During the period of Ottoman rule in the rest of Greece, the Ionian Islands were European dominions; this exposure to the western way of life has led to a cultural and artistic development that is evident today in their architectural heritage, their charming dialect, customs and traditions.

On cosmopolitan Corfu Island, our suggestions on must-see places include a tour of the Old Town of Corfu (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Old Citadel and the New Fort, a stroll in Spianada Square and the nearby Liston area, a visit to Agios Spyridonas Church, as well as to famous Pontikonisi. Other must-see places beyond the town limits are Achilleion Palace, and Panagia Palaiokastritsa Monastery.

On picturesque Paxi Island, visit the impressive Venetian Agios Nikolaos Fortress and enjoy the Paxos Music Festival in September.

On Lefkada Island, take a trip to the Santa Maura Venetian Castle, the Archaeological Museum and the Public Library.

On Kefalonia, the biggest island in the group, enjoy your tour of Saint George’s Castle, Assos Fortress, katavothres (a seaside place with an underwater intriguing geological formation) and Agioi Theodoroi Lighthouse.

On Zante Island, visit Agios Dionysios Church, the remains of the Venetian Fort on picturesque Bochali area, the Exhibition Centre for the protection of the local sea turtle in Zante’s marine park, and Milaneio Maritime Museum.

On Kythira, the southernmost island in the group, the most interesting historical sights are the 13th c. Venetian Castle (Fortezza) in town, the Archaeological Museum and Myrtidiotissa Monastery.

Cuisine

Local products include virgin olive oil, thyme honey, fragrant herbs and rare citrus fruit; these are some of the basic ingredients to delicious traditional savoury and sweet dishes you can try in this part of the country.

On Kythira Island, you must try the renowned and scrumptious olive oil rusks. Taste cheeses and charcuterie such as salami made in Lefkada Island, ladotyri (a flavourful cheese which matures in olive oil) made in Zante Island and nouboulo (smoke-cured pork meat) made in Corfu Island.

Savour pastitsada (rooster meat cooked with spices and tomato, served on long thick tubular pasta with a hole in the centre) and bourdeto (a fish dish cooked with tomato and spices) on Corfu Island; sofigado, a particular beef dish cooked with quince, tomato & grape molasses & bean soup cooked with salami, on Lefkada Island; tasty meat pies on Kefalonia Island, aliada (a side dish for fish made with potato, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice) & stifado (a type of rabbit stew) on Zante Island.

Locally produced wine is the best way to accompany your meals. Enjoy a glass of white PDO robola from Kefalonia Island. Taste also red vertzami, a flavourful wine produced on Lefkada Island. Kumquat liqueur is an absolute must-try on Corfu Island as well as the local tsitsibira, a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage made with ginger root and lemon.

Kavala, the capital and main port of the Kavala prefecture is amphitheatrically built on the slopes of Mt. Symvolo forming one of the most picturesque cities in Greece. The city’s breeze sweeps through its historic buildings, which perfectly reflect the city’s modern character.

Neapoli, Chrysoupoli, Kavala: according to archaeological finds, the city’s history dates back to the Prehistoric times. Initially the city’s core was restricted to the district of Panayia, which has been uninterruptedly inhabited since the 7th century BC. After 2500 years though, at the beginning of the 16th century, Kavala expanded maintaining these new borders until 1870; it was only after 1928 that it began to shape its today structure. Its strategic and economic importance over the centuries is attributed to its strategic position in Via Egnatia, which traversed the city connecting East and West, to its port and to the natural fortification of the peninsula, on which the old city was built.

A tour around the Old City (Panayia)

The most important sights in Panayia district are the Castle, the Acropolis, the Imaret and the old Lighthouse at the end of Theodorou Pavlidou str, beneath which the rocks of Panayia are situated. The landmark of the Old City is the Mohamed Ali square, dominated by its statue, situated between the “konaki” (his house built at the end of the 18th century) and the church of Panayia, built in 1965 on the ruins of an older post-Byzantine three-aisled basilica. A tour around the Mohamed Ali Street will lead you to the oldest district of the city, where you will have the chance to visit Hussein Bey Mosque (or Music Mosque).

Kavala boasts a unique character reflecting its recent past: neoclassical mansions and big tobacco warehouses evoke the memory of a distant past when a wealthy bourgeoisie was dominating the city. In the “Mecca of tobacco” as Kavala was named in the past, thousands of tobacco workers, male and female, earned their living. Their faces will remain alive for all eternity thanks to the black and white photos adorning the walls of the city’s Tobacco Museum. At the cobblestoned, lined with palm trees port, stand one next to another modern buildings and fish tavernas, while fish boats cast their reflection on azure waters.

