Ithaca Day Trip

Ithaca lies just across a narrow channel from Kefalonia, close enough that on a clear day you can see its hills from the east coast. In Homer's Odyssey it is the home Odysseus spent ten years trying to reach, and today it is a quiet, green island with deep bays, olive terraces, and a gently sophisticated harbour at Vathy. A day trip from Kefalonia is one of the most popular excursions, and the cruise linked here sails to the beach at Gidaki, a cove reachable mainly by boat, then continues to Vathy for time ashore. The sailing is as much the point as the destination: the water is calm and clear, there are chances to swim from the boat, and the shoreline slides by in a succession of cliffs and coves. Passengers come back with a sense of having visited two islands for the price of one trip, and with plenty of photographs of turquoise water.

Vathy, the capital, sits at the head of one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, a deep inlet that is almost a lake. The waterfront is lined with cafes and tavernas, the old Venetian-style buildings are brightly painted, and the pace is happily slow.

Walkers can stroll along the quay, browse small shops, and sit over a coffee watching sailing boats come and go. A small archaeological museum and a folklore collection have historically operated in town, though hours vary, so ask locally. Many people simply spend their time ashore on a leisurely lunch.

Gidaki is the highlight for swimmers. It is a pebble beach tucked beneath cliffs, and the water is a vivid green-blue. Because it has historically been reached mainly by boat or a steep path, it feels more secluded than the mainland beaches, and the cruise gives you a chance to swim in clear shallows.

Bring a towel, a hat, and water shoes, as the stones can be hot and slippery. Some versions of the trip also stop at Kioni, a picturesque village on the northeast coast, so check the itinerary of the specific departure you choose.

Logistics are straightforward with a cruise, since the boat handles the crossing and the stops. If you prefer to travel independently, ferries link Sami, Pisaetos, and Fiskardo with Ithaca, and you can rent a scooter or car on the island, though the roads are narrow. A day trip leaves time to see only the highlights, and some travelers choose to stay a night on Ithaca for a quieter experience.

Check sea conditions in windy weather, as boat trips can be adjusted or cancelled if the sea is rough. Summer is the most reliable season, and the water is warmest from late June to September.

For anyone with a literary interest, the island offers rewards beyond the beaches. Sites traditionally linked with the Odyssey, such as the Cave of the Nymphs and the Spring of Arethusa, are reached by road from Vathy and need a car or a guide. Whether or not you chase myth, the quiet and the water make Ithaca a calming counterweight to busier days on Kefalonia.

Before you go, decide whether the sailing or the shore time matters more to you. The cruise suits those who want swimming and sea air, while a guided bus and ferry day suits those who want to stand at the sites linked to Odysseus. Whichever you choose, carry cash for lunch and small purchases, since cards are not accepted everywhere on the smaller islands. Packing a light cover-up for the boat helps, as the breeze can feel cool after a swim.