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Guide to Ionian Islands (Corfu, etc.)

To visit Ionian Islands (Corfu, etc.), check entry requirements, connectivity and this guide’s local references.

The Ionian islands face west amid greenery, villages and bays. Venetian heritage appears in façades and recipes, especially on Corfu.

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Highlights

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Introduction

The Ionian Islands refers to the chain of Greek Islands stretching along the west coast of in the Ionian Sea. Due to historical facts the isolated islands of Kithira and Antikythera, south of the , are here included in this group. These islands are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e. "the Seven Islands" in Greek, but the group includes many smaller islands as well as the seven principal ones. The islands are well known for their beautiful sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, architecture, charming villages and stunning scenic countryside which is verdant and flourishing with greenery and nature. Each Ionian island has a distinct character. The islands are also known by their Italian names. These islands are known to be covered with green unlike the Cyclades, which is due to rareness of rain. Historically, these islands had a common fate, especially the three major islands of Corfu, Cefalonia and Zante.

Islands

The main islands in terms of geographical area from north to south are the following:

  • Ereikousa
  • Othonoi
  • Mathraki

the most populated island of the group. It is famous for the architecture of its capital.

Paxi

AntiPaxi

(Santa Maura), the island is associated with the myth of Sappho. It's most famous beach is the Porto Katsiki Beach.

  • Meganisi
  • Kalamos, the island is in the center of the inner Ionian marine protected area, the largest marine protected area in Greece
  • Kastos
  • Megalo Fermekoulo
  • Mikro Fermekoulo
  • Atokos
  • Echinades group of islands
  • (Val di Compare) , the island is mostly known as the home of Odysseus.
  • (Cefalonia), the biggest island of the group. It is famous for its beaches and especially for Myrtos Beach.
  • (Zante), it is famous as a nesting beach of the Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta and the Navagio Beach.
  • Arpia
  • Stamfani
  • (Cerigo)
  • Antikythera — most famous for the discovery of the Antikythera mechanism, inside the historical Antikythera wreck, a Roman cargo ship full of treasure that sank here.

In the parentheses are written the Italian names of some of the islands.

Cities

Major communities throughout the islands:

  • (Κέρκυρα, Kérkyra) – capital of Corfu Island itself and of the region
  • (Ζάκυνθος, Zakynthos) – capital of Zante Island
  • (Αργοστόλι) – capital of Cefalonia

Talk

is the native language of the Heptanesians. Italian was widely spoken as a foreign language as well as a mother tongue before the Union of these islands with Greece. This was due to the Venetian rule over the islands which lasted for hundreds years. During Venetian rule, many of the upper classes spoke Italian (or Venetian in some cases) and converted to Roman Catholicism, there was also a 'colonization' of Italian (Venetian) soldiers (stradioti) and wealthy families to these islands. These groups were in a big scale assimilated to the Greek nation and religion (Eastern Orthodoxy) mainly due to mixed marriages. During the Ionian independence (Septinsular Republic) and the British protection Italian language was the co-official language of this small state along with Greek. After WW2 a decline on knowledge of Italian were noticed. Nowadays Italian language is being taught at schools, and although the percentage of people speaking Italian as a second language has been increased, English is the most widely studied and understood of foreign languages in the islands, followed by Italian, French, and then German. The local Greek dialect can be described as a 'sing-song', with strong Italian influence on the vocabulary and pronunciation. So it is possible that many words used by the old people from the Heptanese aren't understandable amongst other Greeks.

Get in

By plane

Major airports in the region include Corfu, Kephalonia and Zakynthos. Keep in mind that many routes are seasonal. During the low season, you will need to connect via Athens.

By ferry

There are ferries to Corfu, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Kythira, Paxi and Zakynthos.

Do

Terra Sylvestris

Terra Sylvestris is a grassroots non profit non-governmental organization based on Kalamos island. The organisation aims through its Kalamos and Kastos sustainable development project to materialise sustainable development through rewilding in the inner Ionian archipelago islands of Kalamos ,Kastos and their satellite islands. The organisation has a field volunteer program, through which people from all over the world can potentially volunteer and contribute to the cause of the organisation.

Phone
+30 6973442192

Official website

Text by Wikivoyage contributors. Article edition: 2026-03-26T09:59:58Z · Source and revision · Authors and history · CC BY-SA 4.0

Local food

Sofrito

Veal in garlic-and-wine sauce.

