When you are thinking of holidays you would want to focus on destinations that offer reliable weather, excellent accommodations, delicious food and stunning landscapes. Greece is one such destination that offers you a wholesome holiday experience whether you are going solo or with your family.
Located on the northwest coast of Greece, the Ionian Islands provide you with the right holiday experiences as different islands offer you different experiences. Ionian Islands consists of seven islands which include Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Kythira. If you are planning villa holidays in Greece you can find accommodations on these islands. However, you must focus on activities, experiences and other factors that would help you optimize your time on these islands.
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Best Time to Visit Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands can provide you with excellent solo or family holidays in Greece. However, you must have clarity on what time of the year you should choose.
Ionian Islands experience hot dry summers and mild winters. If you are looking for sunny weather you can enjoy these islands from June to August. July is the hottest month of the year with day temperatures at 33 degrees Celsius (91F).
On the other hand, January is the coldest month of the year with day temperatures at 14 degrees Celsius (57F). November is the wettest month of the year. The best time to visit the beach in Corfu is from April to October. However, if you prefer to skip the crowd you can choose the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn as well.
Corfu
If you are visiting the Ionian Islands for the first time, Corfu would be the right island for you. This is an ideal place for those who adore architecture and history. You can visit the Old Corfu Town and walk the winding streets packed with buildings that reflect Venetian architecture. In Corfu, you can also explore other historical sites like the Liston Promenade, Old Fortress and New Fortress, Achilleion Palace, and Paleokastritsa Monastery.
Corfu also has excellent beaches. If you want to relax and unwind on your Greece holiday you can look out for beaches in Sidari, Paleokastritsa, Kontogialos and Gylfada. Here you can find many other small hidden beaches and secluded coves ideal for that romantic getaway in Greece.
If you are a foodie, Corfu can provide you with excellent restaurants and tavernas where you can enjoy Greek cuisine. Known as the Emerald Island, Corfu is also a perfect island for those who want to explore art and museums and enjoy a vibrant nightlife.
Paxos
Nestled closely to Corfu, Paxos offers stunning natural landscapes perfect for a relaxing holiday. If you are looking for a place where you can sit back and enjoy the cool sea breeze and spend your day leisurely Paxos is the right island for you. With rugged cliffs and lush olive gardens, you can have a great time here walking around this tranquil island. This is not an island where you seek vibrant nightlife or tons of restaurants and cafes packed with tourists. However, when you are here you can walk the village of Gaios, take a boat trip to Antipaxos, swim in the blue ocean waters, relax at various pristine beaches and take evening walks to view some dramatic sunsets.
Lefkada
If you are someone who loves mountainous terrain, Lefkada is the right Ionian Island for you. This is where you will find lush greenery of olive and pine trees. With plenty of mountains and pristine beaches, Lefkada offers stunning and picture-perfect landscape views. If you are planning a beach holiday you can find the prettiest beaches in Lefkada. With beaches like Porto Katsiki Beach, Kathisma Beach, Milos Beach and Gialos Beach you can have a great time lazing around here. If you love to surf you can head to Vasiliki Beach where most people come for windsurfing. Lefkada is also ideal for those who want to explore the quaint mountain villages of Agios Petros, Athani, Vasiliki and Nydri. Foodies can have a great time exploring different cafes, tavernas and restaurants that serve excellent Greek cuisine.
Ithaca
With some of the stunning beaches and ancient ruins, Ithaca is the only island in the Ionian Sea connected with various myths and legends. Often writers and poets visit the island to unlock their creative process. Like Paxos, Ithaca also offers a relaxing vibe ideal for those looking to escape the urban chaos. You can walk through various traditional fishing villages in Ithaca that can take you back in time. Also, if you are interested in Greek mythology you can have a great time exploring the art centres and museums. You can spend your time relaxing at some of the quiet beaches in Ithaca. However, if you are keen on some adventure you can snorkel and swim in the crystal clear waters of Ithaca.
Kefalonia
If you are looking for more outdoor activities and fun, Kefalonia should be your choice. One of the main reasons why you should choose Kefalonia for your holidays is because you want to spend more time on the beaches. Kefalonia is a beach paradise and has some of the best beaches in Greece. Here you can explore and spend your day at Myrtos Beach and Antisamos Beach. The island’s rugged landscape and dramatic cliffs give it a character that can be reflected in the pictures you take here. If you want to explore fishing villages you can do that here as you explore Fiskardo and Assos towns. Kefalonia is the only Ionian Island that has a national park. You can also try hiking Mount Anios or exploring Melissani Cave and Drogarati Cave.
Zakynthos
When you are looking for an island that offers something for everyone you should choose Zakynthos. This island in the Ionian Sea offers a superb combination of enjoying the outdoors, doing more activities or spending time lazily. With its spectacular scenery, you can enjoy the beaches of Zakynthos especially Navagio Beach also known as the Shipwreck Beach. You can go paragliding and canoeing at Nicholas Bay or party all night long with the best music and food you can find. Zakynthos is also perfect for foodies who want to try delicious Greek cuisine. Those who want to unwind and relax can soak up the sun on various beaches, explore the Old Town dotted with Venetian architecture buildings and explore fishing towns.
Kythira
With spectacular golden beaches and quaint villages, Kythira has a character of its own. Most residents here have quit their former active lifestyle to settle down in a relaxing environment. Hence, Kythira is perfect for you if you want to a peace of mind and enjoy the lush greenery of the island. The island has a lot of history and you can explore the ancient ruins and castles here and find out stories about various events. If you love to shop and enjoy Greek coffee you can do that here to make your holiday memorable.
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