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Overview

Introduction

Thankfully, Ithaca having no airport, has not succumbed to over-commercialisation. It is this lack of mainstream tourism, coupled with its mythological past, which makes it an island well worth visiting. Although many people have heard of Ithaca, relatively few come to stay. For those that do, their reward is a peaceful, strongly traditional Greek island, mountainous and scenic, with some very pretty villages and sparsely populated beaches.

Ithaca divides into two halves. Mount Aetos, which joins north with south, is barely half a mile in width at its narrowest point. The highest peak on the island is Neritos at just over 800 metres. The west coast is very rugged, with sheer mountainside rising steeply from the sea for much of its length. The east side is gentler, and its indented coastline provides several natural harbours, which is where Ithaca’s three main coastal villages – Frikes, Kioni and Vathy – are to be found.

Frikes is the smallest of the three and delightfully sleepy, with a lazy, very Greek air. Four tavernas and a café or two front the sea here, which doubles as the mooring place for a line of colourful fishing boats. With the mountain behind, and green hills to either side, Frikes enjoys a very natural, unspoiled setting and offers good walking country.

Kioni is very pretty indeed and is inevitably busy in high season. The horseshoe bay, backed by wooded hills, is lined with elegant neo-classical houses and some very nice white-pebble beaches can be found within a 15 minute walk.

There is often a flotilla moored up, and a number of good family-run restaurants and small shops around the harbour. The bay itself has three or four beaches dotted around it. With the hire of a boat it is easy – and fun – to discover others beyond it for yourself.

Vathy is the charming island capital. Built along the sides of a long fjordlike bay, Vathy has some lovely old buildings along its expansive waterfront. There are some good beaches dotted around the peninsula to the east, and in season small water-taxis will take you to and fro.

Scuba diving, snorkeling and sea kayak excursions can be arranged from Vathy by our island representative.

There is a bus service between the three seaside villages but this is limited so car hire would be a good idea for further exploration of the island.

Was Ithaca really the homeland of Odysseus? There are plenty of clues – certain descriptions and places Homer mentions do seem to fit – and it is fun to do a little detective work and see if you agree.

Read more

Getting there

Sunday day flight from Gatwick, Manchester and a range of regional airports to Kefalonia. 1 hour transfer to Sami port for your ferry or charter boat crossing to Ithaca (45 mins). There is then a 20 - 40 minute onward transfer to your chosen accommodation. Other flight days and odd durations are possible to much of our accommodation and we are very happy to quote for bespoke holidays.

Multi-Centre Options

Why not combine a stay in Ithaca with Kefalonia?

A regular ferry service connects the Ionian Islands from Corfu in the north to Zakynthos in the south. Ports of call, in order, are: Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas, Meganissi, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos. North and Southbound sailings are on alternate days and can be used as part of an island hopping itinerary.

Car and motorboat hire

We can arrange car and motorboat hire on Ithaca.

Small Boat Hire
We can pre-book small fibreglass motorboats licensed for up to 5 persons from Frikes, Kioni and Vathy (no previous experience required). Prices are from £49 per day with a minimum of 3 days. Mountain bikes and E-bikes can also be hired.

Representative

Our resident representative is based in Kioni and will visit all areas

Useful information

Talk to one of our experts

020 8568 4499

We open today at 9:15 AM

Get in touch

For me it’s impossible not to fall in love with Ithaca and especially the village of Kioni. As you approach Kioni, you are greeted by the sight of its small, beautiful bay and by the traditional, well-maintained houses built in the amphitheatre rising from the sea and losing themselves in the woodlands of the surrounding hillsides. In the months of May to October, the bay and harbour are filled with sailing boats of all sizes, jostling for space among the small boats of the local fisherman.

Jackie Gogonas
Jackie Gogonas
Best time to go
  • JAN
  • FEB
  • MAR
  • APR
  • MAY
  • JUN
  • JUL
  • AUG
  • SEP
  • OCT
  • NOV
  • DEC
Time Difference

GMT + 2 hours

Currency

Euro

Language

Greek

Average flight times

3 hours 20 minutes to Kefalonia . Then an onward transfer to Ithaca

  • Average temperature

    Average rainfall

Note: Map is for guidance purposes only.

Talk to our Ithaca expert

Jackie Gogonas
Jackie Gogonas

For me it’s impossible not to fall in love with Ithaca and especially the village of Kioni. As you approach Kioni, you are greeted by the sight of its small, beautiful bay and by the traditional, well-maintained houses built in the amphitheatre rising from the sea and losing themselves in the woodlands of the surrounding hillsides. In the months of May to October, the bay and harbour are filled with sailing boats of all sizes, jostling for space among the small boats of the local fisherman.

Call one of our experts to discuss your next holiday with Sunvil on

020 8758 4758

We open today at 9:15 AM

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Please use this form to request further information about a Sunvil holiday or destination.

We promise that a member of our specialist reservation teams will reply personally to your holiday enquiry before 5.30pm if received before 12.00pm (Monday to Friday). Enquiries received after 12.00pm will be replied to within 24-hours (excluding Sundays).

If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.

Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.

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Ithaca

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We promise that a member of our specialist reservation teams will reply personally to your holiday enquiry before 5.30pm if received before 12.00pm (Monday to Friday). Enquiries received after 12.00pm will be replied to within 24-hours (excluding Sundays).

If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.

Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.

  • Greece: 020 8758 4758
  • Cyprus: 020 8758 4759
  • Portugal, the Azores, Spain, Italy, Sicily and Scandinavia: 020 8758 4722
  • Latin America: 020 8758 4774
  • Marketing: 020 8758 4731

Required Information

* Mandatory Information
Title *
First name *
Surname *
Telephone number *
Alternative telephone number
Email address *
Confirm email address
Preferred method of communication *
If you would like to be called during a specific period, please specify
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Thank you for your enquiry. A member of our specialist reservation teams will be in touch shortly.

If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.

Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.

  • Greece: 020 8758 4758
  • Cyprus: 020 8758 4759
  • Portugal, the Azores, Italy, Sicily and Scandinavia: 020 8758 4722
  • Latin America: 020 8758 4774

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