Corfu is the best-known island in the Ionians, a package holiday hotspot since the 1960s. Despite being littered with hotels and apartment blocks, you can still find the true spirit of the island away from the beach resorts if you try. Zante has also been overrun by mass tourism but still has its charm. Kefalonia was made famous by the popular book Captain Corelli's Mandolin, but remains unspoilt.
Traditional Ithaca, the legendary kingdom of Odysseus, is simply stunning. Lefkas doesn't have the greatest beaches but is known for its walking trails and traditional mountain villages.
A history of French and British occupations show some of the reason the Ionian Islands off the west coast of Greece differ in character from neighbouring island groups. They also receive more rainfall, so appear greener too.
Traditional Ithaca, the legendary kingdom of Odysseus, is simply stunning. Lefkas doesn't have the greatest beaches but is known for its walking trails and traditional mountain villages.
A history of French and British occupations show some of the reason the Ionian Islands off the west coast of Greece differ in character from neighbouring island groups. They also receive more rainfall, so appear greener too.
Beaches on the Ionian Islands
Corfu's west coast shoreline has its loveliest beaches. Mile-long Aghios Stefanos beach is a great one for families.
Zante's 57 miles of coastline has some incredible beaches, such as the whopping four-mile stretch at sandy Laganas, nesting grounds of Caretta-Caretta sea turtles. Watersports fans head to Agios Nikolaos.
Kefalonia is the island in the group and has some of the most beautiful spots, especially Myrtos beach. Lefkas' superb beaches include Kathisma and Athani or the hidden coves of the south coast - sailing and watersports enthusiasts love this island.
Picturesque Paxos, the smallest of the islands and only reachable by boat, has the lovely beach of Lakka.
Corfu's west coast shoreline has its loveliest beaches. Mile-long Aghios Stefanos beach is a great one for families.
Zante's 57 miles of coastline has some incredible beaches, such as the whopping four-mile stretch at sandy Laganas, nesting grounds of Caretta-Caretta sea turtles. Watersports fans head to Agios Nikolaos.
Kefalonia is the island in the group and has some of the most beautiful spots, especially Myrtos beach. Lefkas' superb beaches include Kathisma and Athani or the hidden coves of the south coast - sailing and watersports enthusiasts love this island.
Picturesque Paxos, the smallest of the islands and only reachable by boat, has the lovely beach of Lakka.
Sightseeing on the Ionian Islands
Corfu Town is one of the best in the islands for sophistication and history with narrow streets dominated by the 16th century fortress and a mix of Venetian, Georgian and French architecture. Corfu's major beauty spot is Paleokastritsa, set around three bays and backed by dramatic lush hills, but this does mean busloads of tourists too.
On Zante, check out the Venetian castle ruins and St Mark's Square in Zante Town, or see the island's Blue Caves.
Kefalonia is the largest and most varied of the seven islands. Its charms include the village of Fiscardo - a 1953 earthquake wreaked havoc in much of the Ionian Islands, but this northern tip of Kefalonia stayed almost intact. Strict building regulations now maintain Fiscardo's elegant Venetian architecture. The island capital of Argostoli is lovely.
Ithaka is said to be the mythical home of King Odysseus and Eumaius's Cave and the Cave of the Nymphs are just two places said to be associated with this hero of Homer's tale.
Lefkas Town is a little car-free place, full of churches and bright-painted wooden houses. Lefkas is connected to Greece by a swing bridge so easy trips to the mainland are possible too.
Corfu Town is one of the best in the islands for sophistication and history with narrow streets dominated by the 16th century fortress and a mix of Venetian, Georgian and French architecture. Corfu's major beauty spot is Paleokastritsa, set around three bays and backed by dramatic lush hills, but this does mean busloads of tourists too.
On Zante, check out the Venetian castle ruins and St Mark's Square in Zante Town, or see the island's Blue Caves.
Kefalonia is the largest and most varied of the seven islands. Its charms include the village of Fiscardo - a 1953 earthquake wreaked havoc in much of the Ionian Islands, but this northern tip of Kefalonia stayed almost intact. Strict building regulations now maintain Fiscardo's elegant Venetian architecture. The island capital of Argostoli is lovely.
