Greek islands between Greece and Italy

Greek islands between Greece and Italy

Greek islands between Greece and Italy are islands where the Ionian Sea feels like a shared courtyard, where Venetian fortresses watch over harbours, where cypress and olive groves roll down to turquoise bays, and where ferry routes make the crossing feel like a short step between two worlds.

They are islands where cultures have mingled for centuries, with pastel harbours, Italianate bell towers, pebble coves and tavernas serving both worlds on one table, and that in-between feeling of being rooted in Greece while Italy glimmers just over the water.

Who it suits and why

Best for travellers who want islands that feel like the bridge between Greece and Italy. Islands between Greece and Italy suit culture mix lovers, sailors and ferry hoppers – headed by Corfu 1 hour 30 to 2 hours ferry from Igoumenitsa and 8 to 10 hours ferry from Bari or Brindisi Italy for Venetian Old Town and Liston cafes, Paxos and Antipaxos 1 hour from Corfu and 3 hours from Parga for turquoise grottos, Lefkada 20 minute bridge from mainland and 10 hours from Italy via Igoumenitsa for Porto Katsiki cliffs, Kefalonia 2 hours ferry from Lefkada and 14 hours from Brindisi via Patras for Myrtos beach, Zakynthos 1 hour 30 from Kefalonia and 16 hours from Italy for Shipwreck beach, plus Othonoi, Ereikoussa and Mathraki tiny Diapontia islands 1 hour north of Corfu almost touching Italy. Ideal if you want Italian architecture, Greek tavernas and cross Adriatic ferry options.

Less suited to those wanting Cycladic white cubes and caldera views. If you want Santorini sunsets, Mykonos windmills and Milos moonscape, these Ionian islands will feel greener, wetter, more olive and cypress than volcanic, with Venetian forts not Cycladic churches.

What to keep in mind

Islands between Greece and Italy are the Ionian chain along the west coast facing Puglia. Italy ferries from Bari, Brindisi and Ancona to Corfu and Igoumenitsa run March to October with Grimaldi and Anek Superfast, crossing 8 to 12 hours cost 70 to 150 euro, then domestic ferries Igoumenitsa to Corfu 1 hour 30 cost 12 to 22 euro, Lefkada bridge free, Kefalonia to Lefkada 2 hours, Zakynthos to Kefalonia 1 hour 30. Direct UK flights to Corfu, Preveza for Lefkada, Kefalonia and Zakynthos are 3 hours 10 to 3 hours 40 May to October, so you can start in Italy and finish Greece or reverse.

On the ground plan east west not north south. Use Corfu as Italy gateway, then hop south Paxos to Lefkada to Kefalonia to Zakynthos to avoid backtracking, book car hire as beaches spread, check meltemi winds July to August can delay small ferries, and carry cash for small ports. For Italy to Greece one ticket choose Bari to Corfu or Brindisi to Igoumenitsa then bus to Lefkada, and visit May, June or September for 24 to 27 degree sea without August crowds.

Sources

• FlightConnections – London Luton to Corfu – Flight time 3 hours and 15 minutes – https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-ltn-to-cfu
• FlightConnections – London Luton to Corfu – Fastest direct flight takes 3 hours and 15 minutes – https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-ltn-to-cfu
• Ferryhopper – Ferries Corfu – Shortest ferry route Paxos to Lefkimmi taking as little as 45 minutes – https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/ferries/greece/corfu
• Ferryhopper – Ferries Corfu – Igoumenitsa to Corfu 50 minutes to 1.5 hours and Brindisi to Corfu 7 hours – https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/ferries/greece/corfu
• Ferryhopper – Athens (Piraeus) – Aegina – 30 min – https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/ferry-routes/direct/athens-aegina
• Ferryhopper – Athens (Lavrio) – Kea – 40 min to 1 hr – https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/ferry-routes/direct/lavrio-kea-tzia

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Last Updated on August 17, 2026 by admin