Over the history the islands which make up the Ionian Islands have been known under a variety of confusing names. However, what’s well known is that the history of this archipelago is well known from Homer’s Odyssey.

Location

Off the west coast of mainland Greece and off the southern tip of the Peloponnesus, the traveler find a group of both large and small islands, known as the Ionian Islands.

Islands

Traditionally, the Ionian Islands were known as the “Heptanese”, which means “7 islands” and refers to the following islands:

• Corfu : one of the best known Greek islands and one of the most developed in terms of tourism infrastructure. The mild climate and various landscapes ensure the perfect soil for vineyards and fruit orchards, as well as olive grows. Corfu Town is one of the largest living medieval cities in Greece and is home to lovely buildings (the most well known being the Venetian Fort). The island is easy accessible by plane, boat or bus.
  
  More information on:
  >>Getting from Athens to Corfu
  
  >>Ferries from Corfu to Patras (and return)
  




• Paxos (Paxi): it’s the smallest island out of the 7 large islands and stands just 7 km south of Corfu. It’s known for the lovely beaches, charming villages and olive groves. The capital of Gaios is home to important churches as well as to the Venetian Castle and the Folklore Museum. The island is accessible by boat.
• Lefkas (Lefkada): conveniently linked to the mainland Greece by two small bridges, the island is mainly mountainous and has dense vegetation. The capital of the island is home to lovely churches, a castle and even has some nice beaches close by. The island is filled with small villages. You’ll also find remains of a Medieval tower and a lot of lovely beaches. The island can also be reached by bus, plane or ferry.
• Ithaca: just off the coast of Kefalonia stands this lovely mountainous island. There are plenty of things to do here, including visiting museums, monasteries, churches and spending time on the beaches. The island can be reached by boat or bus.
• Kefalonia: is home to therapeutic springs and subterranean waters, has some very interesting caves and beaches, as well as archeological sites and traditional villages. It’s the largest of the Ionian Islands and stands just off the west coast of the Peloponnese. The island is renowned for the Kefalonian wine which is produced here. There are plenty of sights to see and a lot of beaches to relax on. The island can be reached by plane, boat and bus.

>>read more about Getting from Athens to Kefalonia (and return)

• Zante (Zakynthos): during the Venetian times it was known as the “flower of the east”. The island has astonishing natural beauty and is home to the turtle Caretta caretta. In the capital you can visit the ruins of the Venetian castle as well as several churches and museums. The traditional villages are located in lovely country side, offering some of the best views in the Ionian Sea. The Gulf of Lagana is where the turtle’s habitat is and also represents the vacations spot on the island. The island can be reached by plane, boat and bus.
• Cerigo (Kythira): the island stands very close to the mainland and has always played an important role in the history. Over the years it has been influenced by many cultures, which is evident when you visit the villages. The beaches are nice but the terrain is quite rugged. Several churches and monasteries can also be visited on the island.

Cerigo is located off the southern tip of the Peloponnese, while the other six are grouped off the west coast of Greece, in the Ionian Sea. The archipelago also comprises many smaller islands.

What to do

The islands are home to some important historical landmarks. They also have wonderful natural environment, crystal clear water and sandy beaches. The islands are well developed and offer tourists everything they have ever expected from a vacation in Greece: folklore, entertainment, sports and hospitality.