Corfu (Ionian Islands)
Five reasons to visit Corfu Island
- Corfu Island (Kerkyra) is one of the most popular Ionian Islands, a picturesque green land with amazing beaches.
- Corfu Town is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, with a good reason. You can learn more about Corfu Town later on this page.
- Besides the historical spots and vivid nightlife, you can always find a hidden cove on Corfu Island in a stunning natural environment, away from crowds.
- Kerkyra is full of magical excursion places. Every single day on the island is a new surprise.
- Canal D’Amour is an unforgettable romantic area in Sidari on the north coastline of the island. It’s a must-visit place for both singles and couples.
How to travel to Corfu Island?
The first option is to travel by plane directly from your country to the Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport, the Corfu International Airport, or you can depart from Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, Athens.
The cheaper solution is to travel by ferry from the Greek Mainland. From Igoumenitsa to Corfu Town Port, it takes from 1 hour and 10 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the type of ship.
It’s worth checking and booking the ferry tickets well in advance. In the summer, ferry companies are busy, and tickets sell out quickly.
If you purchase your ticket in advance online, you can save a lot of money through great online offers.
Book your ferry tickets by clicking here.
Must-visit places on Corfu Island
Corfu Town (Kerkira)
The island’s capital Corfu Town (Kerkira) and lies on the East coast.
As I mentioned, the old town became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007.
The Venetian era strongly influenced Corfu Old Town’s architecture.
From the mid-14th century to the late 18th century, the Republic of Venice gradually conquested the Ionian Islands. From 1386-1797, Corfu became part of Venice’s Colonies.
Among others, Corfu was under French, Russian-Turkish, and British occupation.
Kanoni
Kanoni is just a couple of kilometres away from Corfu town centre.
This magical spot might be familiar to travellers, as this scene became a symbol of Kerkyra. In the peaceful green landscape, we can detect the white Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna and its church standing on a little island connected to the mainland by a narrow passage.
Drink a coffee at Cafe Kanoni, enjoy the marvellous view, and watch the take-offs and landings from the same unique panoramic terrace!
A little bit farther, on a tiny islet named Pontikonisi (“Mouse Island”), we can find a small Byzantine chapel hides between the vivid green trees.
Palaiokastritsa, a kid-friendly place for families
Palaiokastritsa includes an idyllic green heart-shaped bay on the Noth-West coastline of Corfu.
It’s a nature-created paradise on Earth with one big and six smaller coves named Agia Triada, Platakia, Alipa, Agios Spiridon, Agios Petros, and Ambelakia.
Don’t miss visiting Bella Vista Viewpoint near Palaiaokastritsa in Lakones and drinking a refreshment or trying the local specialties in the restaurant!
The view is breathtaking from this viewpoint! It’s a perfect place to take a selfie or a stunning landscape photo!
Krini village is only 3 km away from the viewpoint. Discovering the Angelokastro, a castle of Byzantine origin, is an exciting excursion with children. Learn more here.
Owing to its sandy beaches, Palaiokastritsa is the right choice for families.
The water is shallow and crystal clear, but the temperature of the sea is lower here than on other beaches of Corfu.
Palaiokastritsa’s most famous beach is Agios Spyridonas Beach. It was rewarded with the Blue Flag for its cleanliness, organization, and meeting the international bathing water quality standards.
Vacation rental for families with kids in Paleokastritsa
If you prefer a quiet holiday with your family in a picturesque, relaxing environment, I recommend Villa Stephanie in Paleokastritsa. The lovely apartment has a great location and a fantastic sea view from the terrace.
The place offers excellent sports activities such as hiking, snorkelling, fishing, and cycling.
Book your holiday by Booking!
Achilleion
Driving further towards the South-West, about 20-25 minutes away from Kanoni, we get to Gastouri village. The settlement is famous for its Neoclassical-styled Palace, The Achilleion.
Corfu was Elisabeth (Sissi), the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary’s favourite summer holiday place. It was a perfect refuge for her from the intrigues of the Habsburgs. The name of the palace derives from the name of the Greek mythological hero, Achilles.
She respected and admired Greece, the Greek culture, and the language.
Currently, the property operates as a museum.
The sculpture of Dying Achilles is the centre of the Achilleion’s garden.
Several classical Greek statues embellish the palace outside and inside.
The Triumph of Achilles panoramic fresco enriches the main hall on the upper level of the building.
From the garden, a scenic view, green hills, and valleys surround the palace, with the Ionian Sea in the background.
Canal D’Amour, Sidari
A fabulous and adventurous trip awaits on the island 35 kilometres from Corfu Town.
Sidari is a must-visit super-romantic place on the very North coast of Corfu.
Sidari’s most popular and famous spot is Canal D’Amour. Channel of Love is a nature-created unique place consisting of coves, nesses, and straits.
According to ancient legends, couples who swim in the channel will remain in love forever. Whoever swims through it will find the love of their life on the other side.
It doesn’t matter how old you are! If you are or want to be in love, visit the Canal D’Amour!
An enchanting hotel for couples in Sidari
If you are longing for an indelible vacation with your partner, Sidari Beach Hotel with Ionian Sea view is a flawless place to stay for a holiday. The hotel lies at Canal D’Amour, only 1 km from Sidari’s centre, where vivid nightlife awaits! Ease off in the local beach bars and karaoke clubs!
Enjoy the stunning sunset from the hotel! The location is super romantic!
Be careful on the rocks!
Sidari has various beaches, sandy, pebbled, and rocky coasts, but be careful with the rocks!
Corfu’s remarkable cliffs are tempting!
Braver guys like jumping from high cliffs to the sea. It’s pretty cool!
However, if you don’t know the area, do not jump in the water from the top of the rocks!
As a tour guide, I saw accidents caused by jumping from the rocks!
Logas Beach
Some kilometres from Sidari, in Peroulades, you can discover a magnificent land; my favourite coastline, Logas Beach. You can reach the place by bicycle or car from Sidari.
This beach is breathtaking with its sensational waves, but the best time to visit is the golden hour, before sunset.
The sunset here is unforgettable.
Logas Beach is an ideal place for photographers to take peculiar landscape photos.
Enjoy the turquoise cooling seawater and take memorable family photos or selfies!
