A small Ionian island has unexpectedly become a popular tourist destination, thanks to some unusual "residents". On the shores of Atokos, near Ithaca, visitors find not only crystal-clear waters and natural scenery, but also herds of black pigs roaming freely along the beach.
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Atokos is a private island and until recently was relatively unknown to the general public. That changed when photos and videos of the pigs started going viral on Instagram and TikTok. Now travellers from many countries visit the island specifically to see the animals up close, and some even swim alongside them or feed them.
The pigs appear to have become accustomed to human presence. They wander along the shore in search of food, seemingly unbothered by the tourists. When the temperature rises, they head into the sea for a short dip to cool down.
Access to Atokos is mainly by tourist boats. Renato Bisa, who organises excursions from Ithaca, makes several trips to the island each day as demand has risen sharply.
The island's popularity on social media has even spawned an entire tourist experience centred on the animals, with the island now jokingly referred to as "Piggy Island". Trips to the area are also run from Lefkada and Kefalonia.
Bisa explains that many travellers contact him with the express wish of visiting Atokos and meeting the pigs. In some cases, organisers use fruit to lure the animals closer to the boats.
For most visitors, encountering the pigs is an unexpected experience they are unlikely to forget. The sudden attention has transformed the image of the small island. From an almost unknown destination, Atokos has grown into a major draw for thousands of tourists, particularly during the summer season.