Ithaki Tourism Information
Ionian Islands, Greece .

Excavations have shown that Ithaki was inhabited since Neolithic Period (4000-3000 BC) and the early Hellenic era (3000-2000 BC) with most important the 12th century BC during Odysseus reign. During the Mycenaean period (1500-1100 BC), Ithaki was the capital of the Cefalonian states and one of the most powerful states at the times. After the Mycenaean period the power was eliminated and Ithaki passed to Cefalonia’s jurisdiction. There were many changes to the island’s population from the Mycenaean to the Byzantine period depending on the circumstances and the conquerors. During the Middle Ages there were many pirates attacks and there was a population decrease.
In 1479, Turkish forces arrived at Ithaki burning the villages and killing the inhabitants. Many of them left the island out of fear and Ithaki became isolated. In the following years Turks and Venetians claimed the island and it was finally taken by the Turkish Empire (1484-1499 AD). Nevertheless the Venetians insisted and in 1500AD they regained the Ionian islands except Lefkada which remained under the Turkish rule. In 1797 the island came under the rule of the French Republic and became the capital of Cefalonia, Lefkada and a part of Greece’s mainland. In 1798 Turkey and Russia followed and Corfu became the capital. As it was previously agreed with the Turks the French were back (1807-1809 AD) and immediately began preparations by building a fort in Vathy in order to face the English who had gained great power. The English occupied the island in 1809 and the state of the Ionian Islands was formed. During the Greek war of independence many notable people from Ithaki participated the revolution and the island offered hospitality and medical care to the revolutionaries. In 1864 Ithaki was liberated and became a part of the New Greek State. During World War II Italians and Germans occupied the island but in 1945 after resistance it was liberated. In 1953 a major earthquake caused the total distraction of Ithaki and the island was rebuilt after strict anti-seismic regulations.

Ithaki is an island full of history and magic.There are two sites on the island which are connected with Odysseus worth visiting. One of them is the cave of the Nymphs or Marmarospilli which according to Homer, Odysseus hid his treasures when he came back from his quest. The other is the remains of Ithaki’s Acropollis which according to Ithakians was Odysseus palace. The traveller can also visit the restored Byzantine Cathedral, Byzantine churches and monasteries, the house of Odysseas Androutsos and all the small picturesque villages. 
The island has beautiful beaches with gold sand or pebbles with turquoise waters and the surrounding landscape with lots of green vegetation is breathtaking.
Agios Ioannis is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ithaki with gold sand and emerald waters just nine kilometres of Vathy.
Frikes is a small beach with crystal clear waters situated 20 kilometres southwest of Vathy. On the left of the beach Marmakas mountain rises high offering its shadow and protecting the beach from the winds.
Dexa is a remarkable beach with pebble-sandy coastline and olive trees along offering their shade just one kilometre away from Vathy. Dexa is believed to be the site where Odysseus arrived from the Trojan War. The Cave of the Nymphs is situated very close to the beach.
Polis is a pebble beach with clear turquoise waters situated 19 kilometres northwest of Vathy. North of the beach is Loizos Cave which used to be a worship temple during ancient times.
Gidaki is a wonderful isolated beach with crystal-clear waters. The beach is not accessible by road but there are two boats leaving from Vathy to Gidaki beach and the trip takes about 20 minutes.
Marmaka is a beach with smooth white pebbles which look like marble with emerald waters and many trees all around.
Lutsa is a sandy beach with bluish waters and an outstanding view of Vathy situated one and a half kilometres away from it. Umbrellas and chairs are available and a bar can be found on the beach.

Ithaki has no airport so travellers fly to Cefalonia’s airport. From Cefalonia there are frequent car ferry services leaving from several ports such as Fiskardo and Sami arriving at Vathy, Ithaki’s main port. From the airport in Cefalonia there are taxis to Sami’s port in order to get the ferry to Ithaki. There is a direct flight with Olympic airways from Athens to Cefalonia with the duration of about an hour. There are direct flights to Cefalonia from many European airports such as Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Manchester, Belfast and Newcastle in the U.K, the Czech Republic and Austrian airports. It is possible to fly by helicopter from and to Ithaki as you can find them on both islands.
There are frequent buses (every hour) from KTEL in Athens to Ithaki via the harbour of Patras. The distance between Athens and Patras is 218 kilometres (two and a half hours). The harbour of Patras is 52 nautical miles from Ithaki. Also there are ferries from the port of Kyllini to Poros, Argostoli and Lixouri in Cefalonia and the operators are Strintzis lines and Ionian Ferries. Daily ferries link Ithaki with the ports of Sami and Agia Efthimia in Cefalonia and Nydri in Lefkada. During peak season a daily ferry leaves from the little port of Frikies in Ithaca to Meganisi, Nydri in Lefkada and Fiskardo in Cefalonia. Ferries also leave from the harbour of Astakos(23 nautical miles) in mainland Greece to Ithaki. There are regular KTEL buses from Athens to Astakos and the distance is 298 kilometres.