Discover travel and everyday life in Greece’s Ionian Islands, from Kefalonia and Corfu to Zakynthos, Lefkada, Ithaca and Kythira. Find practical guides, route ideas, sailing tips and local insights for holidays, island-hopping or longer stays. Packed with photos, stories and news, this blog is your independent Ionian travel guide and inspiration hub.
Ionian Islands Travel & Life Guide
Discover travel and everyday life in Greece’s Ionian Islands – from Kefalonia and Corfu to Zakynthos, Lefkada, Ithaca and Kythira. Here you’ll find independent, experience-based advice for planning your holiday, sailing route or longer stay in this greener, quieter corner of Greece.
Welcome to the Ionian
The Ionian Islands stretch along Greece’s western coast, facing Italy across the Adriatic. Think emerald hills, quiet olive groves, sheltered bays and villages where life still runs on island time.
This blog is dedicated to:
- Holidaymakers planning their first (or tenth) trip to the Ionian
- Sailors looking for route ideas, anchorages and shore stops
- Slow travellers & digital nomads considering longer stays
- Future expats dreaming of a more permanent life in Greece
You’ll find:
- Practical travel guides for each major island
- Itineraries for one week, two weeks and longer trips
- Ionian sailing tips for skippers and crew
- Real-life cost-of-living and relocation insights
- Photo stories and news from across the islands
Whether you’re chasing quiet coves, mountain hikes, family-friendly resorts or a new place to call home, this site is here to help you navigate the Ionian, realistically and independently.
Start Here: How to Use This Blog
If you’re new, begin with these sections:
- Ionian overview – which island is right for you?
- Island guides – detailed introductions to each island
- Trip planning – best time to visit, how to get there, suggested routes
- Ionian sailing – for those arriving by boat or charter
- Life in the Ionian – longer stays, remote work and relocation notes
You can also browse by interest: beaches, walking & hiking, villages, history, food, photography and news.
Ionian Islands at a Glance
Each Ionian island has its own character. Here’s a quick snapshot to help you choose where to go.
Kefalonia
- Vibe: Spacious, varied and a little wild in places
- Best for: Road trips, viewpoints, quiet coves, small villages
- Highlights: Myrtos Beach, Assos, Fiskardo, Mount Ainos, Melissani Cave
- Why go: Kefalonia feels big enough for proper exploring, yet still grounded and local once you step away from resorts.
Corfu
- Vibe: Lively, historic, cosmopolitan
- Best for: Culture, Corfu Town, easy family holidays, accessible beaches
- Highlights: Corfu Old Town (UNESCO), Paleokastritsa, west-coast sunsets, inland villages
- Why go: If you want history and nightlife alongside nature and local life, Corfu brings everything together.
Zakynthos (Zante)
- Vibe: Split personality – busy party spots and quiet rural corners
- Best for: Iconic viewpoints, sea caves, clear water, sea-turtle spotting
- Highlights: Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach, Blue Caves, Keri, Vasilikos Peninsula
- Why go: For dramatic cliffs, luminous water and a mix of relaxed villages and busier resort areas.
Lefkada
- Vibe: Laid-back, outdoorsy, popular with sailors and windsurfers
- Best for: Beach-hopping, walking, watersports and sailing
- Highlights: Porto Katsiki, Egremni, Nidri, west-coast drives, mountain villages
- Why go: Easy to reach by road (causeway to mainland), yet still feels very much like an island.
Ithaca (Ithaki)
- Vibe: Quiet, introspective, Homeric
- Best for: Slow travel, walking, coves you reach by boat or foot
- Highlights: Vathy, Kioni, Frikes, hillside paths, sheltered bays
- Why go: For a slower rhythm, sea views at every turn and a sense of small-island community.
Kythira (Kythera)
- Vibe: Remote, scattered, slightly off the Ionian mainstream
- Best for: Explorers, walkers, people seeking an unhurried atmosphere
- Highlights: Chora and its castle, medieval villages, waterfalls, unspoilt beaches
- Why go: Kythira sits at a crossroads of cultures and feels wonderfully detached from mass tourism.
Island Guides: Kefalonia, Corfu, Zakynthos, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kythira
Each island will have its own in-depth guide on the blog. On the homepage, here’s what you can expect from those guides.
Kefalonia Travel Guide
Find out:
- Best areas to stay: From lively Lassi and Skala to quieter Assos and north-coast villages
- Top experiences: Coastal drives, wine-tasting, boat trips, turtle spotting near Argostoli
- Hidden corners: Small coves near Poros, inland plateaus, remote chapels with wide sea views
The guide focuses on realistic drive times, practical beach access info and tips on avoiding peak-time crowds at Myrtos and Melissani.
