This itinerary is designed to taste the best of the islands scattered along the west coast of Greece. A journey to be savored through the colors and flavors of these lands kissed by the sun and bathed by a splendid sea. 14 days to live hopping from island to island to discover beautiful beaches but also local history and traditions.
BOOK NOW YOUR YACHT IN THE IONIAN ISLANDS
Why choose Lefkas as the starting point of our itinerary?
Lefkas is a very pleasant and friendly island, typically Greek. It is a strategic and ideal place to start a charter boat holiday for two reasons: thanks to its proximity to the Aktion international airport, a modest but strategic stopover for reaching the island in a few minutes by land; its central position between the Greek Ionian islands, which allows you to sail either northwards, towards Paxos and Corfu, or southwards towards Meganisi, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.
What's the best 14 days yacht charter itinerary around the Ionian Islands?
Here’s our 14 days sailing itinerary to explore the Ionian Islands, Greece by yacht: Day 1 – Lefkas; Day 2 – Meganisi; Day 3 – Kastos; Day 4 – 6 – Zakynthos; Day 7 – 8 – Kefalonia; Day 10 – Preveza; Day 11 – Parga; Day 12 – 13 – Corfu; Day 14 – back to Lefkas;
14 Days Ionian Islands yacht itinerary
In Lefkada, there are numerous markets where you can refuel for your yacht (catamaran or sailboat) and an excellent range of places to spend the hours before departure.
Day 1 – Lefkas
The so-called Ionian Caribbean is found along the coasts of the Lefkas island.
Clear beaches and crystal clear seas reproduce tropical sceneries and unique landscapes on an island located between the two Greek islands of Corfu and Kefalonia. Lefkas is connected to the Greek mainland by a mobile bridge about 50 meters long.
A destination for sea lovers and pristine beaches, the island of Lefkas is one of the wildest islands in Greece. Its mountainous conformation also makes it ideal for lovers of walking and hiking among mountain villages, in a perfect combination of relaxation and adventure, which is why it is particularly popular during the summer. Thanks to the flora and fauna it welcomes, the island also lends itself to being visited in spring to admire the colors of the vegetation that covers it.
The capital and main port are Lefkas City, extending along the beach in front of the coast of mainland Greece. It has an intense picturesque character accentuated by the polychrome houses with tiled roofs, beautiful squares, narrow streets, and the path along the pedestrian coast that pulsates with life.
The perfect place to start our charter boat itinerary.
Day 2 – Meganisi
The first stop on the tour, after spending the first day around Lefkas, is Meganisi, an island located a short distance away and perfect for a relaxing day.
Meganisi has few inhabitants, all concentrated in the northern part of it, in one of the two ports of Meganisi, Vathi or Spartochori.
Do not miss the many caves and coves concentrated in the south, as well as Agios Ioannis, Fanari, Spilia, and Barbarezou, the most popular beaches. Some beaches are accessible only by boat, but all have a crystal clear and extraordinary sea.
Vathy is the most picturesque village on the island and its port receives many private yachts in the summer. Ideal for strolling along the promenade and enjoying a meal in the many fish taverns.
Day 3 – Kastos
We move away from Meganisi and sail the short stretch of sea that separates us from Kastos.
The small Greek island of Kastos is located approximately 10 miles southeast of Lefkas.
On its territory, there is only one settlement, on the south-east side of the island, which has a small port that offers good shelter from the wind. The port is very limited and has space for around 15 yachts and gives an idea of how Kastos is still off the beaten track of mass tourism. The main attraction of Kastos is its beaches along its eastern side, perfect for anchoring, and relaxing in almost complete solitude. On the other hand, there is little else left to do on your yacht other than lounging in the Greek sun with a drink in hand.
Day 4 – 6 – Zakynthos
After a few hours of smooth sailing to the south, we finally reach the beautiful Zakynthos. Land of poets and natural beauty, Zakynthos is also increasingly the meeting place for young people looking for fun. The busiest area is that of Laganas, a coastal town located in the south of the island, with a high concentration of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Despite this, its inlet has been declared a marine national park. At the base of the recognition, the presence in the bay by the “Caretta-Caretta”, sea turtles that cross the Mediterranean to come here to lay their eggs.
The Blue Caves of Zakynthos are one of the main attractions of the island. They are less famous than the Blue Grotto of Capri but have nothing to envy. They can be easily reached by boat and are easily explored. A dip and you find yourself in an enchanting setting that is worth exploring with a mask and snorkel.
Also not to be missed is Navagíou (shipwreck beach), not only one of the main attractions of Zakynthos but also one of the most famous tourist postcards in the whole of Greece, permanently included in almost all the rankings with the most beautiful beaches in the world.
In reality, the entire western side of the island is beautiful, characterized by high cliffs, narrow inlets, and wonderful colors. Features are even more pronounced on the shipwreck beach. Here the vertical walls are so impressive that they almost seem to want to hide the beach, only to suddenly reveal its extraordinary beauty.
