Best Places to Stay in Ithaca: Hotels & Where to Base Yourself
The best places to stay in Ithaca depend on how visitors want to explore the island. Vathy offers restaurants, museums and a harbour setting, while northern villages such as Frikes and Kioni suit travellers who prefer a smaller coastal base.
Choosing the right location matters. A room overlooking a bay may sit above the waterfront, and ferry arrivals do not necessarily take place in the village where the accommodation is located.
This guide brings together four hotels in Vathy and Frikes, alongside advice on choosing an area, arranging transport and checking room details before booking.
Best Places to Stay in Ithaca at a Glance
| Accommodation | Location | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Perantzada Hotel 1811 | Vathy | A distinctive boutique stay overlooking the bay |
| Mentor Hotel | Vathy waterfront | Harbour convenience and meals nearby |
| Korina Gallery Hotel | Vathy | Rooms and suites in a traditional building with a pool |
| Hotel Nostos | Frikes | A northern village base with hotel facilities |
Room views, layouts and seasonal facilities vary. Check the selected category rather than assuming every room includes the features shown in the main photographs.
Where Should You Stay in Ithaca?
Vathy: For a Convenient First Visit
Vathy is Ithaca’s capital and a practical starting point for visitors who want restaurants, shops and museums within the surrounding town.
Its waterfront provides an enjoyable setting for evening walks and meals. Staying here also works well for outings around southern Ithaca, including nearby beaches and Perachori.
However, Vathy extends around a sizeable bay. Compare the actual position of each property rather than treating every Vathy address as equally close to the centre.
Frikes: For Exploring Northern Ithaca
Frikes is a small harbour village in the north. It suits visitors who want to organise their stay around the northern villages and coastline.
Stavros and Kioni can be included in outings from this area, while the waterfront offers places to eat locally.
A Frikes address should not be confused with accommodation beside every ferry arrival point. Confirm the port used by the booked sailing and arrange the onward journey accordingly.
Kioni: For a Smaller Harbour Setting
Kioni is another appealing northern base, particularly for visitors interested in apartments and smaller accommodation.
Properties may be positioned above the harbour rather than directly beside it. The neighbourhood of Rachi is higher up, so guests should check the walking route and changes in level before booking.
Travellers choosing Kioni should assess access to their individual property, especially when carrying luggage.
1. Perantzada Hotel 1811, Vathy
Perantzada Hotel 1811 combines a historic neoclassical mansion with a modern wing. Its use of artwork, colour and individually styled spaces gives it a different character from a conventional hotel.
The property overlooks Vathy’s bay and suits visitors who want their accommodation to be part of the holiday experience.
Rooms and suites differ in layout and position. Guests should compare the specific category, outlook and outdoor space rather than assume that every room offers the same harbour panorama.
Its Vathy location also allows time spent around the town to be combined with excursions elsewhere on the island.
Best for: A boutique stay with distinctive design and views towards Vathy’s bay.
Before booking: Confirm the room’s outlook, balcony or terrace arrangements, and any steps between the entrance and accommodation.
2. Mentor Hotel, Vathy
Mentor Hotel stands on Vathy’s waterfront, making it worth considering for visitors who prioritise harbour convenience.
The setting allows guests to spend time around the town without organising transport for every meal or evening walk. It is particularly relevant for travellers who prefer a straightforward hotel base and expect to spend much of the day exploring.
Sea-facing accommodation may appeal to visitors who enjoy watching activity on the bay. However, room position and view should be confirmed when booking rather than assumed from the hotel’s waterfront address.
The surrounding harbour is part of a working town, so guests seeking particular quiet should ask about room placement.
Best for: Staying beside Vathy’s waterfront.
Before booking: Check the room category, view, breakfast inclusion and arrangements for arriving with luggage.
3. Korina Gallery Hotel, Vathy
Korina Gallery Hotel offers rooms and suites in a traditional building in Vathy.
Its gardens and swimming pool provide an alternative to spending every day at a beach. This can be useful for visitors who want time at their accommodation between walks, meals and excursions.
The choice between a double room and a suite should be based on the actual layout. Additional floor space does not necessarily mean a separate bedroom or an arrangement suitable for every family.
Guests should also check the route between the property and the parts of Vathy they expect to visit regularly.
Korina suits travellers looking for a smaller hotel with character while remaining based in the island’s main town.
Best for: A Vathy stay combining traditional surroundings with a pool.
Before booking: Confirm room layout, outdoor space, access requirements and pool operation for the intended dates.
4. Hotel Nostos, Frikes
Hotel Nostos is a family-run property in Frikes, set a short distance back from the seafront.
Its facilities include a swimming pool, garden and dining options. These make it worth considering for visitors who want a northern village base with hotel amenities available between outings.
Rooms have differing outlooks, including pool, garden or mountain views. A sea view should therefore be booked specifically where offered rather than expected in every category.
The location works well for travellers planning time around Frikes and the northern part of Ithaca.
Transfer arrangements require attention. The hotel’s published information distinguishes services available to direct-booking guests, so visitors reserving through another platform should arrange transport explicitly.
Best for: Exploring northern Ithaca from a small harbour village.
Before booking: Confirm the room outlook, meal arrangements and whether any transfer service applies to the chosen booking.
Which Hotel Suits Your Trip?
For a distinctive boutique stay, Perantzada is worth considering for its design and setting.
For waterfront convenience, Mentor offers a base directly around Vathy’s harbour.
For a Vathy hotel with a pool, Korina Gallery provides another option.
For a northern base, Nostos places the stay around Frikes rather than requiring repeated journeys from the south.
These are different accommodation choices rather than interchangeable alternatives. Decide which location supports the intended itinerary before comparing room prices.
Do You Need a Car in Ithaca?
A car is useful for visitors wanting to explore several villages, beaches and inland sights during one stay.
Travellers concentrating on a single settlement may prefer walking locally and arranging selected transfers or excursions. The important point is to plan around the actual location of the accommodation.
Before booking, establish:
- The ferry arrival and departure ports
- How the journey to the property will be arranged
- Whether parking is available
- Whether the final approach involves steps or narrow lanes
- How evening meals will work without driving
Do not assume a transfer is included simply because a hotel advertises that it can arrange one.
Should You Choose Self-Catering?
A studio or apartment can be useful for longer stays, families and visitors who prefer preparing breakfast or occasional meals.
The four hotels above should be assessed according to their individual room descriptions. A refrigerator and kettle do not amount to a kitchenette.
When comparing self-catering alternatives, check cooking equipment, food-storage space and the distance to a shop. A scenic rural location may require a vehicle for supplies as well as sightseeing.
How Long Should You Stay?
Three nights allow time for Vathy, a beach outing and selected villages.
Four or five nights provide more flexibility for museums, walking and separate excursions into northern Ithaca.
For a short visit, one well-chosen base usually avoids the disruption of changing rooms. A longer stay may justify dividing time between the north and south, particularly when the aim is to explore each area slowly.
What Should You Confirm Before Booking?
Ask about the exact room rather than only the hotel’s general facilities.
Confirm whether breakfast is included, whether a view is guaranteed and whether the booked accommodation has a private balcony or shared outdoor area.
Guests with mobility requirements should ask about the complete route from arrival to the room, bathroom and breakfast area. A central location does not establish step-free access.
Check seasonal opening and cancellation terms before committing to transport, especially when travelling outside the main summer period.
