The Ionian Islands

The Greek Ionian Islands are Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Lefkas, Ithaca and Kythira, and some smaller islands too.

There are seven main Ionian islands, which gives the group its Greek name of Eptanisa, which literally means 'seven islands'. There are also one or two smaller islands such as Antipaxos and Antikythira too.

Six of the main islands are in the Ionian Sea, tucked between Greece and Italy, while the seventh, Kythira, stands on its own at the foot of the Peloponnese, not really logically in any of the main Greek island groups.

Beach on CorfuCorfu

Corfu and the other Ionian islands have been holiday destinations since at least Roman times, being conveniently located just a short boat ride across the Ionian Sea from Italy. Visitor numbers today are rather higher, especially in resorts such as Kavos and Benitses on Corfu, which opened the floodgates to mass-market cheap tourism aimed at young Europeans who want to party all night, but this aspect of the islands is restricted to a handful of places leaving everywhere else for other people to enjoy.

Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides

Rough-Guide-Greek-Islands-2022.png

There is plenty to enjoy. Anyone who has only previously visited the hot Aegean islands will be astonished at just how green the Ionians are. They are incredibly fertile, and vast stretches are buried beneath whole swathes of olive groves, vineyards and citrus trees. This does of course mean they receive more rain than the Aegean islands, and even in summer there can be short showers, while autumn storms are more common than in the Aegean.

When winter disappears, however, the springs here are glorious and recommended to anyone who loves walking amid carpets of wild flowers, perhaps looking for the many species of orchid that grow here.

Zakynthos Beach and CliffsZakynthos

As with every other group of islands, the Ionians provide enormous contrasts and every kind of traveller ought to be able to find plenty to enjoy. Visit the largest town in the group, Corfu Town, and you will see how much more cosmopolitan it is, more in tune with other European Mediterranean cities thanks to the influence of the French, Venetians and British, who have all ruled here.

Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides

Rough-Guide-Greek-Islands-2022.png

Yet an hour or so away from the southern tip of Corfu is little Paxos, with just three small towns and a cluster of little inland communities, and the island where the best olive oil in Greece is said to be made. The next smallest island is Ithaca, but one with a big history as the legendary home of Odysseus.

Paxos, GreecePaxos

The other main Ionian islands are all quite large – Lefkada, Kefallonia and Zakynthos – providing variety from mountains to beaches without even leaving their shores.

Kythera has historically been one of the Ionian islands, but today it is grouped with the Argo-Saronic islands for administrative purposes, and tucked away on its own at the end of the Greek mainland it is popular with Greek visitors but less known to those from overseas. Those who do venture there will find yet another Greek island adding its individual character to the mix.

Assos on KefaloniaAssos on Kefalonia

We especially love Corfu, though, as we've each written a guide to the island, and we've also written two together: Spiral Corfu and Corfu and Beyond.

Mike has also written the Ionian Islands section of the Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Guide to the Greek Islands, and once worked as a waiter in a restaurant on Zakynthos!

Click on the picture or text links below for more information about the individual Ionian Islands.

Other Ionian Pages

  • Antonis Maroudas is a Zakynthos winemaker who lives on the 'wine road' and is one of the people who make Zakynthos.

    Zakynthos Winemaker

    Antonis Maroudas is a Zakynthos winemaker who lives on the 'wine road' and is one of the people who make Zakynthos.

  • Greece Travel Secrets publishes a page of photos of Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of Greece to perhaps inspire you to visit.

    Photos of Zakynthos

    Greece Travel Secrets publishes a page of photos of Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of Greece to perhaps inspire you to visit.

  • Life as a waiter on Zakynthos tells what it was like for travel writer Mike Gerrard to work in a Greek restaurant, the Mantalena in Alykanas.

    Life as a Waiter on Zakynthos

    Life as a waiter on Zakynthos tells what it was like for travel writer Mike Gerrard to work in a Greek restaurant, the Mantalena in Alykanas.

  • Travel advice and information on Paxos near Corfu in the Ionian islands, information on ferries and flights, what to do in Gaios, Lakka and Longos or Loggos.

