Ionian Islands

Province · 🇬🇷 Greece

Population 204,532

Area 2,282 km²

Time zone Europe/Athens

Official website www.lefkada.gr

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Featured Lists

Van Gerven Pierre / CC-BY-SA

Ionian Islands Essentials

The Ionian Islands, scattered along Greece’s western coast, are characterized by dramatic limestone cliffs and lush greenery, reflecting a distinct Venetian influence. This collection highlights the region’s geological wonders, including the subterranean Melissani Lake and the sheer cliffs of Navagio Beach. Cultural landmarks range from the 13th-century Byzantine fortifications of Angelokastro to the neoclassical Achilleion Palace and the UNESCO-listed Venetian architecture of Corfu’s Old Town.

15 places

MJJR / CC BY 3.0

Editor's Choice

This selection highlights the diverse heritage and natural landscapes of the Ionian Islands. It features the 13th-century Monastery of Paleokastritsa and the abandoned 14th-century village of Old Perithia on Corfu. Cultural sites include the Banknote Museum, housing rare Greek currency, and the Dionysios Solomos Museum in Zakynthos, dedicated to Greece's national poet. Natural landmarks range from the white clay cliffs of Cape Drastis and the pine-shaded Gialiskari beach to the biodiversity of the Korission Lagoon.

7 places

Ian Pitchford / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Must See

This selection highlights the architectural and political history of the Ionian Islands, shaped significantly by Venetian and British rule. It includes the UNESCO-listed Corfu Old Town, established in the 8th century BC, and the neoclassical Maitland Monument. In Kefalonia, the list features the De Bosset Bridge Obelisk and monuments dedicated to influential British administrators like Sir Charles Napier. These sites represent the diverse heritage and strategic importance of the archipelago through the centuries.

5 places

CC-BY-SA-3.0

Museums & History

The Ionian Islands offer a diverse historical narrative ranging from the UNESCO-listed Venetian architecture of Corfu Old Town to the neoclassical Achilleion Palace, built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Visitors can explore the birthplace of Prince Philip at Mon Repos or delve into Greek literary history at museums dedicated to national poets Dionysios Solomos and Angelos Sikelianos. Archaeological collections in Ithaca and Corfu showcase artifacts from the 8th century BC through the Roman era.

9 places

Joanbanjo / CC BY-SA 3.0

Castles & Palaces

Explore the strategic military architecture of the Ionian Islands, ranging from the Byzantine defenses of Angelokastro and Gardiki to the massive Venetian fortifications in Corfu Town and Zakynthos. The list includes the Castle of Santa Maura, which guards the entrance to Lefkada, and the Kassiopi Fortress, once a key lookout over the Corfu Channel. For a contrast in style, the neoclassical Achilleion Palace showcases 19th-century imperial luxury and gardens dedicated to the hero Achilles.

7 places

MJJR / CC BY 3.0

Religious Heritage

The Ionian Islands' religious landscape is defined by a blend of Byzantine traditions and Venetian architectural influences. This collection includes the 16th-century St. Spyridon Church, home to Corfu's patron saint, and the Monastery of Paleokastritsa, which houses a collection of post-Byzantine icons. From the Renaissance-style Saint Nikolaos on the Mole in Zakynthos to the hilltop Monastery of Faneromeni in Lefkada, these sites showcase centuries of ecclesiastical history, traditional olive presses, and rare religious artifacts overlooking the Ionian Sea.

5 places

Jean Housen / CC BY-SA 3.0

Natural Wonders

The Ionian Islands feature diverse geological formations, from the subterranean Melissani Lake in Kefalonia to the 906-meter peak of Mount Pantokrator in Corfu. This selection includes the Dimosari Waterfalls in Lefkada, the WWII submarine hideout of Papanikolis Cave on Meganisi, and the Korission Lagoon’s protected wetlands. Visitors can explore limestone sea caves in Zakynthos, the archaeological Cave of Nymphs on Ithaca, and the dramatic white cliffs of Cape Drastis.

13 places

Veronika / CC-BY-SA

Stunning Coastal Landscapes

The Ionian Islands are defined by dramatic geological formations, ranging from the towering limestone cliffs of Myrtos and Porto Katsiki to the unique sandstone channels of Canal d'Amour. This collection features Zakynthos’ iconic Navagio Beach, home to the MV Panagiotis shipwreck, and the protected nesting grounds for Loggerhead sea turtles at Gerakas. Notable landmarks include Cape Lefkátas, where a lighthouse stands on the site of an ancient temple to Apollo, and the twin bays of Porto Timoni on Corfu’s rugged western coastline.

19 places