Ithaca Island Bus Tour: Highlights in One Day
Description
Set sail for the legendary island of Ithaca, once ruled by Odysseus, and step into a world of myth, beauty, and adventure. Begin in Vathy, a picturesque harbor town with pastel houses, narrow streets, and a calm, timeless atmosphere. Continue to Kioni, a postcard-perfect harbor with flower-lined streets and charming waterfront views, followed by Frikes, a quiet fishing village ideal for a leisurely lunch, a stroll by the sea, or browsing local shops. Finally, stop at Stavros village for a little free time to explore its peaceful streets and soak in the authentic island atmosphere before returning. This cruise around Ithaca beautifully combines mythology, stunning scenery, and authentic island life into one unforgettable experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Step back in time as you explore the capital of Vathi, a picturesque town that boasts a rich Venetian heritage. Wander through its narrow streets, lined with charming stone houses and traditional architecture, while soaking in the captivating blend of history and beauty. The town’s scenic harbor, framed by lush hills, creates a tranquil setting that perfectly captures the essence of Ithaca.
Next, ascend to the Kathara Monastery, perched at the island’s highest point. Here, you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of Ithaca’s rugged hills, turquoise coves, and surrounding islands. Take time for photos and soak in the serene atmosphere of this historic monastery.
Nestled on the slopes of a mountain, Kioni is a charming and traditional village that exudes timeless beauty. Built amphitheatrically, the village’s whitewashed, tiled-roof houses cascade down the hillsides, creating a serene and picturesque scene. Stroll through its narrow cobblestone streets, where each corner reveals a new view of this tranquil haven. At the heart of the village lies a charming little port, where colorful fishing boats gently moor, their presence adding to the peaceful rhythm of life in Kioni. The soft sounds of the sea, combined with the scent of salty air, make this quaint village the perfect escape into the authentic spirit of Ithaca. Whether you’re admiring the stunning architecture or simply enjoying a quiet moment by the harbor, Kioni offers an enchanting blend of beauty, tradition, and tranquility
Frikes is a delightful fishing village on Ithaca’s northern coast, where time seems to slow down. Its small, sheltered harbor is lined with colorful boats, traditional tavernas, and cozy cafés, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Surrounded by lush green hills and olive groves, Frikes offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and authentic island charm. Take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, browse local shops for handmade goods, or sit by the sea and enjoy freshly caught seafood while watching the gentle movement of the boats. With its peaceful vibe and scenic setting, Frikes is an ideal stop for those looking to experience the true essence of Ithaca—simple, relaxing, and beautifully untouched.
Nestled at the base of Neritos Hill, Stavros Village is a delightful hidden gem that offers a peaceful escape with stunning views. Situated at an altitude of 110 meters above the sea, this charming village overlooks the tranquil beauty of Polis Bay, providing panoramic vistas that capture the essence of the island’s natural splendor. As you wander through the village, you’ll be enchanted by its traditional stone houses, narrow streets, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere of local life. The elevated position of Stavros offers breathtaking views of the coastline and the shimmering blue waters of the bay, making it the perfect place to relax and soak in the island’s serene beauty. Whether you're strolling through the village or simply gazing out over the stunning landscape, Stavros offers an idyllic setting that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
If your hotel is not on the list please add it to the notes so we are able to provide pick-up time & location. Pick-up information is provided 24 hours prior to the excursion date. Please expect a WhatsApp message or a phone call from us! If we are not able to reach you an email will be sent for confirmation. Due to the ferry schedule to Ithaca, we have arranged an early pick-up for the tour. This adjustment ensures that all participants can comfortably board the ferry on time and enjoy a full day of exploration on the beautiful island of Ithaca. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in making the necessary arrangements for an early start, allowing us to provide you with an enjoyable and seamless travel experience. For this tour, pick-up service is not available from the villages of Agia Efimia, Fiscardo, and Assos due to their location outside our designated pick-up zones. This tour is not suitable for cruise passengers due to time constraints. We recommend considering other options that better accommodate your schedule.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(23)
Ithaca was beautiful and well worth visiting. Guide and driver excellent. Think the last stop was one too many though.