Corfu Holidays & Everyday Life
In the Corfu guide you’ll discover:
- Corfu Town: Where to wander, eat and photograph in the old lanes
- North vs south: Quieter bays near the north-east coast vs longer beaches and traditional villages south
- Not just resorts: Inland walks, olive groves and mountain villages that most visitors miss
Expect down-to-earth advice on bus routes, car hire, walking-friendly areas and where Corfu still feels like Corfu.
Zakynthos Beaches & Villages
The Zakynthos section helps you balance iconic sights with calmer spots:
- Famous sights explained honestly: What to expect at Navagio, viewing platforms and busy boat trips
- Best beaches beyond the postcard: Vasilikos peninsula, rocky coves, family-friendly sandy bays
- Nature & wildlife: Caretta caretta turtle areas, when and how to visit respectfully
We put emphasis on safety, realistic photography and quieter times of day for the most visited viewpoints.
Lefkada Walking & Coastlines
Lefkada is about both mountains and sea.
You’ll find:
- Best west-coast drives: How to link Porto Katsiki, Egremni and lesser-known beaches
- Walking & hiking ideas: Old paths between mountain villages, short view walks above the sea
- Sailing & watersports hubs: Nidri area, Vasiliki bay and nearby islets
Guides include notes on road conditions, parking, beach access steps, and where to escape the wind on breezier days.
Ithaca Greece: Slow Island Guide
The Ithaca guide focuses on:
- Where to stay: Vathy vs northern villages like Kioni and Frikes
- Coves & boat trips: Renting small boats, calm anchorages, pebbly bays
- Walking routes: Short trails with sea views, old paths connecting hamlets
Ithaca content is tailored to travellers happy with fewer facilities in exchange for peace, views and quieter evenings.
Kythira Island: Edges of the Ionian
Kythira’s guide offers:
- Orientation: Spread-out villages, rental car advice, realistic driving times
- Beaches & swimming spots: From well-known bays to hidden coves reached on foot
- Traditional settlements: Abandoned villages, Venetian castles, small cafes in shaded squares
This section speaks to explorers who value authenticity over convenience and don’t mind a bit of extra effort to get there.
Plan Your Ionian Trip
Practical, step-by-step planning help so your time in the Ionian goes where it should: into the sea and onto your plate, not into logistics.
Best Time to Visit the Ionian Islands
- May–June: Cooler nights, wildflowers, quieter beaches, good for walkers
- July–August: Hottest and busiest; long beach days, lively atmosphere
- September–early October: Warm sea, softer light, fewer crowds, often ideal for sailing
- Winter: Very quiet, some services closed; best for long stays and those who value calm over heat
Guides include monthly breakdowns for sea temperature, ferry frequency, crowd levels and typical prices.
Getting There & Around
You’ll find detailed posts on:
- Flights: Main airports (Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, sometimes Kythira) and seasonal routes
- Ferries: Mainland ports (Patras, Killini, Igoumenitsa) and inter-island routes
- Local transport: Buses, taxis, car/motorbike hire, and when you truly need your own wheels
- Island-hopping ideas: Sample routes linking multiple Ionian Islands efficiently
Maps, sample schedules and honest notes about delays, wind and realistic connection times are provided.
Sample Itineraries
The blog offers adaptable trip plans, for example:
- 1 week – Kefalonia focus: A loop covering a mix of beaches, villages and viewpoints
- 10 days – Corfu & Paxos: Combining history, small islands and boat days
- 2 weeks – Lefkada & Ithaca: Road and boat combo, with built-in slow days
- 2–3 weeks – Ionian island-hopping: Linking Corfu, Lefkada area, Kefalonia and Zakynthos (where routes allow)
Itineraries come with driving time estimates, suggested bases and optional detours, rather than rigid, hour-by-hour schedules.
Ionian Sailing Guides
If you’re planning to meet the islands from the water – bareboat, flotilla or crewed charter – this section is for you.
Why Sail the Ionian?
- Generally calmer seas than the Aegean’s Meltemi
- Short hops between harbours and anchorages
- Sheltered bays for swimming and overnight stops
- Plenty of shore life within walking distance of small ports
Posts in the sailing section cover:
- Suggested weekly routes from Lefkada, Corfu and Kalamata/Patras region
- Classic stops like Fiscardo, Sivota, Vathy (Ithaca) and smaller harbours
- Anchoring notes: Holding, shelter, noise levels and shore access
- Practicalities: Mooring styles, fuel, water, provisioning, marinas vs town quays
For Non-Sailors
Even if you’re mainly on land, sailing content can help you:
- Plan day trips by boat to otherwise inaccessible beaches
- Choose coastal bases with regular boat excursions
- Understand which bays get dinghy traffic and which stay quiet
Life on the Islands: Everyday Ionian
Beyond holiday snapshots, the blog looks at real, day-to-day life in the Ionian.
