CORFU - Paradise.
Where do I even begin. An island that you can spend days, months, years of holidaying, exploring and discovering something new every time. From its pristine beaches to it's charming Venetian inspired old town, Kerkyra is the island that keeps giving to the soul.
I've been fortunate enough to indulge in multiple holidays in Corfu and I still don't feel that I've experienced it all. But...here are a few things I'd love to share with you and hopefully it will help you capture the essence of the island that may end up holding a piece of your heart, as it does mine.
BEACHES
I have to start here. It is a Greek Island after all.
AGIOS GORDIOS- Situated 30 mins south of Corfu Town and across to the other side of the island. Usually still, but it does experience days of smallish waves. Surrounded by gorgeous mountains for that blend of tranquil ocean and raw beauty.
My favourite beach on the Island. This will be a long one.
Walk down the main drag, passing bars, cafes, restaurants - Majority Greek cuisine, with a Mexican joint thrown in for good measure, did someone say Margaritas? Yes please! I'll get to the restaurants in a minute- Onto the beach.
Buy yourself a lilo or body board along the way - €10 max.
Turn Left at the end of the road once you reach the beach and walk along the precarious man made boardwalk, that probably hasn't been maintained since '95. Wear your thongs. Keep walking until you hit the Cafe/Restaurant/Bars lining the foreshore, a personal favourite of mine is Ark. Secure yourself a beach recliner and umbrella out the front of the establishment and order yourself a Frappe, followed by an Ouzo. You're in Greece, just do it.
Depending on the day, you'll either be bodyboarding the waves or peacefully drifting on your lilo. Both suitably perfect on a hot day in July/August.
There's a small business on the beach hiring out paddle boats, kayaks and a speed boat donut ride. If you don't want to paddle your lilo to the rock structures diagonally left of you, hire a paddle boat (still just as hard) and take yourself far out. This is a luxury you cannot experience in a lot of countries, but in Greece, and in Corfu, the pristine clear waters envelop you in a sense of calm and trust. Also, sharks are generally not found on Greek Islands...
I've spent thirty minutes laying on a lilo out there, lulled into a peaceful afternoon nap and haven't moved an inch in that time. It's Simply. Just. Beautiful. And the opposition of mountain and ocean creates a tranquility and appreciation of nature's sheer brilliance.
Agios Gordis Restaurants & Bars
ARK
Perfect for sunset drinks. Food is delicious, but takes a little while to get out to you- worth the wait however. Great for daytime chill.
FunkyLand
If you're a little sick of the Greek cuisine, Funky Land offers an extensive menu, particularly in the burger variety, which sometimes you're just hankering for over a gyros, of which you've eaten fifty.
A small gyros joint to the Right on exit- don't know the name
A cheap feed of gyros, can't go wrong. They're delicious, coupled with a can of Fix.
La Tabernita Mexicana
I love Mexican food so this is a great departure from the Greek food you've been eating for weeks. Great décor, atmosphere and vibe. Food is great, cocktails are touch and go depending on who's making them.
Linda's Restaurant
Beautiful Greek food, good menu. Great for couples or large families.
Sebastian's
One of our favourites. A steep incline opens up to a beautiful outdoor restaurant under a canopy of grape vines. The guy that owns the place is super hospitable in a very genuine way. Greek cuisine served with a little more finesse.
Steven's On The Hill
Our favourite place to dine for dinner. A beautiful outdoor restaurant with sunset views, immersed amongst the flowers. Food is always top notch and the waiter George is the perfect balance of professional and friend. Sunday night is pizza night where they custom make your pizza of choice!
PRASOUDI - Situated 45 mins south from Corfu Town and across to the other side of the island. Usually still but on a windy day expect choppy waters. Cool rock formations you can swim out to and good photo ops. Pack your beach rock shoes and some goggles!
A beach perhaps better known by locals and certainly off the beaten track, Prasoudi beach offers a blend of chill with options to explore. Plus there's a great tavern, which I'll get to in a minute.
