Ionian Islands
Photo: Erik Karits / Pexels
The Verdict
The lush, green Greece — choose the Ionian when you want calm swimming water and wooded coastlines over bare Cycladic rock.
Why go
For green islands, calm sheltered beaches, Venetian old towns and a gentler pace than the Cyclades.
Understand the place
Green, wooded islands on Greece's western coast — Italian and Venetian influence, calm swimming water, a different feel from the Cyclades.
Where to swim
Beaches
Myrtos Beach
White pebble crescent below towering cliffs, best seen first from the clifftop road above. Kefalonia's most photographed beach, for good reason.
“Recommended — the most photographed beach in the Ionian, a white crescent below towering cliffs.”
Paleokastritsa
A stack of turquoise bays below wooded cliffs on Corfu's west coast, with a monastery on the headland and boat trips to sea caves.
“The most photogenic water on Corfu and the most crowded car park on Corfu. Arrive before ten, or come by boat and skip the road entirely.”
Porto Katsiki
White sand strip beneath sheer cliffs, reached down stairs cut into the rock. One of the most dramatic beaches in the Ionian, and Lefkada's signature shot.
“Recommended — one of the most dramatic Ionian beaches: a strip of white sand at the foot of a cliff.”
Navagio (Shipwreck Beach)
Rusty shipwreck on white sand in an enclosed cove, famous from the clifftop view above. The beach itself is a crowded, boat-herded affair, so the photo is the point.
“Optional — the famous shipwreck cove is stunning from above, but the beach itself is a crowded, boat-herding experience.”
What to eat & drink here
Food & drink
Pastitsada
Rooster or beef stewed in tomato sauce with spetsieriko spice mix, poured over thick pasta. Corfu's Venetian-Ionian hybrid, built for slow Sunday lunches.
“Venetian elegance meets Ionian spice in a bowl of pure comfort.”
Bourdeto
Scorpion fish cooked in a punchy red sauce loaded with cayenne pepper. Corfu's fiery proof that Greek cooking isn't only lemon and oregano.
“A spicy, fiery fish stew that proves Greek food isn't just lemon and oregano.”
Robola
Limestone-driven white from Cephalonia with a lemon-zest finish. Order it with fried seafood and watch it cut straight through the oil.
“A limestone-loving grape from Cephalonia that defines the Ionian style.”
The old world
History & archaeology
The Old Fortress
The Venetian citadel on its own promontory east of Corfu Town, separated from the old town by a moat and a sea channel.
“Climb it for the view back over the old town, not for the ruins. The walk up is the point.”
Achilleion Palace
An empress's summer villa above Gastouri, built for Elisabeth of Austria and later used by the Kaiser, with formal gardens and a wide view of the island.
“Kitsch imperial villa, genuinely good gardens. Worth an hour if you are already passing; not a reason to cross the island.”
Beyond the built
Outdoors & nature
Places within
Corfu Town
Corfu's UNESCO old town, squeezed between two Venetian fortresses, with the arcaded Liston and the Campiello lanes at its centre.
“The one place in Corfu where the Venetian, French and British layers are all visible in a single afternoon walk. Stay inside the old town, not on the coast road.”
Corfu
The greenest and most Italian of the Ionian islands — a Venetian old town, olive groves, and a long, layered history.
“The Ionian island with the most character and history — choose it for green landscapes and a Venetian old town, not for bare Cycladic white.”
Keep reading
All Greek islandsMore related places in Greece
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