Ithaca holidays

How to reach Ithaca

Flight time: Flights to Kefalonia take about 3 hours 40 minutes from London.

Transfer time: For onward travel to Ithaca, the fastest option is to take a taxi to Sami Port from Kefalonia International Airport (a 45-minute drive), where you can catch a ferry to Pisaetos (sailing time averages 25 minutes). There isn’t a direct bus link between the airport and the port, but you can take a bus to Argostoli (a 30-minute ride) and transfer to a 1-hour service for Sami Port.

Price: Taxiing to Sami costs around €60; bus tickets come in under €10. One-way ferry tickets start at around €3–€5, depending on the carrier.

Best time to visit Ithaca

The best time for your Ithaca holidays depends largely on your preferences: beachside R&R or nature and adventure.

• April to June is ideal for hiking and exploring, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 26°C, low rainfall and 7 to 11 hours of daily sunshine.

• July to August are the months to hit the island’s beaches, with temps hovering around 29°C, little to no rain and up to 13 hours of daily sunshine.

• September to October is a bit cooler (nothing too dramatic, 27 to 23°C) and wetter (up to 8 days during October). On the upside, with the tourist season winding down, you won’t have to jostle for space at sites and attractions, plus you’ll still get some good days for the beach.

• November to March are get-away-from-it-all months (the tourist season doesn’t restart until spring). Weather-wise, it’s a mixed bag. Compared to northern European countries, the temperature is mild (it’s hard to knock 14°C in January and February); however, there’s a high likelihood of rain (roughly 14 wet days per month until March, when it drops to 7).

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Greek is the official language, but some Ithacans can speak English.

• Currency: Greece is in the eurozone.

• Getting around: Bus services are pretty skeletal and geared toward local needs, and while there are road and sea taxis, realistically, you’ll most likely need to hire a car, motorcycle or scooter to explore the island.

• Electricity and plug types: The standard voltage is 230V 50Hz. Plugs are two-pin Type C and F.

• Time zone: Greece runs on Eastern European Time, 2 hours ahead of GMT (3 hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time).

Best things to do in Ithaca

It may or may not be the island of Homer’s Odyssey, but it is unquestionably beautiful, from its cypress-clad hills to crystal-clear waters, with just as much appeal to nature lovers as history hunters.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Anogi: This small village, one of the oldest and the highest-built settlements on the island, offers breathtaking views over southern Ithaca, Kefalonia, the Echinades and (in the far distance) Zante and the Peloponnese.

• Exoghi: Anogi’s northern counterpart, the views from this vantage point are just as satisfactory, sweeping over Afales Bay, Lefkada, Platrithias, the Teleboides and mainland Greece.

The best districts

• Vathy: The island’s capital and main port, Vathy, is picture-perfect, from its crystalline bay to its pastel-coloured streetscape speckled with buzzy cafés, restaurants and bars.

• Stavros: The main town in northern Ithaca and the gateway to many of Ithaca’s archeological sites and hiking trails, Stavros offers a more rural, laid-back atmosphere.

Parks and gardens

• Arethusa Spring: Sunk in a sea of green, this deep, natural well lies at the base of the precipitous Korakos Petra, a couple of kilometres outside Vathy. Bonus: it’s only metres from secluded, pebbly Pera Pigadi Beach.

• Afentikos Logos: Southwest of Perahori, this dense evergreen forest supports a variety of native plants and several bird species.

Museums

• Archaeological Museum of Ithaca: This tiny museum houses finds from excavations in southern Ithaca dating from the Proto-Geometric to the Roman period, including Alakomomenes on Aetos Hill and the Nymph’s Cave in Marmarospilia.

• Archaeological Collection at Stavros: The perfect companion to the archeological museum in Vathy, this museum showcases ancient artefacts from sites in northern Ithaca – Pilikata Hill, the village of Stavros and Polis Cave.

Historical monuments

• Archaeological Site of Agios Athanasios: Long known as the School of Homer, the site has been identified with Odysseus’ fabled palace since the discovery of the ruins of a Mycenaean three-level palace with a rock-hewn staircase in the noughties.

• Acropolis of Ancient Alakomomenes: Perched above Piso Aetos, it's a bit of an adventure getting up (the painted red dots are your friend here). There’s not a tremendous amount to see in terms of archeological remains, but the views are pretty spectacular.

Day trips in the area

• Kefalonia: Home to the famous Melissani Cave, Myrtos Beach and the bustling town of Argostoli, Ithaca’s big sister, Kefalonia, is just a ferry hop away.

• Atokos Island: This uninhabited island is a favourite stop for boat trips around the Ionian Sea. Its crystal-clear waters make it an excellent spot for swimming and snorkelling.

