Vathí at the inner end of the bay

Vathí lies amphitheatrically at the inner end of its bay and has been the capital of Itháki since 1500 AD. The natural harbour is a starting point for a variety of discoveries, from archaeological collections and Venetian and French traces to Homeric tradition. The island’s everyday life and views across the water are also among the things that shape the town.

Harbour scenery and tradition

Local tradition identifies Vathí’s natural harbour with the Homeric harbour of Phorkys. At the entrance to the harbour lies the small island of Lazareto, where pine trees grow. During Venetian rule, it served as a quarantine station. The combination of harbour, island and historical function gives this part of Vathí its own maritime history.

At the harbour entrance, above Loútsa Beach, parts of a small fortification with two cannons have been preserved. The fortification at the harbour was built in 1807 during the second French occupation of the Ionian Islands. The harbour’s history can therefore also be traced through tangible architectural remains and a precisely dated event.

A service is held every year at the Chapel of the Saviour on Lazareto on 5 and 6 August. Many people travel to the island in kaíki boats and other vessels. If you would like to plan your trip around this celebration, check the exact event dates in advance.

Museums: from antiquity to island life

The Archaeological Museum of Itháki in Vathí is located within the traditional settlement, not far from the square and waterfront road. Its collection includes finds that shed light on different aspects of island life from the Mycenaean to the Roman period. It also includes objects connected with Homeric poetry and the figure of Odysseus. The long time span and Homeric connections offer different ways to explore Itháki’s past.

The Itháki Maritime and Folklore Museum offers a different perspective. It is housed in a traditional building dating from 1923 and displays, among other things, an extensive collection of objects from everyday life in old Itháki. Archaeological finds and maritime everyday culture thus provide different ways to approach the island’s history. For families, the artefacts, everyday objects and references to Odysseus can provide specific topics for conversation.

Church architecture and Homeric studies

Vathí’s Metropolitan Church, the Holy Church of the Presentation of the Theotokos, has a Venetian bell tower dating from 1820 and a post-Byzantine iconostasis dating from 1793. An iconostasis is a wall decorated with icons that separates the sanctuary from the nave in Orthodox churches. The bell tower and iconostasis bring two distinct elements of the church, each with its own historical date, into focus.

Homer is also the subject of academic events in Vathí. Seminars in Homeric philology are held every year towards the end of summer. International academic conferences on Homeric studies are also held every three years under the auspices of the Centre for Odyssean Studies. If you would like to combine your trip with one of these events, check the exact dates in advance.

On foot and by the water

You can explore Vathí on foot from one end to the other. You can also explore the waterfront promenade on foot or by bicycle. Walking along the promenade from one end to the other takes almost an hour. This gives the waterfront walk a clear place in your day’s plans; cycling offers another way to experience the promenade.

If harbour and island history, museums and waterside walks fit your holiday plans, Vathí could be a good place to look for a holiday apartment. When choosing a location, you can consider whether you would like to focus your stay more on culture and history or on getting active along the waterfront promenade.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Aetos, Itháka, Frikes

Back to the main travel overview: Ithaki.