Ithaka (Vathi) Ferries

Sorry, there is currently no available ferries on this route.

The primary gateway to Ithaka is via ferry connections from the neighboring island of Kefalonia or from mainland Greece through Patras or Astakos. From Athens, travelers can reach Patras by car or bus in approximately 2.5 hours before boarding a ferry to Ithaka. Regular ferry services connect Ithaka with Kefalonia year-round, with crossings taking about 40 minutes from Sami port. Local taxis and limited bus services are available at Vathi port to transport visitors to accommodations around the island. If arriving by car, note that vehicle reservations on ferries are essential during summer months.

Ithaka, with its main port of Vathi, stands as one of Greece's most storied islands, immortalized as the homeland of Odysseus in Homer's epic poems. This rugged, verdant island in the Ionian Sea combines mythological significance with authentic Greek charm. Characterized by dramatic landscapes, secluded beaches, and traditional villages, Ithaka offers visitors a genuine Greek island experience away from mass tourism.

Ithaka enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The ideal time to visit is between May and October when warm temperatures and clear skies create perfect conditions for swimming and exploring. July and August bring the warmest weather but also higher visitor numbers and more frequent ferry connections. For a more tranquil experience with pleasant temperatures and lower prices, consider the shoulder months of May, June, September, or early October. The annual Odysseus Festival in August celebrates the island's legendary hero with cultural events and performances, adding a unique dimension to summer visits.

Ithaka serves as an excellent hub for exploring the Ionian Islands by ferry. Neighboring Kefalonia, just a 40-minute ferry ride away, offers impressive landscapes, the famous Myrtos beach, and charming fishing villages. Lefkada, accessible via a combination of ferries, rewards visitors with some of Greece's most stunning beaches and excellent windsurfing conditions. The cosmopolitan island of Corfu lies further north and can be reached through connecting ferry services, offering Venetian architecture and vibrant cultural scenes. For those seeking smaller, less developed islands, the nearby Atokos and Arkoudi provide pristine, unspoiled beaches perfect for day trips from Ithaka.

Ithaka invites visitors to immerse themselves in both myth and authentic Greek island life. Explore the Archaeological Museum in Vathi to discover artifacts dating back to Odysseus' era, or hike to the purported Cave of the Nymphs where Odysseus supposedly hid his treasures. The picturesque village of Kioni, with its traditional architecture and waterfront tavernas, offers the perfect setting to sample local specialties like Ithacan meat pie and fresh seafood paired with local wines. Beaches such as Filiatro and Sarakiniko provide crystal-clear waters for swimming, while the island's network of hiking trails reveals breathtaking viewpoints across the Ionian Sea. Don't miss exploring the 8th-century Kathara Monastery, perched high above the island with panoramic views.

Though small in size at just 120 square kilometers, Ithaka's cultural footprint spans millennia as the setting for one of literature's greatest homecoming stories. Despite its fame, Ithaka remains one of the least commercialized Greek islands, with a permanent population of only about 3,000 residents. The island's unusual butterfly-like shape, created by the narrow isthmus at Aetos, nearly divides it into two separate parts. Archaeologists continue to debate the exact locations of Odysseus' palace and other Homeric sites, with several ongoing excavations attempting to match the literary descriptions with physical evidence.