Activities for families in Ithaca

Holidays to Ithaca are all about nature and culture. If that sounds like your family, you’ll find plenty to do.

• Parks: Hector Sykiotis Park in Stavros offers a bite-size introduction to Odysseus. It features a model of the palace at the Agios Athanasios site, a bronze bust of the man himself and a map detailing his wanderings.

• Family-friendly beaches: To put it out there, almost all of Ithaca’s beaches have smooth pebbles and fine shingle rather than sand. Near Vathy, Filiatro and Mnimata beaches offer calm, shallow waters and groves of trees for shade.

• Interactive museums: The Folklore and Nautical Museum of Ithaca in Vathy offers period rooms and a broad collection of exhibitions, everything from nautical instruments and everyday tools to traditional costumes and embroidery.

Free things to do in Ithaca

There's loads to do, from cultural events to natural wonders, even if you're on a tight budget.

• Museums and archeological sites: Admission to all state-owned museums and archeological sites is waived on 6th March, 18th April, 18th May, the last weekend of September, 28th October, and every first Sunday from November to March.

• Annual festivals and free events: Ithaca celebrates numerous local cultural and religious festivals, particularly during the summer, for example, the two-day Feast of Sotiris in Stavros in August. These often feature traditional music, dancing and food, giving you an authentic taste of island life.

• Beaches: Most of Ithaca’s beaches are unorganised, so you won’t be able to splash out on a sunbed and brolly even if you want to. Swim, snorkel or relax in the sun at beaches like Kourvoulia or Kaminia.

Nature and outdoor activities

• Hiking: The island is known for its network of walking trails, ranging from easy strolls to more challenging hikes that wind through olive groves and offer breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea.

• Sailing: Ithaca is a favourite among sailors. Whether you rent a boat for a day or join a guided sailing trip, this is one of the best ways to explore hidden gems, such as Platia Ammos, which are only accessible by boat.

• Diving and snorkelling: The island’s clear waters and rocky coastlines provide fantastic opportunities to discover marine life. Several local companies, including Odyssey Diving Club in Vathy, offer diving lessons and equipment rental for those wanting to explore underwater.

• SUP and sea kayaking: Calm waters, sheltered bays and secluded coves make Ithaca an ideal destination for paddlers.

Local dishes in Ithaca

The secrets to Ithacan cuisine are fresh, local ingredients, olive oil and the island’s trusty tserepa (a traditional earthenware cooking pot used over charcoal).

Some typical dishes

• Lachanopita: Filled with wild and cultivated greens, dill and rice, this buttery filo pie is an island favourite.

• Tsigaridia: Stewed with tomatoes and local herbs, you won’t have to be told twice to eat your greens.

Meze dishes

• Psari Savoro: This small plate consists of lip-smacking fried fish with vinegar, olive oil, garlic, rosemary and currants.

• Kolokithokeftedes: Nutty brown on the outside, these little patties have a gooey grated courgette, cheese and dill centre.

Meat dishes

• Kotopoulo Tserepa: You haven’t been on holiday to Ithaca until you’ve tried this local speciality. Chicken marinated in garlicky olive oil with oregano baked with potatoes, wine, tomato sauce and lemon juice.

• Moussaka: This much-loved Greek casserole layers minced meat and aubergine under a creamy béchamel sauce.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Chtapodi Kapama: An Ithacan must-try, slow-cooked octopus cooked with tomato, celery and fennel seeds.

• Psarosoupa: The catch of the day poached with a medley of seasonal vegetables, this humble fish soup is light on the stomach but will leave you satisfied.

Street food

• Gyros: Impossible to eat without making a mess, hand-held pitta wraps stuffed with spit-cooked meat, salad and Tzatziki.

• Koulouri: The Greek spin on Turkish simit, these crunchy, sesame-crusted bread rings are a popular breakfast snack.

Sweets and desserts

• Rizo Rovani: A mix of rice, honey and warm spices simmered and stirred until slightly caramelised, then baked until golden brown and drenched in syrup – sweet, sticky and satisfying, this is the number one dessert to try on holidays to Ithaca.

• Amygdalota: Crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside, these aromatic meringue cookies are made with almonds, egg whites, sugar and citrus-floral flavourings like orange blossom water.

Local drinks

• Ouzo: Traditionally drunk neat or diluted with water, Greece’s most famous spirit is an opinion splitter; you’ll either love or hate the strong anise flavour.

• Ithacan wines: Only a tiny fraction of wines (primarily blended whites) produced on Ithaca are marketed to the public – the draught plonk sold by the kilo in tavernas mainly comes from the Peloponnese. If the stars align, you may come across a bottle, but the only guaranteed tasting is the wine festival in Perahori in July.