Region
Ionian Islands
Base yourself on Corfu or Kefalonia for 3–4 nights; visit Zakynthos, Ithaca or Paxos on day‑trips or short overnight stays.
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Key facts · Greece
- Currency
- Euro (EUR, €)
- Language
- Greek (Greek alphabet)
- Plugs
- C · F · 230 V
- Time zone
- EET, UTC+2
Rules in force · 12Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
- Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
- Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
- Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.
- Greek Islands ↗Book high-season ferries (July–August, and any car space) days ahead; foot-passenger tickets are usually buyable at the port on the day.
- Greek Islands ↗Ferry fares are per person plus, on some routes, a small port fee paid at the quay.
The Ionian Islands are green, beach‑heavy destinations with easy access via Corfu or Kefalonia. Base on one of these for 3–4 nights; use ferries for day‑trips or short overnights to Zakynthos, Ithaca or Paxos.
Where to sleep
- ZakynthosGuide: planned
Airport, Navagio cove, taxis and buses suffice.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 3 nights
- Corfu 3, day‑trip Zakynthos
- 4 nights
- Kefalonia 4, day‑trip Ithaca or Paxos
- Ferry schedules shrink in winter; plan for possible delays or overnight stays.
- Strong Meltemi winds in late summer can affect small‑boat trips.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zakynthos | Corfu | 180 min | check | High‑speed ferry ~3 h; check summer schedule. |
| Ithaca | Kefalonia | 120 min | check | Conventional ferry ~2 h; limited winter service. |
| Paxos | Corfu | 90 min | check | Fast ferry ~1.5 h; good for day‑trip. |
Bags between cities
Luggage forwarding between Corfu and Kefalonia is available via local courier services; arrange at hotels or airports.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greek Islands (country-wide) | ok | ok | ok | go | go | – | – | – | go | go | ok | ok |
Go: the good monthsFair: workable, mixedPoor: heat, rain or hazeAvoid: storms, floods, closuresno data yet
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
Getting in and passes
Arrival times and regional passes
Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes1 partGet in
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens (ATH) | Corfu Airport (CFU) | Domestic flight (seasonal) | ~1 h 15 min door‑to‑door | Check winter schedule; many routes only operate May–Oct. |
| Athens (ATH) | Kefalonia Airport (EFL) | Domestic flight (seasonal) | ~1 h 20 min door‑to‑door | Limited winter service; connect via Athens otherwise. |
| Athens (Piraeus) | Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos | Ferry (high‑speed or conventional) | 3–5 h to Corfu, 4–6 h to Kefalonia, 5–7 h to Zakynthos | High‑speed ferries run May–Oct; conventional ferries year‑round. |
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on1 partGo next
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids1 partIn numbers
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 3 bases
- Day trips
- 3, 1 h 30 to 3 h
- Nights suggested
- 3–4 nights
- Ways in
- 3 listed
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources
Sources
Ask about Ionian Islands
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