Greek Islands Portal

Ithaca lies 2 nautical miles west of Kefalonia and 23 nautical miles east of Astakos (on the west coast of Central Greece).
Ithaca is the smallest of the Ionian islands, it has an area of 96 square kilometers and about 100 kilometers of coastline.
The island is thickly wooded and has superb beaches and crystal clear sea.
Administratively, it belongs to the prefecture of Kefalonia.

Ithaca was first inhabited in prehistoric times and is famous because of the adventures of its mythical king Odysseus, who brought the Trojan War to an end through the ruse of the Wooden Horse; after the war ended the Greeks’ favour he wandered for ten years before reaching his beloved homeland and faithful wife Penelope. The name of the island is virtually synonymous with love for one’s birthplace and the nostalgia felt by those who live away from home.

The island was conquered by Normands, Venetians and French. In 1798 it was under the protection of Russian-Turks and two years later it was declared its independence after the intervention of Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece.