SummaryIonian Islands, Kefalonia | from Greek Tourism Office
Corfu is the best-known island in the Ionians, a package holiday hotspot since the 1960s. Despite being littered with hotels and apartment blocks, you can still find the true spirit of the island away from the beach resorts if you try. Zante has also been overrun by mass tourism but still has its charm. Kefalonia was made famous by the popular book Captain Corelli's Mandolin, but remains unspoilt.
Traditional Ithaca, the legendary kingdom of Odysseus, is simply stunning. Lefkas doesn't have the greatest beaches but is known for its walking trails and traditional mountain villages.
A history of French and British occupations show some of the reason the Ionian Islands off the west coast of Greece differ in character from neighbouring island groups. They also receive more rainfall, so appear greener too.
Getting there/around Ionian Islands
The main airports are on Corfu, Kefalonia and Zante, with charter flights from the UK. Lefkas is connected to the Greek mainland by a drawbridge and 30-minutes by bus from Aktion Airport near Preveza.
Intra-island ferry and hydrofoil networks are extensive - from Corfu you can take an international ferry to Albania or Italy.
Getting around depends on the island - some have wide-reaching bus services, on others you will have to hire a car, moped or bike.
Beaches on the Ionian Islands
Corfu's west coast shoreline has its loveliest beaches. Mile-long Aghios Stefanos beach is a great one for families.
Zante's 57 miles of coastline has some incredible beaches, such as the whopping four-mile stretch at sandy Laganas, nesting grounds of Caretta-Caretta sea turtles. Watersports fans head to Agios Nikolaos.
Kefalonia is the island in the group and has some of the most beautiful spots, especially Myrtos beach. Lefkas' superb beaches include Kathisma and Athani or the hidden coves of the south coast - sailing and watersports enthusiasts love this island.
Picturesque Paxos, the smallest of the islands and only reachable by boat, has the lovely beach of Lakka.
Sightseeing on the Ionian Islands
Corfu Town is one of the best in the islands for sophistication and history with narrow streets dominated by the 16th century fortress and a mix of Venetian, Georgian and French architecture. Corfu's major beauty spot is Paleokastritsa, set around three bays and backed by dramatic lush hills, but this does mean busloads of tourists too.
On Zante, check out the Venetian castle ruins and St Mark's Square in Zante Town, or see the island's Blue Caves.
Kefalonia is the largest and most varied of the seven islands. Its charms include the village of Fiscardo - a 1953 earthquake wreaked havoc in much of the Ionian Islands, but this northern tip of Kefalonia stayed almost intact. Strict building regulations now maintain Fiscardo's elegant Venetian architecture. The island capital of Argostoli is lovely.
Ithaka is said to be the mythical home of King Odysseus and Eumaius's Cave and the Cave of the Nymphs are just two places said to be associated with this hero of Homer's tale.
Lefkas Town is a little car-free place, full of churches and bright-painted wooden houses. Lefkas is connected to Zakynthos, Greece
