Mycenaean Necropolis of Mazarakata
11. August 2020
TOP 15 things to do on Corfu
Corfu offers everything. From long, sandy, well-organised beaches to empty, secluded beaches just waiting to be discovered and small, hidden gems accessible only by boat. The choice is yours! You can pick a beach with soft, sandy shores, or if you're feeling adventurous, you can choose a pebbly or rocky beach. We absolutely love sandy beaches, so we've focused our attention on them.
A rich history and mythological background are also part of the island. Corfu has been inhabited since prehistoric times and since then, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Britons have taken turns to live here and each nation has left its mark. That is why Corfu is also diverse in terms of heritage.
Corfu is a green island, and it's absolutely gorgeous! At every turn, you'll be surrounded by trees. You'll also find amazing limestone cliffs and huge sand dunes that look just like a desert.
Traffic is only light here. We recommend taking a car at the airport, as the most beautiful places are harder to reach by buses that leave the capital in all directions as standard, which can make transfers slightly more difficult.
Definitely rent a boat though. There is no need to be afraid of it. You will be thrilled with the coast and its beauty. The best the island has to offer cannot be discovered barefoot. A boat will allow you to take away the experience of a lifetime and explore places that are not crowded and many of them you won't even find in tourist guides despite their beauty.
The most beautiful places on Corfu
1. Chomi Beach
If you want to see the most beautiful beaches that are on Corfu you need a boat. For 120€ you can rent a boat in the port of Alipa. You will be given a map of the coast and your day at sea can begin. You will see small sandy but also pebble beaches, caves, and cliffs and it is up to you where you decide to anchor.
2. Issos Beach
If you're looking for a long, sandy beach in the southeast of the island, Issos Beach is the perfect spot! A gradual entrance to the sea, soft, golden sand, and beautiful sand dunes in the background that you can climb and a fantastic water bouncy castle for children which makes this beach an absolute paradise for families. Even though there are loads of sun loungers and all the facilities you could need, the beach is still semi-empty in the summer.
3. Paralia Arillas
Arillas Beach is a beautiful sandy beach in the northwest of the island. It offers not only relaxation and a shallow sea suitable for children, but also beautiful limestone cliffs on the right side. The central part is fully organized, and the western part is a hidden paradise on earth, where you can have a healthy mud body wrap in addition to the sand.
4. Porto Timoni
Porto Timοni is a double beach on the west coast. You can get here either by boat or by a 30-minute hike that leads from the town of Afionas over one hill. It is the hike, however, that will offer you a spectacular view that is often on postcards because of its beauty. The beach is full of underwater life with turquoise waters.
5. Achilleion
Corfu is loved not only by today's tourists but also by the Austrian Empress Sissi, who had the Achilleion Palace built here. The central theme was Greek mythology, especially the stories of Achilles. She spent a large part of her life here, and no wonder. The view from the palace gardens is still enchanting today.
6. Antipaxos
Day trips to Paxos and Antipaxos can be purchased in each town from a local travel agency. The standard price is 40€ per adult on a boat for 50 people. The boats leave in the morning and return in the evening. A full day at sea, in sea caves and at the beautiful beaches of the islands awaits you.
7. Apotripiti Beach
The small, unorganized bay of Apotripiti offers fine sand, calm sea, limestone cliffs and spectacular views. Swimmers can swim to the sandstone formations that rise in the sea a short distance from the beach, which adds to the overall beauty of the place. The advantage is easy accessibility.
9. Angelokastro
Angelokastro, the castle of the angels, dates back to the 13th century and although it is more or less in ruins, its strategic location remains. It's perched high on a hill, offering absolutely breathtaking views of the whole surrounding area, including the stunning Paleokastritsa area. Directly below the castle is Kastelli beach, accessible only by boat.
10. Corfu City
The town of Corfu is beautiful and offers many ways to spend a day. From the stone streets of the old town full of shops to the archaeological sites and museums to the old Venetian fortress, which offers panoramic views of the whole town and the harbour. And you'll also find a monastery on the sea.
11. Chalikounas
The long sandy and organised beach of Chalikounas, in the southwest of the island, offers everything for a day of relaxation on the beach. Fine sand, gradual entry into the sea, sand dunes in the background and few visitors. Sun umbrellas at very low prices are also an advantage. On the unorganised part, you will be completely alone.
12. Canal d’Amour
The Canal d'Amour, also known as the "Canal of Love", is a natural formation of sandstone cliffs and rocky outcrops that has been shaped over millennia by the erosive forces of wind and water. Legend has it that couples who swim the channel together will be blessed with eternal love. You'll find it in the north, right next to Sidari beach.
13. Monastery Paleokastritsa
The monastery rises on a hill above the bay of Paleokastritsa and offers breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding countryside. The monastery dates back to 1225, although much of the present structure dates from the 18th century. Here you will also find a religious museum with books or relics.
14. Sidari beach
The beach in the north of the island, next to which the Canal d'Amour is located, offers a long sandy beach, several bars and restaurants, umbrella rentals and water sports. A long promenade stretches along the beach. We found the beach to be kind of worse than average. It wasn't bad, but there are much nicer beaches on Corfu than Sidari.
16. Agios Spiridon
The most famous and most popular beach on the island. But also the most crowded, where in summer you have to stand or sit if you don't arrive by 9:00. You will wait 3 hours to rent a pedal. The beach is really not worth it and Corfu has much nicer places. If you go out of season, it shouldn't be a problem.
