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Corfu

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The Ionian Islands archipelago lies a few miles west of Greece, just south of Albania and east of Italy. Corfu is the furthest north of the seven Ionian Islands and is also one of the largest, with a length of around 40 miles and an average width of 12 miles. Also known as the 'Emerald Isle' after its 125 miles of shimmering turquoise seas and soft white sandy beaches, Corfu is a feast of Venetian architecture, eastern Mediterranean gastronomy and modern Greek life.

The economy on this western Greek island is driven by the booming tourist industry. Olive oil and citrus fruit production and agriculture also account for a large portion of the Corfiot income. Life on Corfu is largely happy and simple, with both residents and visitors spending their days enjoying the breathtaking environment and going about their daily business. The only events to interrupt this laid back routine are the occasional festivals which visit the island each year, for instance the September festival of Corfu (town) which is celebrated in Greek theatrical style with orchestras, theatre performances and concerts.

It's impossible to capture the true feel of the island of Corfu without actually visiting yourself. It's not full of theme parks, zoos, shopping centers and hotel resorts like some holiday destinations. Instead, Corfu offers its visitors a taste of what Greek life is really like for the inhabitants. Corfu isn't molded into the shape which generic tourism seeks, but remains itself and the incredible sense of culture radiates from that.

Areas

Corfu Town

This is the islands' capital and serves as a central destination for both residents and visitors on the eastern shores. Corfu's main port is found here, along with every other necessary amenity such as banks, doctor's surgeries, leisure centers, clubs, shops and travel hire. As well as having a very rich culture, Corfu town provides all the main travel links such as CFU airport and the two bus stations (Municipal and K-TEL).

Paleokastritsa

This is the part of Corfu that is truly a feast for the eyes. On the western coast lies the village of Paleokastritsa with some six beaches, staggering Cliffside houses, monasteries and olive groves. This area is also home to nightlife, Watersports and supermarkets so it's not just a sleepy picturesque village.

Northern Corfu

In the north of the island is where visitors will find the more mountainous and hilly areas and therefore the more risky and adrenaline inducing pursuits. While the beaches here are generally pebbly (as opposed the sandy beaches of the south) they're equally as worth a visit even if you're just going to explore.

Weather

Typical of an eastern Mediterranean island, Corfu's climate is very warm. Temperatures reach an average high of 32ºC and average low of 23ºC in July. The most rainfall occurs from November until March so visitors have a large choice of when they travel. If you are particularly sensitive to heat then it's advised you travel from May to June or August to September.

Getting There

By Plane

On the east coast of the island, on the outskirts of Corfu town lies the Corfu International Airport (Kerkyra or CFU). Flights here from the major European cities are more prevalent during the peak tourist season i.e. May to August, but are certainly available all year round. EasyJet, Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airlines are common flight operators flying to CFU.

By Boat

Whichever mainland which surrounds the island of Corfu that you are traveling from (Greece or Italy) there are ferries, cruise ships and smaller boast which stop off at Corfu's main ports. Traveling by boat is an idyllic way to arrive at your destination, whilst also giving you the chance to see the other Ionian Islands and the Ionian Sea.

By Car

Corfu may be an island but that certainly doesn't mean that you can't drive there. Several ferries provide services to and from mainland Greece and Italy so that families can bring their own cars and these ferries run regularly each day, especially during peak tourist season.

Getting Around

By Car

As mentioned before, it's possible to drive through Italy or Greece and bring your car to the island via ferries. There are also a huge number of car rental companies offering their services all over Corfu (mainly at the harbor, airport and capital town) and with the well developed road system, navigating the island by car is quick and simple.

By Bus

K-TEL is the most popular bus service on the island of Corfu, taking passengers to Lefkimi and Kavos in the south and Saint Gordios and Glifada in the middle of the island. Secondly, the blue municipal buses take passengers from Corfu town to destinations such as Saint Ioannis and Perama and follow a regular schedule. Both the main K-TEL and municipal bus stations are located in Corfu town, in Saint Rocco square and on Theotoki Street.

Sights & Activities

Corfu Town

If you want to see the cultural center of the island of Corfu then it makes sense to visit the capital town of the same name. Corfu town offers its visitors unique architecture as it was built between two fortresses at around the time of the 8th century, picturesque cobbled streets lined with Venetian monuments and small shopping boutiques.

Paleokastritsa

Anyone who's spent a lot of time in Corfu will tell you that one of the most beautiful areas of the island is the village of Paleokastritsa on the northwest coast. Together with six breathtakingly attractive beaches and untouched forestland, Paleokastritsa is one of the best locations for a family day out, and certainly for an even longer stay.

Sports

There is a wide range of sports and outdoor activities to take part in on the island of Corfu. While many of these take place in the sea and on the beach shores (e.g. water skiing, wind surfing, jet skiing, scuba diving and parasailing) there are also those that take place on the island's lush terrain, such as horse riding, hiking, climbing, quad biking, golfing and mountain biking. Surfing is one of the most popular sports adopted in Corfu as the summer sun coupled with cool breezes results in the ideal weather conditions. There's a list of activities as long as your arm so there's no chance of getting bored in this part of Greece.

Aqualand

With kid's slides, Jacuzzis, a lazy river, wave pool, sun loungers, rafting and kayaking this water park is one of Europe's largest. It makes for an exciting day out for kids and a relaxing day out for adults so if you've come to Corfu as a family then Aqualand is definitely worth a visit.