AstakosMainland Greece · Greece

All About Astakos

Situated towards the west of Aetolia-Acarnania province, on a bay on the eastern shore of the Ionian Sea, the town of Astakos is a historic and picturesque settlement that takes its name from the ancient Acarnanian town Astacus or the ancient king Astakos, considered the son of Poseidon. You can use Ferryscanner to book your ferry tickets to Astakos in no time. This island boasts a beautiful combination of mountains, sea, and valleys, being at the same time a town with rich history, which is also worth visiting for its historical monuments, its sightseeings and its rich and numerous beaches. The beautiful architecture of the houses, the beauty of the natural landscape, and the charms projected by the Ionian sea will surely take your breath away!
 

Routes & Ferries to Astakos

Astakos is well connected to the nearby islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca. You can board ships by Ionion Pelagos and reach Kefalonia in 3 hours and Ithaca in 2 hours and 20 minutes. Be advised that there is only one ferry transfer to Kefalonia and Ithaca per day, so make sure to be at the port on time. On the Ferryscanner website, you can compare itineraries and book ferry tickets to Astakos.

Astakos is situated about 300km away from Athens. If you are flying to the International Airport of Athens ‘’Eleftherios Venizelos’’, just board a bus and follow the Athens-Patras highway, and then continue from Rio-Antirrio to Aitoliko and Astakos. Astakos is 65km northwest of Mesologgi, 60km west of Agrinio, and 70km south of Preveza.
 

Ports of Astakos

The small port of Astakos is considered a crucial link between the mainland region of Aetolia-Acarnania and the Ionian islands. It is strategically located on the eastern coast of Greece, close to the main international shipping lines, providing a unique opportunity of developing a gateway for traffic between the European Union and East, as well as linking the Adriatic, Balkan, and Black Sea areas.

On the coast of the town, there is also a small marina that mainly hosts small boats and ferries from the nearby islands. The area is really beautiful and the coastal road is ideal for walking and gazing at the sea. Nearby there are many cafes and taverns where you can relax and enjoy some traditional Greek dishes.
 

Capital & Villages

The rich history of Astakos begins in antiquity since during the time of the Trojan war the city was under the command of the king of Ithaca.  During the Byzantine era, the town was known as Dragamesto, while in 1204, after the sack of Constantinople by the Crusaders, it was integrated into the Despotate of Epirus. During the Greek revolutionary war, Astakos served as a vital strategic port, as well as a military and refugee camp. During the 19th century, the town functioned as an administrative and trade center, a role that brought it considerable wealth. Today, Astakos is a small town where people are engaged in farming, fishing, and tourism.

Astakos is filled with traditional houses with beautiful courtyards, carved balconies, and picturesque two-story buildings right next to the sea. It offers many hotels, rooms for rent, and apartments for tourists from all around the world. Here you can also find many taverns serving fresh fish and local meat. At the same time, the town offers a vibrant nightlife, while the port is the connection link between Akarnania and the Eptanisa.

In the wider area, there are many beaches and small bays offering crystal clear waters. From here, you can also visit Echinades, a group of islands in the Ionian sea, off the coast of Acarnania, where the famous battle of Naupactus took place in 1571. You should also visit the ancient settlement of Astakos, situated on the northeast of the modern town, on the top of Kastro hill, where ruins and cyclopean walls still survive. Just 200 meters west of the fortification, there exist the ruins of an ancient temple of Zeus Karaus. At the foothills, the ‘Cyclops Cave’ is located, which is a huge cave in a secluded area, where it is believed the infamous Cyclops Polyphemus dwelled, who was blinded by Odysseus and his companions.

If you visit Astakos, do not forget to take a walk in the vast oak forest nearby. This is a paradise of biodiversity, boasting natural beauties, rich flora and fauna, and the rarest species of oak in the world. The forest stretches from the beach area of Astakos and Platygiali to the river Acheloos, and it is situated right next to the bio reserves of Ambrakikos. If you would like to visit this extraordinary natural landscape, do not forget to book your tickets to Astakos soon.
 

Best Beaches

Although the beaches around Astakos are few in number, nevertheless they are of high quality, capable of impressing anyone with their natural beauty. So get your ferry tickets to Astakos and get to exploring!

Asprogiali Beach

The beach of Asprogiali is situated just 7 km outside the town of Astakos, next to the road to Vonitsa. This beach is not organized and it is small in size, however, during the summer it attracts a large number of visitors from the wider area, as well as from Italy. The location is rather secluded and surrounded by nature, and there is one small kiosk around that serves fast food and refreshments. You can only reach Asrpogiali beach on the Vonitsa-Astakos highway, and then via a dirt road.

Vela Beach

Located in the middle of Astakos and Mytikas, Vela beach is a beautiful, sandy beach that is surrounded by mountaintops and forests. Famous for its wonderful landscapes, clean and warm waters, it is also suitable for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. The atmosphere here is calm and tranquil, since there are a few tourists in the area, while near Vela beach you can find many natural wonders and historical monuments.

Astakos Beach

Situated in the town of Astakos, right next to the small harbor, Astakos Beach is a rather calm place where you can enjoy and quick bath during the day. The town is close enough for a meal, a rest, or even a beach-side stay for a few days. From here, you can also enjoy a splendid view of the ruins of the ancient town and the sunset.
 

Transportation around Astakos

Transportation around Astakos is really simple. There are regular bus schedules that can transfer you to every area of the town for cheap. If you prefer a more private means of transfer you can take a taxi or even rent a car. Furthermore, you can board a ferry from the port of the town and reach the nearby Ionian islands. To finalize your plans, head to the Ferryscanner website and book your ferry tickets to Astakos today.