The Ionian Islands are the brightest green spots on the Greek color palette due to the temperate climate, the variety of olive groves and cypresses and the mountains filled with trees.
Each island has its own landscape and history and there is something for everyone: adventurers, gourmets, culture lovers and sunbathers.
Sailing those Greek islands aboard a catamaran is an unforgettable experience!
Often remembered as the idyllic island that welcomed Odysseus after the shipwreck, Corfù provides the same loving welcome to its tourists.
Corfu Town, the island’s capital, is a great starting point for exploring the stunning island of Corfu. The name “Corfu” means “tops” and comes from the fact that the city is situated between two hills on which two impressive fortresses were constructed to repel the ambushes of the Ottomans. The Old Town of Corfu has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and features stunning neoclassical structures such as the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, Liston Arcade, Reading Society, and Catholic Cathedral. The town also offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to explore museums, stroll along the renowned Liston promenade, and get lost in the little cobblestone alleyways known as “kandounia.”
When it comes to beaches, Corfu has no shortage of options. The lovely village of Paleokastritsa, which lies 23 kilometers northwest of Corfu Town, is undoubtedly the most well-known on the island of Corfu. The term “Paleokastritsa” literally translates to “ancient fortress,” attesting to the presence of a fortification on the rocky cave where the Virgin Monastery now sits.
Another must-see beach is the Canal d’Amour, where you can swim along a natural waterway formed by the smooth rocks. In the meanwhile, the nearby Sidari offers breathtaking sand beaches with sandstone formations.
Kerasia Beach is the perfect destination for those who enjoy nature and wish to relax away from crowded places. It mixes the pristine waters, lush green scenery, and stunning coves that make it the perfect vacation spot in the summer.
Agios Georgios Beach, with its Blue Flag recognition, is made up of big, sparkly pebbles and soft sand, and offers plenty of umbrellas and sun loungers for visitors to enjoy.
In summary, Corfu offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re interested in exploring the Old Town or lounging on the island’s stunning beaches, there’s something for everyone on this charming island.
A tiny island in a complex of Lilliputian islands covered with green forests and surrounded by turquoise waters.
Discover the magical island of Paxi, where crystal clear waters resemble the most beautiful colors in the world, and olive trees reach the sea with the rustles of the wind. According to legend, Paxi was created when Poseidon struck his trident in Corfu to protect his beloved Amphitrite. With fantastic sailing and water sports, and activities such as touring churches and archaeological sites, swimming at pristine beaches, and strolling through charming villages with stone streets, Paxi is more than a fairy tale.
Here are some reasons we love Paxi:
Gaios, The Capital
The natural harbor where Gaios is located is the center of most of the island’s economic and cultural activities. The village’s most magnificent 19th-century structures can be seen from the dock between the winding lanes.
Isle of Agios Nikolaos
The jewel of Gaios port is Agios Nikolaos, an islet covered nearly entirely in beautiful greenery. It was created to ward off pirates and to give the Venetian castle that dominated the area in the 15th century a place to stand.
Erimitis Beach (Pebbled, secluded)
Erimitis Beach, established in 2008 following a landslide, is a magnificent beach with a view of the setting sun and towering cliffs. It boasts blue seas with sulfur and white rocks.
Hot Springs of Paxi
The hot springs in Paxi are a must-see attraction because they’ve been popular since ancient times! They pour into the sea from the island’s subsoil and have therapeutic properties due to the sulfur they contain. The hot springs at Ozia, Yianna, and Glyfada are the best on the island.
The island of Antipaxì is the smalles island of the Ionian Sea, located three nautical miles off the southern coast of Paxos.
Antipaxos is a hidden gem of Greece, boasting exotic landscapes and lush greenery. The island is well-known for its picturesque beaches, making it a top destination for swimming and snorkeling. Voutoumi and Vrika, the two main beaches of Antipaxos, are located on the northern side of the islet and offer a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors. Additionally, there are several secluded coves located south of these two beaches, providing a unique and intimate experience.
Here are some of the reasons we love Antipaxos:
Voutoumi Beach: This beautiful beach is a must-visit destination in Antipaxos, featuring crystal-clear waters and soft white sand. It is the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the stunning scenery.
Vrika Beach: Another fantastic beach located on the northern end of the island, Vrika is a great spot for relaxing and soaking up the sun. With its calm waters and beautiful surroundings, it’s a popular choice for visitors to the island.
Ormos Bay: This picturesque bay offers stunning views of the island’s rugged coastline and is a great place to enjoy a quiet picnic or take a leisurely stroll.
Emerald Bay: As the name suggests, this secluded cove is known for its emerald-green waters and is a top spot for snorkeling and exploring the local marine life.
