Things to do & places to visit in Ionian Islands, Greece

Ionian Islands #4 destination in Greece 2023. The average rating score is 4.33 based on 128.5k traveler reviews, of 205 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Athens, current date and time: Sunday, May 05, 2024, 17:35.

Top things to do (19)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

4.5 Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) (7.963 reviews)
- Breathtaking view
Beaches

A shipwreck sits stoically on this stunning beach located on the northwest coast of Zakynthos. Surrounded by majestic bluffs, Navagio is accessible only by boat, and the journey there is an experience in itself. There is also a balcony atop the cliffs accessible by road from the village of Volimes that offers breathtaking views, particularly at sunset. There’s no way to reach the overlook from the beach, but there are boat tours that conveniently stop at both. The tiny white pebbles contrast beautifully with the clear azure waters, but they aren’t comfortable to walk on, so bring appropriate footwear. The cove is very popular—get in early to beat the crowds. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Paleokastritsa Beach (5.479 reviews)
- The Sunbeds and parasols from the Aquarium are the best
Beaches

Surrounded by lush greenery and rocky cliffs, Paleokastritsa Beach is known for its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, and stunning natural beauty. The beach is also great for a variety of water sports, making it popular amongst adrenaline seekers. Tours of the bay will take you the enchanting Nausicaa's Cave and the famous Blue Caves, and secluded beaches that are only accessible by boat. The Monastery of Theotokou overlooking the bay is just a short distance from the beach and is considered one of the most important monasteries on the island. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Myrtos Beach (4.443 reviews)
- Stunning beach.
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Beaches

Surrounded by tall marble cliffs and looking out onto the azure waters of the Myrtos Gulf, this stunning beach makes for a dramatically breathtaking sight. A steep and winding stretch of road will take you there—stop on your way to admire the view and catch the pink and orange hues at sunset on your way back. Get in early to secure both a place to park and a prime spot on the sand; the water tends to be at its calmest in the morning too. There are changing rooms and toilet facilities, a beach bar, and a few sunbeds and umbrellas you can rent. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Kalamaki Beach (3.598 reviews)
- Paradise
Spent More than 3 hours Beaches

This stretch of beach on the eastern end of Laganas Bay is famous for its fine white sand and mountainous views. It's part of the Zakynthos Marine Park and is a nesting ground for the endangered Caretta Caretta turtles. If you're lucky, you might see the turtles nesting and hatching between May and October. Even though some areas are cordoned off and sea sports aren't allowed to protect the turtles, there's still plenty to do here. The shallow gentle waters are great for swimming and families, there are sunbeds for rent, plus restaurants and resorts. Go turtle spotting on a tour of Zakynthos, which also stops at Marathonisi (Turtle Island). – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Antisamos Beach (3.477 reviews)
- Beautiful beach with so many sunbeds!
Beaches

Surrounded by verdant hills, this beach is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Antisamos—loved for its shiny white pebbles and clear waters full of marine life. Here, snorkel amongst fish, go kayaking, take a lesson at the water sports school, and lounge on a sunbed while admiring views of Ithaki Island in the distance. The beach gets quite crowded in summer, partly because it was featured in the Hollywood movie 'Captain Corelli’s Mandolin'; go past the beach bars to find a quieter spot to lay your beach towel. Visit the beach along with Melissani Cave (also known as Melissani Lake), both common stops on a tour of Kefalonia. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Porto Katsiki (3.360 reviews)
- Snorkel + Sunset
Beaches

Bookended by a cliff, you have to descend a steep flight of steps to reach this breathtaking beach boasting fine powdery sand and calm sapphire waters. There is a restaurant up top with staff on the beach ready to take your order and send your food and drinks down to you. Porto Katsiki is best enjoyed before noon or in the evening, as multiple large tourist boats stop by in the afternoon. Bring an umbrella as the cliff, while magnificent, offers little in the way of shade. Stay out of the restricted areas as there is a risk of falling rocks. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Corfu Old Town (3.229 reviews)
- Day trip
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Neighborhoods

