Corfu

Corfu is the northernmost and most visited island in the Ionian Sea. It is often called the "Emerald Isle" due to the abundance of vegetation and hence the green colour. The olive groves, cypress trees and vineyards that cover the island create a picturesque backdrop for exploring or relaxing.

We spent a wonderful 9 days here and missed one more day for the last beautiful beach, which unfortunately we missed.

The beaches of Corfu

Corfu is famous for its beautiful beaches, from sandy coves to rocky coastlines. Among the most popular beaches are Paleokastritsa, Glyfada, Sidari and Kavos. However, it is important to consider the time of year when choosing a beach. In the summer months, some of the smaller beaches can get very crowded, so you'll hardly find a place to lay your towel, let alone an umbrella. This was particularly the case at the iconic Paleokastritsa beach - Agios Spiridon, where we had a shock in August. The beauty of the place was completely overshadowed by the masses of people. The surroundings, however, were absolutely stunning. If you really want to experience the charm of the Paleokastritsa area, you need to rent a boat and explore the coastline where you will find hidden gems.

Kastelli beach Paleokastritsa

Ironically, all the top beaches were a big disappointment for us and instead, we fell in love with Issos in the southwest and Arillas in the northwest. Porto Timoni beach was also fabulous, especially the views from the road leading to it.

Issos beach

If you want beautiful beaches head to the southwest.

Overall the west of the island has much nicer sandy beaches compared to the east, there was nothing worth mentioning. The north also disappointed us, only Apotripiti beach was outstanding. Sidari Beach had a pleasant D’Amour canal, but otherwise, we found it quite dirty and uninteresting in terms of its colour and overall appearance. On the plus side, there were plenty of bars and restaurants. If you're already in the north, you'll love the pure sandy beach of Paralia Arillas in the northwest which is great for swimming and strolling. You can rent a sunbed and umbrella for just €10 (unlike in some other places where it's €30), and it's relatively less crowded in summer. You might also want to check out the Akra Drastis viewpoint. If you're not sure which area to focus on, I'd suggest aiming for the west coast, particularly the south-west.

Arillas Beach unorganised section

Corfu is perfectly positioned in the Ionian Sea, making it a great base from which to explore other nearby islands. With regular ferry connections and boat trips, you can easily travel between Corfu and a whole host of other incredible destinations, including Paxos, Antipaxos, mainland Greece and even Albania! There's so much to explore and so many exciting adventures to be had. You can easily reach Paxos and Antipaxos via organised island tours from different parts of the island.

Antipaxos

Corfu offers more than just beaches

Corfu is more than just a beach destination. It has a long and fascinating history, spanning over a thousand years. The island has been home to people since ancient times, with evidence of settlements dating back to the Paleolithic period. Corfu has been influenced by lots of different civilisations over the years, including the ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, French and British. Did you know that Odysseus made his last stop in Corfu on his journey home? That’s where he met Princess Nausicaa, his rescuer who helped him get back to Ithaca.

One of the most significant periods in Corfu's history was when it was ruled by the Venetians, which lasted for over four centuries. You can find out more about this history in the capital of Kerkyra (also known as Corfu), whose old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town is full of narrow cobbled streets, elegant Venetian buildings and Byzantine churches that show off the island's rich cultural heritage.

Corfu city view from the fortress

A return to its old roots is the Achilleion Palace, built at the end of the 19th century by the Austrian Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria, also known as Sisi. It is a magnificent neoclassical mansion located south of Corfu Town. The palace is adorned with magnificent gardens and offers spectacular views of the Ionian Sea. As Sissi was very fond of the story of Achilles, this motif became a central element in the decoration of the palace. No wonder it has become one of the most visited attractions in Corfu. You definitely have to see this lavish palace for yourself.

Achilleion the dying Achilles

Hiking options

If you’re into hiking, Corfu is the perfect place to explore the island’s natural beauty on foot. The trail is about 220 kilometres long, stretching from the southern tip of Corfu to the northern coast. It passes through picturesque villages, olive groves and rugged mountains, offering breathtaking scenery along the way. You don't have to walk the whole route by any means, just some sections. I would definitely recommend it. The coastline is rugged and offers a variety of views, from green hills to limestone cliffs to almost desert landscapes, all just on the west coast. The scenery changes every few kilometres.

Transport around the island

As far as transport is concerned, there are regular buses to the most famous places, but not to the lesser-known ones. From the capital, you can easily reach all the major towns, as well as famous beaches such as Paleokastritsa or Sidari. If you're heading off on holiday in July or August and want to avoid the crowds, I'd highly recommend renting a compact car at the airport or using one of the local rental agencies in the capital. It'll be so much easier to get around and you'll have more space for all your holiday essentials. This is a great way to be more flexible and discover some amazing lesser-known places. You'll often find that local rental companies have cheaper rates than the big airport rental companies, and many of them even offer free pick-up and drop-off at the airport. If you're a family with children, you'll absolutely have an amazing time renting a car.

In Corfu, as in other parts of Greece, it is possible to rent a boat only with a driving licence. I would definitely recommend taking advantage of this opportunity to explore the hidden corners. If you want to explore the island properly, you need at least 10 days. 8 days is a good base to see the best the island has to offer.