Corfu Travel guide

Corfu is a well-established holiday destination, with over one million tourists visiting every year. The most northerly of the Ionians, Corfu lies between 2 and 10km off mainland Greece and, whilst in the summer months are hot and almost entirely dry, in winter the rainfall experienced gives the island the highest average rainfall in Greece! But this helps create the verdant landscapes seen all over Corfu, particularly between late winter and early summer. The hills and meadows are full of olive trees, vineyards and citrus groves that provide a beautiful green backdrop to your holiday. There has been a human presence on Corfu for over 4,000 years, but Corinthian occupation in 743BC quickly developed the island into an important Mediterranean commercial centre. Since then, like much of Greece, Corfu's history has been turbulent on occasion, though relatively peaceful times have existed since the nineteenth century, when ownership struggles between the French and British ended, and Corfu was re-united with Greece. Choose from the following resorts in Corfu:

St Peters
A relaxing resort with a traditional atmosphere, St Peter's is located towards the south of the island. Evenings are low-key and laid-back here, with only a handful of restaurants and tavernas to choose from..

Roda

Roda, on Corfu's picturesque north coast, is a growing beach resort that still maintains its fishing traditions amidst the increasing numbers of tourists. The main reason for this surge in popularity is the golden sandy beach, which stretches approximately 8km to neighbouring Acharavi. Plenty of facilities (such as restaurants, bars and clubs) and amenities (such as the water sports) are available in Roda.

Kassiopi
There are several buses a day to this pretty town with its picturesque harbour. It is a smaller and quieter resort than Sidari, though developing all the time. The beaches aren't great, though there are some better ones out of the town. It's more suited to those who like wandering, shopping and watching the world go by from a comfortable seat in a cafe. There is a charming village church, some authentic Greek restaurants and interesting craft shops to buy souvenirs.

Ipsos

One of Corfu's liveliest beach resorts is Ipsos, where most people go for the nightlife. This resort can get pretty wild at the height of the summer, and the beach for many is just a place to recuperate the next day. Ipsos and its neighbouring resort, Pyrgi, are situated on a wide, beautiful bay, which together have been dubbed the Golden Mile. The long, narrow beach that curves round the bay offers excellent water sports facilities. So don't expect a taste of the real Greece, but the local people are friendly to visitors and know how to give everyone a good time.

Sidari

Sidari has developed into one of Corfu's thriving holiday resorts while retaining much of its original charm. Sidari's broad, sandy beach and shallow water make it popular with families but its most dramatic features are the stunning rock formations that rise out of the sea at the western end of the resort. The sandstone here is carved out by the pounding waves into sandy coves with caves and ledges.

Corfu Town

Corfu was one of the first islands in the Mediterranean to attract an influx of British holidaymakers. Its capital Corfu Town is now one of the most cosmopolitan of Greek island capitals. This cosmopolitan air is reflected in its restaurants, with some excellent Italian restaurants alongside some of the best Greek tavernas in the Ionian islands. It has excellent shopping, several museums and galleries, two fortresses to explore, churches and narrow back streets.

©2006