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Photo: Wilnel José Verdú Guerrero · CC BY-SA 4.0
Greece · Ionian Sea
The Ionian Islands
Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia and Ithaca — green islands and gentle, forgiving sailing.
Overview
The Ionian is the opposite of the Cyclades in almost every respect. The islands are green rather than bare, Venetian rather than Ottoman in their architecture, and the wind is a moderate afternoon breeze rather than a meltemi — which makes this the easiest and most family-suited cruising ground in Greece. Distances are short, the bays are sheltered, and it is entirely normal to spend a week here without a passage longer than three hours. Homer's Ithaca is in the middle of it, and it looks much as you would hope.
Where to dine
A table by the water
Taverna Nikolas
Agni Bay, CorfuRun by the same family since 1965, on a bay with no road worth using. Arrive by tender.
Toula's
Agni Bay, CorfuA few doors along the same beach — the garlic prawns with rice are the reason boats come back.
The waterfront at Fiskardo
KefaloniaThe only Kefalonian village to survive the 1953 earthquake — Venetian houses and tables on the quay.
Tavernas of Kioni
IthacaA horseshoe harbour with three tavernas and not much else, which is the appeal.
Loggos and Lakka
PaxosTwo small harbours on an island of olive groves; both are dinner and both are ten minutes apart.
What to do
Anchorages & excursions
Antipaxos
A tiny island south of Paxos with Voutoumi and Vrika — Caribbean-clear water, day anchorage only.
Navagio, Zakynthos
The shipwreck beach beneath 200m cliffs, reachable only from the sea.
The Blue Caves, Zakynthos
Sea arches on the northern tip where the water reflects blue onto the rock above.
Corfu Old Town
A UNESCO-listed Venetian town with two fortresses and an arcaded street modelled on Rue de Rivoli.
Ithaca
Homer's island — Vathy's deep natural harbour and a landscape that has changed remarkably little.
Plan your voyage
Chart a course to The Ionian Islands
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