Soak up the romantic Mediterranean vibes and architecture along the cobbled streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the labyrinth of historic houses, bars and restaurants, and quaint little shops selling souvenirs, Greek food, olive wood, and handcrafted goods. From the old town, you can visit the Old and New Fortresses that offer a slice of Corfu's maritime history, and amazing views of the town and sea; Spianada Square is also a great spot for people-watching and is a stone’s throw away from the Corfu Museum of Asian Art—all of which are typical stops on a tour of Corfu. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Marathonísi (2.817 reviews)
- Absolutely beautiful
Islands

This beautiful offshore islet in Laganas Bay is best known as a breeding ground for loggerhead sea turtles. Also known as Turtle Island (it's even shaped like a turtle!), you can take a cruise or glass-bottom boat tour to try to spot these endangered creatures swimming in the water. The beach in the north is the turtle nesting ground and mostly cordoned off, though there is a small area where boats stop and some suntanning and swimming are allowed. There are also sea caves in the south of the island where travelers can swim and snorkel. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Assos (2.428 reviews)
- Beautiful Assos
Spent More than 3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

This quaint hillside fishing village overhangs the Ionian Sea and is full of colorful houses and narrow alleyways lined with bougainvilleas. Here, you can take a refreshing dip at Assos Beach, try local Greek cuisine at a waterfront cafe, and even hike up the Frourio Peninsula to see the remains of a 16th-century Venetian Castle. The overlook also offers stunning views of the turquoise waters and bluffs along Kefalonia’s north coast. The drive to Assos will take you down a steep and winding road. You can opt for a guided tour which often includes stops at Drogarati Cave and Melissani Lake, too. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Kathisma Beach (2.341 reviews)
- Kathisma beach instead of Porto Katsiki
Beaches

One of the longest stretches of beach on Lefkada facing the Ionian archipelago, Kathisma Beach and its fine white sand and sparkling blue waters surrounded by tall green cliffs make this one of the island's most popular spots. There are plenty of beach bars for food and drinks, sunbeds to rent, and you can do some tandem paragliding from the hills overlooking the beach. On the north end, there is a cave that you can enter and swim in. The more secluded south end also welcomes nudists. Come early to get a good spot but stick around for gorgeous sunset views. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Egremni Beach (1.893 reviews)
- AMAZING 10/10
Beaches

This remote beach is located on the south-western coast of Lefkada and requires a considerable effort to reach—from the parking lot, visitors must hike a steep path and then descend over 300 steps to reach the beach. There is a snack bar with toilet facilities at the top of the steps and a handful of sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent. It’s far easier to get to the beach by boat, but you do miss out on the spectacular views from the top. Whichever way you choose to arrive, you’ll find one of the world’s most pristine and unspoiled beaches, its remoteness offering peacefulness and tranquility. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Porto Limnionas Beach (1.875 reviews)
- Most beautiful place in Zakynthks
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 11:30 PM Beaches

Porto Limnionas is a picturesque cove in Zakynthos surrounded by majestic jagged cliffs. The waters are crystal clear and perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. If you're feeling brave, you can even jump from some of the rocks into the turquoise waters below. To get to the cove, you'll have to navigate steep steps or a concrete ramp, so wear appropriate shoes. After your swim, head to the tavern for some delicious food as you enjoy the stunning views. It can get crowded later in the day, especially during summer, so get there before noon to secure a good spot. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Makris Gialos Beach (1.840 reviews)
- Photos do not do this justice!
Beaches

Amazing beach! We are not beach people (far from it, we avoid beaches as much as possible when on holiday). However, as our cruise docked at Argostoli, we thought that we should take the children for a few hours. A taxi from Argostoli harbour to Makris Gialos beach was only 10 euro and this was money well spent. The water was crystal clear and calm. We felt very safe on the beach and lounged on the soft sand until it was time to head back to Argostoli. If you visit Kephalonia on a cruise ship, this beach is the best! See more..
4.5 Gerakas Beach (1.835 reviews)
- Pretty quiet place
Beaches

