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The world’s premier destination for soaking up ancient culture and sunbathing at the same time, the Mediterranean has a number of ‘subdivisions’:
For example, you have the Tyrrhenian coast off the west coast of Italy, the Adriatic Sea stretching across rugged Croatia, and the Alborean Sea along Spain – all tried and tested holiday hotspots, these certainly need no introduction, but there remains An sea that most tourists have yet to explore.
Without the rising crowds and staggeringly high room rates, the Ionian Sea includes a number of idyllic Greek islands, as well as one of the cheapest sunny destinations in Europe, and it’s rising fast. as an alternative to other overtourized Mediterranean spots:
Where is the Ionian Sea?
The Ionian is often described as a bay of the Mediterranean Sea.
In the north it borders the much better known Adriatic Sea, where Venice, Dubrovnik and the like are located. Nasty in the south it meets the southernmost parts of Italy, with a border loosely defined by the southeasternmost point of the latter.
Like much of the wider Mediterranean, the Ionian is known for its rich Greco-Roman heritagewith a history spanning thousands of years, but also because of the balmy summer temperatures and blue-green water.
However, unlike other Mediterranean Seas, the Ionian Sea does have this not yet overrun by tourists.
Although there are no direct flights from the Americas and it is much more unusual, it retains much of that native Mediterranean character without being affected by overdevelopment; That doesn’t mean there aren’t any tourists in sight.
Tourism in the Ionian Sea is increasing
A new MasterCard The Economics Institute report shows that demand for off-season getaways is increasing as the European summer heat continues, and for Ionian destinations in particular: based on their findings, the Greek island of Corfu in particular has seen huge travel growth of late .
The Albanian Riviera, opposite Corfu on mainland Europe and on the same sea, is now the second fastest growing destination worldwideof a growth of 56% compared to 2019as confirmed by the World Tourism Organization.
Albania was one of the most obscure countries on the continent until recently, when seaside resorts like Ksamil and their miles of Maldives-like white sand and the relaxed lifestyle started to gain popularity online.
About at the southernmost tip of Italythe historic province of Puglia, where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet, has also risen in popularity recently, with its whitewashed towns, quieter beaches, and lower prices.
The Ionian Sea is one of the cheapest seas to travel in the Mediterranean
On average, the Ionian Sea is much cheaper than your typical Mediterranean destination:
Based on estimates from Budget Your Trip, you should plan to spend $33 per day on food Corfuwhile an overnight stay at a local hotel will set you back $104: If you’re traveling with a partner, that’s just $52 per person.
Located outside the European Union and the Eurozone, Albania is the cheapest of all: If you’re on a budget, you can certainly keep meal costs as low as $21 per day, while room rates are an incredibly affordable $59, even in the busiest coastal areas.
For the southernmost tip of Italy, including Puglia and Salento, you’ll need to spend $67 per day on meals and about $157 per night on hotels; the Italian Ionian is by far the most expensive of the three, but still reasonably priced for most.
How difficult is it to get around in the Ionian Sea?
When it comes to connectivity, Ionian destinations are connected via regular commercial flights or, more often, via cross-border ferries:
For example, traveling from Corfu to Sarande, on the Albanian Riviera, couldn’t be easier: as already mentioned, Corfu is close to Albania, and the fastest boats take just half an hour.
Tickets for foot passengers start at an affordable $10.
From Corfu it is just as possible to travel to other smaller Greek islands in the area. Ferries leave daily to Paxos and Antipaxos and at least three weekly sailings to Zakynthos (or Zante), another jewel of the Ionian Sea, although the journey takes much longer at 13 hours.
To fly go inside in the Ionian region, the best connected airports are (again) in Corfu, as well as Kefalonia, Lefkada and Zakynthos, all in Greece: they host cheap flights from all over Europe during the high season, which usually extends well into October.
There are no commercial airports on the Albanian Riviera, and similarly the Italian side of the Ionian Riviera is more easy to reach by train from larger hubs such as Bari and Brindisi.
But remember: the limited availability of flights helps, at least in part, to protect its centuries-old heritage.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
