Ionian
Ithaca
Odysseus's home island — small, green, and profoundly unhurried.
Getting around
Car recommended
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Quiet
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Ferry only
In pictures
Ithaca
Homer's Odyssey gave Ithaca the most famous homecoming in Western literature, and the island still carries something of that weight — of longing, of return, of a place that justifies the journey. It is small, mountainous, and quiet in a way that feels earned rather than accidental. The port town of Vathy, set at the end of a deep natural harbour, is one of the loveliest in the Ionian, particularly in the evening when day-trippers have left and the waterfront settles into local life. There are no big sandy beaches and very limited nightlife — which is precisely the point for the sailors, writers, and mythology-minded travellers who are drawn here. The spring of Arethousa, where Odysseus's swineherd Eumaeus watered his pigs, is a pleasant walk from the capital. Reaching Ithaca requires planning, patience, and a certain willingness to be somewhere that does not make things easy.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Very limited tourist infrastructure. Getting there requires planning and patience.
Hidden gem
Climb to the School of Homer ruins at sunrise — likely Odysseus' actual palace, almost always empty.
Where it sits
Ionian, Greece
Ithaca — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Ithaca? +
- The best months to visit Ithaca are May to October. It's very quiet, even in August, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Ithaca from Athens? +
- Ithaca has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Ithaca good for couples? +
- Ithaca is a charming pick for couples, especially shoulder season.
- Is Ithaca good for families with kids? +
- Ithaca is a solid family option, though you'll want a car for the best beaches.
- Is Ithaca expensive? +
- Ithaca is affordable by Greek-island standards.
- Do you need a car on Ithaca? +
- You'll want a rental car on Ithaca — distances are longer and the best beaches are spread out.
- What's the catch with Ithaca? +
- Very limited tourist infrastructure. Getting there requires planning and patience.