Tsigareli

Spiced leafy greens.

Kreatopita de Cefalonia

Meat and rice pie.

Mandolato

Honey and nut confection.

Sikomaida

Dense fig and spice sweet.

Local drinks

Licor de kumquat

Corfu citrus liqueur.

Contains alcohol

Robola

Kefalonian white wine.

Contains alcohol

Subregional routes

e

Plan your itinerary

Getting around

Do not assume direct ferries between every island.

Plan well

Combine a main island with nearby outings instead of daily hotel changes.

Connect with the place

Distinguish Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos cuisines when reading menus.

Ithaki

(Val di Compare) , the island is mostly known as the home of Odysseus.

Kefallonia

(Cefalonia), the biggest island of the group. It is famous for its beaches and especially for Myrtos Beach.

Zakinthos

(Zante), it is famous as a nesting beach of the Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta and the Navagio Beach.

Kythira

(Cerigo)

Local reading and routes

Argostoli

(Αργοστόλι) – is the main town, which has serious shops and a rather underwhelming museum

Agia Efimia

(Αγία Ευφημία) – a sleepy fishing village north of Sami, becoming increasingly popular with tourists

Fiskardo

Nestled in a lush, sheltered bay, where international celebrities drop anchor.

Lixouri

(Ληξούρι) – the island's second city and faces the capital, Argostoli, across a kind of elongated bay (there is a ferry)

Poros

(Πόρος) – a yacht marina and a picturesque village on the eastern edge of the island, rather self-contained between the sea and mountains, and has a substantial ferry port slightly separated from the rest of the town

Sami

(Σάμη) – the port town on the eastern part of the island facing Ithaka (the ferry from mainland, Patra, arrives here.)

Skala

(Σκάλα) – at the south-eastern tip of the island, is a popular and relaxed resort focused on beach holidays

Assos

(Άσος, Asos) – in the north-west, has a scarily steep descent to a Venetian castle on a small peninsula.

Kato Katelios

(Κατω Κατελειος) – waterfront village on the south coast.

Lourdas

(Λουρδάτα, Lourdata) – A spartan and sleepy village scattered alongside a beautiful long, sandy beach on the southern coast.

Asos village

The island's loveliest village, is on a charming little peninsula.

Roman villa

The Roman villa just outside Skala, with mosaic floors more or less intact, is worth a visit - recent finds have added to its attraction and digs continue in the area.

Palaia Vlachata

The ghost village of Palaia Vlachata, abandoned after the devastating 1953 earthquake.

Archaeological sites

Archaeological Museum at Argostoli, Korgialenio Historical and Cultural Museum at Argostoli, Iakovatios Library at Lixouri, Byzantine Museum at Livathos, Tomb of Mazaraka at Livathos, Royal Tomb at Tzannata, Roman Villa at Pronni, Assos Castle at Erissos.

Churches and Monasteries

Agios Gerasimos Monastery at Omala, Agios Andreas Monastery at Livathos, Kipouria Monastery at Paliki, Blessed Mary and Snake Monastery at Markopoluo.

Drogorati Cave

The beautiful Drogarati Cave in Sami seems to have suffered somewhat from the loss of rather a lot of its stalactites and stalagmites (allegedly due to occupying German forces using them for target practice during World War II). Dragarati Cave is located at Haliotata, 3 km from Sami, 120 m above sea level. The cave is 95 m deep and has a constant temperature of 18 °C. The cave is considered as one of the finest in Greece.

Melissani Cave

Melissani Cave at Karavomylos (actually a lake, formed when part of the land above collapsed during an earthquake), filled with brilliant blue water from an underground current which mysteriously flows right under the island, is a memorable experience. Melissani Cave is located at Karavomylos, 2 km from Sami town. The cave is 160 m long and 40 m wide. The stalactites are 16,000 to 20,000 years old.The floor is covered by a lake, about 40 m deep.

Blue Caves

A series of geological formations have created the caves. Natural arches have been carved out by erosion, but these caves are most famous for the colour of the water in its deepest hollows, a deep azure color which is most striking in the morning when the light is at its brightest, hence the name Blue Caves. Kianoun Cave is the biggest of the caves. In order to reach there you can hire a boat or go on a tour.

Cape Skinari

Here you can get a panorama view of the sea, having both the calm waters of the east and the windy of the west within view. Here there are also some ruins from the great earthquake of 1953.