Syvota is considered one of the most exotic destinations within Greece: lacy coasts, luscious green islets, long sheltered beaches with crystal clear waters, and hidden bays, are just some of the features that nature has freely offered.
Syvota is a hidden gem in the Ionian archipelago and a must-see destination for sailors visiting Greece. Although not a tourist-focused town, Syvota warmly welcomes visitors and offers a unique side of Greece, reminiscent of unearthing buried treasure. Steeped in history and culture, Syvota has played a significant role in many of Greece’s pivotal historical events, including the Peloponnesian war in 433 BC.
Here are some reasons why we love Syvota:
Bella Vraka Beach
Bella Vraka is a beautiful sandy beach that connects Sivota to the islet of Mourtemeno. To get to the beach, visitors must walk through the sea, and water sports can be enjoyed here. The stunning location will leave you amazed and is one of the top spots to visit in Syvota.
Pisina Beach at Agios Nikolaos
Pisina Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Syvota, named after the Greek word for “pool.” The crystal-clear turquoise water creates the impression of swimming in a natural pool, making it a must-visit destination for beach lovers.
Meganísi is a beautifully unspoiled island with a gentle, calming speed of life and very few visitors, only a quick trip from its larger sister, Lefkada.
Meganisi is a Greek island that is a hidden gem for sailors exploring the Ionian archipelago. Despite being only 20 square kilometers in size, it offers a plethora of sandy beaches and bays due to its unique flower-shaped geography.
This tranquil island is perfect for travelers who seek a peaceful getaway as mass tourism is non-existent here. The island can only be explored on foot or by private vehicle, and most of its facilities are located in the main villages of Meganisi, Vathy and Spartochori. Vathy is especially beautiful and cosmopolitan with numerous yachts and vessels mooring in its port during the summer.
Here are some reasons why we love Meganisi:
Agios Ioannis Beach (Family-Friendly, Pebbled, Non-Organized)
Agios Ioannis Beach is a long, pebbled beach located 7 kilometers south of Katomeri, Meganisi’s city. Its crystal-clear waters are perfect for swimming and relaxation, and the beach is never too crowded due to its thin but extensive coastline. No sun loungers or umbrellas are provided, so it’s ideal for those who want a more natural experience.
Barbarezou Beach (Pebbled, Secluded, Non-Organized)
Barbarezou Beach, also known as Cape Akoni, is one of Meganisi’s least-visited beaches, making it a great spot for peace and quiet. It features clear blue waters and small stones on its seafloor, but they don’t make walking difficult. Green trees surround the beach, adding to its natural charm.
Ithaca, known worldwide as the birthplace of Odysseus, symbolizes the return and the discovery of heaven.
Discover the unexplored charm of Ithaca, a tranquil and peaceful island located next to Kefalonia. Perfect for alternative activities and a vacation that meets the expectations of even the most demanding travelers.
Explore the island’s prettiest villages, including Vathy, Kioni, and Frikes, which have maintained their traditional identities despite the growth of tourism. Vathy, the hub of activity and home to the majority of hotels, is particularly intriguing due to its regional architecture.
Ithaca boasts exotic beaches like Filiatro, Sarakiniko, and Agios Ioannis, but if you’re looking for a private substitute, Gidaki beach is the best option!
Here are some reasons why we love Ithaca:
Vathy village
Visit the capital of the island, Vathy, and explore the Maritime and Folkloric Museum and the Archaeological Museum of Ithaca. This village is known for its regional architecture and is situated on a bay adorned by the diminutive island of Lazarétto.
Skinos Bay beach (Pebbled, Secluded, Non-Organized)
Snorkel in the extremely clear emerald green waters at Skinos Beach. This secluded beach has a rocky shoreline and beautiful cypress trees.
Gidaki beach (Pebbled, Secluded, Non-Organized)
Experience the pristine beauty of Gidaki beach, which is only accessible by water and is made up of white, sparkling stones. This secluded beach is free of tourist amenities, offering calm, pristine waters and beautiful surroundings.
The Monastery of Panagia Kathariotissa
At an elevation of 600 meters in the center of the island lies the Monastery of Panagia Kathariotissa, the patron saint of Ithaca. The location offers a breathtaking perspective over the island’s capital city of Vathy.
Experience the unexplored charm of Ithaca and its tranquil beauty.
Though the largest of the Ionian Islands is Kefalonia, it is also the least trodden.
Kefalonia, the puzzle-piece-shaped island, is stepping out of the shadows of its sisters with its jewel-toned seas, desolate beaches, and pastel-painted villages. As a sun-seeker, you’ll be greeted with some of the greatest beaches in Greece. For those who cannot sit still for long, hiking in the mountainous areas is one of the most exciting things to do in Kefalonia. The villages are dripping with charm, with Fiskardo and Assos being must-visit quaint towns in addition to the island’s capital, Argostoli.
