The seven main islands are Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, and Kythera. Among many smaller islands you’ll find there also Antipaxos, Meganisi, and Kasos. With their tranquillity and relaxed atmosphere these might be  perfect places for your holiday.

There are airports on Corfu, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos. You can fly to these islands either directly or with a connecting flight in Athens. You can also to travel to Aktio Airport near Preveza on the mainland.

All the larger Ionian islands except for Kythera are connected by the Azimut ferry during the summer months. For this reason, they are particularly suitable when you are looking for the popular island hopping and backpacking trips.

Corfu you can also reach by ferry from Venice or from Ancona with a change in Igoumenitsa. You can research and book your ferry connection here.

The best time for your visit to the Ionian Islands is from April to October. As a rule, the climate is Mediterranean with hot, dry summers. However, the heat is more moderate here than for instance on the Cyclades or Dodecanese Islands.

The best time for your seaside holiday is during the summer months. The weather is pleasant though into October. Then the sea is almost as warm in autumn as it is in summer. If you would like to explore by bike or on foot, you should travel in spring and autumn. Both seasons offer you optimal conditions with the temperature not being too hot.

July and August are particularly suitable when you would like to sail. Most of the time, during these month the Maestral blows from the northwest. It is rarely stronger than 3 – 5 on the Beaufort scale, and blows mostly in the afternoon which is ideal for your pleasant sailing experience.

If you are a surfer or kite surfer and looking for more action, than the perfect time for your holiday are June, September and October. You can find some very well-known surfing spots on the Ionian Islands, such as Vasiliki and Lefkas town on the island of Lefkas.

The most frequently visited Ionian islands are Corfu and Zakynthos. This is probably because you can reach them the easiest. They are also the largest islands in the archipelago. Therefore, there is also a wide range of active holidaying possibilities on these islands.

Of course, the good transport connections attract many holidaymakers. You should expect these islands to be the busiest. Consequently, the prices here are also somewhat higher than on the other islands.

If you prefer spending your holiday in tranquillity and relative quiet, then we highly recommend two of the smaller Ionian Islands to you.

The first one is the small island of Paxos, which lies off the south of Corfu. With its small, sheltered natural harbor it is an enchanting paradise. The island is covered in olive trees, making it shimmer a beautiful silver-green. On Paxos you will find many opportunities for hiking, cycling and sea kayaking. If you sail here, you should not miss a visit to the blue grottoes of Paxos.

Another smaller island recommended to you is Ithaca, a pearl of the Ionian Sea. Here you can follow in the footsteps of Heinrich Schliemann. According to Greek mythology, Ithaca was the home of the famous hero and seafarer Odysseus. Most likely, the island will captivate you from the first moment with its wild nature and originality. Ithaca entices you to go on extensive hikes and swim in secluded bays. There are a number of viewpoints offering you spectacular views of the neighboring island of Kefalonia.

Have you ever seen a picture of the Navagio Bay on Zakynthos? It is probably better known as Smugglers’ Bay or Shipwreck Bay. The bay and beach are only accessible from the sea. The price of its beauty is that the bay is very crowded by excursion boats. Therefore we would recommend to you just viewing the beach from a lookout point.

Myrtos Beach on Kefalonia is also often photographed. The white pebble beach with its Caribbean shimmering water is considered the most beautiful beach on the island. It was also voted one of the ten most beautiful beaches worldwide. You can reach the beach from both land and sea, yet it is not usually overcrowded.

Somewhat off the beaten track and accessible from both land and sea is Porto Katsiki Beach on Lefkas. This dreamlike beach awaits you with mighty white cliffs that gave the island its name: Lefkas is the Greek word for white.

If you prefer it a little quieter, just a short way to the north you will find Paralia Egremni Beach. This beach is very similar to Porto Katsiki but is usually almost deserted. You can also find plentiful beautiful beaches to be found on Ithaca.

The Ionian Islands have a number of culinary specialities that you shouldn’t miss on your trip. Here you will still find numerous influences from the 400-year occupation by the Venetians.

For example, on Corfu you should try the famous dish Pastitsada: braised beef or chicken with pasta, tomatoes, and plenty of spices.

If you like sweets, the island of Ithaca has a special treat in store: The island speciality Rovani is made from rice, honey, and olive oil and was originally a wedding cake. Today, it is also served without the occasion of a wedding. At Katarina’s Café Delicious in Stavros, this sweet treat is especially delicious.

So much food would make you probably thirsty. That’s why we recommend a glass of Robola to accompany the Ionian delicacies. This light and fresh white wine is grown exclusively on the Ionian Islands, especially on Kefalonia. It is considered one of the best white wines in Greece and has won several awards.

There are no significant ancient Greek archaeological sites on the Ionian Islands. On Ithaca, remains of a Bronze Age palace were found a few years ago. There are hopes that evidence will soon be found to indicate whether it could have been the palace of the famous seafarer Odysseus.

Otherwise, the finds on the Ionian Islands are limited to smaller sanctuaries. If you are in the mood for a spectacular excavation, we recommend a trip to Nikopolis near Preveza on the mainland. You can reach the “Victory City” of the Roman emperor Augustus by car from Lefkas via the swing bridge.

On Corfu, we recommend visiting the Achilleion. This palace was built by Empress Elisabeth of Austria between 1890 and 1892. The old town of Corfu with its Venetian fortress is also worth a visit.