Day 7 – 8 – Kefalonia
We resume the sea route, however, heading north, where the beautiful Kefalonia awaits us.
Kefalonia probably offers little from a historical-cultural point of view but much, instead, from a naturalistic point of view. It is precisely these factors, beaches, sea, and mountains, that have made Kefalonia famous and have allowed it to become one of the major centers of tourism in Greece.
With its coastline of over 200 kilometers, Kefalonia is a true paradise for sea lovers and is simply perfect as a destination for a trip on a sailing boat or yacht. Among the beaches not to be missed we point out: Myrtos beach, counted among the 30 most beautiful beaches in the world. It is the symbol of the island of Kefalonia but it is also one of the most famous Greek beaches. It is located in the Pylaros region, in the north-west of the island, and is a white pebble beach surrounded by green hills and a sea that ranges from electric blue to turquoise; Xi beach, very particular and characterized by red sand, about 3 km long and framed by clay cliffs. It is located southwest of the island of Kefalonia, in the Paliki region. Xi beach owes its name to the letter of the Greek alphabet that distinguishes it since it recalls its shape. Here you will find a sea that never gets very deep .:
If the sea and beach life tends to tire you, there are many activities that can be done in Kefalonia. For example by visiting its centers and villages such as Argostoli. The coastal city and capital of the island, it is full of shops and bars where you can spend a happy afternoon. If you are lucky enough, in the morning or late afternoon you can meet Loggerhead turtles here on the hunt for food! An encounter for which it is certainly worthwhile to sail up to here.
Day 10 – Preveza
Today we head for the first of two stops on the continent, the beautiful Preveza.
Gate of the Gulf of Arta, Preveza is a city in mainland Greece that overlooks the Ionian Sea and is part of the Epirus region. Going up the west coast of Greece, it is located a few nautical miles north of the island of Lefkada and southeast of the island of Paxos.
Preveza is an enchanting town with its splendid pier, a marina full of yachts with dozens of restaurants, and a pedestrianized center full of shops.
The city was once surrounded by forts, many of which are now destroyed. Behind the delightful old town, however, three castles still remain Kastro Agios Andreas, Kastro Agios Georgios, and Kastro Pantokratoras. All date back to the nineteenth century and are witnesses of a history full of clashes between cultures that have taken place here.
Also not to be missed is the church of Agios Haralambos. Restored in 1793, inside it preserves splendid icons and gold-colored sculptures. Adjacent to the church, the bell tower, dating back to 1752, is also worth a visit.
Also important is the archeological site of Nikopolis. Here are the ruins of the city founded by the Roman emperor Augustus after his victory over the allied armies of Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BC, a battle fought in these waters.
Day 11 – Parga
Parga is a very popular and busy tourist resort located 25 nautical miles northwest of Preveza. The city is dominated by an imposing Venetian castle that crowns the peninsula around which it stands, a useful reference point on arrival. For the visiting boater, the only realistic mooring option is to anchor on the northwest side of the long beach west of the city, where there is reasonably good shelter from the prevailing northwestern winds.
Parga is a delightful town that enchants at first sight with its cascade of pastel-colored houses arranged in an amphitheater over the sea. A sea that is 100% Greek, that is blue and very clear.
Day 12 – 13 – Corfu
From Parga, we continue to sail north until we reach the last great half of our journey: the famous Corfu.
Corfu is known for its white beaches and crystal clear sea, as well as for its untouched nature. The city of Corfu, the main center of the island, is a mix of cultures both from an architectural and historical point of view. In fact, the signs of the different domination that took place over the centuries, first Byzantine and Venetian, then French and English, are evident. No one can say that they have visited the island without getting lost in its labyrinth of streets and alleys. Its main attractions include the Old Fortress, built by Byzantines and Venetians on the top of a promontory overlooking the sea.
In front of the fortress and very close to the beautiful Spianada square, is the Liston of Corfu, a colonnade built in the Napoleonic era and very similar to the famous Rue de Rivoli in Paris. Popular culture says that it is named Liston because at the gates of the city there was a list of people who could or could not walk this boulevard.
Today it is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in the city with Corfiots and tourists flocking to the many bars and restaurants during happy hour.
Corfu is also characterized by beautiful beaches. Among these, Paleokastritsa beach is considered the most beautiful on the island.
Myrtiotissa is instead characterized by a rather wild aspect, with high cliffs surrounding it.
Finally, the beach of Agios Georgios Pagi is instead characterized by golden sand and is five kilometers long. The sea that bathes the beaches of Corfu is emerald and is characterized by rather high-end tourism.
Day 14 – back to Lefkas;
During the last day on the boat, you will slowly return to Lefkas, with mild and relaxed navigation that will allow you to impress these last moments among your memories.
Just as it was a great starting point, Lefkas Town is also a great port to return to and greet the crew.
Contact now YBH Charter Brokers:
You can contact us by sending an email at ask@yourboatholiday.com or by phone, calling +39 33436 00997, available also on WhatsApp for both calls and texting.
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