Comprising Zakynthos, Ithaca, Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Paxi (or Paxos), and Kythira—plus a serene scattering of smaller islands—Greece’s Ionian archipelago is rife with mythology and natural majesty. Smothered with olive groves and sweet-smelling rosemary, the Ionian Islands boast plenty of things to do, ranging from white-sand beaches, waters that range from turquoise to transparent, white-washed villages, and crumbling relics of ancient Greek civilization. The island cuisine makes the best of the Mediterranean’s bounty—feast on tangy fish and tomato stews, salty hunks of feta, and almond cake as light as the clouds that rarely grace the clear, blue skies.
Greece enjoys clear blue skies and warm water temperatures during the summer months of June through September when cooling Mediterranean breezes cut through high daytime temperatures. July and August are busiest, with families flocking to the Ionian Islands during the school summer holiday—visit in the shoulder season months of June and October for still-stunning weather and better accommodation deals.
The largest Ionian islands of Corfu, Zakynthos, and Kefalonia all have international airports. All Ionian islands are connected by ferry or speedboat, with regular departures between the seven major islands. Island-hopping tours are a convenient way to cover some of the smaller Ionian islands in one day and typically cover natural wonders such as the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach.
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, spend more time on some of the smaller Ionian islands rather than big hitters such as Zakynthos, Corfu, or Kefalonia. Famous for being the birthplace of Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer’s Odyssey, Ithaca is a quiet haven of white-pebble beaches, secluded coves, and mountain trails and boasts several high-end yoga retreats. Meganisi is the smallest Ionian island and has remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years—head here for boutique hotels and panoramic archipelago views.
Local Currency Euro (€) | Time Zone EEST (UTC +2) | Country Code +30 | Language(s) Greek | Attractions 19 | Tours 941 | Reviews 12,593 |
The Ionian Islands are famous for their lush green landscapes featuring olive groves, rosemary bushes, and the deep turquoise waters of the beaches. The most famous Ionian Islands are Kefalonia, Corfu, and Zakynthos, renowned for their nightlife and historic old towns, some of which boast UNESCO World Heritage sites.
...MoreThe top attractions on the Ionian Islands are the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Corfu Town, featured in a James Bond movie; Cave Melissani on Kefalonia, whose rabbits and goats are said to have gold teeth; the white-sand Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) on Zakynthos; and Dimosari Waterfall on Lefkada.
...MoreThe Ionian Islands have a wealth of family-friendly hotels and waterparks, plus a plethora of white-sand bays with calm waters ideal for swimming—so there’s plenty to do for children. The most popular places include Corfu Aquarium, Alyke, and Porto Roxa beaches in Zante and Vassiliki in Lefkada, an ideal place to enjoy watersports.
...MoreIf you’re visiting the larger Ionian Islands, you should spend 7-10 days there—that gives you enough time to take day trips to the other smaller islands—such as Ithaca,the alleged birthplace of Odysseus, and Paxi, home to therapeutic hot springs—which are easy to access by ferry or speedboat.
...MoreThat depends—Zakynthos is famous for its nightlife and bar scene, as well as its Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach, so expect to encounter more crowds on this Ionian Island. Kefalonia is a quieter option, with many traditional Greek villages, less-crowded beaches, and fewer commercial hotspots.
...MoreThe Ionian Islands are located off the country’s west coast in the Ionian Sea, close to the border of Greece and Albania. The archipelago is further from the Greek capital of Athens, which makes the collection of islands a quieter, less-crowded vacation option than the Aegean Islands on the east coast of Greece.
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