CAVE TOURISM
Loizou Cave: located NW of Stavros. The cave seems to have served as a place of worship since 2500 BC. up to Roman times. Inside the cave you will see inscriptions on shells, stones and tiles that prove the use of the space as a cult.
Cave of the Nymphs – Marmarospilia: according to mythology, in this cave Odysseus hid the gifts of the king of the Phaeacians, when he arrived in Ithaca. Figurines, vases and rings of worship have been found inside the cave. From the excavations came to light a second cave inside the first, where animal bones were found such as deer that had been sacrificed to the nymphs. Inside the cave there is a tunnel which is not accessible.
DARK TOURISM
Opposite the port in Vathi there is a small island, Lazareto. Its current beauty with its lush pines and the small church of Sotiros will surprise you, given the fact that the island a few centuries ago served as a prison and disinfectant. From 1560, during the Venetian rule, all ships coming from destinations where the plague was flourishing, stopped at Lazareto and remained quarantined for 40 days.
When the English conquerors came, they built a two-story building there, which had been used as a prison for dissidents.
DIVING TOURISM
The underwater wealth of the Ionian Sea will not leave diving enthusiasts unmoved. At the cape of Ai Giannis the experience of diving is unforgettable, since you will meet many pelagic fish that flood the seabed.
Cape Kotsifi with its turquoise waters is another destination for those who love diving. It is also worth diving in the sea cave of Manara, in the sea cave Sarakiniko, in the cape of Mounta with the rich reef and the hidden underwater secrets from the Second World War, the cape Batista with the underwater cave at great depth and Cape Skotaria which, due to the difficulties that presents, allows the entry only to the experienced certified divers. Many people choose for diving the beach of Agios Ioannis, Andri, Kritami, Polis, Plati Ammo, Oxopetra – ideal for beginners, Liano Nisaki, the rocky islet Nisaki – ideal for beginner divers and Skartsoubonisi.
ECOTOURISM
Alykes: in the northeast of the island in the area of Marmaka is Alykes, a unique wetland that has been inventoried by the international organization WWF. It is a seasonal salt water lake, which in winter is filled with water and neptune leaves. In summer the water evaporates and the place becomes muddy. In autumn and winter, Alykes become a refuge for migratory birds (lefkotsikniades, stachtotsikniades, kournakles and sea crows).
Monolithoi Anogis: they are impressive giant monoliths placed on other rocks. The monoliths are scattered on the plateau of Anogi and are one of the most important “natural monuments” in the country with these characteristics.
The “Afendikos Loggos” Forest: it is located in the southwest of Perachori, at an altitude of 500 meters. This is an area of 80 acres covered by centuries-old high Aries (evergreen tree). The flora of the area also includes koumaries, schina, pournaria, alisfakia, valerian, wild asparagus, orchids, irises, anemones, cyclamen and mushroom species in the autumn months. Talking for fauna, the soil is ideal for several species of reptiles, rodents and small mammals.
GASTRONOMY TOURISM
During your holidays on the island you should not miss trying the local delicacies of the island and the local products, for which Ithaca is famous.
- Tserepa Chicken (chicken in a tall clay pan)
- Shrimp pie
- Savoro fish
- Riganada (bread soaked in water with oregano, tomato, feta and oil)
- Poulenta (sweet cream with milk, raisins, sugar)
- Fig pie
- Rovani (dessert from rice, honey and oil)
- Katimaria
- Semolina halvas
The island is also known for its good wine, its extra virgin olive oil, its special quality honey and its herbs.
HIKING TOURISM
- Perachori – Marathias (from Spiliotissa): Route distance of 5.3 km and duration 1 hour and 50 minutes. On your way you will pass through the settlement in Perachori, from the parish church of Perachori to Nea Panagia, you will move on from the old rural road of the area, also known as Imioniki Odos, then to the south of Perachori you will see the church of Agios Athanasios, you will cross the Nerovoulos mountain range (566 meters altitude), you will pass by the chapel of Panagia Spiliotissa, the Marathia plateau (250-300 meters altitude), the ancient settlement with the few remains in the area Elliniko, the Cave of Eumeos and the apocalypse rock “Korakos Petra”.
