Tour of Corfu island
Corfu is one the most beautiful and cosmopolitan islands of Greece.
The natural beauties, the mild climate, the sights and monuments, the highly modern tourist facilities, the large number of opportunities for entertainment and sports, the cosmopolitan character, the local colour and the friendliness of the inhabitants are some of the elements that have helped to make Corfu one of the most popular tourist destinations, with a world-wide reputation.
CORFU TOWN
CORFU, the capital and the main port of the island is one of the most attractive towns in the Mediterranean.
The old town, with its Venetian narrow paved alleys – called kantounia- is the largest living medieval town in Greece.
The new town has wide streets, spacious squares – the most impressive being Spianada – multi storey houses with French and English architectural influences, porticoes, balconies with elaborate railings, etc.
The following are the more outstanding sights in the town:
The Old Fortress, the New Fortress (both built by the Venetians in the 15th -16th c.), the Town Hall (another Venetian building), the Ionian Academy (a Venetian building occupying an entire building block), the monument of Menekrates in the bay of Garitsa, the Byzantine church of the Saints Jason and Sosipatros.
In the area of Anemomylos, the Cathedral Church of the Panagia Spiliotissa or Agia Theodora, in which are kept remains of the empress Theodora, the church of Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu built in 1589, with the saint’s relic and some valuable dedications, the monastery of the Platytera at Mandouki, where the tomb of Ioannis Kapodostrias, the first governor of Greece can also be seen, a circular building in the Ionic order in the upper square, and the statue of Ioannis Kapodistrias nearby.
Tour of Corfu island
MUSEUMS
Archaeological Museum
Museum of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art in the church of the Panagia Antivouniotissa
Museum of Asiatic Art in the Old Palace of Saints Michael and George.
This same building also houses the archaeological service, the municipal library and the archives of the Ionian Senate.
Solomos Museum
The national poet of Greece who was from Zakynthos, has lived the biggest part of his life at Corfu, where he wrote the most important part of his work.
The museum houses the poet’s writing-table, a large collection of personal items from him life, and of photographs.
There is also a rich library dedicated to the national poet.
Museum of Ceramic Art in the New Fortress.
The Museum houses numerous samples of Corfiot Ceramic Art.
MUSEUMS
Serbian Museum
It exhibits the rare material that shows the Serbian soldiers’ tragedy during the First World War.
The ancient city was just to the south of the capital at modern Paleopolis.
In this area have been discovered parts of an ancient fortification and some notable temples, the most important being that of Hera (late 6th c. BC).
Near the monastery of Agii Theodori are the remains of the temple of Artemis (early 6th c. BC).
The oldest Christian monument on the island is the basilica at Paleopolis, known as Agia Kerkyra; this is a 5th c. building incorporating architectural members from a Doric temple. It stands near the entrance of Mon Repos – the residence of the British high commissioners-.
Corfu town has an excellent tourist infrastructure.
There are luxurious hotel units, comfortable apartments and rooms to let, restaurants of Greek and International cuisine, taverns where you can taste delicious recipes of the Corfiot cuisine, many coffeeshops, bars, and clubs with live music for your night life.
On the hill of Analipsis, which has a superb view over the coast of Epirus opposite, excavations have brought to light a few remains of a 6th c. BC Doric temple and a fountain.
KANONI – PONTIKONISI
A short distance from the town is the beautiful site of KANONI and the end of a peninsula, connected by a bridge to the small island with a monastery of the Panagia Vlacherna. Kanoni is the most photographed location of the island and one of the most famous and cosmopolitan summer resorts in the Ionian islands. In the region you will find luxurious hotel units, restaurants and night clubs.
PONTIKONISI, a verdant island with a Byzantine chapel of the Pantokrator (13th c.) a little further away, can be visited by small boat from Kanoni.
Tour of Corfu island
Travelling northwards from the capital, we come to a number of beautiful villages:
ALYKES is a coastal settlement and tourist resort very close to the capital. Its sandy beach is one of the most popular of the island and attracts many tourists. You will find many hotels and rooms to let of all categories.
KONTOKALI is a large tourist resort with a fine beach ideal for swimming and water sports, hotels of all categories, restaurants, bars and clubs. Very close to the capital makes it ideal destination for entertainment.
GOUVIA – KOMENO – DAFNILA
GOUVIA a dockyard during the Venetian period, and now a popular tourist center.
At Gouvia there is a Greek Tourist Organization Marina.
It is a cosmopolitan tourist resort with many hotels and rooms to let of all categories. It has a long and fully organized beach ideal for swimming and water sports.
KOMENO a small peninsula with dense vegetation and a sandy beach with crystal waters. In the region you will find hotels of all categories.
DAFNILA is located between Komeno and Dasia. It is a summer resort with dense vegetation, deep blue waters and luxury hotel units.
