Lefkada to Ithaca: 7-Day Sailing Itinerary in Greece

There’s something rather special about sailing from Lefkada to Ithaca. For anyone considering sailing holidays and thinking of chartering in this region, the route offers a unique and memorable experience. I’ve done this route many times. It never quite feels the same twice. Perhaps it’s the moment you leave Lefkada behind and the islands begin to open up around you. Or perhaps it’s arriving in Ithaca and sailing into a landscape that has inspired the story of Odysseus for thousands of years.

And this is where the week really starts to feel like an adventure.

How long does it take to sail from Vliho Bay to Ithaca you may ask?! Happily, not very long. That’s one of the things we love about sailing this route: Ithaca feels like a real Greek Island adventure. However, you don’t have to spend days at sea getting there.

With a week to explore, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the journey as well as the destination. You can take your time over the crossing. You might stop for a swim, spend a night in a quiet anchorage and still have several days to discover Ithaca’s beautiful villages, bays and harbours.

A 7-Day Lefkada to Ithaca Sailing Route

There are plenty of ways to sail to Ithaca, but this is one of the routes we love to recommend to our guests. It gives you a little bit of everything the Ionian is famous for. This includes peaceful anchorages, pretty fishing villages, good places to eat, clear water for swimming and, of course, the history and mythology that make Ithaca so fascinating.

Sunday evening – Spartochori

Just an hour from our base, Spartochori is one of our favourite places to spend the first night. The harbour sits beneath the pine-covered hills of Meganisi and makes for a wonderfully peaceful introduction to Ionian sailing. Once you’re settled on board, take a walk up to the village. The views across the Inland Sea towards Lefkada and the Greek mainland are beautiful. This is particularly true as the sun begins to go down.

Monday – Sivota

From Spartochori, make your way towards Sivota on Lefkada's southern coast. It’s a useful stop before heading across to Ithaca, and one we often recommend for the second night of the trip. Sivota offers good shelter and plenty of pontoons with lazy lines, making coming alongside relatively straightforward. It’s also a good opportunity to top up your provisions, fill the water tanks and make sure you have everything you need before spending the next few nights exploring Ithaca. But Sivota isn’t all practicalities. Tavernas line the waterfront, and the harbour comes alive with a lovely buzz during the summer months.

Tuesday – Polis Bay

And then you arrive in Ithaca. If you want to experience the island's connection with Odysseus, Polis Bay is a wonderful place to begin. The anchorage is beautiful, with clear turquoise water and plenty of space to relax. There’s also a fascinating story waiting to be discovered ashore. From Polis Bay, you can walk up towards Stavros, one of the villages most closely associated with Odysseus. This is where the landscape starts to feel wonderfully connected to the stories you may remember from Homer's The Odyssey.

Wednesday – Pera Pigadi

After a night at Polis Bay, we head around the south-east coast of Ithaca to Pera Pigadi. This is one of those places where the beauty of the Ionian really speaks for itself. You can anchor south of the islet or in the nearby bay, taking a line ashore if conditions call for it. With steep hills rising around you and wonderfully clear water below, it feels beautifully remote. Local tradition and interpretations of Homer’s text associate this area with Eumaeus, Odysseus’ loyal swineherd. Walk a short distance inland to the Spring of Arethusa, which Homer mentions in the epic, while the dramatic cliffs above the anchorage evoke the legendary Raven’s Rock. Of course, no one can say for certain whether these are the exact places Homer had in mind. But that’s part of the magic of sailing around Ithaca.

Thursday – Vathy

By Thursday, it’s time to head into Vathy, the capital of Ithaca. Vathy sits at the head of one of Greece’s largest natural harbours and offers excellent shelter, giving you a welcome change of pace after a few nights at anchor. The waterfront is lively, with restaurants, cafés and shops close to the harbour. You’ll find the facilities you need for a comfortable night alongside. Vathy has its own connection with the island's legendary king. The statue of Odysseus on the waterfront is a reminder of the story that follows you throughout Ithaca.

Friday – Kioni

Kioni is one of those places that tends to stay with you long after you’ve left. The traditional houses climb the hillside around the horseshoe-shaped harbour, while cafés, tavernas and bars sit right on the waterfront. It’s easy to see why so many sailors count Kioni among their favourite harbours in the Ionian. If you want to moor in the harbour, arriving earlier in the day gives you the best chance of finding a spot. This is particularly true during the busy summer months. Alternatively, you can anchor outside and take a long line ashore. Once you’re settled, there’s really no need to do much. Wander along the waterfront, find somewhere for a drink, enjoy a long Greek dinner and watch the harbour slowly come to life in the evening.

Saturday – Little Vathi

Our final night stop is Little Vathi, a small traditional fishing village that makes a lovely last night before returning to base. After the lively atmosphere of some of Ithaca's larger harbours, Little Vathi feels wonderfully peaceful and authentic.

Sunday - Vliho Bay

Every odyssey eventually comes to an end and after an early morning we leave Little Vathi and begin the journey back to base. Our lovely team will be waiting to welcome you back — and, of course, hear all about your week on the water.

And just like that, your week of sailing comes to an end.

Why sail from Lefkada to Ithaca?

That’s what makes a Lefkada to Ithaca itinerary so special: you get to slow down, explore at your own pace and enjoy the feeling of going somewhere new. You also don’t spend most of your holiday sailing between destinations.

There’s time for lazy mornings at anchor, swims in clear blue water, long lunches in little harbours and evenings spent watching the sun go down from the cockpit.

Whether you’re sailing with family, friends or as a couple, we hope you finish the week with plenty of stories of your own!

If this route sounds like your kind of Greek holiday, you can explore our yacht charter prices and live availability, or get in touch with the Sail Ionian team to talk through your options.

FAQ ABOUT SAILING FROM FLEKADA TO ITHACA

How long does it take to sail from Lefkada to Ithaca?

The crossing from southern Lefkada to Ithaca can be comfortably included in a one-week holiday. You will have time for swim stops, overnight anchorages and exploring Ithaca's harbours.

Is this Lefkada to Ithaca sailing itinerary suitable for a one-week sailing holiday?

Yes, Ithaca is a wonderful destination for a one-week Ionian sailing itinerary from Lefkada, especially if you want a mix of peaceful anchorages, traditional villages and Greek mythology.

Where can you stop between Lefkada and Ithaca?

Popular stops include Spartochori on Meganisi, Sivota on Lefkada, Polis Bay, Vathy, Kioni and Little Vathi.

Written by Kitty · Edited by Elda

This post was written by admin