Ioanian Islands

The Ionian Islands are the green side of Greece: cypresses, olive groves and pine forests reach right down to turquoise bays. A vacation in the Ionian Islands combines Corfu's Venetian-influenced Old Town with the steep coastlines of Kefalonia and Lefkada and the beaches of Zakynthos, where sea turtles lay their eggs. Unlike in the Aegean, the cultural heritage here has been shaped by Venice, France and Britain.

Landscape in the Ionian Sea

The island chain stretches along Greece's west coast from Corfu, near the Albanian border, to Zakynthos, off the Peloponnese; the island of Kythira in the south belongs administratively to Attica. In between lie Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaca and Kefalonia. Because winters bring plenty of rain, the islands are much greener than the Cyclades. Limestone cliffs plunge into brilliant blue water, and on Kefalonia, Mount Ainos rises to over 1,600 meters, covered with its own species of fir. The region lies in an earthquake zone; in 1953 a quake destroyed large parts of Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Paxi and Antipaxi, south of Corfu, are popular boat-trip destinations with their olive groves and crystal-clear coves, and Ithaca, Kefalonia's small neighboring island, is great for hiking along steep trails.

Corfu: Old Town and Beach Coast

Corfu Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: two Venetian fortresses frame an Old Town with arcades, the Liston's arches reminiscent of Paris, narrow Kantounia alleys and the church of the island's patron saint, Spyridon. Cricket is played on the Spianada square, a legacy of the British era. The Achilleion, the summer palace of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, lies south of town. In the north, Sidari, with its sandstone rock formations and the Canal d'Amour, is a popular beach resort, and in the northwest you'll find the monastery bay of Paleokastritsa. Mount Pantokrator rises in the north of the island; at over 900 meters, it is Corfu's highest peak, and from its hilltop monastery you can see as far as Albania. The remains of Saint Spyridon are carried in processions around the Old Town several times a year, and on Holy Saturday residents throw clay pots out of their windows onto the street.

Sights in the Ionian Islands

On Zakynthos, Navagio Bay, with a stranded shipwreck against white cliffs, is Greece's best-known photo spot, reachable by boat. Loggerhead sea turtles nest in Laganas Bay; parts of the beaches are therefore a national park with a ban on entry at night, even though the town of Laganas itself is known for its nightlife. Argassi and Tsilivi offer family-friendly beaches, and Zakynthos Town has an arcade-lined square. Kefalonia draws visitors with Myrtos Beach, the underground Melissani Cave with its lake, and the pastel-colored fishing village of Fiskardo; Argostoli is the lively capital. Lefkada, connected to the mainland by a bridge, has spectacular beaches beneath white cliffs at Porto Katsiki and Egremni and is a surfing destination. Ithaca is said to be the home of Odysseus. On Zakynthos, the Blue Caves at the northern tip near Skinari are also worth a visit. Sea turtles can often be spotted in the harbor of Argostoli, and in the north of Kefalonia lies Assos, with a Venetian castle on a peninsula. Boat tours to the islands of Skorpios and Meganisi leave from Nidri on Lefkada's east coast.

Food and Drink

The cuisine shows Venetian influences. On Corfu, typical dishes include pastitsada, rooster in a spicy tomato sauce with pasta, sofrito, veal in a garlic-vinegar sauce, and bourdeto, a spicy fish stew, served with kumquat liqueur. Kefalonia is known for kreatopita, a meat pie, Robola white wine and thyme honey, Zakynthos for mandoles, candied almonds. Lefkada is known for lentils from the mountain village of Englouvi and for salami, Ithaca for rovani, a rice pastry with honey.

Getting There and Best Time to Visit

Corfu, Zakynthos and Kefalonia have international airports with many summer flights; Lefkada is reached via Preveza-Aktion Airport. Ferries run from Igoumenitsa, Patras and Kyllini, and smaller connections operate between the islands in summer. The best time to visit is May through June and September through October; July and August are hot and crowded, and winter is rainy. If you want to combine several islands, check the ferry schedules early, as connections are limited outside peak season. Rental cars and scooters are the best way to get around the islands.