DASIA – IPSOS – PYRGI
DASIA which has great attraction and good tourist infrastructure.
There are a lot of luxurious hotel units, rooms to let and a highly organized camping site, taverns, restaurants, cafes, and bars for your nightlife.
IPSOS which has a magnificent and cosmopolitan organized beach with options for all water sports. Ipsos is also famous for its nightlife.
PYRGI another fish village and today a great summer resort with continual tourist development.
Continuing northwards, we pass through many sea-side resorts with numerous olive trees, incomparable beaches, excellent hotel units, places of entertainment, restaurants, bars etc.
BARBATI – NISSAKI
BARBATI is a coastal settlement of the northeast part of the island. It has a long and fully organized beach with small pebbles and clear waters. In the region you will find many hotels and rooms to let.
NISSAKI is a small and quiet seaside settlement with small beaches with golden sand or pebbles and crystal clear waters. In the region you will find rooms to let and traditional taverns serving fresh fish and local recipes.
KALAMI, KOULOURA and AGIOS STEFANOS.
It is located between the little port of Kouloura and the beach of Kassiope.
The cove of Agios Stefanos distinguishes for its untouched beauty. The region is ideal for those wanting calm and peaceful holidays.
KASSIOPI – RODA – SIDARI
On the north coast of the island are KASSIOPI (36 kilometers from Corfu town) a picturesque town with the ruins of a Byzantine castle, RODA and SIDARI.
Kassiopi is the biggest village in north Corfu and a modern and cosmopolitan tourist resort with a beautiful beach, many hotels and rooms to let, restaurants, bars and clubs. One of the most important religious monuments of Corfu is the church of Panagia Kassiopitra said to be built on the remains of the old temple of Kassiopos Zeus.
Roda is one of the most cosmopolitan and beautiful beaches on Corfu.
All of them are holiday resorts with ample accommodation and fine sea.
Sidari is one of the most popular and cosmopolitan summer resorts of the island. In Sidari have been found the remains of a settlement of the Neolithic Age.
According to the elements Sidari is the most ancient settlement on the island. It has international fame due to “Canal d’ Amour”, an exotic beach of unique beauty with crystal blue waters. Very interesting is the bottom of the sea with many marine caves. In the region you will find numerous hotels, apartments and rooms to let of all categories, taverns, restaurants, cafes and bars.
Tour of Corfu island
Leaving the coast, we head inland to visit some of the attractive villages in the interior of the island, most of which are set amidst truly lavish vegetation:
KAROUSADES is picturesque village, located 40 km. from the capital that distinguishes for its traditional architecture.
Karousades have their own Philarmonic Orchestra, AGII DOULI, ANO KORAKIANA, SKRIPERO, ZYGOS, NYMPHES and EPISKEPSI.
To the east is Mount Pantokrator, the highest peak on the island, with some beautiful traditional villages clinging to its sides: STRINYLAS, SGOURADES and SPARTILAS.
There is a breathtaking view from here, with the island’s beauty unfolding itself in all its grandeur, and the coastline opposite visible in the background.
The west coast of the island, facing the Adriatic, has more surprises in store for the visitor.
ARILLAS, 39 kilometers north-west of the town, is a cosmopolitan beach with fine sand enclosed between two peninsulas, facing the islands of Kravia, Diaplo and Mathraki.
PALEOKASTRITSA
PALEOKASTRITSA, 26 kilometers from the capital, a region of unique beauty which is identified by scholars with the Homeric city of the Phaeacians.
It has magic beaches with crystal clear sea and on the right side of the beach is the historic monastery of Paleokastritsa, dedicated to the Virgin and standing on a rock with an impressive view.
The small museum here houses some notable Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons.
Paleokastritsa is one of the most famous and cosmopolitan tourist resorts on the island.
It has numerous hotels, rooms and apartments to let of all categories offering a pleasant accommodation, an organized camping site, restaurants and taverns with specialties from the local and international cuisine, coffeehouses, bars, clubs for nightlife and many shops.
Near the village of Krini is the Byzantine fortress of Angelokastro (13th c.) built by Angeli Komnini despots in Epirus.
From BELLA VISTA there is a unique view over the sea.
A short distance to the east is the village of Lakones and further south, Liapades is a traditional village at the head of the sheltered bay of the same name.
ERMONES – PELEKAS
ERMONES a busy holiday resort set in a small bay, with impressive rocks and wooded hills.
It is located 18km from the city and has big tourist development. The Club Valley (Kilada tou Ropa) in this area has a golf course.
Further to the south is the wonderful traditional village of PELEKAS (13 kilometers south-west of the capital), built on a hill with a superb view, from which one can enjoy a magnificent sunset.
