Ithaca (Ithaki) is an island in the Ionian Sea, west of mainland Greece and northeast of Kefalonia. It has nearly 3 200 inhabitants for an area of 96 km. It is a verdant island with crystal clear waters. The island is full of bays and capes. The east coast has rather steep and rugged cliffs while the west coast is lower and green. Ithaca is mountainous with a peak culminating at 780 meters, Mount Niritas.
According to Homer’s Odyssey, Ulysses was the king of Ithaca, an island he recovered after having long wandered at sea after having undergone numerous trials. It was at Ithaca that his wife Penelope waited for him despite some enterprising pretenders, such as Antinous.
It was in Deka Bay that Ulysses was laid asleep. The source of Arethousa, in the south is accessible in about 2 hours of walk. It was there that Ulysses, disguised as a beggar, met Eumaeus. It is assumed that the palace of Ulysses was situated in the neighborhood of Stavros.
The island has two ports: Vathy and Piso Aetos. There are no moorings available in these ports but it is possible to anchor at Frikes, Kioni and Vathy although most boaters prefer to moor at dock. Vathy is the main port. Vathy is also the capital of the island and the largest village of Ithaca. It is a picturesque village of about 2000 inhabitants.
It is built amphitheatrically around the largest natural harbor in Greece. On either side of the narrow entrance to the port are the ruins of a French fort built in 1807 to protect itself from the English fleet.
The earthquakes of 1953 almost completely destroyed the village, leaving behind some ruins and very few buildings intact. Fortunately, most of the Venetian buildings that were demolished were rebuilt in the same style, which allowed Vathy to retain its traditional architecture. Moreover, throughout the island, since a law passed in 1978, it is forbidden to build in a different style from the traditional architectural style.
The monastery Panagia ton katharon, in Kathara, is opened to visitors. It is the place of pilgrimage of the inhabitants of the island and is endowed with beautiful icons, as well as beautiful landscapes.
There are also some ancient ruins just outside Stavros.
Most of the beaches on Ithaca offer round and white pebbles and crystal clear waters.