Ionian Islands

The Ionian Islands (Ιόνια Νησιά) lie off the western coast of Greece. The main islands are Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos. Kythira, far to the south, is historically counted among the Seven Islands (Επτάνησα). Green with cypresses and olive groves, they were ruled mostly by Venice for centuries, followed by French and British rule before union with Greece in the 19th century.

Corfu (Κέρκυρα) has a UNESCO-listed old town between two fortresses, the Achilleion Palace and the coves of Paleokastritsa below Angelokastro. Small Paxos and Antipaxos have olive groves and clear bays, and Ithaca is the home of Odysseus. Lefkada is joined to the mainland by a causeway and bridge, and its west coast has Porto Katsiki and Egremni. Kefalonia has Mount Ainos, Myrtos Beach, the Melissani cave and harbour villages such as Fiskardo. Zakynthos offers Navagio, the Blue Caves and the turtle beaches of its marine park. Show more

Venetian towns and Italian-influenced music and dishes give the islands a character of their own. Kefalonia's Robola wine and village tavernas are part of everyday life. Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos have airports, and Aktion airport near Preveza serves Lefkada. Ferries run from Igoumenitsa, Patras and Kyllini, and local boats link the islands for island hopping and sailing in summer.