Ithaka is said to be the mythical home of King Odysseus and Eumaius's Cave and the Cave of the Nymphs are just two places said to be associated with this hero of Homer's tale.
Lefkas Town is a little car-free place, full of churches and bright-painted wooden houses. Lefkas is connected to Greece by a swing bridge so easy trips to the mainland are possible too.
Family attractions on the Ionian Islands
Holidaymaking British families who long more for the familiar than the exotic will love Corfu, where sandy beaches, excellent water sports and good accommodation tick all the boxes.
Corfu also has Aqualand, one of the biggest water parks in Europe.Otherwise, Zante has all you need, and boat trips to spot endangered turtles will be a lovely day trip.
On the whole, the Ionian Islands will provide an authentic Greek experience if your family's more into culture than karaoke, and Greeks are very family-orientated.Day trips on the Ionian Islands
From Zante, take a boat trip to the Keri Caves, or go one further and make it to the mainland to ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, 3,000 years ago.
If staying on popular Corfu but fancy something smaller scale, take a trip to one of the Diapondia Islands.
Holidaymaking British families who long more for the familiar than the exotic will love Corfu, where sandy beaches, excellent water sports and good accommodation tick all the boxes.
Corfu also has Aqualand, one of the biggest water parks in Europe.Otherwise, Zante has all you need, and boat trips to spot endangered turtles will be a lovely day trip.
On the whole, the Ionian Islands will provide an authentic Greek experience if your family's more into culture than karaoke, and Greeks are very family-orientated.Day trips on the Ionian Islands
From Zante, take a boat trip to the Keri Caves, or go one further and make it to the mainland to ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, 3,000 years ago.
If staying on popular Corfu but fancy something smaller scale, take a trip to one of the Diapondia Islands.
Eating on the Ionian Islands
Waterside fish restaurants, back street tavernas, Greek salad with crumbling feta and fat olives, moussaka, the endless little tasty dishes of a mezze - what's not to like about this nation's cuisine?
In the bigger towns on Zante, Corfu (especially in resorts such as Kavos and Ipsos) you can expect a long-established tradition of restaurants catering for British tastes.
Waterside fish restaurants, back street tavernas, Greek salad with crumbling feta and fat olives, moussaka, the endless little tasty dishes of a mezze - what's not to like about this nation's cuisine?
In the bigger towns on Zante, Corfu (especially in resorts such as Kavos and Ipsos) you can expect a long-established tradition of restaurants catering for British tastes.
Nightlife on the Ionian Islands
Corfu has endless bars and is home to Kavos, a resort that's achieved notoriety as a classic '18-30's' destination.
You'll find plenty of action on the big Brit favourite of Zante where the biggest resort on the island Laganas knows how to party.
Kefalonia's Argostoli has plenty of modern bars and resorts such as Sami, Fiscardo, Lixouri and Poros will also result in good nights out.
Lefkas holds its own in the shape of Nidri, with its beach bars and nightclubs, but this is more a place where couples come to chill out.
Corfu has endless bars and is home to Kavos, a resort that's achieved notoriety as a classic '18-30's' destination.
You'll find plenty of action on the big Brit favourite of Zante where the biggest resort on the island Laganas knows how to party.
Kefalonia's Argostoli has plenty of modern bars and resorts such as Sami, Fiscardo, Lixouri and Poros will also result in good nights out.
Lefkas holds its own in the shape of Nidri, with its beach bars and nightclubs, but this is more a place where couples come to chill out.
Shopping on the Ionian Islands
Corfu is the best place for anyone who likes to shop, but Kefalonia's Fiskardo and Ithaca's Vathy have charming shops too.
Typical Greek souvenirs include jewellery, pottery, arts and crafts - Corfu is known for its olive wood handicrafts, and olive oil soap while Lefkada's mountain villages specialise in embroidery.
Corfu is the best place for anyone who likes to shop, but Kefalonia's Fiskardo and Ithaca's Vathy have charming shops too.
Typical Greek souvenirs include jewellery, pottery, arts and crafts - Corfu is known for its olive wood handicrafts, and olive oil soap while Lefkada's mountain villages specialise in embroidery.
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