10:00

Vathy

Set aside about an hour and a half to stroll along the waterfront and through the harbor streets, taking in the houses overlooking the bay and the movement of the boats. The center is easy to explore on foot; then plan a coffee break before heading to the museum, just a few minutes’ walk away. The walk is free; budget around €2–5 for a coffee or drink.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially during the hottest hours.

12:00

Archaeological Museum of Ithaca

Reach the museum on foot from the port and allow about 45–60 minutes to view the artifacts and archaeological evidence related to Ithaca. After your visit, stop for lunch in Vathy: choose a place based on your preferences and the time you have available, without adding detours outside the area. Ticket prices may vary: budget approximately €0–5 and check the price and access details on official channels before your visit.

Visiting hours and conditions may change: check the latest official information.

15:30

Loutsa Beach

From the center of Vathy, reach the beach with a walk of about 20–30 minutes, or by a short taxi ride; check the route conditions and sea conditions on site. Spend the afternoon swimming and relaxing by the bay, bringing water, sunscreen and, if needed, beach gear: access is generally free, while any services or rentals may cost roughly €5–20. To end the day, head back to Vathy for dinner, allowing an estimated €15–30 per person.

The seabed and available facilities may vary; bring reef shoes if you prefer them and check the sea conditions.

10:00

Sarakiniko Beach

From Vathy, reach the beach by car or scooter following the local roads; allow about 15–25 minutes, depending on your starting point and road conditions. Spend around two hours swimming and relaxing on the coast, bringing water and whatever you need: facilities and natural shade are not guaranteed. Access to the beach is generally free; parking and any refreshments depend on local conditions.

Wear shoes suitable for uneven terrain and check the wind and sea conditions before swimming.

13:00

Perachori

Reach Perachori in about 15–25 minutes by car, allowing extra time if the road is narrow or you want to stop to take in the view. Stroll through the village streets and the views over the olive groves; for lunch, allow about 60–90 minutes at a taverna, checking availability and service on site. A simple meal can cost roughly €15–30 per person, while visiting the village usually does not require a ticket.

If you also want to explore the surrounding area on foot, ask in the village for up-to-date information on trails, terrain and signage.

16:30

Cave of the Nymphs (Marmarospilia)

From Perachori, head back toward the Vathy area and make your way to the locally indicated access point; allow about 20–30 minutes for the transfer, plus extra time to find your bearings. Set aside about 60–90 minutes for the walk and to take in the entrance and the landscape: the cave is linked to the tradition of the Odyssey, but lighting and access conditions should not be taken for granted. Any visit should be considered free unless local guidance says otherwise; do not enter if the path is impassable or the cave is unsafe, and check any access rules on site.

Wear shoes with good grip and bring a flashlight; avoid visiting alone and do not cross barriers or safety signs.

10:00

Dexa Beach

Reach the beach from Vathy in about 5–10 minutes by car or taxi; allow at least two hours to swim, relax, and take in the bay and surrounding hills. The beach is pebbly, so water shoes may be useful; access to the shore is normally free, while any services and rentals may have indicative costs of 5–20 EUR. For lunch, plan a stop in Vathy or bring water and a snack, as there are no specific facilities to rely on at the beach.

Bring sunscreen and check sea conditions before swimming.

14:00

Kathara Monastery

From Dexa, reach the monastery by car or taxi: the winding uphill inland route takes roughly 35–50 minutes; arrange your return in advance if you are not driving. Set aside about 45–60 minutes to visit the accessible areas and enjoy the view, while keeping your attire respectful and behavior discreet. Any entrance fee or donation may vary; check the official website or the monastery’s contacts for visiting arrangements and up-to-date information.

The road is mountainous: drive carefully and consider stopping for lunch in Vathy before the climb.

10:00

Ancient City of Alalcomenae

Drive to the Aetos area and set aside about 1 hour and 30 minutes for the archaeological hill, where you’ll find remains attributed to ancient Alalcomenae and views over the strait and the surrounding coastline. The ground can be uneven and there is little shade: bring water and shoes with good grip. Access and any fee, which may be free or vary depending on the type of visit, should be checked through official channels; also budget around 5–10 € for fuel for the day’s travel.