Local Rhythms & Culture
Expect posts about:
- Seasonal rhythms: How life shifts from winter calm to summer intensity
- Festivals & panigyria: Village celebrations, music, food and customs
- Olive harvests & vineyards: What happens in the groves and fields
- Cafeneio culture: The importance of the local coffee place
Stories highlight respectful ways to engage: dress codes for churches, behaviour at village feasts and simple Greek phrases that make a difference.
Food & Everyday Shopping
Articles explore:
- Traditional dishes from Kefalonia pie to Corfiot classics like pastitsada
- Local products: olive oil, honey, cheeses, wine
- Where people really shop: Weekly markets, small bakeries, corner stores
- Tips for self-catering travellers and those staying for weeks or months
Focus is on realistic price ranges, seasonal produce and supporting small, local businesses.
Living and Long Stays in the Ionian Islands
For many, a holiday is just the first step. If you’re considering a long stay, remote working period or moving to Greece, this section speaks directly to you.
Longer Stays & Slow Travel
Dedicated guides cover:
- Choosing a base: Differences between living in Corfu Town vs a small village on Ithaca or Kefalonia
- Off-season reality: Weather, open shops and social life outside July–August
- Costs: Typical rent ranges, utilities, transport and everyday expenses
- Connectivity: Internet speeds, mobile coverage and cafe-culture work spots
Rather than selling a dream, the aim is to share what daily life genuinely feels like – good and challenging.
Expat in Greece: Practical Notes
While specific legal and visa details depend on your nationality and change over time, you’ll find:
- Orientation guides to Greek bureaucracy in plain language
- Overviews of healthcare options, banking and driving on the islands
- Community hints: Finding language exchanges, hobby groups, sailing clubs
- Reflections on integrating locally, learning Greek and avoiding expat bubbles
Whenever legal or administrative topics appear, posts will emphasise checking up-to-date official sources and, where needed, professional advice.
Photography, Stories & Ionian News
The Ionian is endlessly photogenic, but it’s more than a backdrop. This blog blends images with narrative and updates.
Ionian Photographs
Look out for:
- Photo essays: Dawn in harbour towns, olive groves after rain, winter seas
- Themed galleries: boats & harbours, doors & alleys, churches & chapels
- Occasional behind-the-scenes notes: how a shot was taken, and what it really looked like beyond the frame
Photography is used to illustrate reality – including clouds, off-season quiet and everyday corners – not just postcard-perfect days.
Stories from the Islands
You’ll also find:
- Short pieces about encounters with fishermen, cafe owners, farmers and fellow travellers
- Reflections from first-time visitors and returning regulars
- Moments of everyday island life: school runs, ferry waits, winter evenings
The goal is to show the Ionian as lived-in and layered, not just staged for visitors.
Ionian News & Practical Updates
A regularly updated section tracks:
- Ferry route changes and new connections (where verifiable)
- Environmental news: beach clean-ups, marine protection efforts, hiking trail work
- Local events: festivals, cultural programmes, new museum or trail openings
While not a full news outlet, this corner of the site helps you keep an eye on changes that may affect your trip.
Independent, Unhurried, Realistic
This blog aims to be:
- Independent: No packaged-agenda or sugar-coating – both pros and cons of places are discussed
- Unhurried: Favouring depth over ticking off lists
- Practical: Concrete tips on routes, costs, timings and expectations
- Respectful: Encouraging low-impact travel and genuine curiosity about local life
You’ll see recommendations, but also limits: when places are too busy for comfort, when a view involves a mildly nerve-wracking drive, or when a popular "hidden gem" isn’t really hidden at all.
Begin Your Ionian Journey
To get started:
- Choose the island (or islands) that match your style in the Ionian overview.
- Dive into the detailed island guide for practical information.
- Check trip-planning posts for timing, routes and getting around.
- Explore sailing, long-stay and everyday-life sections if you want to go beyond a standard holiday.
Whether you’re planning a week of beaches, a month of remote work or exploring a move to Greece, this site is here as your independent Ionian travel guide and inspiration hub.
Welcome to the Ionian Islands – and to the next chapter of your travels.