You'll have to put this one in the GPS, roads leading to it are narrow and at times quite rough, but I've ventured on them both in a car and on the back of a scooter, so you'll be fine! Parking facilities are very good as the beach is seldom busy, and you head through past a B&B and down a set of stairs leading to the beach. A fellow down below will take a few Euro for your beach chair and umbrella.
Beautiful hues of green, turquoise and blue, on a sunny day this beach is pearling in the sun. Suitable for children as it is quite shallow for a decent stretch and ample sandbank for a game of bat and ball. There’s a large rock structure diagonally right where you can swim to, and with beach shoes, climb on top and circumnavigate.
Restaurant Avra Oceanos
Once you’re done either basking or adventuring, head back up the steps to the tavern, Avra Oceanos, and order a meze plate, enjoying an array of Greek culinary delights that resemble the meals your grandmother used to cook, washed down with an Ouzo or Greek bira. The view is glorious.
PALEOKASTRITSA - Situated 30 mins north from Corfu Town and across to the other side of the island. This beach reminds me of Italy, stunning. Calm, brisk water with lots of caves to explore by boat or snorkeling
I love Paleokastritsa. It offers both the daytime relax and chill (sans beach chairs and food service however), and the exploration of the caves which are best experienced with a local guide to expertly navigate you up close and inside. Alternatively if you don’t fancy the caves, in Greece basically anyone can hire and commandeer a boat (including myself), so hire a small boat and cruise the surrounds, it's one of my favourite things to do on the Island and is truly exceptional. An experience you’ll never forget.
Vrachos Paleokastritsa
Prime location for a relaxed, boozy lunch with a view. Enjoy some fresh seafood and wash it down with your beverage of choice.
La Grotta
My favourite place on earth. A café bar carved out of the cliffside, leveled and bedecked with recliners and umbrellas, entrance into the water is just off the rocks. A protected area that opens up into the Mediterranean Ionian sea, so the water is sure to cool you down. There’s a diving board for a little fun and for the more adventurous types, a larger jump off the cliffside led up by a rope to assist you. Italian tourists tend to flock here in August, my advice is to get there around 10/11am and secure yourself a spot before it opens.
Listening to the cool summer beats, order yourself a bottle of prosecco and spend the day in ultimate holiday mode, jumping in to cool yourself off.
I like to hire my boats down here too. There’s a small rental business just off the rocks called Machalas Motor Boat Rentals.
No joke, this will be one of the best days of your trip.
BARBATI BEACH - Situated 30 mins north of Corfu Town. Always calm, the bluest of blues and resembles paradise. Great for adults and children alike. Option for some water sports. Pack your beach rock shoes and some goggles!
White pebbles adorn the foreshore, translucent water washes and recedes, and the bluest water is the epitome of the stereotypical Greek beach. Barbati is simply paradise.
I love hanging out at a place called Verde Blu which houses accommodation and a fantastic outdoor restaurant/bar. Chillout under their umbrellas, order yourself a cocktail and tiropites with meli (honey), and listen to the cool beats that will transcend you into complete holiday mode.
IPSOS- Situated 20 mins north of Corfu Town. Calm, opportunity for water sports and a super fun blow up obstacle course.
I feel that Ipsos epitomizes that familiar coastal party vibe. The strip is vast! One side of the road is restaurant, upon café, upon bar, upon shop, contrasted by the opposing ocean, plenty of space to claim, albeit a narrower strip of sand. Home of the beach party, Ipsos comes complete with a super fun blow up obstacle course if you feel like some action!
A great beach for both young and old, the length of it means you can escape the beach party by going down to the other end. I'd tag this on before or after Barbati Beach.
SIDARI BEACH & CANAL DEL AMOR -Situated 50 mins north of Corfu Town at the tip of the island. Smallish sandy beach area, but expansive water going out. Calm, easy to swim, pack your lilo!
