Holidays by the Ionian Sea
Green hills, olive groves and pale cliffs give Greece's Ionian coast a character of its own. Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia and Zakynthos suit holidays that alternate between beaches, village lunches and drives through the landscape. Across the wider sea lie southern Italy and Albania's southern coast, offering other ways to explore this part of the Mediterranean.
Look beyond the beach photograph
Porto Katsiki on Lefkada shows the dramatic cliff-backed side of the Ionian. Around Corfu, the scenery changes between sandy stretches, rocky coves and wooded headlands. When choosing a base, check beach access: a beautiful bay reached by steps or boat may be less convenient for everyday family swimming.
Summer is the main beach season; spring and early autumn can suit a holiday with more sightseeing. Ionian sea temperature helps narrow down the month, while a beach's exposure to wind and waves helps narrow down the location. Clear-looking water in a photograph is not a promise of calm conditions on arrival.
Geography at a glance
Ionian Sea
- Location
- Southern Europe
- Part of
- Mediterranean Sea
- Coastal countries
- Italy, Albania, Greece
- Max. depth
- ≈ 5,110 m
Locator map. Measurements are approximate and depend on the area’s definition. Fact source · Map: Natural Earth
Sea temperature by month (°C)
In October, the warmest sea is at Navagio (23.0 °C) and the coolest at Porto Timoni (22.5 °C).
| Beach | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ksamil | 16.5 | 15.5 | 15.6 | 16.5 | 19.2 | 23.0 | 24.9 | 25.9 | 24.8 | 22.5 | 20.6 | 17.9 |
| Navagio | 16.8 | 16.0 | 15.9 | 16.5 | 19.0 | 23.2 | 26.1 | 27.0 | 25.6 | 23.0 | 20.8 | 18.0 |
| Porto Katsiki | 16.5 | 15.6 | 15.5 | 16.3 | 19.0 | 23.3 | 25.9 | 26.6 | 25.2 | 22.6 | 20.6 | 17.8 |
| Porto Timoni | 16.5 | 15.5 | 15.6 | 16.5 | 19.2 | 23.0 | 24.9 | 25.9 | 24.8 | 22.5 | 20.6 | 17.9 |
Average sea temperature in each month, 2021–2025 (Copernicus ERA5), at each beach. Not a forecast.
Ionian Sea – Sea temperature today
Current estimates for the selected beaches, not an average for the whole sea. Sea: NASA MUR with an hourly adjustment; air: Apple Weather. The update time refers to this page, not a measurement taken in the water.
Last updated:
| All beaches | Sea (°C) | Air (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Ksamil, Albania | 21.3 °C | 13 °C |
| Navagio, Greece · Zakynthos | 21.8 °C | 18 °C |
| Porto Katsiki, Greece · Lefkada | 21.5 °C | 18 °C |
| Porto Timoni, Greece · Corfu | 21.0 °C | 18 °C |