How Many Days Should I Spend on Ithaca?

Ithaca covers well over three days for its villages and beaches, and four lets the island's slower pace and quieter coves settle in without rushing.

Ithaca fills a first day easily in Vathy, the capital, built around a large, sheltered bay with a port promenade lined with fish tavernas and cafes. The small islet at the harbor's entrance and a short walk through the town's narrow streets make for an easy first afternoon.

A second day belongs to the island's mythology and mountain villages. The Monastery of Panagia Katharon, at the highest point of the island, gives panoramic views before the road descends through Anogi, one of the oldest settlements, on the way to what tradition holds are the ruins of Homer's Palace of Odysseus.

A third day suits Stavros and Kioni, two villages on the island's northern half. Stavros holds a statue of Odysseus and a small archaeological museum, and Kioni, a harbor village lined with old windmills, keeps a slower pace worth an afternoon on its own before returning south.

A fourth day works well for the island's beaches, particularly Filiatro, a small bay near Vathy shaded by olive trees, and Gidaki, accessible only by boat from the port, both giving a genuine break from driving between villages.

Ithaca connects to Kefalonia by ferry from Sami or Poros, and pairing the two islands works well for travelers with a rental car and enough time to split their stay.

A single day covers Vathy and a first look at the mountain villages for anyone visiting from Kefalonia, three days bring the mythology sites and northern villages properly into the trip, and four leave room for a full beach day. Even a short day trip gives a real sense of the island's mythology, but Ithaca's villages and quieter coves give clear reason to stay for more than a passing visit.