Compare prices from several sites before booking

Always bestprice Travel
Itaca

Always bestprice Travel · Travel itinerary

Ithaca (Ithaki, Ionian Islands, Greece) in 1 day – Complete itinerary

1 day · Ports, beaches, villages, views

Itaca, Greece

QR code of the online itineraryScan to open the online itinerary

Always bestprice Travel · Contents

In this itinerary

  1. Overview and map3
  2. Day 1 – From Vathy harbor to the northern villages4
  3. Indicative budget5
  4. Practical tips6
Guide to Itaca
ITACA · ITINERARY

Ithaca (Ithaki, Ionian Islands, Greece) in 1 day – Complete itinerary

1 day · Ports, beaches, villages, views

The day begins in Vathy, a compact capital overlooking a deep bay, and continues to Gidaki Beach, a stop to plan around boat connections or the trail. In the afternoon, head to Stavros, in the northern interior, and then end in Kioni, a harbor village ideal for a stroll and dinner by the sea. The itinerary assumes a car for the northern part of the island and an arranged transfer to Gidaki booked in advance. Times and costs are approximate: check transport, any tickets, and availability through official channels or directly with local operators.

Stops
4 · 4 with location
Mode
Walking
Route
72.6 km · 371 min
Source
Mapbox · walking

Stops on the map

Walking · 72.6 km · 371 min · Source: Mapbox · walking

  2. 4.0 km · 53 min
    Walking 53 min (4.0 km) · Taxi ~13 min · Metro ~20 min (estimate)
  3. 59.1 km · 252 min
    Walking 252 min (59.1 km) · Taxi ~52 min · Metro ~68 min (estimate)
  4. 9.4 km · 66 min
    Walking 66 min (9.4 km) · Taxi ~34 min · Metro ~46 min (estimate)
Itinerary map
Itinerary stopsWalking route
From Vathy harbor to the northern villages
Foto: Wikipedia

Day 1

From Vathy harbor to the northern villages

10:00–21:00 Active, with scheduled transfers

Discover Vathy Bay, take a swimming stop at Gidaki, and finish between Stavros and Kioni.

10:00

Vathy

Spend about an hour along the waterfront and the little streets of the center, taking in the red-roofed houses around the bay and the boats in the harbor. To reach the next stop, arrange a taxi boat from Vathy in advance; allow around 15–25 minutes of sailing, depending on the service and sea conditions. A boat ride can cost roughly €10–20 per person each way.

If you’re arriving by car, check in advance where to leave it before boarding.

11:15

Gidaki Beach

Allow about two hours to swim and relax on the beach, enjoying the clear water and the sheltered shape of the bay. The itinerary assumes an arranged taxi-boat from Vathy and the return to the same port; in total, allow about 30–50 minutes of sailing, plus waiting time. Alternatively, the trail from Skinos requires a challenging hike and should only be attempted with proper footwear and after checking conditions and access; the boat transfer can cost roughly €20–40 round trip.

Bring water, sunscreen, and whatever you need for your stop: don’t assume there are facilities on the beach. Check availability and departure times in advance.

15:30

Stavros

After returning to Vathy, pick up the car and head to Stavros in about 35–45 minutes, leaving some extra time for lunch and the winding road. Stroll through the square and the village center, taking in the traditional architecture and local references to the myth of Odysseus. A coffee break or drink costs around €3–6; for a simple lunch, budget about €12–22 per person.

Drive carefully: the distances are short, but the island’s roads are narrow and full of bends.

17:15

Kioni

From Stavros, reach Kioni in about 15–25 minutes by car and spend the late afternoon at the harbor, wandering the uphill alleys and enjoying views of the boats moored in the bay. You can stop for an aperitif and have dinner on the waterfront; expect roughly €5–10 for an aperitif and €20–35 for dinner per person, depending on your choice and drinks. Leave time for the return trip, especially if you’re staying in the Vathy area.

Before setting off, check the route back and keep in mind that driving after dark requires extra attention on rural roads.

Estimated budget

Taxi-boat to Gidaki, round trip€20–40 per person
One-day rental car€40–80
Fuel and parking€10–25
Lunch and dinner€32–57 per person
Coffee, water and aperitif€8–16 per person

The local currency is the euro (EUR). Amounts are rough estimates and may vary depending on the season, transport availability, rental conditions, and personal choices; they do not include any overnight stays. Check prices, availability, and service conditions directly with operators or through official channels.

Practical tips

  • Arrange the taxi boat to Gidaki before departure and check the return to Vathy: connections can vary depending on the season and the sea.
  • Bring water, a hat, sunscreen and suitable shoes if you plan to walk; for the trail to Gidaki, check conditions and accessibility in advance.
  • To visit Stavros and Kioni in a day, it’s practical to have a car; drive carefully on the narrow, winding roads.
  • Check official channels or local operators for any updated tickets, availability and schedules before planning your day.