the small picturesque harbor with green waters you will see taverns, many sailing boats and two well-preserved traditional windmills. The village is also of archaeological interest, as it has been identified with the Homeric port of Reithros.
The beach in Frikes is suitable for walks and food in the restaurants located by the sea. Countless boats flood it every day and the small port is full of voices and life.

KIONI
Kioni is rightly characterized as one of the most beautiful and picturesque settlements of the Ionian.
A picturesque fishing village, 24 km from Vathi, with beautiful beaches that are full of life every summer.
Built amphitheatrically, it starts high from "Rachi" and descends harmoniously to the sea with a series of houses in the crowded port of sailing.
Small, windless and beautiful anchorage, with a protected settlement, a pirate cave in previous centuries and today one of the most charming places.

STAVROS
Stavros is the largest village in northern Ithaca, 17 km from Vathi. There is the bay of Polis, a beautiful beach with the sunken ruins of the ancient settlement in the open.
The whole area around the Cross is of historical importance since many elements have been found that lead to the fact that Homeric Ithaca was located here. In the village square there is a model depicting the Odyssey Palace and the only bust of Odysseus in the whole island.
In the small archeological museum the visitor can see findings from the cave of Loizos, Pelikata and the school of Homer. Also in Stavros you can enjoy in the patisserie of the village the traditional dessert of Ithaca, the rovani.
If you are at the beginning of August, make sure you do not miss the festival of the Savior (August 5-6), in the village square, a classic Ionian feast where almost everyone who is in Ithaca at that time gives the "present".

ANOGI
The most mountainous village of Ithaca, built at an altitude of 550m on Mount Nirito, is 15 km from Vathi.
The square is dominated by the church of the Assumption of the Virgin with Byzantine hagiographies, which dates from the 12th century. Also there you will rest in the unique cafe of the village. Outside the village, the huge monoliths called 'menir' make an impression. Araklis is the tallest of them and reaches 9 meters.
The village is visited by many people on August 14 where on the occasion of the traditional festival you will dance from island to waltz.

EXOGI
Exogi is one of the mountain villages but also older settlements of Ithaca. Built a few kilometers above the Cross, it reached the time of pirate raids to have up to 1500 inhabitants. Your tour between the old stone houses of the village and special pyramids that testify to the size that the village once had will be accompanied by the amazing view over Afales and Lefkada. From Gefyri tou Platreithias starts the road that leads to the cool spring of Kalamos, the Melanydro Pigi of Homer, one of the few sources of drinking water in Ithaca. The village has its honor on July 17, at the festival of Agia Marina where it is flooded with people who come to have fun. 

PLATREITHIAS
Platreithias means "wide kennel", that is, a torrent, and from its name it is concluded that it is a geographical designation of the Homeric kennel that formed the port of Frikon - which, according to Homer, was the port of the Kitchen. At the border Platreithia - Exogi is the archaeological site of Agios Athanasios or Homer School, where archaeologists place the palace of Odysseus. The festival of Platreithias takes place on the 15th of August in the center of the village, in the area called Limnes, it is the last of the summer for Ithaca and gathers a large crowd.

LEFKI
Lefki is located 13km from Vathi, you will meet it on the road to Stavros. It is a quiet village but with an incredible sunset that is worth enjoying. Also there is the beach of Agios Ioannis.

PERACHORI
Perachori is the largest village of Ithaca, with 354 permanent residents and the only one located in the south of the island. It is just a five minute drive from Ithaca. It is built on the hillside, below the forest, vertically and facing east. It is one of the oldest villages of Ithaca.
The view from the "upper village" of Perachori is endless. It overlooks Vathi, with its closed bay, the Ionian Sea with its countless small islands from Lefkada to Patras.
In Perachori you will see the sanctuary of Saint Raphael, who was born here.
Every summer at the end of July, the wine festival is organized with fun, dancing and free wine, for which it is famous.

 

The ferry connection of Ithaca with mainland Greece is made through the ports of Patras and Astakos. The duration of the trip varies between 2 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours, with an intermediate stop in Sami Kefalonia, depending on the route.
There are also direct ferry connections to Kefalonia and Lefkada from the port of Frika.
Ithaca is directly connected to Sami Kefalonia as well as to Vasiliki Lefkada. In the summer months, connections are added to Fiskardo, Kefalonia and Nidri, Lefkada.
The main port of Ithaca is Piso Aetos and is 12 km away. from Vathi, the capital of the island.
Please note that there is no bus line connecting the ports of Pisaetos and Frikon with Vathi. However, you can book in advance for car rental or local taxis if you do not come by your own means of transport.
For more information, please contact the travel agencies of Ithaca and the local port authorities.

Patras-Ithaca: Duration 4 hours

Astakos-Ithaca: Duration 2 hours & 30 minutes to 2 hours & 45 minutes

Sami of Kefalonia - Ithaca: Duration 30 minutes

Ithaca Port Authority Tel. 2674032909