Dionysios Solomos Museum

If you are interested in Greek modern history, visit the in, dedicated to the national poet of the Greeks, who wrote the nation's national anthem.

Shipwreck on Navagio Beach

Built as a smuggler ship, it lost its engines in 1981 and was washed ashore in a magnificent small bay. Featured in Greek tourist ads, it is on the west coast and best visited by going there from Porto Vromi. Go there either early in the morning or in the afternoon (>15:00), as in the time between the big around-the-island cruise ships anchor there and the beach is heavily crowded.

Venetian Castle and Bochali

The partially ruined Venetian fortress occupies a pine-covered hill above the town, with surviving gates, walls, church ruins and views over the harbour. Combine it with a walk through Bochali, a handsome old quarter with cafés and an especially good evening panorama.

Church of Agios Dionysios

The major church of Zakynthos’ patron saint, whose relics are kept here. Its tall bell tower is one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks, and it is an important place of worship rather than simply an architectural stop.

Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos

A worthwhile complement to the Solomos Museum, with icons, carved iconostases, wall paintings and religious art from the Byzantine through post-Byzantine periods. It also helps explain how Zakynthos Town looked before the destructive 1953 earthquake.

Solomos Square and Saint Mark’s Square

The town’s two principal historic squares reflect its Venetian and later Greek character. Solomos Square faces the waterfront and contains the major museum buildings, while Saint Mark’s Square is a smaller, more intimate square associated with the island’s political and cultural history.

National Marine Park of Zakynthos / Gerakas Information Station

The Marine Park protects loggerhead turtles, Mediterranean monk-seal habitat and sensitive coastal ecosystems. The information points near Gerakas and Vasilikos offer useful context before visiting turtle-nesting beaches or taking a wildlife boat trip.

Keri Lighthouse and the Mizithres Rocks

One of the island’s best clifftop viewpoints, looking over the Ionian Sea and the two dramatic sea stacks known as the Mizithres. Visit near sunset, but keep well back from cliff edges and avoid relying on unprotected photo spots.

Anafonitria Monastery

A quiet historic monastery in the inland northwest, traditionally associated with Saint Dionysios. It makes a rewarding cultural stop when exploring the Navagio viewpoint, Porto Vromi or the northern villages.

Cameo Island and Agios Sostis

A tiny pine-covered islet linked to Agios Sostis by a wooden bridge. It is a photogenic short stop, particularly at sunset, rather than a major historical attraction.

Kampi Cross and west-coast viewpoint

A large hilltop cross and expansive west-coast views make Kampi one of the island’s classic sunset stops. It is a simple but effective addition for travellers driving the rugged western interior.

Agios Nikolaos Beach

One of the best beaches on the island. You can get there by free shuttle services from Laganas, Kalamaki, and Argasi, but to get a ticket to get the shuttle back again you have to pay to use a sun lounger (€4). Water sports (diving, jet skis, etc.) are offered, as well as a big British-run beach bar. This is not to be confused by the Agios Nikolaos village in the north of the island which shares little in common with this one.

Alikes/Alykanas Beach

A long stretch of beach in front of the 2 resorts with plenty of facilities, sunbeds, watersports. To the west of the Skourtis River mouth is Alikes, to the east is Alykanas. The Alikes section is quite narrow and also quite stony in places, backed by numerous bars and restaurants, mostly competing to be the least Greek.

Dafni Beach

This is a lovely sandy beach in the marine reserve with a complete ban on traffic. It's a quiet beach that has only a few locals on the beach, tavernas for food and drink, along with sunbeds.

Gerakas Beach

The main loggerhead turtle nesting beach. This is a large long and wide sandy beach and gently shelving shore with sun beds and umbrellas provided. Some areas of the beach are off limits due to turtles nesting and the beach is closed at dusk for the same reason. There is a steep hill or steps leading from the cliff top to get down to the beach. A car park is provided but in busy periods this can fill up.

Kalamaki to Laganas Beach

The resort of Kalamaki shares a long uninterrupted sandy beach that runs from there to Laganas a few miles away. In some places it can be crowded, but the further towards the middle you get the fewer people you find and given its size it's possible to find somewhere quiet.

Psarou Beach

Small sandy beach with crystal blue and shallow waters ideal for children. There are many tavernas offering home cooked food. At the center of the beach you can enjoy the Caffe del Mar by Kostas.

Tsilivi Beach

The family resort of Tsilivi boasts a wide and long sandy beach, watersports, sunbeds, and ample car parking.

