Vathy

Vathy, the capital town and at the same time the biggest municipality on Ithaka Island, is not a classical resort with plenty of beaches and water pleasures, yet it is still an interesting place especially for those who are not coming to the Greek islands to just idle and sunbathe on the hot sand. As it has managed to preserve its distinctive character, it is a frequent target of crowds of visitors especially during the summer months.

The port of Vathy is located in a small bay in the north of Ithaka Island, surrounded by turquoise sea and sleeping hills covered with green vegetation. It has been the island capital since the 16th century, and it is from the ancient times that it has preserved the remains of the fortifications along the sides of the wharfage. In the front, it is adorned by the small island of Lazareto that was serving as a quarantine for the newcomers to the island, and during the last century, it still served as a place for the condemned. to serve their sentence. Today we can find there a little church dedicated to Christ the Saviour.

History of Vathy

The colourful houses scattered along the bay and the little square with shops and cafés don’t suggest at all the place was hit by a devastating earthquake in the 1950s. Yet most of the buildings were restored to their former state.

As a ‘metorpolis’ of Ithaka Island with about 2 000 inhabitants, Vathy plays and important role as an administrative, trade and cultural centre. It has  a nice archaeological museum where you can get acquainted with the local history and findings; and both locals and tourists can use the local schools, banking institutions, theatre, library, shops and sports and health-care facilities - in short everything one would expect from an island capital. You shouldn’t miss some of the town’s remarkable houses and churches.

What to do in Vathy

The accommodation facilities include hotels and small pensions, while the numerous tavernas, restaurants, bars and night spots are tempting to go there for a visit and have fun. At night Vathy literally comes to life with its merrymaking and loud music. The lively port doesn’t offer beaches but if you feel like having a rest under the sunshine on the coast, you can always set off to the remote Dexa (a beautiful beach with clean water, awarded the Blue Flag of the Greek tourist organization, with advanced services and the green surroundings tempting for a walk). Another option is Minimata (a beach with clean water surrounded by exuberant green vegetation), Sarakiniko (a beach standing out for its crystal clear water and magnificent nature), and a few more. From the port, there is a regular boat and ferry connection to go for a trip both to the immediate and more remote surroundings, e.g. to the Cave of the Nymphs, to the islands of Cephalonia, Zakynthos or Corfu, or to the continental Greece.

Video from Vathy

Video

Resorts on Ithaka Island

The most visited resorts on the island are Kioni and Vathy