Corfu, known also as Kerkyra, is the northernmost of the Ionian Islands in Greece. Located off of the far northwest coast of the country, Corfu lies in the Adriatic Sea, east of Italy and southwest of Albania. Historically Corfu has been controlled by many foreign powers, notably the Venetians, French, and British.
Corfu Town, known in modern Greek as Kerkira or Kerkyra, is the largest and most important town on the island. This is where the airport is located and where most cruise ships and long-distance ferries dock. It is a small, pleasant city catering well to tourists.
The satisfactory infrastructure and the multiple possibilities for various activities are ideal for group holidays on Corfu and the nearby islands. Motivation trips, congress tourism, school trips, Ferrari or antique cars clubs and Harley Davidson groups meet here every year.
Corfu's nature, sea and history have made sure so that you today, no matter when you come, or how long you will stay, or your style, you will certainly find original and interesting situations to exercise and to have fun. In a place with a tradition in tourism of at least 130 years, with Greek education and the influence of “nobility” from England, France and, surely, Venice, in a place which is used to welcoming the international jet-set for several decades now, the possibilities for sports and amusement are certainly impressive.
- Old Perithia, Old Perithia, Corfu (Located in the north east). Old Perithia is Corfu's Oldest Village. A Heritage Protected Site in a Designated Area of Natural Beauty, it was once a hideaway from pirate attacks with a look out tower from which you could see, but not be seen from the sea. There are 8 churches and 130 houses, some in various states of disrepair, but the village offers an excellent example of the Venetian influence on the island and it is said that Old Perithia was once the wealthiest of the villages. In its heyday, it had an abundance of oak trees, vines and thousands of sheep roaming the mountainside. Parking is limited and there is a no through sign as the village is only accessible to the few residents who currently live there.
- Old Town of Corfu
The Old Town of Corfu has many historical sights and churches.
The Old Fortress and the Mandraki marina, viewed from the northwest. - The Esplanade (Spianada), between the Old Fortress and Old Town. This huge open parade ground and park, just west of the Old Fortress, is bordered on the north by the old royal Palace (now the Museum of Asian Art) and on the west by the Liston, built by the French under Napoleon to resemble the Rue du Rivoli in Paris. Some say the Esplanade is the most beautiful esplanade in Greece.
- Old Fortress (Paleo Frourio), eastern point of Corfu town peninsula, . Built by the Venetians in 1546 on the site of a Byzantine castle, the fortress is separated from the rest of the town by a moat. Its two peaks ("korypha") gave the island its name. To the west, you have a gorgeous view of the town and to the east the mountainous Albania coast. Most of the Venetian fortifications inside were destroyed by the British, who replaced them with their own structures, like the Church of St. George, built to look like a Doric temple.
- Palace of St. Michael and St. George (Palaia Anaktora), at the north end of the Esplanade, . This elegant 19th century Regency palace, site of the 1994 EU Summit, houses the Museum of Asian Art, a notable collection of Asian porcelains, Japanese ukiyo-e prints, Indian sculpture, and Tibetian temple art.
Nymphes
A big village with a lot of water, green and legends built on a height of 200 meters. According to a legend, in old times, the Nymphs used to bathe in the village's waterfalls. A walk to the wells and the waterfalls is enough to make you understand why this legend exists! It is almost certain that you will come across a nymph, too and if you are lucky, you will see her bathe in the water especially in spring.
After your walk to the myths, it is a good idea to visit the premises of the Agriculture Co-operative which elaborates kum-kuat and produces liquor and sweets. You will be offered some for free and you will have the chance to try the different liquor qualities (and of course, buy some, if you like).
Just outside the village, you can visit Askitario, a small but historic monastery. According to tradition, here lived in the 5th century the monk Artemios Paissios from Epirus, who is said to have worked many wonders.
Kynopiastes
A traditional village of the Messi Region of Corfu and only 10 km away from Corfu town and airport, which is a must visit.
Old mansions of the 17th to 19th centuries, a marble church, a 17th century monastery and a museum (and the only one on the island) devoted to the olive tree with one of the world famous restaurants on the island tavern « Trypas ».
The narrow tiled paths invite you to walk on them, looking at the small squares and at the houses which preserve the traditional colors. The main church is devoted to the Virgin Mary and it is in the central square. It is a traditional church with unique architecture and an impressive marble entrance. Inside, there are frescoes of the 18th century Ionian School of Painting. At the edge of the village there is the monastery of Agia Paraskevi, built in the 17th century.