- Marathias – Perachori (from Rizes Cave): Route distance of 4.6 km and duration 1 hour and 35 minutes. The route starts from the steep rock “Korakos Petra”, continues to the Cave of Eumaeus, the Marathia Plateau, the dirt road between Vatheos – Marathia (Amaxiti Road), the shrine of Agios Nikolaos located in “Odos”, the area of Anemodouri, a location on the plateau of Marathias, the Gefyra, where you find the road and the cave Rizes. You will meet on your way crops with olive trees before you end up in Perachori.
- Arethousa Krini: A distance of 1.5 km and a total duration of 30 minutes on the slopes of the Homeric Arethousa Krini. The hike starts from the cliff of Korakos Petra, then you will pass through Arethousa Krini, where, according to the Odyssey, Eumeos watered his animals. The route ends at the deserted beach of Pera Pigadi.
- Vathi – Perachori (from Nymphes Cave): Route with a total distance of 4 km and lasting 1 hour and 20 minutes. Your “journey” starts from Vathi, where you will meet in the square of the settlement the Bust of Homer and the Statue of Odysseus, then you will head from Skala to Gardelaki (you can find the church of the Assumption of the Virgin), then on your way you will meet the Cave of the Nymphs , the chapels of Agios Nikolaos and Agios Andreas, the paved threshing floor, the mountain Petaliatiko (altitude 669 meters), the first capital, which was the settlement of Paleochora with the church of Agios Ioannis the Theologian, the chapel of Panagia Maroulatiki, the Church of Koi of the Virgin and Nea Panagia.
- Perachori – Vathi (from an old road): distance of 2, 3 kilometers and duration 50 minutes. The hike starts from the old settlement of Perachori, where you will meet the church of Nea Panagia, the church of Agios Gerasimos and the shrine of Agios Raphael. On the way you will see the old stone windmill on the west side of the port, on the hill Karteri and the church of Panagia Vlacherna. Then, to drive to Vathi, you will pass by the stairs of Panagia Vlacherna.
- Vathi – Chapel of Agios Andreas: Route distance of 3.7 km and duration 1 hour and 15 minutes. The route is coastal and starts from Vathi. You will pass by the Statue of Odysseus, the Bust of Homer, the stone-built Drakouli Megaron, the coastal road of the port also known as Strata Marina, the old carnagio in the area of Tabakario, the small fortress of Loutsas at the east of the port, the sandy beach of Loutsa and the path of Agios Andreas that ends at the homonymous chapel and the homonymous lighthouse.
- Holy Monastery of Kathara – Anogi: Route of 3 kilometers and lasting 1 hour. It starts from the Monastery of Kathara at an altitude of 550 meters. Then you will meet the stone-built water tank “Sterna”, you will pass by Mount Niriton (at 809 meters altitude), Pezoules (arable land) and the lunar landscape Niritia Petra with its unique rocks. Arriving in Anogi you will see the church of the Assumption of the Virgin.
- Anogi – Kioni (from the chapel of Agios Gerasimos): distance 5.1 km and duration 1 hour and 45 minutes. One of the most popular hiking routes on the island that starts from the settlement of Anogi with the beautiful church of the Assumption of the Virgin. On your way you will see the “painting of nature”, the monolith “Araklis”, with a height of 8 meters, the ruined church of Panagia Evangelistria, the area of Kameni Chora, where the heliport of the island is located and the characteristic tree of the plateau of Anogi, the arias (oak). Before reaching Kioni you will meet the chapels of Agios Nikolaos and Agios Gerasimos. In the seaside settlement of Kioni you will see the large church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos.
- Kioni – Anogi (from Vigla): distance of 6.4 km and duration 2 hours and 10 minutes. The route follows mountain hiking on the ridge of Vigla. It starts from the seaside settlement of Kioni, then reaches the traditional settlement of Rachi, where you will see the Church of Evangelistria. Then, you will see the terraces (with vines, olive trees, wheat and lentils) and the old sheepfolds for sheep and goats. Then go up to Vigla (altitude 289 meters) to see the old windmills, the chapels of Agios Nikolaos, Agios Theodoros and Agia Paraskevi and the huge monolith “Kavelaris”. Then, you reach the mountain village of Anogi with the church of the Assumption of the Virgin.
- Frikes – Panagia of Skala: a distance of 3.8 kilometers and lasting 1 hour and 20 minutes. The hiking route starts from the two stone windmills of Frikes. Then you go to the seaside settlement of Frikes on the north coast of the island. Then you will pass the plain of Frikes, the stream Reithron, the big stone house in the plain, the mountain of Razi (altitude 351 meters), the chapels of Agios Ioannis in Spatharata and Agioi Anargyroi, the bay of Afales, the stone windmill in Panagia and finally you end up in the chapel of Panagia in Skala.