The city’s most popular meeting point is Eleftherias Square while the most buzzing point is Megalou Alexandrou Pedestrian Street featuring chic shops, cafes, bars as well as a tobacco warehouse that has been transformed into a shopping center. Close to Eleftherias square lies the old scenic neighborhood of Agios Nikolaos, where also the homonymous church – a former mosque- is situated. On the relics of an ancient pillar one can see what, according to tradition, is supposed to be Apostle Paul’s footprint, left there from the time that he first visited Macedonia.

Seven important buildings

• Tokos Hall (1879). The residence of tobacco farmer D. Tokos which had hosted the consulate of Italy for two years (1879-80) and features Ottoman, Neoclassical and Baroque elements. Today it is the seat of the 12th Department of Byzantine Antiquities.
• The old Girls’ School, a neoclassical building, which today houses the 10th Primary School.
• Megali Lesxi (Big Club), (1910). A neoclassical mansion that now houses the Municipal Library.
• The City Hall (1890), the former residence of the Hungarian tobacco trader Pierre Herzog.
• Wix Hall (1898-1900), which used to be the residence of the German Baron Adolf Wix von Zsolna until 1925. From 1989 on it houses the municipal authorities.
• The Catholic Mission (1888-92), a building that housed the French consulate as well as a school of French language.

The Municipal Tobacco Warehouse (built around 1900) featuring Ottoman, Neoclassical and Baroque elements.

Kamares, meaning arches, are the trademark of Kavala and a listed monument. It is actually an aqueduct built in 1550 by the Sultan Suleiman II, the Magnificent and repaired in the 19th century by Mehmet Ali to serve the water supply needs of the City. It is a monumental construction, 52meters high, consisting of 60 arches. On Kamares are perched some beautifully repaired refugees’ houses as well as 20th century stores.

The Castle and the Acropolis

The Acropolis was built by the Ottomans between 1425 and 1530 on the ruins of a byzantine castle. It consisted of the inner and the outer walls, which connected the acropolis to the peninsula’s walls fortifying the lower part of the hill on the side of the port.

The castle was built at a time when the war was conducted with early weapons such as bows, arrows and swords. This is why it could not defend the region sufficiently and ceased to operate as a defensive fortress in the following years. Around 1700AD it became a place of imprisonment and exile. The walls surrounding the peninsula of Panayia were reconstructed from the Ottomans at the beginning of the 16th century in order to protect the 130 hectares’ city.

Imaret

Imaret is an impressive building erected by Mehmet Ali (1769-1849) as a donation to its native town. Ali was born in Kavala and later became Ruler of Egypt. It is situated on the western side of the Old City, in Panayia, occupying an area of 3500 m2. It was beautifully renovated by the Misirians, a family of tobacco traders. The building complex was a “kulliye”- a religious school- maybe the last of the Ottoman Empire offering social and educational services. On its premises it hosted two Madrasahs (religious educational foundations), two mestzit (pray-spaces), an imaret (a kitchen for soup), a mekteb (elementary school), offices and dormitories. 

The initial educational and charity purpose of the foundation eventually changed and after 1858 it was even considered to be harmful for the city. It continued however to operate as a religious school until 1902 and as a charity foundation until 1923. After the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey at the beginning of the ‘70s, Imaret was inhabited by refugees. After 1967 Imaret entered into an era of decadence. Its renovation lasted 22 months and today it operates as a luxury hotel.

The Mecca of tobacco

The tobacco cultivation started in Kavala at the beginning of the 19th century forming an indispensible part of the city’s history for over 150 years, as well as the reason for the city to be wealthy and prosperous. From 1918 onwards operated in Kavala around 50 tobacco companies while the 160 tobacco warehouses engaged half of the country’s tobacco workers (around 14.000). 

However, the world economic crisis that broke out in 1929, the fact that the profession became less “protected” and the withdrawal of many men from tobacco industry led the biggest tobacco centre of the Balkans to a great decline.

This green island with its breathtaking beaches and crystal clear waters of greenish-blue colours will take your breath away. Kefalonia a gem in the Ionian Sea. It carries a rich history in cultural tradition. It’s the biggest Ionian Island and the green of its mountains blend with the blue of the water making it truly unique and a beloved destination. Pine, cypress and olive trees cover Mt. Ainos' peak, while at its foot you’ll come across vineyards where the popular Kefalonian Robola wine variety is produced.

If you happen to love snorkeling or diving then the seabed around the island will definitely satisfy you. You might even get the chance to encounter the rare, caretta caretta, sea turtle that take refuge here, as well as the monk seals monachus monachus. Kefalonia’s culinary tradition, history, traditional villages, upbeat nightlife and pristine beaches will make you fall in love with the island.

