7 Day Sailing Itinerary: The Southern Ionian Islands
DAY 1: Preveza | Lefkas | Nidri | Palairos
Your Starting Base. All of these bases have their merits, most importantly they are all a short drive from Preveza International Airport, and are all ideal starting points for exploring the Southern Ionian Islands.
If sailing from Preveza, then a stopover at Vathyavali beach (15nm) will help to break up the first sailing leg and ease you into your holiday.
You will also need to time your departure to line up with the lifting bridge at Lefkas, which generally opens for 15 minutes at 08am, 10am, 2pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, and 10pm, but do check up-to-date timings before you set off.
Set sail for Sivota Bay (15nm): Stern-to mooring with lazy lines near the main town quay and pontoons, or free-swing anchoring in the middle of the bay.
Eat at Taverna Spiridoula - making sure to order some of the fresh seafood caught that day by Spiridoula’s husband, Panagiotis.
TAVERNA SPIRIDOULA
DAY 2: Sivota Bay to Fiskardo, Kefalonia (12nm)
Moorings in Fiskardo often fill up fast, but there is a much better (and quieter) spot where you can anchor in the bay just half a mile south of here, in ‘Foki Bay’.
‘FISHKARDO’
FOKI BAY
Drop anchor and run a line ashore, then it’s either a brisk 20 minute walk from the beach, or a short drive in your tender around the headland to Fiskardo, with its beautiful Venetian architecture making this one of the most picturesque harbours in the Ionian Islands.
PANORMOS TAVERN
Stop off for an aperitif and enjoy the view at Panormos Tavern, looking out over Zavalata Beach, then stroll around the town quay before heading to the delightfully named ‘Fishkardo’ for dinner, an amazing restaurant run by Lefteris Lazarou - the first Greek chef to be awarded a Michelin star. Make sure to order his famous Crabmeat on crispy brioche.
DAY 3: Fiskardo to Agia Effimia, Kefalonia (12nm)
Spend the morning in Fiskardo before setting sail again. Agia Effimia makes a lovely next stop when heading south from Fiskardo along Kefalonia’s east coast. This sheltered harbour is a quieter alternative to some of the Ionian’s busier ports, with colourful waterfront buildings, traditional tavernas and clear blue water framed by green hills.
Moor on the town quay where there is usually plenty of space, then step ashore to explore the village at an unhurried pace.
Stroll along the waterfront, stopping off for drinks in the local tavernas. The surrounding coastline also offers some of the most beautiful swimming spots and secluded coves, while the nearby Melissani Cave and Drogarati Cave make interesting excursions inland.
For dinner you can’t go far wrong with Restaurant Amalia, a short walk north along the coast road. Traditional dishes made with ingredients from the family’s own farm - the zucchini fritters are particularly moreish, and you’ll find the slow cooked rabbit is hard to beat.
SUNSET AT AGIA EFFIMIA
DAY 4: Agia Effimia to Kioni, Ithaca (18nm)
KIONI HARBOUR
Set sail across the channel to Ithaca, one of the Ionian’s most enchanting islands. Kioni, tucked into a beautiful bay on the island’s north-east coast, is a lovely destination for the day, with traditional houses climbing the green hillside above a waterfront lined with cafés and tavernas.
Moor on the village quay if space allows, or anchor in the bay and take the tender ashore. There is a lot of space, but Kioni is popular with visiting yachts, so it’s worth arriving early to secure one of the best spots, particularly in high season.
Spend the afternoon swimming in the clear water or wandering the village’s narrow lanes. The three old windmills at the entrance to the bay make a particularly lovely sight, especially as the evening light softens and the waterfront begins to glow.
Have sunset drinks on the roof terrace at En Plo, then settle into Molos Restaurant just below, where fresh seafood and exceptionally tender slow-cooked kleftiko lamb can be enjoyed metres from the water. Afterwards, take a stroll along the quay and enjoy a drink at Conte Vanilla Ithaca overlooking the bay as the lights reflect across the water.
DAY 5: Kioni to Kastos (15nm)
Leave the pretty harbour of Kioni behind and head south towards Kastos, one of the smallest and quietest of the Ionian Islands. With its pine-covered hills, rocky coastline and wonderfully clear water, Kastos is a world away from the busier ports of Kefalonia and Ithaca.
The village itself is little more than a handful of traditional stone houses, a small harbour and a few waterfront tavernas. Moor stern to in the Inner Quay (avoiding the zone marked by black and yellow stripes which must be left clear for the ferry), or anchor in the bay. Head ashore to explore the narrow lanes and enjoy a drink at Traverso wine bar overlooking the water.
For a pre dinner cocktail, Mylos bar in an old converted windmill is a stunning place to visit, with a nice walk around the headland to get there.
As evening approaches, settle into one of the village’s tavernas, Il Porto or Belos, for a relaxed dinner of freshly caught fish and traditional Greek dishes. Kastos is all about taking things slowly, making it a lovely place to spend the night before continuing North through the Ionian.
MYLOS BAR
DAY 6: Kastos to Vathy, Meganisi (16nm)
The penultimate leg of your journey takes you north to Meganisi, a beautiful island of pine-covered hills, rocky headlands and deeply indented bays. Your destination is Vathy, a charming little harbour on the island’s east coast, where colourful waterfront buildings, traditional tavernas and gently bobbing fishing boats create a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
VATHY HARBOUR
Pick up a berth along the harbour quay, where you can step straight ashore to explore the village. Wander along the waterfront, browse the small shops and settle into one of the cafés for a leisurely drink while watching the activity in the harbour.
Meganisi is known for its spectacular coastline, with numerous sea caves, secluded coves and crystal-clear swimming spots to explore. Spend the afternoon enjoying a swim or take the tender out to discover some of the quieter corners of the bay.
For dinner, Errikos Fish Tavern offers some of the best seafood in the whole of the Ionian Islands, where freshly caught fish waits for you to pick it out from their fridge to be grilled to perfection and enjoyed overlooking the harbour.
THE FRESH CATCH AT ERRIKOS
DAY 7: Spartochori to Preveza / Lefkas (12 - 18nm)
Enjoy a final breakfast overlooking the harbour at Vathy before setting off north towards Lefkada. It’s a relatively short final passage, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the last few hours on the water as you make your way through the sheltered channels between Meganisi and the mainland.
Depending on which base you chartered from, head towards Lefkas Marina or continue north through the Lefkada Canal to Preveza. Make sure to top up with fuel before finishing your charter, if you need help with mooring then let the base manager know what time you will arrive and they will make sure staff are on hand to guide you in.
If time allows, make the most of your final afternoon ashore. Lefkas Town has a lively waterfront and plenty of cafés and tavernas, while Preveza offers a particularly attractive old quarter, with narrow streets, traditional restaurants and a relaxed harbour front atmosphere.
Enjoy one last Greek dinner ashore before bringing your Ionian adventure to a close. After a week of pretty harbours, secluded swimming spots and easy island hopping, it's a lovely way to finish your time afloat.