{"id":7073398,"date":"2026-10-02T21:37:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T21:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7073398"},"modified":"2026-10-02T21:37:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T21:37:12","slug":"things-to-do-in-ithaca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7073398","title":{"rendered":"Things to Do in Ithaca"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Mention the Greek island of Ithaca and you\u2019re most likely to think of Homer\u2019s Odyssey. Ithaca is of course the home of Odysseus who spent 10 years trying to return after the Trojan War. But what is the real Ithaca like? Is it worth a visit? And what are the best things to do in Ithaca once you\u2019re there?<\/p>\n

Ithaca is one of the Ionian islands off the western coast of Greece. The Ionians include Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos and are known for being greener than most Greek islands even in high summer. Ithaca is particularly beautiful: its hillsides are covered in ancient olive trees, eucalyptus, cypresses and old oaks. There are no big hotels, no high rise buildings, just clusters of pretty pastel-coloured houses and attractive harbours.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for one of the quieter, more laid-back Greek islands <\/a>you\u2019ll fall in love with Ithaca \u2013 it\u2019s \u00a0much smaller and less touristy than Kefalonia its closest neighbour (a 30 to 40 minute boat ride away).<\/p>\n

\"viewIt took me even longer than Odysseus to return to Ithaca. Like most people we first went on a boat trip from Kefalonia. We sailed across to the beautiful harbour at Vathy and I was instantly enchanted \u2013 but it was a few hours later when we reached the tiny harbour of Kioni that I really fell under its spell: the horseshoe shaped cove of crystal clear water with brightly coloured buildings, tavernas and boats moored up on the jetties was my idea of the perfect harbour. We had a long lunch in this idyllic spot and I vowed to return.<\/p>\n

Eleven years later we finally spent two weeks on Ithaca, an island immortalised in an epic poem first written down in the 7th or 8th centuries BC and finding new fans with the release of Christopher Nolan\u2019s film, The Odyssey. Despite its small size there are lots of things to do in Ithaca whether you\u2019re interested in finding the best beach, lingering in the harbours or visiting the historic sights written about in The Odyssey. Here\u2019s our guide to the island:-<\/p>\n

Explore the places from The Odyssey<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ithaca was not a mythological island dreamt up by Homer to represent the beloved homeland of Odysseus. Ithaca is a real place, an island that you can easily imagine someone would be desperate to return to.<\/p>\n

Travellers today can still find some of the places mentioned in The Odyssey. The narrow pebble beach at Dexa is believed to be where Odysseus landed on his return. The beach today is backed by olive trees and just off the road leading up to the mountains in the north.<\/p>\n

Polis Bay, a popular family beach below the town of Stavros, is the site of a cave where the Greek goddesses Artemis, Hera and Athena were said to have been worshipped in ancient times.<\/p>\n

And best of all, you can visit what is believed to be the site of Odysseus\u2019s Palace on the hillside above Stavros in the north west. The \u2018School of Homer\u2019 still has the remnants of a late Bronze Age site. It\u2019s free to wander around the ruins and imagine Penelope looking out to sea from the hilltop waiting for Odysseus to return.<\/p>\n

Drive around the island<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"viewYou need a car to properly explore the island. Ithaca is only 18 miles from north to south but there are so many places worth visiting here that it\u2019s best to spread out your exploring over several days.<\/p>\n

Away from the coast, the road leads up steep hillsides where every view is more beautiful than the last but the narrow roads and hairpin bends are not for the fainthearted. You need nerves of steel to navigate the roads around the island but you\u2019ll be rewarded with stunning views, hillside villages and unexpected treats: a monastery perched on top of a mountain with panoramic views, 17th-century frescoes in a village church \u00a0and a mountaintop hamlet where the local taverna has great food and even better views.<\/p>\n

Take a boat trip<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"crystalSome of the best days on a Greek island holiday are spent on a boat, sailing between beaches and secluded bays, and Ithaca is no different. Many of the island\u2019s best beaches are only accessible by boat. Gidaki Beach in the south is considered to be the island\u2019s best beach with its crystal clear waters and bright white pebbles. The Albatros operates daily boat trips to the beach, leaving at 11am from Vathy and returning at 3pm.<\/p>\n

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If you want to explore more of the island by boat your best bet is a trip on the Mana Korina<\/a> which stops off at two secluded bays on the north coast for swimming and snorkelling before heading south to Gidaki for the rest of the afternoon. In the summer months the boat leaves Vathy at 9.30am returning at 4pm. Take a picnic.<\/p>\n

Spend time in some of the prettiest harbours in Greece<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"boatsIf you follow me on Instagram<\/a> you\u2019ll know that I love a picturesque harbour and the harbours on Ithaca are some of the prettiest I\u2019ve ever seen. Ithaca is yachtie heaven: colourful fishing boats and yachts jostle for space in the harbours and super yachts drop anchor off beautiful bays for the day. Vathy, the capital, is one of the most spectacular harbours in Greece. Pastel-coloured houses are clustered around a large harbour with tavernas and caf\u00e9s on the water\u2019s edge. Wander down the town\u2019s alleys and squares and you\u2019ll find more tavernas and shops selling local jewellery, soaps and olive oil.<\/p>\n

