Corfu (Kerkyra)

Corfu (Kerkyra) is the second largest island in the Ionian, with 592 km² and 100.000 population. It's located in the North part of Ionian. Dangling between the heel of Italy and the West coast of mainland Greece, green, mountainous Corfu was one of the first Greek islands to attract mass tourism in the 1960s. Indiscriminate exploitation turned parts into eyesore but a surprising amount of the island still consists of olive groves, mountains and woodland. The majority of of package holidays are based in the most developed resorts and unspoilt terrain is often only a few minutes' walk away. The staggering amount of accommodation on the island means that competition keeps prices down even in high season, at least in many resorts outside of Corfu Town.

It has oblong shape, widest in the North and narrow in the South. Coasts have 217 km total length. Terrain is mostly mountainous, particularly in the North.

Corfu means the city of peaks. Highest peaks are the Pantocrator (914m) and Stravoskiadi(849,)

Corfu beaches

Glyfada

Among the top beaches on the island, Glyfada is awarded with Blue Flag and has a long sandy beach. It's a fully organized beach with beach bar, sun beds, umbrellas and water sports facilities.

Glyfada

Dasia

One of the most popular beaches of Corfu, Dasia is sandy with shallow waters and pebbles. Located near the town of Corfu with water sports facilities and a wide variety of cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels.

Kavos

Kavos is located in the South side of Corfu. A long, sandy beach with shallow waters which attracts a lot of people. Fully organized with a great selection of taverns and bars.

Paleokastritsa

In the Northwestern side of Corfu, in Paleokastritsa, there are many small beaches with sand and pebbles. Paleokastritsa is a well organized resort with many luxury hotels, apartments, studios and many restaurants, cafes and bars on the seafront with magnificent view.

Sidari

In the Northwestern side of Corgu is Sidari, with many small sandy beaches which are surrounded by impressive rocks. A very popular area suitable for water sports. There is a wide variety of cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels.

 

Sidari

Kassiopi

In the North side of Corfu there is Kassiopi. A huge, well organized beach. It's 37 km north of Corfu Town.

Agios Stefanos

The wonderful beach of Agios Stefanos is located 35km Northwestern of Corfu Town. A sandy beach with crystal clear waters.

Peroulades

Peroulades is located in Northwestern Corfu and is one of the most beautiful beaches. It is sandy with shallow waters, ideal for families. This small Blue Flag beach is surrounded by towering cliffs that make a magical landscape.

Peroulades

Other beaches 
Sinarades, Mon Repo, Myrtiotissa, Nissaki, Agios Georgios, Agios Matthaios, Barbati, Arillas, Kalami, Pelekas, Ermones.

Sights

Old Fortress of Corfu

To the east of Old Town stands the first fortress of Corfu, the Old or Fortezza is an architectural masterpiece of the art of fortification of both  Byzantine and Venetian era. It was built to surround the new city by the survivors of Corfu.

Old Fortress

Church of St. Spyridon

The church of St. Spyridon is one of the most important post-Byzantine monuments of the city of Corfu. An attraction fro visitors to the city and the siland.

New Fortress of Corfu

The New Fortress of Corfu (Fortezza Nuova), which dominates the hill of Saint Marco, built by the Venetians in the 16th century, when it became an urgent need to protect the city, whose security could no longer ensure the Old Fortress.

New Fortress

Liston
A walk in the magnificent Old Town of Corfu can only start or ends at Liston. Dozens of cafes and restaurants on the Western side of the square Spianada attract locals and visitors.

Liston

Pontikonisi

A green rock, middle of the sea, is the trademark of Corfu. The legendary Mouse at the entrance of the lagoon of Chalkiopoulou are among the attractions that must be seen when found in Corfu.

Pontikonisi

Mon Repo

Paleopoli where 'rested' traces of the ancient city of Corfu (8th century BC.) is the verdant estate of Mon Repos, which is spread over 258 acres of lush vegetation and beautiful gardens, which embellish scattered fragments of ancient memory.

Other sights 
The Schulenburg Statue, Spianada Square, Byzantine Church of Saints Jason and Sosipatrou, The Monument of Menekratis and Corfu City Hall.

 

Transportation

 

By plane: Corfu receives seasonal charter flights from all Northern Europe but only has a year round scheduled services to Athens (4-6 daily, 1hr).

By ferry: The vast majority of domestic services and all those to Italy run from Corfu Town, although there are a few boats to the mainland from Lefkimmi. Most of the ferry offices are on the main road opposite the New Port. Ferries to Italy or South towards Patra become very busy in summer and booking is advisable. There are buses that board the ferry from the island capital to Greece's two largest cities, Athens(3 daily, 9-10 hrs) and Thessaloniki (2 daily, 8-9hrs) schedules are year-round. For the additional destinations below, frequencies given are for the summer season and are greatly reduced in winter.

Corfu Town to: Ancona(1-2 daily, 14hrs), Bari(2-3 daily, 11hrs), Brindisi(3-4 daily, 5-8 hrs), Igoumenitsa(every 20-45min, 1 hr 15min), Patra(6-10 daily, 6-8hrs), Venice(3-4 weekly, 25hrs)

By hydrofoil: Services run from Corfu Town to Gaios(Paxos) (May-Oct, 1-3 daily, 50min

Getting around

Corfu's bus services radiates from the capital. 

Corfu Town

Useful Numbers

Municipality of Corfu 26613 62700 - 26610 44410

Police +3026610 39509-  +3026610 30188

Port Corfu 26610 32655-  26610 30096-  26610 33108

Post 26610 25544

Airport (Ioannis Kapodistrias) 26610 89600

ΚΤΕΛ 26610 28900

Taxi 26610 33811- 26610 33812

Hospital 26610 32533

Pharmacies  26610 33333

Fire Department 26610 24261 - 26610 25859 - 26610 32734 - 26610 25369