Hellenism archive

This is a small and serene Ionian island with few inhabitants. It has one of the most recognizable names in the world and owes its reputation to the resourceful Odysseus, the king of the Homeric epics, whose adventures while his long journey home are one of the oldest stories known.

Ithaca, however, has many more ways to captivate travelers beyond mythical stories: a unique landscape with sheltered bays and peninsulas, crystal clear waters, and dense vegetation with countless cypresses, pines and olive trees which cover the slopes and valleys and go all the way down to the seaside.

The long history of the place is interesting: The island was inhabited from the Neolithic era and everywhere on the island there are traces from people who lived there all these centuries. Among them, the Venetians were the most influential and shaped the culture of the people in music, literature, architecture and of course gastronomy. The turning point in the history of the island was also the great earthquake of 1953, which caused massive damage to all the villages and caused many residents to migrate. Nowadays there are many Thiakoi (=residents of Ithaca) living permanently in Australia, South Africa and America and visit their place of origin in the summers.

The capital is Vathy, a small picturesque town in the heart of a bay. Both Vathy and the other villages of Ithaca have developed a lot in the recent years. Despite the touristic development, all villages respect the identity of the place, the tradition and culture of the inhabitants who stand out for their warm hospitality.

How to get there:

Ships travel from Ithaca to Kefalonia, Lefkada , Patras, and Astakos of Aitoloakarnania daily.

• Vathy and Piso Aetos are connected with Patras (ferry connection) via Sami throughout the year.
• Also Piso Aetos is connected with Fiscardo of Kefalonia, Vasiliki of Lefkada and Astakos of Aitoloakarnania by ferry.
• From Frikes there are are routes throughout the year to Fiskardo and Vasiliki or Nydri.