Discover Ithaca: Harbors, History and Nature

Three harbors, archaeological evidence from various eras and a coastline with hidden coves define Ithaca. When choosing your accommodation, it helps to start by considering the experiences you want your trip to focus on: Vathy is the starting point for the KTEL bus system, while routes through the island’s interior, historic sites and seaside destinations offer very different experiences.

Harbors and Getting Around

Ithaca has three main harbors: Vathy, Piso Aetos and Frikes. Vathy’s harbor is a natural harbor with a sheltered anchorage, considered especially well protected since Homeric times. Today, Vathy is also an important reference point for planning: the KTEL bus system connects it to almost all villages in northern Ithaca. If you want to take bus service into account when choosing where to stay, this is a practical detail to consider. The three harbors also offer a useful way to orient yourself if you want to focus your stay more on Ithaca’s maritime side.

Archaeology and Maritime History

At the Archaeological Museum of Ithaki in Vathy, exhibits offer insights into life on Ithaca from Mycenaean to Roman times. Other items relate to Homeric poetry and Odysseus and are considered archaeologically significant. The Stavros Archaeological Collection complements this perspective with finds dating from the Early Bronze Age to the Roman period. They come from Pilikata Hill, the village of Stavros, Loizos Cave and Treis Lagkades.

The history of the settlements can also be traced at different locations. Palaiochora was one of Ithaca’s three earliest settlements and its old capital, before the capital was moved to Vathy by the sea. Pilikata contains remains of human settlements from pre-Hellenistic and Mycenaean times. The St Athanasios–School of Homer archaeological site lies in northern Ithaca, on the eastern slopes of Mount Exoghi. Alalkomenes, meanwhile, is an ancient Hellenistic settlement on the slopes of Mount Aetos, overlooking the harbor of Piso Aetos. In 1982, Vathy was designated a traditional settlement because of its distinctive Ionian architecture.

The Folklore and Nautical Museum of Ithaca showcases the island’s centuries-old seafaring tradition through paintings and photographs of merchant ships owned by local residents, nautical instruments, naval uniforms, documents and manuscripts. Families looking to combine different interests can find insights into life at sea alongside archaeological subjects.

Routes and Landscapes

Two routes offer a practical comparison in terms of length and difficulty rating. The Perahori–Palaiochora–Cave of the Nymphs route is 3,000 meters long and rated easy. The Anogi–Kioni route is 4,500 meters long and rated moderate. When planning your day, you can choose between the shorter route, rated easy, and the longer, moderate route. The Cave of the Nymphs is also associated with the legend of Odysseus.

In the wider area around Anogi, around the village and Mount Niritos, there are large monoliths with pronounced prehistoric megalithic features. High on Mount Niritos lies the Kathara Monastery, regarded as Ithaca’s spiritual center and a pilgrimage site. Alykes offers a different focus for nature watching: Ithaca’s only wetland serves as a resting place for migratory birds, particularly in autumn and winter.

Ithaca’s coastline includes hidden coves, caves and steep cliffs that descend into the water. Many beaches are accessible only from the sea; Ithaca is a major destination for sailboats and yachts. A recommended kayaking route covers 12.5 kilometers from Vathy via Gidaki Beach and Filiatro Beach to Sarakiniko Bay. It offers varied coastal scenery, with more than 20 large and small beaches. If experiencing the island from the water is important to your trip, these coastal destinations and the island’s maritime character are another factor to consider when choosing where to stay.

Local Products and Other Places

Extra virgin olive oil made from a local olive variety is one of Ithaca’s main products. You can also discover these other places on Ithaca: Aetos, Frikes and Vathy.

For the main travel overview: Ithaki.