Tour of Ithaca Island
The name of Ithaca is virtually synonymous with love for one’s birthplace and the nostalgia felt by those who live away from home.
Ithaca is a beautiful island with traditional and picturesque villages, historical monuments, caves, and fine beaches with crystal clear waters.
There are several interesting sites and places to visit on the island and visitors can enjoy some very interesting, calm and unique holidays.
The last decade Ithaca has known a remarkable tourist development, but it always keeps its traditional identity.
VATHI
The capital and the main port of the island is the beautiful town of Ithaca or VATHI, the latter name referring to the deep bay on which it is built.
At the entrance to the harbor is the small island of Lazaretto, also called Sotira, on which is a church of this name and the ruins of a Venetian jail.
The island suffered major devastation during the destructive earthquake that shook the Ionian islands in 1953, but many of the buildings were rebuilt in the old Septinsular style.
It is worth visiting the restored Cathedral with its wood-carved icon, the house where the great hero Odysseus Androutsos had been born, and the Archaeological Museum (tel. 26740 32200) with important findings of the Geometrical and First Geometrical period.
Just outside the town is the Grotto of the Nymphs (or Marmarospilia); tradition has it that the Naiads were worshipped in this cave, and that it was used by Odysseus as a hiding place for the gifts he brought back with him from the Phaeacians.
It is a very deep cave with two entrances. Its interior is decorated by stalactites and stalagmites.
In Vathi, you will find many hotels, apartments and rooms to let, restaurants, taverns, coffeehouses, bars and clubs for your entertainment.
Tour of Ithaca Island
As for your swim prefer the fine beaches of Loutsa, Sarakiniko, Tsiribi and Filiatro.
Gidaki beach is one of the most idyllics on Ithaca island with crystal clear waters.
Dexa beach is located 2 km. from Vathi. It is a magic beach with fine sand, white pebbles and clear waters.
It is accessible from Vathi port via boat service.
It is also worth visiting the Castle of Odysseus in the area of Aetos, where a prehistoric acropolis was excavated by Schliemann.
Several important archaeological finds came to light in this area, most of which are on display in the British Museum in London.
In the north of the city are the monastery of Katharon, which has some fine icons, the mountain village of Anogi with a superb view over the Ionian sea, and the Byzantine church of the Dormition of the Virgin built during the 12th century, one of the most important churches of Greece.
Lefki, Stavros the biggest village of north Ithaca and one of the most important tourist resorts of the island, Pilikata which has a small archaeological collection and a section of a Cyclopean fortification, the Cave of Loizos, where some important archaeological finds were discovered, the coastal settlement of FRIKES in the bay of the same name, KIONI a beautiful seaside village and EXOGI, the most northern village on the island, built on a hill with a superb view and a verdant setting.
Tour of Ithaca Island
The beaches of Lefkos Gialos and Koutoupi combine natural beauty and crystal clear waters.
In all the villages you can find rooms to let and taverns.
FRIKES
Frikes has a nice beach with crystal waters which attracts many visitors. On Frikes village you will find hotels and rooms to let, taverns, cafes, and bars.
Kioni is one of the most beautiful villages in Ithaca with a small port, fine beaches as Katsikouli, Filiatro, and Plakoutses. In Kioni you will find hotels and rooms to let. In the traditional taverns you can taste fresh fish and other local recipes.
The Polis Beach can be reached from Stavros. It is a magic pebbled beach with crystal turquoise waters.
PERACHORI
To the south of the town is the inland village of PERACHORI, with the monastery of the Taxiarchs dated from the 16th c., and Pre-Greek remains have been found in the region of Marathia.
In the region is produced olive oil and wine of fine quality.
In Perachori you will find rooms to let providing all comforts.
The Homeric Korakos Petra (Raven’s Rock) was probably at Pera Pigadi, further to the south.
TRADITION-EVENTS
There are several cultural events on the island, as well as festivals with an authentic local atmosphere.
Some of the most important festivals include: of Agii Apostoli in 30th June on Frikes village, of Agia Marina in 17th July on Exogi, of the Prophet Elias in 20th July on Kioni village, of the Virgin Mary in 14th August in Anogi, and another one also dedicated to the Virgin Mary in 15th August on Platrithias.
LOCAL PRODUCTS
The main products of the island are oil, wine and raisins.
The island’s flora gives the raw material for the production of fine honey.
Some of the famous traditional recipes of Ithaca are savoro, tserepa (meat prepared in a special kettle), rovani and of course fresh fish.
