Discover The Small Secrets of The Greenest Island on The Aegean Sea

Thousands of sailors arrive in Corfu each year. The Greek island with its crystal-clear water is not only beautiful, but it is full of sights and parties as well. Hiking spots, gastronomy and parties: we’ve listed everything you need to try while staying in this fairytale place.

Why should you choose Corfu? Picturesque bays, wild greenery, breathtaking scenery, friendly people – the characteristics of Corfu enchant everyone. You can moor on long sandy or beautiful rocky coasts on the most Northern island of the Ionian sea. The landscape is covered with lush vegetation: travellers are amazed by cypresses, olives, lemon and orange trees, and wild flowers of thousands of colours. Hikers can discover exciting mountain ridges. The island is a real paradise for lovers of gastronomy and parties as well.

Favourite place of beach lovers

The seaside of more than 200 kilometers is really diverse. The island is surrounded by sandy beaches on the North and South. The Western coast is filled with beautiful bays and small grits under the rocks to keep lovers of private bathing happy.

Logas Sunset Beach

If the sea surrounding Logas Sunset Beach could talk, it would certainly tell all the romantic stories about loves born there. This is the most beautiful place for a sunset view, so the best time to sail here is the afternoon.

Barbati Barbati

The beach of Barbati Barbati is one of the most beautiful on the island. The pebbly shore is never crowded, and the deep sea is full of wonderful sights: this is the best place for snorkelling. Moor on this picturesque coast and see the life of colourful fish, sea urchins, octopuses and clams.

Chalikounas Ha

Chalikounas is situated on a long Southern peninsula. It’s never full, everyone can get a place on the huge sandy beach. As here the wind is the strongest on the isle, you can also windsurf alongside swimming and sunbathing.

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Agios Spiridon Beach, Corfu island, Paleokastritsa.

Hikes and tours on the emerald island

Corfu is not only interesting for its beaches, it has fantastic hiking spots around the coast and inland.

Kanoni-peninsula

As you sail around Corfu, to stop at the airport is a must for its special view! The runway ends in the sea and at the other side it crosses a road. Cars stop at a red light while planes land. Grab your camera: it’s from Kanoni peninsula that you can take the best shots of Vlaherna monastery and the other famous spot, the Pondikonissi isle. Its name in Greek means ‘mouse’, named because of its shape, and also they say that the sound of water touching the rocks is like the squeaking of mice.

Paleokastritsa

Paleokastritsa is the most fabulous place in Corfu. If you only do one thing in Corfu, then it should be sailing across the crooked bays. On the top of a nearby mountain there is a 13th century monastery with breathtaking view, just like that of Angelokastro fortress.

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Angelokastro Castle – Old ruins of fortress at Paleokastrites, Corfu island, Greece, Europe.

Pantokrator mount

Real hikers can’t miss climbing the highest point of the island, the Pantokrator mount with its 906 metres. If the weather is clear, you can not only see the nearby isles but Albania and the heel of the Italian boot too.

3 famous villas you must see in Corfu

The magic of Corfu has captivated many famous people: monarchs, writers, poets, politicians spent their summer holidays here. Some of the majestic villas are open today to the public.

Neoclassic palace of Empress Sissi

Perhaps the most famous fan of Corfu was the legendary beautiful nineteenth century Austrian Empress, Sissi. Her dynasty built a summer residence in Achilleion. The neoclassic palace with its garden full of palm trees and statues is of course open to public.

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Achillion palace in Corfu island , Greece

White House of Gerald Durrell

The Durrell family lived in the hidden seaside village of Kalami. Gerald Durrell got inspiration for his work from Corfu, and the island appears in his book My Family and Other Animals. There is a museum in the White House, one of their three houses.

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The White House in Kalami, former residence of British authors Lawrence and Gerald Durrell and their family

Imposing visitors of Rothschild villa

The Rothschild villa, where famous people are everyday guests, is found in the Northern part of the island, near Corfu town. The picturesque house was the home of Tina Turner and Jon Bon Jovi, and Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are regular guests there.

Gastronomy in Corfu: 3 foods you must taste

Whether you want it to or not, Corfu will pamper your taste buds. Wherever you anchor your boat, the barrows of the fisherman and the fruit seller appear every morning with fresh produce. And when you enter the Tavernas in the evening, don’t look for the menu. The chef after serving you drinks will invite you to the kitchen and show you what’s cooking in the pots. You will for sure find some seafood.

Olive press

Corfu is the island of olive trees: every year more than four million trees give work and food to the locals. Some smaller family-owned plantations are open to tourists: you can not only taste olive oil but also learn a lot about it.

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Olive oil

Divine nectar: the wonderful honey

Apiary has a similarly ancient historic heritage in the whole country. Hippocrates called honey ‘the nectar of gods’ and recommended it to treat some illnesses. In Corfu many people produce honey and they do guided tours in some specialty stores.

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Green herbal greek mountain tea with organic honey.

Sophie Mama’s spices

If you sail around Corfu, Sophie Mama’s Spice store near Lakones village is not to be missed. You can buy soaps, Greek national drinks and creams.

The best parties on the island of festivals

Corfu is not only for lovers or families with children – if you want to party, this is the place for you as well.

Island of Festivals

Locals love to party: it’s 100% sure that during your stay you will find a village with an ongoing festival. Traditionally they celebrate the name day of their patron saint with a festival – and every village has a different one! The greatest party is at Easter when people come from all over the country to spend the holiday having fun and eating.

Night life in Corfu

You can immerse yourself in nightlife on the Southern side of the island. Among the high-class night clubs of Corfu town you will surely find one you like. Or simply moor on Dassia, Ipsos, Goufia, Agios, Gordios, Paleokastrista, Acharavi or Sidari and party in the local bar.

3 towns you must see

In the picturesque towns of the island, alleys covered with cobblestones, ancient ports and living traditions are waiting for you.

Corfu

Most of the cultural sights you will find in Corfu town with its 100,000 inhabitants. The old town has many narrow, crooked streets covered with cobblestones. It is surrounded by magnificent fortresses and you will enjoy having a rest after a walk on the Esplanade, the main square. The famous Agios Spiridon is the home of the bones of Saint Spiridon; locals consider them to have miraculous powers.

Sidari

You can find the Lovers’ Canal in Sidari town. According to the legend, if you swim together with your loved one in the picturesque bay, you will stay together forever. Alongside  beautiful beaches, you can find excellent restaurants and bars here.

Kassiopi

Kassiopi is a real traditional fisherman’s village that has managed to preserve its traditions despite more and more tourists. You can anchor next to wooden fishing boats and find the best tavernas to choose from.

You can talk to the locals in the towns: the inhabitants of Corfu are famous for being friendly with everyone. The capital has always been an important port ever since the ancient times, so it was often conquered by foreign invaders. Locals incorporated every culture of their invader nations and the island became a real cosmopolitan place. Here Greek, Italian, Byzantine, ancient Roman, Venetian, French and English traditions live together in peace and harmony. Along with its beautiful beaches and rich vegetation, the reason the emerald island has become the favourite of sailors of the Greek sea is its colourfulness.