Argostoli

The biggest town and capital of the island is Argostoli. It is a town built around a hill, with a city-like life, filled with various types of entertainment: shops for you shopping lovers, cafes to sit back and relax, bars and beaches nearby. Although Argostoli was totally ruined by the earthquake in 1953, there are still sites that depict the old venetian architecture. You can see the old town Krani with the Cyclopean Walls; walk along the pedestrian street, where if you have the opportunity you may encounter the local philharmonic orchestra playing traditional Ionian Island songs; you can complete your promenade by the port. Visit the Korgialeneios Library with its rare collection of books and manuscripts that operates as a folk art museum. If you enjoy night life, you can find clubs where you can stay up till dawn.

Lixouri

The westernmost of the two peninsulas of Kefalonia is the one of Paliki. The houses here were gravely damaged in the earthquake of 1953 but were rebuilt from scratch, taking into account traditional architecture. It is the second biggest town of the island, however it is a peaceful town that is ideal for those who love peace and quiet.You can enjoy your coffee, your pastry sweets and the local cuisine at the port and at the square with the famous ficus plant. Pass by the manor of the Typaldon-Iakovaton brothers built in 1866, which use to house the Iakovateio Library (a listed building), but due to the 2014 eathquake the building suffered damage and is temporarily closed to the public and under reconstruction. It is home to 25,000 books and a small museum, where three Christian parchments of the 10th, 14th and 15th century, old furniture, sacred vessels and vestments are kept. Visit the Kipouria Monastery where you can enjoy one of the most breathtaking sunsets on the island.

Fiscardo survived the destructive earthquake of 1953. Most of the buildings preserve their traditional local colour that travels you back in time: the grand mansions with their elegant balconies, the old two-storey houses, the dark red tiled rooftops, the green mountainsides, the blue of the sea and the overall scenery is enchanting. This picturesque village is the home town of the Greek poet Nikos Kavvadias who usually wrote about the sea.

The Cave Lake of Melissani

The cave lake of Melissani is a wonder of nature and one of the most impressive sights on Kefalonia which is located in Karavomylos, an area close to Sami town. Melissani was discovered in 1951 and following construction works in order to make it accessible it has become one of the most famous tourist attractions. The magic of the landscape is  partly because of the roof that has collapsed and you have a view of the sky while being in a cave. If you visit during the day when the sun is high and the sunshine drops on the lake it makes the light blue waters shine giving off a magical soothing feeling.

Assos

At the north part of the island, picturesque Assos village is built alongside of cliffs, among pine trees and cypresses. Sparsely built with traditional color, in an impressive landscape, Assos fascinates with the peace and simplicity it depicts. Apart from the wonderful waters of Assos, at a nearby distance don't miss Myrtos beach as well as many other picturesque small bays that wait to be discovered.

The most passionate mention it as the most wonderful village of the Balkan area. The village is called Kourkoumelata and lies at the southwest part of the island. The earthquake of 1953 ruined Kourkoumelata, as it ruined most areas of the island, however, the way that this area was rebuilt is the feature that makes it stand out. This resettlement has occurred abiding by both to modern rules of city planning and to the preservation of neo-classic features. You can't miss this!

Ainos

The mountain that prevails in Kefalonia is Ainos, whose peak reaches 1.628 meters, and is the only national park that can be found on a Greek Island. The fir tree grows natively on this mountain on Kefalonia. The black needles of the Kefalonian fir tree gives an impressive dark colour to the mountain. In the cliffs of the mountain you might also be lucky enough to see small wild horses. The mountain is ideal for excursions and hiking in its verdant nature around the paths that vary in difficulty.

Gastronomy

Kefalonian cuisine is renowned. The island produces yellow cheese, feta cheese, olive oil, honey and local meats. It also home to a large number of delicious recipes; native recettes cookbooks that were given from one generation to the next. You must try the famous meat pie, the lagoto dish that is cooked with rabbit and sofigado dish with goat. You should not miss the cod pie filled with salted cod fish and skordalia (a garlic sauce) made with boiled potatoes in cod's broth with lemon or vinegar. You must also taste strapatsada (scrambled cooked eggs with tomatoes) and tsigaridia (fresh greens cooked with tomato sauce). If you have a sweet tooth savour the island's traditional sweets, such as mandoles (almonds assorted with sugar) and pastokydono (a sweet made of quince puree). Don't miss a sip of the local wine; drink Robola, the famous wine of Kefalonia, a dry white wine you can enjoy with a good traditional dish. Bon Appétit!