Some reasons we love Kefalonia:
Argostoli
Argostoli is the capital and the island’s largest city. A natural harbor with mountains and lush trees surrounds this village.
The Cave Lake of Melissani
Myrtos bay (Partly-Organized beach, Family Friendly, Pebbled)
Myrtos Beach has developed a global reputation and is frequently listed among the most stunning and outstanding beaches in tourist publications.
The village of Fiskardo
This charming fishing village is designated as a traditional preservable settlement and is renowned for its welcoming and international atmosphere.
As a charter company for catamarans in Greece, we invite you to discover Kefalonia’s charm with us. With its untouched beauty and undisturbed tourism, it is the perfect place for alternative activities and a vacation that meets the expectations of the most demanding of us. Book your catamaran with us and explore Kefalonia’s hidden gems!
Lefkada is made up of 24 islands spread within a small archipelago.
The landscape of Lefkada blends both idyllic and rough scenery, welcoming the tourist to roam the past of the Ionian Islands while rewarding every corner with the discovery of exciting secrets.
This sea area is considered ideal for boat rides and sailing due to the safe navigation it provides and the great variety of sheltered moorings in picturesque bays, harbors and quiet beaches.
The inhabited islands are Meganissi, Kalamos and Kastos while Madouri, Skorpios, Atokos are privately owned. The rest of the islands are small and uninhabited. The coasts of this area are dotted with a great number of underwater and sea caves, which form an ideal habitat for seals.
Lefkada offers visitors wonderful beachfront towns like Nidri and Agios Nikitas in addition to its beaches. Additionally, there are lots of naturally stunning locations, such as the Dimosari waterfalls, wonderful food, and a ton of fun things to do!
Some reasons we love Lefkada:
– Waterfalls of Nydri
On the outskirts of Nydri, there is a stunning waterfall called Dimossari that cascades down into a valley filled with white rocks. The path that leads to the river on foot along the pine tree silhouette is beautiful. The seaside town of Nydri is close to the Dimossari Waterfalls. A trip to this charming Lefkada town and the Dimossari waterfalls are ideal together.
– Monastery of Faneromeni
The most significant sacred site on the island of Lefkada is the Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni. This monastery, which is perched on a hill above the town, offers stunning views of the city, the northern part of the island, and the opposing shores of the mainland.
– Milos, Pefkoulia Beach, Kathsima, Egremni Beaches
– Porto Katsiki (Partly-Organized, Family Friendly, Pebbled)
One of Lefkada’s top beach destinations and one of the best in Greece and the Mediterranean is Porto Katsiki. The Ionian’s deep blue waters create a unique dichotomy with abrupt white cliffs, which create a wild but gorgeous backdrop. The surrounding area is covered in lush greenery, providing one of the most picturesque settings on earth.
Kastos, an Ionian Island refuge just a few kilometers southeast of Meganisi, is gifted with gorgeous beaches, tranquility, and a pleasingly simple way of life.
Only about 50 people live permanently in Kastos, a tiny jewel that is only 8 km from north to south and less than 1 km from east to west.
Due to its small size and unspoiled beauty, it is the perfect vacation spot for anyone wishing to get away from it all. The east is dotted with a variety of small sandy-pebbly beaches and paradisiacal bays with transparent, electric blue waters, in contrast to the west’s predominantly rocky, element-sculpted coastline.
Reasons we love Kastos:
– Agios Emilianos with the small cave Fokotrypa
This famous beach is ideal for swimming, diving, and snorkeling with clean, turquoise waters. One of the island’s top attractions, Fokotrypa (Seal Hole), a small sea cave with a beach inside it, is in Agios Emilianos.
– Fyki beach
– Church of Agios Ioannis or Prodromos
Probably one of the least well-known Greek islands is Kalamos.
20 square kilometers of surface area, with an uncommon mix of plants and rocky outcrops. Arbutus, bay, olive, holm-oak, and the renowned maritime pine trees are only a few of the many types of plants that flourish there. Less than 600 people live permanently on the island.
The island is known for its stunning pebbly beaches, the most of which are only accessible by sea.
Some reasons we love Kalamos:
– Agios Konstantinos beach with the church of Agios Donatos
– Chalasma, a niche in the rock
– the islet of Fermekoula
– Chapel of Agios Konstantinos
Atokos is a hidden treasure of the Ionian Sea that is open to anyone while being private, and it is a true haven for yachts.
It’s a 4.5 km2 island part of the Ithaca municipality. Even though it is abandoned by people, it is home to rare marine flora, making it a part of the Natura 2000 network. A family of black pigs has been keeping the island’s few wild goats company for a few years now. The principal beach is One House Bay, where you can also find the small chapel of St. John. This is a stop you won’t miss!
