The capital, wrapped all the way round one of the deepest and most enclosed natural harbours in the Mediterranean — so enclosed that from the town you cannot see the open sea at all. Pastel houses, a long waterfront of tavernas and moored yachts, a small museum and the statue of Odysseus in the square. It was rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake, largely in the old style. Everything on the island starts here.
Where to stay nearby
Live prices and availability on a map centred on this exact spot — hotels, studios and villas — so you can judge the distance to the beach, the port or the village from here rather than guess from an address.
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Foto: Jarmila Book — CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
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Tours, boat trips & tickets
Boat trips, guided tours of the ancient sites and tickets bookable ahead — free cancellation on most.
- The Homeric sitesThe Cave of the Nymphs, the School of Homer above Stavros and the Arethusa Spring — none of them ticketed, which is part of the pleasure.See guided tours →
- Gidaki by boatThe island's famous pebble beach, reached by boat from Vathy or a stiff forty-minute walk over the headland.See boat trips →
- Paired with KefaloniaThere is no airport: most people arrive from Sami on Kefalonia, which makes the two islands an easy pair rather than a choice.See day trips →
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Frequently asked
Where is Vathy?
Vathy is in Vathy, Ithaca, Greece. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Is there an entry fee at Vathy?
No — entry is free.
🏛️ Attractions