This is a wonderful piece of nature! There’re turtles nests so you won’t find any bars, loud music, restaurants by the sea, but you can find plenty of it near the parking. 2 sunbeds will cost you €10 with a small table and an umbrella. The beach isn’t that sandy, I would recommend you to wear something for your feet. The territory with possible turtles nests is fenced, but it’s good to know basic rules like you should stay away from turtles for 20 meters to not fear them, so they won’t leave their nests and get in danger. See more..
4.5 Petani Beach (1.764 reviews)
- Beautiful Beach & Sea
Beaches

Beautiful beach with white pebbles & clear water See more..
4.5 Banana Beach (1.656 reviews)
- Best Beach in Greece
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Beaches

Lined with beach bars blasting dance music, Banana Beach is popular with the younger crowd. You can play volleyball, go jet skiing, or try parasailing. The sandy beach is spacious—travelers looking to lounge and sunbathe can rent a sunbed and an umbrella and sip cocktails all day long. Keep your receipt to ride the bus back to Zakynthos town for free. The water is nice and clear but can get a little choppy at times. Good news for drivers: you can park in the shade for free. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Blue Caves (1.608 reviews)
- So incredibly beautiful
Spent 2-3 hours Caverns & Caves

Such surreal colors - so many shades of such a rich blue..and water so clean you can see through it al the way down...the caves themselves are interesting to explore. Try to get a tour that lets you swim there for a while...overwhelmingly beautiful! See more..
4.5 Milos Beach (1.424 reviews)
- Amazing, but a few things to note.
Beaches

Work on your tan, admire endless coastline views, and have a splash at this isolated beach near Lefkada. You'll need to take a hike over some mild terrain to reach Milos Beach, but you'll be treated to amazing panoramas along the way. Otherwise, a taxi boat from Agios Nikitas Village is another option. There’s plenty of room to lounge along the stretch of shore, but bring along beach provisions like snacks and drinks as amenities are limited. For a full day of beach fun, you can also check out nearby beaches like Kathisma and Agios Ioannis Beach. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Aqualand Corfu Water Park (1.332 reviews)
- Brilliant waterpark for a day out
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Amusement & Theme Parks • Rides & Activities

Aqualand is equipped with all kinds of water attractions and has many facilities to make your day exciting until the last moment. Surrounded by green forests a total area of 75.000 square meters this water oasis will make your visit a truly pleasant and enjoyable even in the hottest days of the summer. Relax under our beautiful maple trees or enjoy the thrill of our multislides. We cater for all your needs them that is why Aqualand is acknowledged to be one of the best waterparks in Europe. See more..
4.5 The Liston (1.315 reviews)
- Excellent value especially for those with an appetite
Spent 1-2 hours Historic Walking Areas

Enjoying the ambiance while walking along the Liston in the sunshine towards the Palace of St Michael and St George. Suddenly the wind got up and the rain started so we dived into Greco Str for a light snack and ended up having an excellent lunch. I had a delicious salad comprising fig, raisins, candied kumquats, fried halloumi, almonds and salad leaves with a simple dressing @ c €8.50 while my partner had a huge chicken, ham and cheese triple decker sandwich with a pile of potato wedges in the middle @ c €6.75 which would have suited someone much hungrier. They also appear to have a selection of multi-layered sweet pancakes and coffees See more..
4.5 Paleokastritsa Monastery (1.262 reviews)
- Recomandation
Churches & Cathedrals

You can walk to the monastery (be atention at de cars and motocycle) or you can go by car. It's a quite place, a beautiful monastery. The woman need's to have the legs covered. After you visit the monastery you can go to the restaurant or to walk to the view point were you can see (if it is sunny day) the heel of italy. :) See more..
4.5 Agios Georgios Beach (1.139 reviews)
- Very beautiful
Spent 2-3 hours Beaches

