It’s time to hit the Island of Corfu!
If you’re already dreaming about that warm weather holiday you’ve always wanted to take, it’s time to look at the island of Corfu. Of course, you will need to book your trip well ahead of time, so we wanted to still give you the scoop…even if there’s still snow on the ground where you are.
What you need to know is that Corfu is the northernmost of the Ionian Islands in Greece. It’s in the Adriatic Sea, east of Italy and southwest of Albania.
This is a culture rich region that has something for everyone. Corfu Town will be where you are most likely going to spend most of your time on the island. It’s known as Kerkira or Kerkyra. This is where the airport is located and where most of the ferries will dock. It’s incredibly tourist friendly, which is something that we look forward to in every way.
The north part of the island will be where you have all of your mountains, and the coastal areas will be where you’ll find those classic pebbly beaches.
There’s plenty of infrastructure on the tourist that’s looking to have a good holiday.
You will find that while things aren’t set up directly for children to enjoy, the entire island is devoted to the happiness and joy of children. You will see children playing safely in the streets, in parks, at playgrounds and even on the beach. Modern Greece still has old fashioned roots, and this is also noticeable on Corfu.
The warm Mediterranean climate will welcome you — warm and dry summers with blue skies that seem to go on forever.
The mountainous areas are going to be cooler. The winters are pretty mild. You’ll get plenty of sun here, even in the Spring. A lot of people travel to Corfu all year around, because there’s always something to do. Spring is awesome because you get to see all of the vegetation and colors. Summer is popular because of the beaches, and fall is popular because of the harvests. Good food grown right is one of the main themes of Corfu.
You can get around pretty easy by bus, which means that you don’t need to rent a car. You can, of course, if you really want to. You’ll find that bus tickets are very cheap.
There’s also a chance to rent bikes to travel around in style, if you choose to do so. This is a great way to see the beauty of the island, get some exercise, and even have a lower impact on the environment.
You can also rent a boat, and you don’t have to have a boating license as long as the boat doesn’t go over 30HP.
There’s plenty to see in Corfu, including the waterfalls. These huge waterfalls really give you the power and beauty of nature all rolled into one.
If you’re a history fan, you can check out Kynopiastes. This is where you’ll see old mansions from the 17th and 19th centuries, a big marble church, monastery, and museum devoted to the olive tree. There’s also a world famous tavern called Trypas that has entertained royalty and movie stars alike.
Achilleion is a palace that was built in Corfu by Elisabeth of Bavaria, known as Sissi and the Empress of Austria. She was grief stricken by the loss of her only one, so she built this amazing palace in 1890. There’s definitely plenty to see here, so you might want to check it out. As the name suggests, it’s devoted to Achilles as a central theme.
The beaches will dominate most of your Corfu experience. Get out on the beach and tan, or connect with other tourists. Everyone is very friendly and will stay out of your way, unless you really do want to connect with them.
A few beaches that catch attention:
Sidari — good resort area on top of some scenic views.
Dasia and Ipsos — very stony and narrow, but the resort has plenty of shops and tavernas for you to check out.
Gilfada — long and wide with stunning views
Benitses — an old fishing village, very traditional. It was the first tourist resort of Corfu. You’ll find shops and hotels and restaurants that cater to tourists in just about every way you can think of.
If you’re looking to shop, you’ll find a lot of uniquely Greek treasures. Olive wood, ceramics, and leather goods are everywhere and you can definitely find plenty of places to sell it to you. You can also bring these out of the country with very little problem.
When it comes to accommodations, you might expect that you’ll have to shack up in some tiny little room. This isn’t the case at all. You will find 5 star establishments on the island, so you aren’t going to lack for comfort. Keep in mind that there is definitely a price for everything that you get. If you ask around and you’re friendly, you can find places that are definitely cheaper.
Overall, Corfu is an area that has definitely caught our attention. We recommend anyone check it out for their summer holiday, or any other time where they can honestly get out and get away. Good luck!