Ionian Islands

Ionian Islands

A **Corfu road trip** on the Ionian Islands is a drive through a lush, green paradise. You wind through groves of ancient olive trees that look like gnarled statues. The roads lead to massive cliffs that drop straight into neon blue water. You find Italian style squares and narrow streets that remind you of Venice in every town. The island is a mix of wild nature and elegant history. You will find that the northern roads are much steeper and wilder than the flat south. Head north to see **Cape Drastis** where the clay cliffs look like giant white sails. You can drive to the top of Mount Pantokrator for a view that covers the whole island and the coast of Albania. The air is fresh and the sea is never more than a few minutes away. Small coves with pebble beaches wait for you at the end of every dirt track. Every turn brings the scent of lemon trees and salt into your open window. Further south, the islands of **Lefkada** and **Kefalonia** offer more epic coastal drives. You cross a floating bridge to reach Lefkada and its famous sheer white beaches. The road to **Myrtos Beach** in Kefalonia is a cliffside thrill you will never forget. Keep your camera on the dashboard because you will want to stop every mile for a new photo. These islands were made for the freedom of a car and an open map.

Ionian Islands highlights

Part of these road trips

Follow the routes that cross this destination

The Scenic Route
The Heritage Drive
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History of Ionian Islands

The Ionian Islands are **the only part of Greece** that never experienced Ottoman rule. Your Corfu road trip shows the influence of the Venetians, who governed the islands from 1386 to 1797. They planted over four million olive trees across the region to secure a steady supply of oil for **Venice**. This era left the islands with an Italian appearance, featuring tall narrow houses and grand squares called Spianada. In 1864, the islands were ceded to Greece by the **British**, who had ruled them as a protectorate for fifty years. The British built the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George and introduced the game of cricket, which is still played in Corfu today. The island of **Kefalonia** is home to the Enos mountain range, where a unique species of fir tree grows that is found nowhere else on earth. The safe harbor of Argostoli served as a vital base for the British Mediterranean fleet. The region has a **deep literary history** as the home of the national poet Dionysios Solomos and the poet Andreas Kalvos. In 1824, the Ionian Academy was founded as the first university of the modern Greek state. During World War Two, the islands were the site of the Massacre of the Acqui Division, where thousands of Italian soldiers were killed by German forces. The islands remain a blend of Homeric myth and Italian grace.
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