- Stavros – Exogi (from Homer School): route 2.9 km and duration 1 hour. It starts from the village of Stavros. Then it passes by the chapel of Agios Nikolaos, the area Tris Thalasses, the archeological collection of Stavros, the early Helladic settlement of Pelikata, the well of Melanithro, the chapel of Panagia in Melanithro, the archeological site School of Homer and the destroyed temple of Taxiarches in Lakkina. The route ends at Exogi with the imposing church of Agia Marina.
- Exogi – Stavros (from Pernarakia): route 5.8 km and duration 2 hours. Mountain hiking with impressive view starting from the village of Exogi. On the way you will find the church of Panagia in Karyes, the burial monument “Pyramids John Pappas”, the church of Agios Nikolaos, the crops of Exogi (Lithies), the windmill Mavromatis (Pefanis) on the mountain of Exogi, the chapel of Agios Andres , the destroyed windmill of Gani (Zavitsanou), the chapel of Panagia Eleousa in Pernarakia, the large threshing floor in the area of Rousano, the observatory of the Hellenistic Era in the area of Paleokastro and the stone bridge in Asprosykia before reaching the village of Stavros.
- Exogi – Roussano: route 2.4 km and duration 50 minutes. It is a mountain trail that starts from the southern part of the Exogi mountain in the Rusano area. On the way you will pass through the threshing floor in Rousanos and you will end at the terraces with the olive trees.
HISTORICAL TOURISM
Archaeological site Alalkomenes: this is the ancient city of Ithaca, which is located on the hill of Aetos. From the excavations in the area came to light bronze coins in the form of Odysseus and an inscription with the word ‘’ΙΘΑΚΩΝ’’. Along the hill the visitor can see many ancient buildings, while the impressive walls that surround the ancient city are also visible. During your presence in Alalkomenes you will see the ruins of a circular building with samples of ceramics from 1400 BC.
Early-Helladic Settlement of Pilikates: in the archeological site of Pilikates have been found remains of a settlement of Early Helladic and Mycenaean era and it is worth visiting. In the area you can see the ancient wall that surrounds the city as well as a cobblestone road and large jars where burials took place.
The inscription “ΟΔ”: on your way from Aetos to Agios Ioannis, you will see the letters “ΟΔ” engraved on a rock. These are the initials of Odysseus’ name and this inscription was considered by the locals as proof of Odysseus’ existence on the island.
Archaeological site of Agios Athanasios-Homer School: in the area of Exogi is the archeological site of Agios Athanasios. Excavations have uncovered a large building complex, which is most likely an acropolis dating back to prehistoric times. You can also see findings of later times, such as the Hellenistic tower and the Roman cemetery. Prehistoric storehouses, baths and a cyclopean wall have also been discovered.
Paleochora: near the village of Perachori is the medieval settlement of Paleochora. The visitor can wander around the medieval settlement admiring the churches and houses that have survived from that time.
MARINE TOURISM
Ithaca, due to its natural beauty and the prevailing weather conditions, is an ideal destination for those who love maritime tourism. On the island you can do sports activities such as deep water solo climbing, snorkeling, kayaking, kitesurfing and windsurfing.
At the cape of Ai Giannis, at Cape Kotsifi, at the Manara cave and at the Sarakiniko Cave you can engage in deep water solo climbing activities.
Snorkeling enthusiasts can pursue their hobbies at Cape Ai Giannis, Cape Mounta, Cape Batista, the beaches of Ammoudi, Andri, Aspro Gialos, Afales, Vukenti, Gidaki, Kaminia, Kourvoulia and Kritami.
For those who love kayaking, ideal routes are Vathi – Gidaki Beach – Filiatro Beach – Sarakiniko Bay and Frikes – Vukentis – Platia Ammos (Afales) – Polis Beach.
Myrtera beach is an ideal destination for kitesurfing while the beaches of Limenia and Aspros Gialos are suitable for windsurfing.
On the island you can rent a boat or go for a boat ride on the secluded beaches of Ithaca as well as the uninhabited islands that surround it.
