Parga: A text book Greek town built on a hill, ready to explore with many shops, tavernas and bars. There are a whole range of souvineer shops, cocktail bars, tavernas and everything else here. A perfect place to spend an evening exploring or relaxing in. There are also bars and restaurants along the main beach if you don’t want to venture over the hill. Our favourite restaurant is Castellos, which does one of the best steaks in Greece. They are located in the centre of the back streets. Again ask if you can’t find them. It does get busy here in summer so go early or book early to avoid disappointment.
Lakka is the most Northerly bay on Paxos. It really is a post card setting, with the turquoise waters and tavernas on the side of the quay. There are some great tavernas in the village, not just on the water front but down the side streets. As well as a good range of bars that do a range of refreshing cocktails after a tough day on the water. The village has a few supermarkets that are not hard to find, as well as a couple of fresh fruit and veg shops and a brilliant bakery!
Corfu Gouvia: There are some great places to eat in Gouvia or you can get a cab into Corfu Town to explore the stunning old town. Some of our favourite places in Gouvia to eat are The Hotel Telisilla, for the traditional home cooked lamb, Harry’s for the great Greek live music and Zorbas if you are hungry! These are all very close to the Marina, just turn left at the end of the main entrance. The Marina also has a good selection of tavernas which do good sea food and traditional meals for a reasonable price.
Mourtos: A special spot to sit back on the quayside with a drink and watch the world go by. There are a good selection of shops here for provisioning as well as good fruit and veg shops if you venture to the back streets. The main supermarket on the left of the harbour will deliver to your yacht if you are on the quay. A range of much needed ice cream and clothing shops can also be found.
Gaios: From here you can hire scooters if you fancy a land based day. Or dig out your shoes and find some of the islands beautiful walking tracks. There are a number of good supermarkets, as well as traditional tavernas and bars, including a great fish restaurant in the back streets.
SOUTH Ionian Islands Route – 150 NM
Lefkas Marina -> Fiskardo (Kephalonia) 25Nm
Fiskardo (Kephalonia) -> Zakynthos 45Nm
Zakynthos -> Agia Efimia (Kephalonia) 22Nm
Agia Efimia (Kephalonia) -> Vathi (Ithaki) 20Nm
Vathi (Ithaki) -> Porto Leone (Kalamos) 18Nm
Porto Leone (Kalamos) -> Lefkas Marina 20Nm
Fiskardo is one of the most beautiful harbours in the South Ionian. The horse shoe shaped bay is a brilliant place to sit and watch the world go by while having a cocktail in one of the water front bars. There are plenty of good places to eat here including a unique Thai restaurant if you fancy a change from Greek. Super markets here are a little pricey but do have a good selection. Swimming in the harbour is not allowed so the best idea is to follow the main road South to a great little beach, just be aware of the black sea urchins. If you need a leg stretch, there is a nice little stroll out to the light house on the point (to Starboard as you come in).
Agia Efimia: There is a good range of supermarkets and fruit and veg shops here, with some good prices compared to Fiskardo. Finikas is a nice restaurant with an upstairs bar that serves great cocktails in the evenings. A good range of other bars and restaurants can be found along the water front. It is best to swim either on the beach inside the harbour or if you walk around the coastal road there is a lovely little cove great for swimming and relaxing. Alternatively you can take the dinghy to explore beaches around the coast.
At Port Leone there is a deserted village, from the 1953 earthquake which damaged the water supply. An interesting island with a good ice cream cafe in the town. There are nice tavernas and you can even eat on the small beach. There are nice bakeries and fruit and veg shops. There is also a good walk to the windmill to the South of the harbour.
Vathi: A great little village with a lot of nice tavernas and a choice of moorings. There are a few supermarkets to re-provision from and great waterside bars to get a drink at afterwards. Ormos Skhoinos, Koutaria, Sarakiniko and Pigadhi are all nice bays to stop in on the East side of Ithaca. With beautiful clear water all up the coast it is up to you which one you choose. None of these bays have tavernas or any facilities but are great to stop in for lunch onboard and a swim.
Zakynthos: is the southernmost of the Ionian islands. Anyone who came to this island fell under its spell. No one who has been here can forget the emerald green of its sea, its pine-studded mountains, its musical people and their hospitality. The first thing to welcome you, as soon as you step off your boat, is the town of Zakynthos. Though it lost all but three of its buildings in the earthquake of 1953, the town has been meticulously reconstructed and its former layout has been faithfully preserved. Zakynthos today has pleasantly arcaded wide streets, spacious squares, imposing buildings and cheerful houses. The Museum of Post-Byzantine Art on Solomos Square contains treasures salvaged from the island’s historic churches. In Zakynthos the streets are lined with small cafes and shops selling folk art. Don’t leave before tasting the famous Zakynthos “mandolato” or nougat; it’s a real treat. The town is watched over by the Venetian fortress on the hill above. Only the gate, outer walls and battlements still stand. But from this vantage point a spectacular view can be had of the harbour, fertile inland plain and beaches as far as the eye can see.