The Ionian Island of Ithaca
This page is dedicated to the Ionian Island of Ithaca, its lovely scenery, friendly people and great atmosphere... Please take time to browse the gallery for a selection of pictures taken around the Island.
I have stayed in both the North and South of the Island. The North being a personal favourite - just passing away the day around the lovely harbour-side cafes around Kioni is just one of the lovely ways we like to spend our time on Ithaca.
We travel to the island with Simply Travel and enjoy the splendid hospitality of Greta, the local Simply rep who has a splendid knowledge of the Island, she will make you feel really welcome. Simply travel offer some very nice properties on the Island, the majority being "off the beaten track".
Ithaci (ancient Ithaca) was Odysseus' long-lost home, the island where the stoical Penelope sat patiently , weaving a shroud. She told her suitors who believed Odysseus was dead, that she would choose one of them once she had completed the the shroud. Cunningly, she unraveled it every night in order to keep her suiters at bay, as she awaited Odysseus' return.
Ithaca is serperated from Kethalonia by a strait only 2km to 4km wide. The unspoilt island has a harsh preciptous east coast and a soft green west coast. The interior is mountainous and rocky with pockets of pine forest, stands of cypresses, olive groves and vineyards. Because of its general lack of good beaches, Ithaca doesn't attract large crowds, but it's a great place to spend a relaxing, quiet holiday. A very good website to find more informationm is www.ithaki.org.
The Southern Island
Vathi
Vathi is small with a few twisting streets , a central square. nice cafes and restaurants, and a few tourist shops, grocer, burtcher and the like. Old mansions rise up from the seafront . Boats can be hired from the hotel complex at the far end of the bay. The waterside restaurants tend to get busy when the day boats are running from Kethalonia, however with rising fuel prices the Northern harbour of kioni has become more of favourite with the boats - bit of a shame for the local traders.
There is a bus service that runs twice daily to Kioni (via Stavros and Frikes) from Vathi.
There are several beaches in the south of the island, Skinos is a personal favourite. Filliatro and Sarakiniko were a little too busy for us, but to be fair it was a Saturday when we visited.
Perahori : perched on the borders of the mountain, on top of Vathi, a very beautiful. picturesque village. The medieval architecture is vividly depicted on the ruins oft he houses as well as in churches with remarkable Byzantine frescos in the islands old capital (Palioxora)
Northern Ithaca
On the west side of Niritos, the small houses of lefki, identical with rocks around them, seem to be nailed on the mountainside with deep roots . From Lefki there is a road that leads downhill to the settlement of Agios Giannis and the beautiful beach of Aspos Gialos. There are two alternative routes for travelling from the south to the north of the island. You can take the main route that hugs the western shoreline, or a much more scenic alternative is the road that winds ove the mountain, via the quaint village of Anogi. This is the highest among the inhabited parts of the island and is thought to be its oldest village.. As you go uphill, the view is so stunning thst you get he impression of being on an aeroplane. The 700 years old church of Virgin Mary constitutes the village jewel, with it's venetian bell-tower.
What is impressive there are the scattered rocks , standing alone. and the old derilect village. Virgin Mary of Kathara, the historic monastry, the holy pilgrim and patron saint of the Ithacans, is the irreplaceable destination for every visitor.
Stavros:Moving in a northerly direction you will enter the village of Stavros. if you look to the right on approaching Stavros you will see Polis Bay, reachable by taking the firat road on the right on entering the village of Stavros. There are sun loungers and boats for hire at this charming little fishing harbour. You wil find the charming Pollythemus garden restaraunt on the road out of Stavros towards Anogi, possibly the finesty restaurant on the islands. It certainly features in all of the guest books to be found in many of the Simply Travel properties on the island. We were fortunate enouigh to visit the restaurant on the night of a full moon and took a moonlit drive on the scxenic road back to Vathi, via Anogi. The moonlit views were stunning, not to be missed.
Stavros is the largest village on Northern Ithaca. Thre, one can visit the "Pililkata" hill. it is said that in the years in the yrars of King Odysseus there used to be the Acropolis and the CITY, the small harbour that sunk do to an earthquake. here stands the second museum of ithaca with important exibits of the Mycenean and the Horinthian period and Loizos Cave.
Platrithias: A big green extension of land where many neigorhoods are scattered. In a few minutes distance there is Lachos, Mesovouno, Agioi Sarada and Kolieri. A little further there is Homers's School. a very interesting place where archeological excavations are in progres.
Frikes: A small fishing village, with a small harbour that protcts the anchored fishing-boats passing through Frikes you will come across the road to Kioni . it touches the mointainsides , it seems as if it was standing on the surface of the sea, it goes on and vanishes as it turns into sandy beeches of small bays full of sun and beauty.
Kioni: A village and harbour adored by l;local people and tourists , picturesque and indisputably beautiful. It is built amphittheatrically, starting uphill from "Rachi" and leading harmoniously downhill to the sea forming a narrow series of houses on the coastline, which penetrates in depth and shapes up the harbour of Kioni, spacious and protected. You can spend a late afternoon relaxing in one of harbour side cafes, the many sailing boats, berthing for their overnight stay will provide some late afternoon entertainment ! You can also hire a small motor-boat at Kioni Boat Hire , located along the waterfront. This will enable you to visit some of the beautiful secluded beaches, only access able from the sea.
Kioni - viewed from Lykoudi Appartments