Throughout history, Ithaca has been thought of as the home of Odysseus, the protagonist of the Homeric epic The Odyssey. According to the ninth book of The Odyssey, Odysseus reveals that his home is indeed located “under the clear skies of Ithaca.”
Ithaca, one of the seven islands of the Ionian Sea, is a one-mile journey from the island of Kefalonia, the largest island of the Ionian. Home to 3500 locals, Ithaca is known for its blue bays, hills, farmlands and rugged mountains. It is a tranquil island that attracts visitors and tourists primarily due to its ties with Homeric literature and ancient Greek mythology.
Although there is not much to do on this island, most travelers enjoy taking long walks on the bays, conversing with the natives, most of which are fluent in Greek and English, and simply enjoying the tranquility of this island and sunbathing under the luster of the rays of the Mediterranean sun.
Most of Ithaca’s inhabitants are either shepherds, who spend the majority of their time in the mountainous terrain pasturing goats, or merchants, who went on long voyages to other Greek islands, and like their hero Odysseus, have returned home safely.
Particularly impressive about the landmark of Ithaca is that it consists of two peninsulas that are connected by an isthmus, which is wide enough to serve as the main road for the island. For the past few centuries, there have been rivalries between the natives of Ithaca to determine which peninsula is truly the home of Odysseus. Archaeological evidence has indicated that most of the historical remains of the classical and hellenistic era were located in the southern peninsula of Ithaca. Unfortunately, most of these relics are not in Ithaca anymore; they may be found in the British Museum in London. The only relics left in Ithaca are one ruined tower and some ancient walls, which many believe was part of the “Castle of Odysseus.”
Each day, buses leave from Vathy, the island’s capital, to bring tourists to the island’s multifarious villages. Ithaca has a small archaeological museum that consists of vases, which date back to the 8th century B.C. A two mile stroll from this archaeological museum leads to the mesmerizing “Cave of the Nymphs,” where [according to Greek mythology] Odysseus hid the gifts and treasures that were bestowed upon him by the Phaiakes.
In an effort to appreciate the stunning northern peninsula of Ithaca, it is necessary to travel either by scooters, motorcycles or bicycles, which may be easily rented in Vathy. The three largest villages of the island may be reached as well by bus. These include the resorts of Frikes and Kioni, as well as the town of Stavros, which is located approximately 15 kilometers from Vathy. By traveling three miles south from Vathy, a traveler will come across the “Fountain of Arethusa,” paying tribute to Arethusa, the nereid Nymph of Artemis, the Greek goddess of hunting. The town of Stavros, which literally translates into “crossroads,” consists of one main street and a Byzantine church. Opposite this church is the “Statue of Odysseus,” which happens to be the sole memorial dedicated to Odysseus in the Ionian Sea.
The only disadvantage with Ithaca is that, unlike its neighboring island Kefalonia, it does not have any sandy beaches. The beaches are rocky and pebbles and stones may be seen at the bottom of the sea.
A one-day stop to Ithaca is ideal for travelers in Greece who are already touring the islands of the Ionian Sea. Ithaca is also recommended for fans of Greek mythology and Homer, or anybody interested in unwinding and enjoying a peaceful vacation in one of the most underrated islands of the Ionian Sea.
