Ithaca Sights & Attractions

The Monastery of Panagia Katharon is located on the way to Anogi. Panagia Kathariotissa is the patron saint of the island and its name day is celebrated on September 8th. Nobody knows the exact date of its construction but we know that the monastery was restored in 1696. Its main church (katholikon) operates since 1530 and has a beautiful iconostasis. From this monastery, visitors can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Ithaca.

The Archaeological Museum of Vathy is located in the capital of Ithaca, a short block back from the quay. The museum exhibits a collection of findings dating from the Geometric to the Roman period, brought to light by excavations in the area of Piso Aetos and various findings from the Geometric period coming from other parts of the island, especially from Loizos Cave in Polis Bay.

Alalcomenae is an ancient town placed on a hill above the modern small village of Piso Aetos, to the south of Ithaca island. It was founded during the 6th century and the ruins of the Acropolis of Alalcomenae still remain on the site.

The entrance to the cave is through a narrow path that extends all the way to a perfectly leveled chamber of 7 meters wide, 4 meters deep and 3 meters high. To the left is the balcony that literally overlooks a massive chamber of 5 meters.

The Folklore and Nautical Museum of Ithaca are housed in a beautiful building, which was once a generating station. It is situated behind the Agricultural Bank in Vathy. This new museum presents life on Ithaca from the 19h century till present. It exhibits a fully assembled bedroom, kitchen and sitting room and photographs of the devastating earthquakes of 1953.

The Archaeological Collection of Stavros is housed in a small building on the road to Platrithias. The findings have been excavated in northern Ithaca and date from the Early Hellenic to the Roman Period.

The lovely whitewashed church of Savior Christ is located on the tiny islet of Lazaretto, in front of Vathy port. This islet was converted into a prison in 1864 and it demolished by earthquakes in 1953. The only remains on the island are trees and a picturesque church that was built in 1668.