    Paxos

    Travel advice and information on Paxos near Corfu in the Ionian islands, information on ferries and flights, what to do in Gaios, Lakka and Longos or Loggos.

  • Walking on Paxos is the best way to discover this tiny island south of Corfu in the Ionian Islands, with its wooded hills and terraces of olive trees.

    Walking on Paxos

    Walking on Paxos is the best way to discover this tiny island south of Corfu in the Ionian Islands, with its wooded hills and terraces of olive trees.

  • Travel information about Kythira in the Ionian Islands in Greece, including ferries and flights to Kythira and the best things to do

    Kythira, or Kithira or Kithera, in the Ionian islands of Greece

    Travel information about Kythira in the Ionian Islands in Greece, including ferries and flights to Kythira and the best things to do

  • Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Zakynthos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Zakynthos

    Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Zakynthos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • Travel information about Lefkas in the Ionian Islands in Greece, including ferries and flights and the best things to do beaches, sailing, windsurfing.

    Lefkas

    Travel information about Lefkas in the Ionian Islands in Greece, including ferries and flights and the best things to do beaches, sailing, windsurfing.

  • Travel advice and information on Zakynthos (Zante) in the Greek Ionian islands, with information on ferries and flights and the best things to do..

    Zakynthos, Zante, in the Ionian Islands of Greece

    Travel advice and information on Zakynthos (Zante) in the Greek Ionian islands, with information on ferries and flights and the best things to do..

  • Travel advice on Ithaca (Ithaka or Ithaki) in the Greek Ionian islands, with information on ferries and flights and the best things to do.

    Ithaca, or Ithaki or Ithaka, in the Ionian Islands of Greece

    Travel advice on Ithaca (Ithaka or Ithaki) in the Greek Ionian islands, with information on ferries and flights and the best things to do.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Gastronomic Tours: The Delicious New Trend for Visitors to Athens

    “Souvlaki. And baklava. And that round bread with sesame seeds. Koulouri! These are a few things I definitely want to try while I’m in Athens,” Grace says as we head from Syntagma Square toward Monast…

    Read More

  2. Lesvos: A Birdwatcher’s Paradise Full of Rare Species

    Standing at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Lesvos is a haven for rare bird species, drawing birdwatchers from around the globe.

    Read More

  3. Why Lipsi is the New Darling of the Travel World

    This hidden gem of the Aegean is ranked among the world’s top exotic destinations.

    Read More

  4. 5+1 Must-Visit Byzantine Churches in Downtown Athens

    Hidden amidst the modern streets of Athens are stunning examples of ecclesiastical architecture from a period often overlooked in favor of the city’s ancient monuments.

    Read More

  5. Zakynthos’ Navagio Beach Viewing Platform Safety Overhaul Funding Approved

    The green light was given for significant safety and aesthetic improvements to the famous Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach viewing platform on Zakynthos, following the approval of a €500,000 budget by the Mi…

    Read More

  6. Athens Airport Passenger Traffic Soars Over 21 Million in January-August

    Athens International Airport (AIA) set a new record during January-August, welcoming 21,260,634 travelers, a 13.9 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Based on data of the airport, du…

    Read More

  7. KOUZINA 2024 Festival Honors Florina’s Gastronomy in Three-day Event

    The unique culinary traditions of Florina take center stage at KOUZINA 2024, a gastronomy festival showcasing a three-day program filled with local recipes and cultural events. The KOUZINA festival is…

    Read More

  8. Thessaloniki’s New ‘ThessTicket’ and ‘ThessCard’ to Cover Both Bus and Metro Services

    Efforts to redesign Thessaloniki’s transportation network, including the introduction of a new ticketing system, were commended by Greek Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras d…

    Read More

  9. Angsana Corfu Resort Shines as Romantic Backdrop in Netflix’s ‘Love is Blind: UK’

    The idyllic Greek island of Corfu has once again captured international attention, this time as the stunning location for Netflix’s hit series “Love is Blind: UK”. The show’s producers have chosen the…

    Read More

  10. Corinth Moves Forward with Plans for Scuba Diving Park to Boost Tourism

    The Municipality of Corinth in the Peloponnese is exploring ways to develop a scuba diving park in an aim to attract more visitors to the city.

    Read More