Informations about Ithaca
Geographical & Historical Outline
Ithaca lies 2 nautical miles west of Kefalonia and 23 nautical miles east of Astakos (on the west coast of Central Greece).
Ithaca is the smallest of the Ionian islands, it has an area of 96 square kilometers and about 100 kilometers of coastline.
The island is thickly wooded and has superb beaches and crystal clear sea.
Administratively, it belongs to the prefecture of Kefalonia.
Ithaca was first inhabited in prehistoric times and is famous because of the adventures of its mythical king Odysseus, who brought the Trojan War to an end through the ruse of the Wooden Horse; after the war ended the Greeks’ favour he wandered for ten years before reaching his beloved homeland and faithful wife Penelope.
The name of the island is virtually synonymous with love for one’s birthplace and the nostalgia felt by those who live away from home.
The island was conquered by Normands, Venetians and French. In 1798 it was under the protection of Russian-Turks and two years later it was declared its independence after the intervention of Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece.
Informations about Ithaca
HOW TO GET THERE
BY BUS & FERRY BOAT: The journey from Athens to Patra, a distance of 219 kilometers, is covered by car or KTEL buses.
There are frequent ferry services from Patra’s port to Vathi on Ithaca island, via Sami on Kefalonia. Distance 53 nautical miles.
There are also frequent ferry services to Vathi from Astakos in Etoloakarnania, in Central Greece.
Distance 23 nautical miles.
Ithaca island is connected daily by ferry with Kefalonia and Lefkada islands.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
- Port Authority of Ithaca
Tel: + 30 26740 32909
- Port Authority of Patra
Tel: + 30 2610 341002
Tel: + 30 2613615400
- Port Authority of Lefkada
Tel: + 30 26450 22322
- Port Authority of Fiskardo Kefalonia
Tel: + 30 26740 41400
- Port Authority of Sami Kefalonia
Tel: + 30 26740 22031
- Port Authority of Astakos
Tel: + 30 26460 41052
- ITHACA TAXI
ithacataxi.gr
- Ithaki Taxi Station
Tel: + 30 26740 33030
- Ithaca Health Center
Tel: + 30 26740 32222
- Ithaca Police Station
Tel: + 30 26740 32205
- Archaeological Collection of Stavros
Tel: + 30 26740 31305
- Archaeological Museum of Vathi Ithaca
Tel: + 30 26740 32200
- Municipal Art Gallery
Tel: + 30 26740 32271
- Municipal Library
Tel: + 30 26740 33448
- Municipality of Ithaca
Tel: + 30 26740 33481
Tel: + 30 26740 32795
ithaki.gr
- Nautical & Folklore Museum of Ithaca
Tel: + 30 26740 33398