RELIGIOUS TOURISM
The inhabitants of the island seem to be “deeply” religious, since from one end to the other in Ithaca there are many churches, chapels and monasteries.
There are two monasteries on the island. The Monastery of Taxiarches in Perachori in the area of Vouni, which was built in 1622. The Monastery celebrates three times a year, the Assumption of the Savior (mobile holiday), on July 13 and November 8.
The second monastery on the island is that of Panagia Kathariotissa in the southeast of Mount Niritos at an altitude of 556 meters. The history of the Monastery begins in 1696. The most important heirloom of the Monastery is the icon of the Genesis of the Virgin. The monastery celebrates on September 8.
Many churches are scattered on the island, including Agia Varvara, Agios Georgios “Gianniskari”, Agios Efstathios “Vounaki”, Agios Ioannis Prodromos in Kioni, Agios Raphael, the metropolitan church of Eisodia tis Theotokou, the church of Vlachernes, the Assumption of the Virgin, the Virgin “Gardelaki” and the Evangelistria.
Wherever you look and wherever you stand in Ithaca you will see a chapel appearing. Some of the most famous chapels on the island are Agia Sofia, Agios Andreas, Agios Theodoros, Agios Konstantinos, Agios Nikolaos Marmakas, Agios Nikolaos Mavronas, Agios Nikolaos Vigla, Panagia Spiliotissa and Panagia at Pernarakia.
SPORT TOURISM
In Ithaca in recent years a Road Race is held with the participation of hundreds of runners. Specifically, the event “THE ROAD OF ODYSSEUS” that takes place in Vathi includes a 10 km road race and a 1000 meter race.
WEDDING TOURISM
The history of the island of Lazareto, during Venetian and English rule, has nothing to do with its current image. From prisons and decontamination, the island today with its lush pines, the beautiful church of Sotiros and its romantic landscape make it an ideal destination for a wedding. In recent years Lazareto has become one of the most popular places in the Ionian Sea for weddings.
MUSEUMS & OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Archaeological Museum of Vathi: this is the archeological museum of Ithaca, where exhibits from the Mycenaean to the Roman Era are exhibited.
Ithaca Nautical Folklore Museum: a museum with a rich collection of Ithaca’s people objects, in order to preserve their cultural heritage.
Archaeological Collection of Stavros: the museum exhibits finds from the wider area of the village of Stavros from the Early Bronze Age to the Roman Age.
There are many old windmills on the island. The most important are the Mill in Karteri, the Mills Viglas, the Mill in Panagia, the Windmill Mavromatis (Pefani), the Windmill Ganiou (Zavitsanou).
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Traditions for the Ithacans are an integral part of their daily lives. This is proved by the festivals of the island that are organized by local associations in almost every village in honor of the Patron Saints of Ithaca but also on other occasions, especially during the summer months. The most important festivals are:
Of Agious Apostolous in Frikes – June 30: the summer festivities begin. Those who are in Frikes will listen to traditional music, will dance and of course will eat and drink local products. The festival lasts until the early morning hours.
Of Agia Marina in Exogi – July 17: it takes place every year in the village square. The festival is attended by many locals and foreigners and lasts until morning.
Of Profitis Ilias in Kioni – July 20: on the day of the feast of Profitis Ilias there is a big festival on the beach of the village with music, dance, food and drink from both locals and foreigners who are in Kioni.
Wine Festival in Perachori – last Saturday of July: it is organized every year in the courtyard of the Primary School of the village with the participation of many people. Those who are at the festival will be able to have fun by drinking wine for free and dancing all night.
Of the Savior Christ in Stavros – August 5 & 6: one of the most famous festivals of the island that lasts two whole days, in the center of the village. The party is endless with the music by the band being heard until dawn.
Eve of the Assumption of the Virgin in Anogi – August 14: it is organized in the courtyard of the bell tower of the village, where the inhabitants of Anogi organize and prepare the festival by baking and offering local wine. The festival lasts until the morning.
Of Panagia in Platreithia – August 15: considered by the locals as “the farewell festival of summer”. In the village square the festival begins with a live orchestra, drinks, souvlakia and non-stop dancing.
Of Panagia in the Monastery of Kathara – September 8: takes place outside the courtyard of the monastery with music and food.
Every year in Ithaca are organized, mainly during the summer months, both concerts and events and cultural festivals that attract the eyes of locals and foreigners.
© 2021-2022, Company Inc. All rights reserved.