This long horseshoe-shaped bay in northwest Corfu is about a 45 minutes drive from Corfu Town. This sandy and pebbly beach has calm and clear waters—great for swimming—and plenty of sunbeds for rent, and water sports amenities, including a boat taxi to the popular Porto Timoni Beach nearby. Stay until sunset to enjoy spectacular views against the Ionian Sea, before hitting up the nearby tavernas and restaurants for food and drinks. This beach is also known as Agios Georgios Pagon, not to be confused with Agios Georgios Argyradon located further south. It can get busy since it's near the city center, especially during summer. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Xigia Beach (1.105 reviews)
- Everything you’re looking for in a Greek beach
Spent More than 3 hours Beaches

A beautiful stretch of gold sand beach and deep blue water. See more..
4.5 La Grotta Beach (1.014 reviews)
- Absolutely awesome
Beaches

We arrived about 4pm and managed to park on the road, just above the steps leading down to la Grotta. We could hear the music pounding as we got to the steps, and our 18, 16 and 12 year olds couldn’t wait to get down. The music turned out to be excellent and even we 50-somethings felt part of the vibe. It was quite busy but we found a table immediately. The sun was moving behind the rocks, but we managed a couple of hours sun on the water when the colours were still good - admittedly earlier would have been better. There was no hard sell for drinks. It was 15 Euros for 2 large fraught beers and a huge bag of crisps which was pretty good, taking in the awesome location. Lots of snorkelling if you didn’t fancy jumping off the rocks or the diving board. The children even said “thank you for bringing us here “ spontaneously! See more..
4.5 Barbati Beach (979 reviews)
- Lovely beach, crystal clear water, shame about the boats and music!
Beaches

We spent most of our holiday on Barbati beach as we were staying nearby. It's a pebble beach with some fixed beds that you pay for but also space for those who bring their own mats etc. The water is crystal clear with a few fish swimming in the shallow waters (but not much to see when snorkelling). The only issues are the motorized boats (there are two jetties) and the thumping base music from one or two tavernas. You can escape the music if you stay in the centre of the beach but the fact that Bahia Mare Hotel keeps playing the same loud music all day long is just unacceptable. See more..
4.5 Vlacherna Monastery (873 reviews)
- Must visit!
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites

The Blachernae Monastery of Kerkyra is located on a separate small island the size of the monastery itself, which is connected by an isthmus to Corfu. The azure water of the Ionian Sea approaches this monastery from all sides. Visiting the Blachernae Monastery is free, you do not have to pay extra money to enter. I recommend definitely visiting this place! See more..
4.5 Kaminia Beach (857 reviews)
- Great place to visit
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Bodies of Water • Beaches

To reach Kaminia Beach, you must head toward Ratzakli, on the way Katelios-Skala. You will see signs for this easily accessible beach. See more..
4.5 Pantokrator (785 reviews)
- Breathtaking view.
Spent 1-2 hours Mountains

The ascent with a car is truly enjoyable for any rally fan. Felt like Collin Raye. Also, rhe view from top is godlike! The cafe at the top is overpriced though, but the place and ascend make up for it. See more..
4.5 Kaiser's Throne (779 reviews)
- Great views all around from here
Geologic Formations

Worth taking the trip past the village of Pelekas and stopping off at what was Kaiser Wilhelm II's favourite lookout spot. Stonking views up and down the coastline from on top of the viewpoint. Nice village down below and handy restaurant and place to stay next-door. See more..
4.5 Keri Caves (778 reviews)
- Great place to tour with a boat
Caverns & Caves

We rented a boat out of keri beach (with big blue). Keri caves was just one stop on the way. I highly recommend renting a boat for the day and sail it by yourself. It was our first time doing that and it was both easy and memorable. Many caves, beaches and places to stop and swim and snorkel along the way. Probably the best day of our stay in Zakynthos. See more..