Ionian Islands, Greece: Towns to Explore on Foot

The Ionian Islands are a Greek region in the Ionian Sea, made up of Corfu, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Lefkada and Zakynthos, also known as Zante. Each island has its own character, while together they form a distinctive part of Greece, shaped by island life, history and the sea. Neywo offers free audio guides for three cities in the Ionian Islands, with 92 narrated places in total.

What to see and do in the Ionian Islands

A trip through the region can begin with its five main islands. Corfu, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Lefkada and Zakynthos each form one of the region’s administrative units, giving the Ionian Islands a clear structure even though the islands themselves differ in size and atmosphere.

Corfu

Corfu is the largest population centre in the region, with just over 100,000 residents recorded in 2011. The island is also the administrative base of the Ionian Islands Region. On Neywo, you can explore Corfu through 66 narrated places, including the Serbian Museum of Corfu.

Corfu has long been one of the region’s main connections with the wider world. Its airport ranked sixth in Greece for international arrivals in 2012 and was among the country’s top ten airports for international arrivals that year.

Ithaca

Ithaca is one of the five main islands of the Ionian Islands Region. It has a smaller population than Corfu, Zakynthos and Kefalonia, and forms its own administrative unit within the region.

Kefalonia

Kefalonia is another of the region’s principal islands and had one of its larger populations in 2011. Its airport was among Greece’s top ten for international arrivals in 2012 and recorded the country’s largest increase from the previous year.

The island also stood out economically. In 2010, gross domestic product per person in Kefalonia was above the national figure, even though the regional average was lower.

Lefkada

Lefkada is one of the five islands that make up the region and has a smaller population than Corfu, Zakynthos and Kefalonia. The city of Lefkada has 10 narrated places on Neywo, including Ieros Naos Pantokratoros and the Archaeological Museum of Lefkada.

Zakynthos

Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is one of the best-known islands in the region and had one of its larger populations in 2011. Its airport, like those of Corfu and Kefalonia, ranked among Greece’s top ten for international arrivals in 2012.

The island’s Neywo guide includes 16 narrated places. Among them are Saint Dionysios Metropolitan Cathedral, Anafonitria Monastery and Moni Strophadon. In 2010, gross domestic product per person in Zakynthos was above the national figure, while the regional average remained below it. Discover more places to visit in Zakynthos.

Kythera and the wider island group

Kythera is historically associated with the wider Ionian island group, but it is not part of the Ionian Islands Region today. Administratively, it belongs to the Attica Region. This distinction helps explain why the modern region includes five main island units rather than every island historically connected with the Ionian group.

A region shaped by travel and tourism

The Ionian Islands are Greece’s smallest administrative region by area, yet they are relatively densely populated. More than 200,000 people lived across the region in 2011, with Corfu accounting for just over 100,000 residents. Zakynthos and Kefalonia followed, while Lefkada and Ithaca had smaller populations.

The present administrative form of the region was established in 1987. Its powers were later revised and expanded under the Kallikratis plan. Today, the administration is based in Corfu, and the region is divided into five units, one for each of its main islands.

Tourism is one of the main forces connecting the islands with visitors from around the world. In 2012, the international arrivals recorded at the airports of Corfu, Zakynthos and Kefalonia reached almost 1.4 million combined. Set against the region’s permanent population of just over 200,000, the figure shows the scale of the islands’ international appeal.

Tourism is important across the region, but the economic picture differs from island to island. In 2012, the Ionian Islands had the lowest unemployment rate among Greece’s regions. The islands therefore combine a relatively small administrative territory with strong links to international travel.

Explore the Ionian Islands with Neywo

Neywo has free audio guides for three cities in the Ionian Islands: Corfu, Lefkada and Zakynthos. Together, they include 92 narrated places and four walking tours. Narration is available in 11 languages.

The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Download Neywo and explore the Ionian Islands while the city or site itself becomes the starting point for each story.