The world’s leading destination for soaking up ancient culture and basking in the sun at the same time, the Mediterranean has a number of ‘subdivisions’:
For instance, you have the Tyrrhenian off the western coast of Italy, the Adriatic lapping a rugged Croatia, and the Alborean Sea lining Spain ––all tried-and-true vacation hotspots, these certainly need no introduction, but there remains one sea most tourists are yet to explore.
With none of the surging crowds and staggeringly-high room rates, the Ionian Sea encompasses a number of idyllic Greek islands, as well as one of the cheapest sunny destinations in Europe, and it is quickly rising as an alternative to other overtouristed Med spots:
Where Is The Ionian Sea?
The Ionian is often described as a bay of the Mediterranean.
To the north, it borders the much more famous Adriatic, where Venice, Dubrovnik, and the like are located. To the south, it meets the southernmost parts of Italy, with a border loosely defined by the latter’s southeasternmost tip.
Like much of the wider Mediterranean, the Ionian is known for its rich Greco-Roman heritage, with a History spanning thousands of years, as well as for its balmy summer temperatures and teal-colored waters.
However, unlike other Mediterranean seas, the Ionian has yet to be overrun by tourists.
Although it does not host nonstop flights from America and is far more offbeat, it has retained much of that native Mediterranean character without being tarnished by overdevelopment; that’s not to say there’s not a tourist in sight.
Tourism In The Ionian Is Increasing
A new Mastercard Economics Institute report shows an increase in demand for off-season getaways as the European summer heat rages on, and for Ionian destinations specifically: based on their findings, Greek island Corfu, in particular, has seen a travel boom as of late.
Facing Corfu on the European mainland and straddling the same sea, the Albanian Riviera is now the second fastest-growing destination globally, with a 56% growth over 2019, as confirmed by the World Tourism Organization.
Albania had been one of the most obscure countries in the continent up until recently when beach towns like Ksamil and their long miles of Maldives-like white sands and laid-back living started gaining traction online.
Over at the southern tip of Italy, the historical province of Puglia, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, has also been rising in popularity lately, with its whitewashed towns, quieter beaches, and lower prices.
The Ionian Is One The Cheapest Seas To Travel In The Mediterranean
On average, the Ionian is much cheaper than your typical Mediterranean destination:
Based on estimates provided by Budget Your Trip, you should plan on spending $33 per day on food in Corfu, while an overnight in a local hotel will set you back $104: if you’re traveling with a partner, that’s only $52 each.
Located outside the European Union and the Eurozone, Albania is the cheapest of them all: if you’re on a limited budget, you can definitely keep meal costs as low as $21 daily, while room rates are an incredibly affordable $59, even in the busiest coastal areas.
For the southern tip of Italy, including Puglia and Salento, you should plan on spending $67 per day on meals and roughly $157 per night on hotels; the Italian Ionian is easily the most expensive of the three, but it is still reasonably priced for most.
How Hard Is It To Get Around In The Ionian?
When it comes to connectivity, Ionian destinations are linked via regular commercial flights or, more commonly even, cross-border ferries:
For instance, traveling from Corfu to Sarande, in the Albanian Riviera, couldn’t be easier: as already stated, Corfu lies just off Albania, and the fastest boats take only half an hour to cross.
Tickets for foot passengers start at an affordable $10.
From Corfu, getting to other smaller Greek islands in the vicinity is just as feasible. Ferries depart daily to Paxos and Antipaxos and at least three weekly sailings to Zakynthos (or Zante), another gem of the Ionian, though the journey is much longer, at 13 hours.
Flying into the Ionian region, the best-connected airports are (again) in Corfu, as well as Kefalonia, Lefkada, and Zakynthos, all in Greece: they host low-cost flights from all over Europe throughout the peak travel season, which usually extends well into October.
There are no commercial airports in the Albanian Riviera, and similarly, the Italian side of the Ionian is more easily reached by train from bigger hubs like Bari and Brindisi.
But remember: the limited availability of flights helps, at least in part, preserve its ancient heritage.
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