7-Day Ionian Islands Yacht Itinerary–Corfu to Zakynthos

Gouvia Marina is a popular departure point for yacht charters with modern facilities and ample capacity. It’s just a couple of miles north of Corfu Town, but you’ll want to spend at least a day here before sailing to your next island. Old Town Corfu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit, with its architecture revealing significant influences from its past, including Venetian, French, and British. You might wander the 19th-century waterfront promenade and explore the narrow streets and alleyways with their neoclassical buildings.

Learn more about the island’s history at the Archaeological Museum, displaying artifacts from ancient Greek and Roman times, and be sure to visit the Venetian fortress. Guarding the city for centuries, it offers a panoramic vista of the sea and the town from its ramparts.

Be sure to enjoy some of the local dishes, heavily influenced by the island’s 400 years of Venetian occupation. It takes Greek cuisine to a new level, thanks to products brought in from Italy, such as corn, tomatoes, and chocolate, previously unknown to Corfu residents. Sofrito is a signature Corfiot dish made with thin slices of beef cooked in a white sauce with white wine, vinegar, garlic, and parsley. The town’s signature seafood dish is Bourdeto, which comes from the Italian word brodeto (broth). It’s a spicy stew featuring local fish cooked in a flavorful sauce with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, onions, and both hot and sweet peppers.

Paxos and Antipaxos are very close neighbors, only about two miles apart, making it easy to explore both in a day. There are several picturesque spots to anchor, including the bays of Vrika and Voutoumi on Antipaxos, which offer stunningly clear water for snorkeling and swimming. Or head to the main harbor of Paxos, Gaios, which is fully protected from the small island of Agios Nikolaos.

Enchanting Paxos is renowned for its crystal-clear blue waters and secluded beaches nestled in hidden coves. You can discover caves, visit the ruins of the early Christian basilica of Agia Marina, and soak in natural thermal springs recognized for their healing properties. Gaios’ harbor is lined with colorful buildings and waterfront tavernas, while the bustling town has a maze of enticing streets with more restaurants, bars, and boutiques. If you want to enjoy a traditional Greek vibe, explore the villages of Lakka and Loggos.

Cross over to Antipaxos in the afternoon to enjoy a beach paradise. It’s very quiet here with only a handful of restaurants, but Voutoumi has been ranked among the world’s most spectacular beaches with brilliant turquoise waters lapping secluded white sandy coves.

Lefkada is a postcard-perfect island sometimes called one of the best-kept secrets in Greece. Its biggest draw is the vast range of chalk-white beaches lapped by cobalt blue water, white limestone cliffs, pine-forested mountains, and waterfalls, but if you want to experience traditional village life, head to Lefkada Town. It’s a major hub for yacht charters, with Lefkas Marina just a few minutes from the town’s historic center. Simply enjoying a glass of wine in one of the cafes that border the shady square while soaking up the scene is enjoyable day and night.

The island is renowned for its sparkling bays, ideal for swimming, paddling in a sea kayak, diving, snorkeling, and paragliding. Ndyri and Vassiliki are popular among kitesurfers and windsurfers with consistent winds. Don’t miss Porto Katsiki beach at the southern tip of Lefkada, a hotspot among yachters. Plus, there are scenic trails in the mountains for hiking and mountain biking. You can also visit Dimosari Waterfalls at the island’s center, where underground waters cascade into a gorge, an unforgettable spot for swimming.

No visit to Lefkada would be complete without at least passing Skorpios Island. While you need a special permit to access it, you can admire this tiny gem, made famous by Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis, as well as swim in the aquamarine water that surrounds it.

The primary reason to visit Meganisi Island is the tranquility. This less-visited island offers an especially peaceful retreat with secluded beaches tucked into quiet coves. The northeast coast near Vathi Harbor offers a number of sheltered bays, including Port Atheni, Kapali, and Abeliki, with numerous coves in which to anchor. Or, you might take advantage of Vathi’s Odysseas Marina with modern facilities, a restaurant, and a bar.

The best thing to do on this island is to focus on the striking natural beauty, such as swimming from the shores of beautiful beaches like Limonari or Fanari, paddling along the coastline in a kayak or on a paddleboard, and exploring Papanikolis Sea Cave, rumored to have been a hiding spot for a World War II submarine. You can also hike picturesque trails and enjoy fresh seafood in seaside tavernas.

The mythical island of Odysseus served as a setting for the film adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, “The Odyssey,” which featured some of its most impressive sites, like the 13th-century Methoni Castle, Voidokilia Beach, and Nestor’s Cave. It’s also home to lush hills, rugged mountains, and some of the country’s most exquisite beaches with unspoiled golden sands and crystal-clear water ranging from vivid aquamarine to deep emerald. 

To enjoy it all, you might cruise around the island and then moor at Vathi Port, an idyllic harbor in a protected bay. The town of Vathy is home to many historical buildings and homes with red rooftops, while the harbor is lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. 

Some of the top attractions, beyond the sites mentioned, include the Archaeological Collection of Northern Ithaca in Stavros. It displays items from the Cave of Loizos, where an ancient Greek burial site with coins, a knife, a sword, and the famous mask fragment, a “wish for Odysseus,” was discovered. The 17th-century Katharon Monastery atop the Homeric Mountain Nirito is a pilgrimage site well worth visiting for the spectacular view alone.

Kefalonia is one of the most breathtaking and lush islands in Greece, yet it’s somehow managed to remain mostly unspoiled. The pretty fishing village of Fiscardo at the island’s northern tip offers a well-protected harbor with a spectacular setting that’s especially popular among yachters. Or, you might head to the protected harbor of Agia Efimia for a quieter atmosphere with easy access to secluded coves.

Fiscardo is the most well-preserved historic village and is filled with colorful homes, making it fun to wander, while just offshore, the snorkeling is outstanding. You’ll also find many seaside tavernas focused on fresh fish and seafood. But don’t miss Myrtos Beach, located about 15.5 miles south. Tucked between two mountains, it’s often named among the country’s most beautiful. The sparkling water practically glows beneath the rays of the sun due to marble sediment.

The Blue Cave, with its underground lake, is a must-visit, and if you have time, enjoy a scenic hike while watching for wild horses at Mount Ainos National Park.

Shipwreck Beach (officially called Navagio) may be what put Zakynthos on the map, but this must-see yacht stop in the Med has a whole lot more to offer. The main port is on the east coast in the capital of Zakynthos (or Zante) Town, providing easy access to many shops and restaurants. Many yachters prefer Agios Nikolaos Harbour, located toward the north end of the island near the Blue Caves, which offers safe and especially scenic anchorage. 

While most visitors have to join a boat tour to see Shipwreck Beach from the water, you can view the chalk-white sands with the rusted skeleton of a ship tucked between two soaring cliffs (at a distance) from your yacht. While visiting the beach itself and swimming in the Easter egg blue water just offshore is currently not allowed due to erosion, you’ll find many fantastic beaches with powdery sands to spend a day on. 

Banana Beach is the island’s largest stretch, with a wide range of water sports on offer and rentals available. Enjoy everything from parasailing and jet skiing to SUP and kayaking, or just hang out on a lounger, enjoying chilled drinks and snacks from the vendors. If you want the chance to snorkel alongside loggerhead turtles, head to Laganas Bay.