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But my favourite harbour is Kioni, the one that made me fall in love with Ithaca all those years ago. A small horseshoe-shaped cove framed by yellow and terracotta coloured buildings, tables set up for meals right beside the water, and children swimming and paddle boarding in the turquoise coloured sea. It\u2019s utterly charming and not a surprise to find it\u2019s considered to be one of the prettiest villages in the Ionian Islands.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t miss little Frikes on the north east coast. This tiny harbour has just a couple of caf\u00e9s where you can grab an iced coffee and while away an hour watching the fishing boats and yachts come in and out of the harbour.<\/p>\n

Find the best views<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"beautifulPerched high on Mount Neritos you\u2019ll find the 16th-century Kathara Monastery. The views from the bell tower here are some of the island\u2019s best. Further north, if you can brave the steep drive up the mountain, you can get great views from the terrace of the Extraterrestrial taverna in the sleepy village of Exogi. The food is very good but service can be extremely slow so be prepared to linger.<\/p>\n

Anogi is the highest village on the island. It\u2019s worth a visit for its standing stones and the impressive frescoes in the Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary.<\/p>\n

The best place to watch the sunset is from the terrace of the Dona Lefki restaurant in Lefki. The food here is delicious \u2013 it\u2019s a modern take on Greek cuisine \u2013 but it\u2019s a bit more expensive than your typical taverna.<\/p>\n

Go to the beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"sunbedThere are some excellent beaches on Ithaca whether you\u2019re looking for calm, sheltered bays for the kids to swim, beach bars with music and sun loungers or laidback coves where you can have the beach virtually to yourself.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s definitely worth taking the boat to gorgeous Gidaki beach, one of the best things to do in Ithaca. You can easily drive to Filiatro beach from Vathy. There are sunbeds and a beach bar here and it\u2019s very popular in the high season. We much preferred the more laidback beach at Sarakiniko around the coast which has much more of a local feel, with geese sheltering under trees, fishing boats and a lovely caf\u00e9 in the shade of the olive trees.<\/p>\n

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Further south, Skinos is a good option \u2013 it\u2019s not as well known so you\u2019ll probably have it to yourself and there\u2019s a lovely walk from the beach into the woods.<\/p>\n

For snorkelling your best bet is a day trip on the Mana Korina which stops off for snorkelling at two bays on the north coast, Afales Bay and Nisaki beach, before heading down to Gidaki.<\/p>\n

There are also beaches at Polis Bay on the north west coast and on the coast between Kioni and Frikes. Agios Ioannis is a very pretty beach on the west coast, with tiny white pebbles and one of the best sunset views on the island.<\/p>\n

Relax!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"tableIthaca is not the sort of place where you rush around seeing all the sights. People come to Ithaca to relax, to take life more slowly. You spend your days swimming, reading and hiking. You\u2019ll drive slowly up to see the sights from a monastery then linger over a long lunch in a local taverna. It\u2019s a magical place and, like Odysseus, you\u2019ll dream of returning.<\/p>\n

How to get there<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There are direct flights from the UK to the island of Kefalonia. Ferries travel regularly from the port of Sami to Piso Aetos on Ithaca\u2019s south coast. It takes 20 to 30 minutes. There are also regular organised boat trips that offer day trips from Kefalonia to Ithaca. They often stop off at Vathy, Kioni and Gidaki beach.<\/p>\n

Where to stay<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We booked our trip to Ithaca with Simpson Travel<\/a> which has a good selection of villas on the island, many within walking distance from Vathy. Simpson Travel arranges accommodation packages including flights from the UK, ferry transfers and car hire.<\/p>\n

More Greece Inspiration<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"deckGreece is one of our favourite places to travel and we have visited and written about lots of the islands. For more ideas and inspiration on which island is best for your trip, take a look at these:<\/p>\n

Quiet Greek Islands to Escape the Crowds<\/a><\/p>\n

Best Greek Islands for Families<\/a><\/p>\n

The Most Beautiful Greek Islands for your Bucket List<\/a><\/p>\n

Cyclades\"Greek<\/strong><\/p>\n

Guide to Folegandros<\/a><\/p>\n

Is Santorini Really Worth the Hype?<\/a><\/p>\n

Things to do in Koufinisia<\/a><\/p>\n

Things to do in Sifnos<\/a><\/p>\n

The Dreamy Greek island of Schinoussa<\/a><\/p>\n

Crete\"Small<\/strong><\/p>\n

How to Visit Spinalonga in Crete<\/a><\/p>\n

Why you should visit Loutro in Crete<\/a><\/p>\n

5 Places you Must Visit in Eastern Crete<\/a><\/p>\n

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