Thank you for your feedback. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the beauty of Ithaca and that both your guide and driver helped make the experience memorable. We also appreciate your comment regarding the final stop. Guest feedback like yours is invaluable, and we'll certainly take it into consideration as we continue to refine our tours. We hope to welcome you again on another adventure soon!
Good afternoon from Skachata Dear colleagues, Thank you very mach for perfect trip to Ithaca , yesterday! Special thanks to guide Memi from TUI, she is very professional, and the diver Dimitris! Best regards Virjinia Nikolova
Dear Virjinia, Good afternoon from Kefalonia, and thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your trip to Ithaca and that it was a memorable experience. It’s wonderful to know that Memi and Dimitris helped make your day so special—your kind words will certainly be passed along to them. Thank you once again for choosing to explore with us. We hope to welcome you back on another tour in the future!
A very full day and lovely experience bus driver and tour guide was amazing full fact's about the island
Thank you for sharing your kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed a full and memorable day exploring Kefalonia. Our team is delighted to hear that both your guide and driver helped make the experience special with their knowledge and care. We hope to welcome you back again soon for more island discoveries!
We really enjoyed this trip, well organised, the tour guide was very informative sorry I can't remember her name. We had a skillful driver taking us around the narrow roads of Ithica. I would highly recommend it the islands of Ithica are beautiful.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the trip to Ithaca and found it well organized. We're especially glad the guide and driver made a great impression — even if her name slipped your mind! Ithaca truly is a beautiful island, and we’re happy we could help you experience it. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!
great tour,guide diamond was very knowledgeable and gave us a history lesson as well.Island is beautiful and worth the time
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had a great tour and that Diamond made your experience both informative and memorable. Sharing the island’s rich history is something we’re passionate about, and it’s wonderful to know it added value to your visit. We agree—it truly is a beautiful place, and we’re so glad you took the time to explore it with us!
What a beautiful island. Very traditional, not touristy and I hope they limit tourists rather than try to accommodate more as its rustic charm is what makes it special. Our TUI guide, Memi was an excellent tour rep and gave us loads of information. We were lucky to have her on another trip. It was a very long day , coach, ferry, coach. Boat, coach, ferry coach but we got to see so much, well worth it.
Thank you for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed Kefalonia’s traditional charm and that Memi made your experience even more special with her insights. It’s great that you got to see so much in one day—definitely a long journey, but well worth it! We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for more adventures.
The community and information provided was excellent. All went smoothly with regard to travel. The tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, and her love for the island was evident. Stops along the way allowed for a little exploration and my friend took full advantage of the opportunity to swim in the beautiful waters. Very pleased that we went on the trip and we had a wonderful day.
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so pleased to hear that everything went smoothly and that you enjoyed the friendly and knowledgeable guidance of our tour leader. It’s wonderful that your friend got to enjoy a swim in the beautiful waters—those moments really make the day special. We’re glad you felt the sense of community and had such a memorable experience. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Fantastic tour! Very organised. My children loved Ithaca and we learnt a lot for the history of the island. The guide was very informative and the views were stunning!!
Our aim is for excursion to be loved by all family members ( adults' & children ) with reviews like yours we have truly accomplished our job! We hope to see you again on one of our many excursions!
A wonderful experience!! This is the best way to explore Ithaca in a day. We really enjoyed the trip and we loved Ithaca! We had a very knowledgeable guide and a professional, friendly driver. A very big thank you to Mrs Georgia for booking helping us book the trip!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!!! Geogia is truly our shinning star and we are beyond delightful that you loved Ithaca as much as we do! We hope to see you again in the near future on one of our excursions!
A wonderful day trip to the magical island of Ithaca. A perfectly balanced schedule, but the day was really made by our guide, Diamond, who is clearly passionate and highly knowledgeable about the island. Great recommendations for the lunch and afternoon coffee break too. It was a long day, but so glad I did it!
Diamond our guide is truly a star! she is very passionate about her job and it really shows! We are so happy you had a great time in Ithaca & hope to see you again in the near future on one of our excursions!
