Essentials
- City
- Vathy, Ithaca (Ithaki), Ionian Islands, Greece
- Population
- 3,200
- Internet Speed
- Average 45 Mbps (VDSL available in Vathy; Starlink is highly recommended for stable 150+ Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Greek banks include Piraeus Bank and National Bank of Greece in Vathy.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable (High mineral content). Locals use bottled water or communal filtered dispensers.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Cosmote (best coverage), Vodafone, and Nova. 20GB for approx. €15.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and N26 are widely used; local ATMs accept Visa/Mastercard.
- Accommodation
- Traditional stone villas, seaside apartments, and boutique hotels in Vathy and Kioni.
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly. POS terminals are mandatory in Greece, but small tavernas prefer cash.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com. Prices range from €50-€120 per night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Mentor Hotel (Vathy), approx. €65 per night in shoulder season.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kioni for its picturesque harbor and upscale dining.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Vathy (Capital) for year-round services, supermarkets, and the port.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None dedicated. Most nomads work from 'The天井' (The Loft) or quiet hotel lobbies.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Libretto Cafe (Vathy) - reliable Wi-Fi, power outlets, and great coffee.
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at the Vathy Yacht Club during the sailing season.
- Social Events for Expats
- 'Ithaca International' Facebook Group organizes occasional gatherings at Poseidon Bar.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Local Taxis (Ithaca Taxi Service) available at Vathy square (+30 26740 33069).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Alfa Rentals (Vathy). Scooters approx. €20-€30/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Gidaki Beach (accessible by boat from Vathy or hiking trail).
- Top Regional Airline
- Olympic Air / Sky Express (flights to nearby Kefalonia Airport EFL).
- Top International Airline
- Aegean Airlines, Ryanair (to Kefalonia or Preveza).
- Highway Access
- No highways. Narrow, winding coastal and mountain roads connect the island.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Piso Aetos Port (Ferry connections to Kefalonia, Patras, and Astakos).
- Public Transport Passes
- Local KTEL bus (approx. €2-€5 per trip). No monthly passes.
- Regional Travel
- Ferry to Kefalonia (Sami) takes 40 minutes via Ionion P. Lines (approx. €5).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Vathy Health Center (Public). Serious cases transferred to Argostoli Hospital, Kefalonia.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Ithaca Yoga Retreat (near Perachori) offers seasonal classes and workshops.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Outdoor training at the Vathy Nautical Club area; no commercial indoor gyms.
- Laundry Services
- Self-service laundry available at 'The Bubble' near Vathy harbor.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Manual phone orders to local pizzerias like 'To Kantouni'.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Savoro (fish with rosemary, raisins, and vinegar) or Rovani (honey cake).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- O Nikos (Vathy) - offers traditional veggie dishes like Briam and Gemista.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Dodoni Ice Cream (Vathy) and local bakeries for Rovani.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- AB Food Market (Piso Aetos road) for competitive prices.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Skroutz.gr (The Greek Amazon) for all tech and home goods.
- Grocery Delivery
- Local supermarkets like Spar (Vathy) offer delivery via phone request.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Vathy Harbor. 'Mylos' for cocktails and late-night music.
- Local Brewery
- None on-island. Nearby: Kefalonian Beer (Red and Gold ale) is widely served.
- Wine Bars
- Yefuri (near Platrithrias) offers a curated selection of local Ionian wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Gregory's Souvlakia (Vathy square) - Gyros for approx. €4.50.
- Popular International Cuisine
- None significant; the island strictly adheres to Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Kathara Monastery for panoramic views of the island and bay.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Archaeological Museum of Vathy (Small but significant Mycenaean finds).
- Historical Sites
- The Cave of the Nymphs and the School of Homer archeological site.
- Religious Sites
- Church of Panagia Spiliotissa (Cave church accessible via hiking).
- Annual Events
- Wine Festival in Perachori (August) and Vathy Panigiri (August 15th).
- Cultural Districts
- Anogi Village for its monolithic stones and medieval church.
- Theater Venues
- Open-air theater at the primary school in Vathy during summer festivals.
- Local Markets
- Occasional fish market at the Vathy docks early mornings (07:00).
- Music Scene
- Traditional 'Cantades' (Ionian songs) performed at village festivals.
- Street Art
- Minimal. Ithaca focuses on preserving its traditional architectural heritage.
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions at Levendis Estate (Northern Ithaca).
- Art Galleries
- Local art exhibitions often held at the Cultural Center 'Ithaka'.
- Historic Buildings
- The Lazaretto building on the small island in Vathy harbor.
- Local Heritage
- Odysseus; the island is the legendary home of Homer's hero.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Afales Bay for dramatic white cliffs and turquoise water.
- National Parks Nearby
- Mount Ainos National Park (located on the neighboring island, Kefalonia).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The trail from Anogi to Kioni (approx. 2 hours, well-marked).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The road above Vathy at sunset, overlooking the entire fjord-like bay.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Vathy bay wetlands during the spring migration (March-April).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited due to forest fire risk; controlled fires only in winter.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- ELTA (Greek Post) and ACS Courier in Vathy.
- Tech Repair Services
- None. Most locals use repair shops in Argostoli (Kefalonia).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports court area in Vathy.
- Language Classes
- Private Greek tutors available; check notices in the Vathy supermarket.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The Public Library of Ithaca (Kapi) – quiet but limited afternoon hours.
- Community Centers
- Cultural Center of Ithaca (Vathy waterfront).
- Gaming Lounges
- None available.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None. The nearest is in mainland Greece (Patras).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000 in Vathy harbor).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €88,000 in Stavros village).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €126,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €152,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 22%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- Resident-based/Worldwide income; Greece offers a 7% flat tax for retirees/qualifying digital nomads for 15 years.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 44% (for income over €40,000)
- VAT
- 24% (standard), reduced rates for certain essentials.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, EU-synchronized anti-tax avoidance rules apply.
- Property Tax
- ENFIA (Annual tax based on location, age, and size; varies significantly).
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3.09% of the property value.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa offers a 50% income tax reduction for the first 7 years for those relocating.