Sidari is packed with restaurants, bars and shops so the beach is frequented by tourists. Not a great amount of space to park yourself, but I feel I spend more time in the water than out with this beach. While it is a narrow beach, its a large body of water traveling out and so many areas to play. Beautiful sandstone cliff protects it from either side, the body of water a Polynesian green.
To the left of the beach, a set of rickety wooden steps lead down to the famous Canal Del Amour; a love channel carved naturally (or instinctively) out of a cliff after centuries of erosion. Be careful who accompanies you on this swim however, as the two of you are fated to fall in love.
Once you swim through the Canal Del Amour proceed right and along the cliff side which will lead you back to the main beach. A pleasant swim, but you’ll feel like you’re working off the Gyros!
7TH HEAVEN CAFE - LOGGAS BEACH - 6km west of Sidari Beach
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a view more breathtaking than the spectacular panorama that 7th Heaven Café has to offer. Seventh Heaven, described as the highest of heavens where the ultimate bliss and happiness resides, this place personifies the fable.
Situated on the northern side of the Island at Loggas Beach Peroulades, 7th Heaven is a visual feast, complete with dining options, bar and DJ headlined parties. Make the effort to take yourself for lunch, dinner or a beverage and you will not be disappointed.
Pack your camera, GoPro etc! You’ll want to take this memory home with you!
CORFU TOWN
Cobble stones and Venetian style architecture decorate the picturesque streets of Corfu town. The atmosphere in summer is electric with tourists and locals eating, drinking and shopping at all the establishments on balmy summer evenings. It has become increasingly busy in recent years, however it really just adds to the vibrancy and beauty of the town. It's good to note that there's a Marks & Spencer, Sephora, sports stores, tech stores and a Hondos Centre (department store) should you require any essentials.
Head there in the evening and you’ll be spoilt for choice of restaurants, bars, fashion, jewelry and souvenir shops that stay open late! Here are some of my faves:
The Liston
A venetian word referring to the marble slabs paving the streets, Liston is the grand esplanade lined with café bars and overflowing with people.
REX Restaurant
A restaurant I like to frequent when I’m in town, REX has both indoor and outdoor seating (I prefer outdoors for the people watching), serving modern Greek cuisine. REX is on the street parallel to the Liston going back.
Bristol
A cool bar with quirky décor. I love sitting outside on their small round tables and perusing the streets whilst sipping on some strong cocktails.
Earth Café
Probably the best coffee in town…and in the whole of Corfu. They’re also open 24 hours, have great snacks and superb burgers!
NAOK AZUR
This is actually across the road from the Liston and to the Right about 100m. A great place to start your night! Restaurant and bar off the edge and overlooking the marina – picture perfect views and modern Greek décor. The place really starts to amp up later in the night.
A day time lunch tip - If you’re looking at the Liston, turn Right and walk straight ahead past the Asian Art Museum, through the archway and follow the road as it veers to the Left. You’ll see two restaurants next to one another off the side of the road and overlooking the expanse of the Ionian sea. It truly is a breathtaking view that encapsulates the beauty of this island and I have to pinch myself every time I’m sitting there and looking out. Go for lunch or an early dinner so you can enjoy it. Veranda Tavern is my usual go-to.
ACHILLEIO or Palace of Achilles - pay to enter
If you’re feeling up for a couple of hours of sightseeing and a break from the beach life, I highly recommend checking out The Achilleion in the central part of the island.
One of the most impressive mansions in all of Europe, The Achilleion was built in 1890 by an Austrian Empress as her retreat following the death of her son and deteriorating health. The villa is dedicated to Achilles, Greek hero of the Trojan wars and grand sculptures pay tribute to him in the gardens. A gorgeous marbled outdoor courtyard is surrounded by statues of the nine muses.
Enjoy roaming around the villa, perusing artworks and architecture, followed by a meander through the gardens and marveling at the spectacular view of the vast open ocean.
To be continued...I'll continue to visit, explore and add to the memories of this special place...
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