The Ionian islands are the most popular greek islands complex of Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese, “the Seven Islandsbut the group includes many smaller islands as well as the seven principal ones. Located on the western side of the country, historically and culturally these islands are strongly connected to Italy.
The architecture of the capital towns, including Corfu Town, Zakynthos Town and Argostoli, resembles a lot to the Venetian style as these islands were occupied by the Venetians in the Medieval times. Apart from this architectural style, the other characteristics of Ionian Greece are the green nature and the wonderful beaches. Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Lefkada are the most popular holiday islands. The Ionian islands are world famous for their exotic beaches that are frequently included among the best beaches in the world. Navagio in Zakynthos, Myrtos in Kefalonia, Agios Gordis in Corfu and Porto Katsiki in Lefkada are only few of these beaches that amaze visitors with their natural beauty and the fabulous waters. Every beach in Ionian Sea is a unique experience and offers something new, without losing the virgin landscape and the relaxing atmosphere.
The traits of the Ionian Islands are perfectly combined with a flawless tourism infrastructure, excellent hotel accommodations, restaurants, diving centers, sea sports, cultural events, and a multitude of sights, historic monuments and museums worth visiting. The Ionian Islands are clustered together just off the west coast of mainland Greece. While each island has its own personality, they all tick off great beaches, spectacular scenery and textbook Greek towns.
The Ionian islands lie off Greece’s western coast in a line from Zakynthos in the south to Corfu in the north. All the Ionian islands reflect the influence of nearby Italy. Scattered along the western coastline of Central Greece, the Ionian Islands as they are known, are an island cluster comprising twelve small and large islands whose total surface area comes to 2,200 square kilometers. Zakynthos, Ithaca, Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, and Paxi are the six, large Ionian Islands. Antipaxi, Erikousa, Mathraki, Othoni, Meganisi and the deserted islets of Strofades south of Zakynthos are the smaller Ionian Islands.
The temperate climate, the deep and cool sea waters, the mountains, the lush vegetation, the cultural heritage, and the cheerfulness of the inhabitants, make the Ionian Islands the ideal place for a holiday as well as rest and relaxation. Kefalonia is known to millions from the best-selling novel, and later film, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Before the film’s release, it had few visitors, but is now a well-known destination that some return to year after year. Its beautiful landscapes seem untroubled by their new-found fame. Zakynthos could act as a distillation of the whole Ionian – bits of the coast have been overtaken by package tourism, but away from these there are still isolated coves and a mountainous interior.
