Rugged little Ithaca (sometimes referred to as ‘Kefalonia’s little sister) is the ideal Greek island for both nature and beach lovers. Keep reading to find out more and please get in touch if you have any questions.
For such a little island, Ithaca is packed full of history! Before your Ithaca holiday, get inspired by reading ‘The Odyssey’. Or listen to it on Audible – Claire Danes does a fabulous job as narrator! You’ll most likely be spending most of your time in Vathy, which is both the island’s port and the main town as it’s where most of the hotels, shops and tavernas are. Around town, street names such as Pinelopis, Tilemahou and Odyssea serve as a reminder of the close connection between Ithaca and Homer. Many locals are also named after the heroic figures immortalized by the ancient poet.
Rugged little Ithaca (sometimes referred to as ‘Kefalonia’s little sister) is the ideal Greek island for both nature and beach lovers.
The homeland of Odysseus, the Greek legendary king who took ten years to return home after the end of the Trojan War and eponymous hero of Homer’s epic poem ‘The Odyssey’. ‘The Odyssey’ is one of the greatest stories ever told. It’s got it all: Cyclops and sirens and a witch who turns sailors into pigs.
It’s an incredible, fantastic quest which ends in Ithaca where Odysseus finally returns home to his long-suffering wife Penelope.
It is easy to see why Odysseus found peace on this island surrounded by turquoise hues. A holiday in Ithaca will definitely leave you feeling relaxed and yearning to return ‘home to Ithaca’.
We love beaches and Ithaca has a whole host of gorgeous ones: Skinos and Minimata, Filiatro (with its cool Baywatch-esque watch tower), Sarakiniko, and Aspros Giales are all ones you should check out on your trip to Ithaca. We love Afales Bay, though, because it’s just a gorgeous stretch of coastline showing just how diverse the island is.
No words can adequately do justice to Ithaca’s Monastery of Katharon. This small picture certainly doesn’t. You have to see this place at sunset for yourselves. It’s magical!
Vathy is Ithaca’s port and main town. It was entirely rebuilt after the earthquake of 1953, so it has a sense of order that is sometimes missing from many other Greek towns. The buildings are all painted yellow, pink, and cream, and they wrap around a sheltered bay with deep blue water. There is very little traffic and during the day you would be forgiven for thinking the place is a bit ‘ghost town’-esque. However, that all changes at night as the locals come out for dinner, coffee, conversation, and often a cheeky bit of music too.
Ithaca is a real ‘foodie’ destination so we have two huge recommendations as to where you should dine. Kanenas, in Stavros, is not only the best restaurant on Ithaca but, in our opinion, in the whole of the Ionian islands. This is a must-visit on your Ithaca holiday. Dona Lefki, the ‘modern Greek kitchen’, located in the little village of Lefki, is an absolutely stunning spot for sunsets and dinner. There are excellent views across the channel to Kefalonia and the food is delicious. Make sure you arrive hungry enough to sample the trio of Ithacan starters. For more foodie experiences, consider our Sifnos holidays.
Make like Odysseus and do some boating! We love exploring islands by kayak and Odyssey Sea Kayak Club is our go to as they provide expert and professional services. You can either hire a kayak and go off on your own or join Odyssey on one of their epic day trips.
Ithaca isn’t known for its wild and crazy nightlife, but Mylos is one of the Greek island’s legendary ‘haunts’. It’s a bonus that it’s located in a beautiful neoclassical building. We love it because of its chilled out vibes and excellent cocktails. Music-wise, after sunset the bar follows jazz and lounge rhythms and later on it turns into heavier dance music if you want to keep the party going.
The most characteristic Ithacan dish is chicken tserepa cooked in a sealed earthenware dish. This is a staple on most taverna menus. If you like seafood we recommend trying Savoro, which is a traditional Ionian recipe for marinated fish in vinegar with rosemary, garlic and black currant. If you’ve got a sweet tooth like we do at Epicure, a must try is a dessert made only on Ithaca called rovani – a traditional sweet made with honey, rice and olive oil. Our favourite bakery to try this local specialty is Spathis in Vathy (which has a bakery and a bar).
In Kioni, there is a wonderful jewellery shop called Tehnima which specialises in pieces handmade by local artists. If you fancy a necklace or ring to remind you of your trip to Greece, we’d recommend paying them a visit.
Would you like to find out more about this destination or speak with one of our Epicureans about the best options in Greece? Reach out to one of our experts who can tailor an unforgettable experience that will be the envy of your friends.