Xigia Sulphur Beach

A compact pebbly cove where mineral-rich water reaches the sea, giving the water its distinctive smell and feel. Come for a short, memorable swim rather than a long beach day.

Porto Limnionas Beach

More natural lagoon than beach, with steep limestone walls, ladders or rock entries, and exceptionally clear deep water. Excellent for confident swimmers and snorkellers; not ideal for small children or anyone wanting sand.

Porto Roxa Beach

A dramatic west-coast cove with rock platforms, deep blue water and a low-key beach-bar atmosphere. Best for swimming, jumping from rocks where conditions allow, and sunset.

Plakaki Beach

A wild limestone swimming spot below the cliffs near Agalas. Reach it on foot and expect rock slabs rather than sand; shoes with grip are useful.

Marathonisi (Turtle Island)

Reached by boat in Laganas Bay, this small island has striking coves and a famous sandy beach. Visit on a licensed boat trip and expect access restrictions designed to protect turtle habitat.

Sekania Beach

A crucial turtle-nesting beach with highly restricted access. It is important environmentally rather than a beach to plan a swim around.

Vasilikos Beach

The large, lively Vasilikos beach, sometimes called Banana Beach is:a long sand, shallow water, sunbeds, watersports and beach bars. It is one of the best all-round choices for groups and families.

Porto Zorro Beach

A pleasantly developed Vasilikos beach with sand, shallow water and attractive rock formations at one end. A strong middle ground between Banana’s activity and Gerakas’ quieter feel.

Limni Keri (Keri Beach)

A family-friendly pebble beach in a sheltered bay, with clear, shallow water and tavernas nearby. It is also a convenient departure point for boat trips to the Keri Caves and Marathonisi.

Makris Gialos Beach

A handsome pebble beach on the northeast coast with clear water and a more peaceful atmosphere than the main resorts. Good for swimming and snorkelling.

Porto Vromi

A pair of sheltered pebble coves on the northwest coast, known as departure points for Navagio boat trips. Worth visiting in its own right for the water and steep cliff scenery.

Filippoi / Pelagaki Beaches

Small, lesser-known northeast coves with vivid water and a more rugged feel. Better for independent explorers with a car than for a fully serviced beach day.

Firi ammos

On the east side of island, it is one of the biggest beaches in Kythira. It has been awarded a Blue Flag for its clean waters.

Agios Nikolaos

The northernmost beach on the island, with a lush canyon in the background, the Peloponnese.

Kaladi

A beach with blue and crystal clear waterfront with two bays.

Feloti

A small beach in the south, on the way you will see the islet and Pot Egg.

Komponada

A beach with big round white pebbles and rock reminiscent of a ram.

Limni

In Paleopolis, this beach has sand and if you're lucky, you will see flock of seagulls.

Melidoni

A small beach south of the island facing the pressure and the Cretan Sea.

Paleopolis

The longest beach on the island, starting from the village and ends up in Avlemonas.

Kaki Lagkada

North and east of the island, it has been awarded a Blue Flag for its clean water.

Agia Moni

A monastery that is built in the top of mountain above Diakofti.

Saint Sophia Cave of Mylopotamos

In the entrance is the Byzantine murals of 13th century dedicated in Agia Sophia (Saintly Wisdom) and her daughters in right, Love, Hope and Faith.

Agios Dimitrios

In Poyrko, Byzantine church inspired architectural composition of three temples.

Mills in Mylopotamos

An area with rich vegetation, running water forming small lakes and waterfalls. Along the way there are traditional water mills and stone bridges.

Castle of Chora

The imposing Venetian castle, with panoramic view of three seas.

Myrtidia Monastery

The monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary Myrtidiotissa, and constitutes the intellectual centre of island. On the west side is the Ionian sea.

Paliochora

Byzantine castle-city, the first capital of island called Agios Dimitrios, was destroyed completely by the pirate Barbarosa.

Panagia Despina

The monastery near the village Karavas in the north of the island.

Corfu Town

(Κέρκυρα, Kérkyra) – capital of Corfu Island itself and of the region

Zante

(Ζάκυνθος, Zakynthos) – capital of Zante Island

Sources

Visit Greece — Corfu · Visit Greece — kumquat

Wikivoyage contributors; selection, abridgement, translation and regional planning by TRIPGUROO · CC BY-SA 4.0

CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikivoyage · Ionian Islands