The verdant Ionian islands have a myriad large bays to explore with crystal water a extensive sand beaches and unspoiled nature. Their vivid nature is completely different from the barren, rocky landscape of Cyclades.
The Ionian Sea is on the protected western side of Greece. The official name is Heptanisa, which means seven islands in Greek. The seven main islands of the Ionian are Corfu, Paxi (Paxos), Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos (Zante) and Kythira. Smaller islands dot the sea with only a few permanent inhabitants.
Corfu is the most cosmopolitan island of the Ionian Sea and among the first Greek islands that opened to tourism.