Ithaka

The island of Ithaca is located in the Ionian Sea and is located south of Lefkada and north-east of Kefalonia, from which it is separated by a strait. It is a beautiful island, the fifth largest of the Eptanese, full of greenery, forests and fantastic beaches, famous for being the island of Ulysses.

According to some, the name derives from "Itaco", a mythological character. According to others, the name derives instead from the Phoenician word "Utica" which means "colony". The memory of Odysseus is found everywhere on the island, starting from the name of the localities: the Cave of Evmeos, the Cave of the Nymphs, the castle of Odysseus. The island is also considered a symbol of homesickness. Furthermore, both for its history and for its legends and for its fame, the island attracts tourists and visitors from all over the world.

Ithaca has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The first to occupy the island, and the Ionian Islands in general, were the Mycenaeans followed by the Macedonians and then by the Romans and, in 1185, by the Normans. In the 12th century the island was sold to the Orsini family and later to the Tocchi family. With the latter's help, Ithaca became an independent state with a well-equipped army and naval fleet. The Venetian presence lasted until 1479 and led the island to a strong development in trade and the construction of structures whose ruins can still be seen today.

Until 1479 the Turks forcibly took command of Ithaca, killing its inhabitants and destroying its villages. The Venetians then retook the Ionian islands in the 15th century and the Turks signed a treaty stating that the islands of Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zakynthos belonged to the Venetians, while Lefkada remained under Turkish rule. The city of Vaty became the capital of the island.

In 1953 a series of very strong earthquakes caused severe damage on all the Ionian Islands, destroying most of the buildings. Reconstruction began immediately, with financial help from Europe and the United States.

The island of Ithaca has only one bus that leaves three times a day from Vaty, also called Ithaca Town, and connects it to the towns of Lefki, Stavros, Platrithias, Frikes and Kioni.

For more information on timetables and stops:

Vaty Bus Station: +30 26740 32445