Ithaca

Ithaca is one of the Heptanese,the Ionian islands. It is located South of Leukada and Northeast of Kefalonia. Capital of Ithaca is Vathi. The extension of the island is 92 km² and population, 3.231 inhabitants. Ithaca has two ports, Vathi which is one of the largest natural harbours and Piso Aetos, linked both to Patra via Sami(Kefalonia port). Piso Aetos is also connected to Fiskardo (Kefalonia), Vasiliki(Leukada) and Astakos. Ithaca was Odysseas's legendary homeland, the muthical hero, whose delay to return home was the main element of Odysseas's plot.

Map of Ithaca

Ithaca lies east of the Northwest coast of Kefalonia. It has approximately 100 km of coastline. Vathi is the capital and the largest settlement of the island. The second largest village is Stavros in the Northern part. Ithaca has many beaches but the most famous are Piso Aetos, Filiatro, Kioni, Dexa, Skinos and Gidaki. Bays include Frikes and Kioni Bays to the Northeast, Sarakiniko Bay and Ormos Gulf to the Southeast and Afales to the Northwest. The capes are Melissa to the North, Mavronos and Agios Ilias to the East, Agios Ioannis and Sarakiniko and Skinos. The tallest mountain is Nirito part (806 m), followed by Merovigli (669 m).

Beaches

Beyond routes around the island, the actual discovery of Ithaca is achieved by boat. Some of the top beaches are hiding and can be discovered only by sea. The beaches of Ithaca are not sandy, but have smooth white pebbles. They are very clean and some of them are so small like a private beach. Trees reach near to the sea creating a setting of unique beauty.

Aetos

In the middle of the island in the background of Aetos bay is located the beach of Aetos.Ideal for swimming.

Dexa or Dexia

On the other side of the entrance of the harbor near the town, following the road to Aetos and North Ithaca, is Dexa Beach. It is a small beach with crystal clear waters. 

Dexa

Loutsa

At the entrance of the harbor at Vathi, on the left side is the beautiful sandy beach Loutsa under Venetian cannons.

Mnimata

This beach is located in the bay of Skinos.

Filiatro
On the same side is the beautiful beach of filiatro, where locals and visitors can enjoy water sports and relaxation.

Filiatro

Skinos

Located deep in Skinos bay, 3km from Vathi. Another beach with crystal clear waters.

Gidaki
North of Filiatro is Gidaki, whose natural beauty has traveled all over the world and featured as one of the best and most beautiful beaches in Greece. Here the visitor can enjoy the sun and sea, overlooking the coast of mainland Greece and the opposite uninhabited islets. Access by boat.

Kaminia

This beach is located in the Northeast part of Ithaca, near Nisopoulo.

Kaminia

Piso Aetos
Diametrically opposite Aetos on the southwest side of Ithaca, is another beautiful beach. The visitor enjoys the clear water. Here is the small port of Piso Aetos, which serves daily routes between Ithaca-Kefalonia to Patras and Ithaca-Kefalonia-Lefkada and Astakos.

Aspros Gyalos

On the Western side of the island, near the village of Agios Ioannis is the beautiful sandy beach, with crystal waters, Aspros Gyalos. This beach combines the green color of Niriton mountain with the blue color of the sea.

Aspros Gyalos

Kotsifi

Small beach along the shore of the St. Elias to Aetos, ideal for quiet, solitude and isolation.

Voukenti
Small pebble beach with crystal clear waters. Access by boat.

Ammoudaki and Pontikos
Two very small beaches, after Afales, for absolute serenity.

Kathisma
Very small beach, opposite the beach of Afales with access by boat from Frikes, Poli and Kioni.

Sights

Loizos cave
Worship center of Early Helladic civilization, in the gulf of Stauros , where there is an ancient sunken city.

Kioni
Traditional Ionian village with a graphical harbor where dozens of yachts moor in summer. The entrance of the bay is decorated by three ruined windmills. It used to be a shelter for pirates.

Kioni

 House of Karaiskaki
In Kioni, on the right side of the port there is a small portion of the stone house where he lived until the uprising of 1821 hero Georgios Karaiskakis.

Cave of the Nymphs
According to Homer in this cave, which also called 'Marmarospilia', with two entrances, one for the gods and one for mortals, Odysseus hide the gifts of King Alcinous of the Phaeacians.

Paleochora
A ruined medieval city, Paleochora, where there are churches with wonderful Byzantine frescoes.

Transportation

By Ferry: For such a small island, Ithaca perhaps surprisingly has three active ports. The following are summer schedules, which are reduced drastically in winter.

Frikes is connecterd with Fiskardo (Kefalonia, May-Oct, 4 weekly, 1hr), Vassiliki(Lefkada, May-Oct, 1 daily, 1hr 30min)

Piso Aetos is connected with Astakos(1-2 daily, 2hrs 30min), Patra(1-3 daily, 3hrs 45min), Vathi(1-2 daily, 1hr)

Vathi is connected with Astakos(1-2 daily, 1hr 30 min), Patra(1-3 daily, 2hrs), Piso Aetos(1-2 daily, 1hr), Sami(Kefalonia, 1-3 daily, 1hr 45min)

Useful Phone Numbers
Municipality of Ithaca: 26740 33481, 26740 32795 fax: 26740 33387
Ithaca Police Department: 26740 32205
Port Authority Ithaca: 26740 32909
Fire Department: 26740 33499, 26740 33199
Forestry: 26740 33359
Ithaca Health Centre: 26740 32222
Regional Stauros Clinic: 26740 31207
Diagnostic Centre: 26740 32203
Archaeological Museum: 26740 32200
Nautical Art Museum: 26740 33398
Archaeological Collection of Stavros: 26740 31305, 26740 23955
Municipal Cinema: 26740 33422
Public Library: 26740 33448
Municipal Art Gallery: 26740 32271
Association Rented room hotel: 26740 31079
Taxi: 26740 33030