Lakones
The Bay of St. George
A typical Corfiot village on the slope of a green hill. You should go for a walk to Bella Vista to admire the view over the bay of Paleokastritsa and relax in one of the picturesque coffee shops. If you like trekking there is a path leading down to Paleokastritsa. The surnames of the inhabitants of the region refer to the soldiers who supported Angelokastro in the late Byzantine period, as well as to refugees from Mani.Among the houses of the 18th and 19th centuries you will find churches and traditional coffee shops. At the central church you will see donations of the first emigrants to America of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Roda
Visit the village resort of Roda on Corfu's northern coast. Traditionally a fishing village, the area has retained its chararcter while developing in to a popular destination for holidays. Unique in the sense that the old village still exists at the heart of the resort, locals mix with the different nationalities who visit time and time again. Roda is a contained resort, without the typical sprawl. There is plenty of accommodation, bars, restaurants which offer a wide range of menus, typical Greek and Corfiot dishes, Italian, Chinese and others. Roda is a relaxed resort but has a good nightlife, with nice bands, singers and comedy shows as well as the ever popular kareoke. If you want a laid back holiday, then Roda is the place, with quiet corners and a beautiful sandy beach, Roda offers something for everyone.
Achilleion
Statue of Achilles thniskon (dying) at the Achilleion gardens
Achilleion (Greek: Αχίλλειον) is a palace built in Corfu by Empress of Austria Elisabeth of Bavaria, also known as Sissi after a suggestion by Austrian Consul Alexander von Watzberg. Sissi was a woman obsessed with beauty and very powerful but tragically vulnerable since the loss of her only son, Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria in the Mayerling affair in 1889. A year later in 1890 she built a summer palace in the region of Gastouri (Γαστούρι), now the municipality of Achilleion, about ten kilometres to the south of the city of Corfu. The palace was designed with the mythical hero Achilles as its central theme.
Do
Corfu Golf Club, Ermones. Located only 14 km away from Corfu Town and 900 meters from the beach, Corfu Golf Club was designed in 1969 by the famous Swiss based architect Donald Harradine, who blended the natural beauty of the Ropa Valley with manmade hazards to make the course a good but fair test, enjoyable for all categories of golfers. The tree lined fairways and the bunkers combine with several lakes and meandering streams, to make an attractive picture against a backcloth of hills and mountains. · The course is open 7 days a week, from 08.00 until 18.00 (office hours), though you may play until dusk. Buggies, clubs, trolleys and lockers are available for rent, and the restaurant offers a fine selection of Greek dishes. More info in
Aqualand, Agios Ioannis. It's quite a small water park with only a few main "rides". It is best to travel to and from the park under your own steam as a whole day there with an organized trip might be too long.
Benitses, A former fishing village and one of the most traditional Corfiot villages with unique natural beauty and a very popular and famous tourist destination, used to be the first tourist resort of Corfu. is situated on the Eastern coast of Corfu, only 12 kilometers from Corfu town, and 9 kilometers from the international airport Ioannis Kapodistrias. The coastal road of Benitses is full of hotels, restaurants, cafes and other shops that offer everything the most demanding visitor can ask. Benitses is surrounded by the mountains in one side and the aquamarine waters of the Ionian Sea in the other, this unique combination of nature with the hospitality of the residents, which are very familiar with different cultures, are what make visitors to love the place. 2 miles to the north there is the famous Achilleion palace.
Beaches
On the West side of the island, the beaches are sandier while the East tends to have calmer waters.
- Sidari. A fair sized resort dominated by British tourists. At one end of the beach is the "Canal de l'Amour": sand stone cliffs with narrow inlets, a natural archway and small paths to explore.
- Dasia and Ipsos. A narrow stony beach with relatively calm waters. The resort runs along the road so there's a good variety of shops and tavernas.
- Chalikounas beach. A very long, virgin stretch of land, caught between Chalikiopoulos' Lake and the Adriatic sea. The natural landscape here is unique, it is a great place to get away from the world and just enjoy both sea and sun away from the mass tourism crowds. You can rent a pair of long chairs for 6 euros a day. You can also take kite surfing lessons next to the bar.
- Issos beach. Next to Chalikounas, again on the southwest of Corfu, this beach has a desert motive, because of the high sand hills right next to the seashore. Bring your bike and enjoy the terrain, or just enjoy the panoramic view from high above.
- Benitses a former fishing village and one of the most traditional Corfiot villages with unique natural beauty and a very popular and famous tourist destination, for many decades used to be the first tourist resort of Corfu, it is situated on the Eastern coast of Corfu, only 12 kilometers from Corfu town, and 9 kilometers from the international airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.
The coastal road of Benitses is full of hotels, restaurants, cafes and other shops that offering everything the most demanding visitor can ask. Benitses is surrounded by the mountains on one side and the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea on the other, just 2 miles to the north lays the famous Achilleion palace.
Drink
Gingerbeer. Corfu was a British protectorate and ginger beer is one of the British style drinks that the locals adopted with enthusiasm. The Greek version is simply excellent. Ask for it at Liston or better restaurants and coffee houses. Locally it is called "Tsitsibeera".