After the visit, plan a lunch break along the road to Anogi: a simple meal may cost roughly 12–25 € per person. Before setting off, check the site’s accessibility and the official information on any tickets.

14:00

Village of Anogi

From the Aetos area, continue by car to Anogi, allowing roughly 30–40 minutes for the drive and possible delays on the island roads. Spend about 2 hours exploring the village center on foot, admiring the stone houses, alleys, and the church of Agios Nikolaos, famous for its frescoes: before entering religious buildings or accessible spaces, find out about entry arrangements. The walk is free; for a drink or a stop in the village, expect about 3–8 € per person.

The road climbs inland and can be narrow in places: drive carefully and check local conditions. Verify official channels for any visiting hours and the access rules for the church.

10:00

Stavros and the Stavros Museum

Set aside about 1 hour and 30 minutes to visit the museum and take a walk through the center of Stavros: look at the exhibits and the elements that help place the island’s history in context, then stop by the village square. For the museum, consider, as a cautious estimate, a possible admission fee of 0–5 EUR; check official channels for access, availability, and price before your visit. Between 11:30 and 13:00, you can take a break for coffee or a snack, roughly 4–10 EUR.

If you arrive by car, check on site where parking is allowed; in the village streets and on the sidewalks, proceed with caution.

13:00

School of Homer (Archaeological Site)

Reach the site from Stavros by car or taxi: the trip is short, but actual times depend on the road and local conditions; on foot, expect a more demanding uphill walk and check the route first. Spend about 1 hour and 30 minutes in the area, observing the archaeological remains and the hillside setting without leaving the accessible paths; entry may be free or carry an indicative fee of 0–5 EUR, to be verified through official channels. After the visit, plan a late lunch in Stavros or nearby (about 15–30 EUR per person) and leave the rest of the afternoon for a scenic stop and a relaxed dinner, roughly 20–40 EUR per person.

Bring water, a hat, and shoes with suitable soles: the terrain can be uneven. Do not assume the site is accessible at all times; check official information before arranging your transfer.

10:00

Polis Bay

Allow about three hours for the bay: get there by car or taxi from Stavros and bring water, sunscreen, and footwear suitable for the shore, which can be pebbly. Alternate a swim with a scenic walk and, if you're interested in traces of the past, ask locally about the possibility of visiting the archaeological remains nearby. The beach stop is generally free of charge; allow around 0–5 € for any practical expenses and check on site for access and available facilities.

Don’t count on beach services: bring everything you need for the morning with you.

15:00

Frikes

Reach Frikes by car or taxi, allowing roughly 15–25 minutes from the bay along the road that passes through the Stavros area; arrange the ride or return trip in advance. Stroll along the waterfront and around the small harbor, watch the boats and the village houses, then enjoy a break and a seafood dinner or local specialties: for a casual meal, budget around 15–30 € per person, drinks excluded. You can stay until evening to enjoy the light on the harbor; check locally for any transport connections and fares.

The time between stops includes the transfer and a lunch break: choose a flexible departure time depending on the available transport.

10:00

Kioni

Spend about two hours at the harbor, among the waterfront houses and uphill lanes, with stops to watch the boats and admire the outline of the bay. If you're leaving from Vathy, allow roughly 35–45 minutes by car; a taxi can cost about 30–50 EUR one way, depending on the season and the agreement. For a coffee or a late breakfast, consider about 4–10 EUR per person; any additional spending depends on local availability.

Park without blocking the village streets and bring comfortable shoes for the steeper sections.

13:00

Afales Beach

Reach the bay from Kioni by going inland across the island: the drive can take about 35–45 minutes, but the roads are narrow and travel times vary. Set aside at least three hours for the views and, if access is feasible and safe, for swimming; the final stretch may involve a dirt road and a steep walk, so check local conditions before heading down. The beach has no stated entrance fee; budget about 5–15 EUR per person for water and a packed lunch, bought before the transfer, and consider a boat trip only after confirming availability and price.

Bring water, sun protection and suitable footwear; do not tackle a steep trail or rough road if conditions are not favorable.