Ithaki’s west coast is steep and almost barren in contrast to the green, gentle shoreline of the east. Its coastline is about 45 mile, which is indented all around with many natural ports. The island is mostly rocky and mountainous but it does have several small valleys where olive trees, vineyards, vegetables and fruit trees are cultivated. There are huge menacing rocks jutting up from the ground and just a few steps away are the tranquil orchards and vineyards. The three highest mountains on the island are Mt. Petaleiko in the south, the Homeric Mt. Neritos and the Mt. of Exoghi in the north. The capital and largest settlement Vathi; its red roofed houses set amidst enchanting scenery at the end of the deep closed bay of Molos. The people here work at cultivation, stockbreeding, trade, technical jobs, fishing and tourist businesses and traditional sailors. The main villages of Ithaki include Stavros, Anoghi, Exogi, Frikes and Kioni. Anogi is one of the oldest villages of Ithaki and the second most important medieval settlement of the island. It has a beautiful finely restored Byzantine church dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin. For that reason, very few rooms are available in Anogi and the only cafe of the village is the only place serving food. Another very interesting thing to see are the enormous rocks of incredible and various shapes standing around the village. Exogi is a picturesque traditional village. It boasts of the Church of Agia Marina. There are a few rooms for rent and a cafe available here. Frikes is a beautiful coastal village built on the coast, at the head of a long narrow bay. Its picturesque port is surrounded by little houses and fishing boats. It offers nice taverns and shops, a hotel and various, cafes and restaurants. Kioni is a lush, green village. It is built amphitheatrically, on the slopes of a mountain, with little tiled roofed white houses and a lovely little port where little fishing boats are quietly mooring. It is a busy tourist resort, with many cafes and taverns, food stores and many rooms for rent. Stavros stands at the foot of the Neritos Hill and contains the smaller settlements of Pilicata and Kalyvia. Worth seeing in Stavros are the beautiful churches of Sotiris (Saviour), Agia Varvara and Zoodochos Pigi and the Venetian Tzovanatos house. The Cave of Loizos is located here too, as well as the Archaeological Museum. You will also find plenty of taverns, cafes, rooms for rent and trade shops. Ithaki can also boast from among its natural beauties, unique unspoiled beaches. Most have smooth white pebbles and are pristine, offering crystal, clear emerald waters. There are the beaches of Filiatro, Marmaka, Agios Ioannis, and Gidaki and the bays of Dexa, Polis, Sarakiniko and Skinos. Come, stay and play at Ithaki and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime. |