Tour of Corfu island
GLYFADA, on the coast, 3 kilometers from this village, is one of the busiest tourist centers on the island.
It has one of the most famous and cosmopolitan sandy organized beaches surrounded by hills covered with olive and pine trees. In the region there are luxurious hotels, restaurants, and bars.
We continue south to Sinarades, a traditional village with an Historical and Folklore Museum, Agios Gordios one of the most developed tourist settlements with a magnificent beach with distinctive rocks rising at the ends and crystal blue sea, Ano and Kato Garouna, which have a tradition of rock-climbing and carpet factory, and finally Agios Mattheos, a large inland village spreading around the slopes of Mount Mathios in a verdant setting.
A short distance to the south is the monastery of Christ Pantokrator (4th c.) and further south still, the ruins of the fortification walls of a Byzantine fortress, known as the Castle of Gardiki.
Lake Korision is this region and covers an area of 2.750 acres (11.000 stremma).
Tour of Corfu island
PERAMA – GASTOURI – BENITSES
To the south of the capital are the villages:
PERAMA set amidst numerous olive trees, with a large number of high class hotels
GASTOURI a picturesque village which keeps its traditional architecture, with the majestic Achillion Palace, built by Elizabeth, the empress of Austria who was enchanted by the beauty of the island and lived here for several years.
The palace has recently been restored and now functions as a museum (tel. 26610 56210).
The region has a big tourist development. Here you will find many hotel units, apartments and rooms to let, restaurants and bars.
The next village is BENITSES (12,5 kilometers from the capital), formely a fishing village and now a major tourist center with fine taverns on the sea-front, many clubs and bars playing greek and foreign music, and fine beaches with small pebbles and crystal clear waters. Here it is worth visiting the Museum of Sea. It houses rare exhibits from the magic world of the bottom of the sea (corals, fossils, conches, sponges, etc.)
AGIOS IOANNIS PERISTERON, MORAITIKA, MESSONGHI
From here the road leads to AGIOS IOANNIS PERISTERON, MORAITIKA and MESSONGHI.
Along this extensive beach with its olive groves, there are many modern tourist units and places of entertainment.
Messonghi is a tourist resort with an extent beach ideal for swimming and waters sports.
We proceed southwards to the sea-side villages of BOUKARI, KORAKADES and MOLOS.
LEFKIMMI
LEFKIMMI, 42 kilometers south of Corfu town, is a large town divided in two by a canal that collects all the waters from the region and in winter acts as an anchorage for small boats.
Garden produces, vines and olives are cultivated in the fertile plain.
Characteristic of Lefkimmi is that it keeps the traditional identity unchangeable.
The road goes to KAVOS the port of Lefkimmi, a developed tourist resort with a superb sandy and fully organized beach and possibility for water sports.
In the region there are many hotels and rooms to let, taverns, restaurants, bars and night clubs for your nightlife entertainment.
ASPROKAVOS is the southernmost point of the island.
TRADITION – EVENTS
Corfu is well known for its many cultural and artistic events.
The relic of Saint Spyridon is carried in procession four times a year to musical accompaniment.
Equally impressive are the customs of Easter Week and the celebration of Easter itself, culminating in the breaking of clay jugs from balconies on Easter Saturday.
Carnival has a distinctive atmosphere on Corfu, and on the final Sunday there is a parade of floats and the burning of the “carnavalos”.
There is a Sound and Light spectacle at the Old Palace, and the Corfu Festival is held in September.
Tour of Corfu island
NEARBY ISLANDS
VIDO: At the entrance to Corfu harbor.
ERIKOUSSA: 4,5 nautical miles north of Corfu, off Sidari.
MATHRAKI: 3 nautical miles from the north-west coast of Corfu, opposite Arillas, with which it is connected by small boat. The island has some beautiful beaches with fine sand.
OTHONI: 7,5 nautical miles north-west of Corfu. It has a small settlement and a few rooms to let. The cave of Calypso can be visited by small boat. According to mythology, Odysseus met Nausica on this island.
LOCAL PRODUCTS – CUISINE
Corfu is a fertile island.
The most famous products are the fine oil, the butter and the cheeses.
In the restaurants and taverns of the island you can taste the traditional dishes of Corfiot cuisine: pastitsada, strapatsada, tsigareli, sofrito, savoro, bourdeto, accompanied by the aromatic local wind. At the coastal villages you can taste fresh fish and seafood.
Something sweet is a must after you finish your meal, preferably koum-kouat, mantoles (walnuts covered with caramel) and white and black Corfiot mantolata (nougat). You have also to drink tsitsibira, a famous drink produced only in Corfu. It is made of lemon juice, natural lemon oil, grated ginger, flap dragons, water and sugar. It’s a very delicious cooling refreshment.
