Greece: Corfu Island
Corfu is one of the greek ionian islands. It is located in the North west overlooking the Albanian shores.
My recommendation is, move as much as you can, visit as much as you can, get lost by not only following the tourist track because there are hidden places everywhere that will make your experience of Corfu truly unique.
People here are so welcoming, or at least I was very lucky to end up in places owned by welcoming, smiling, and genuinely nice people. I feel like rule number one over there is to live slowly and take in every little bit of what life has to offer.
Quick sweet and savory highlights:
๐ง: Most of the recommendations can be found in local tavernas * Spanakopita (spinach and sometimes cheese, pastry), A good Greek salad (tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, green pepper, red onions, Kalamata olives, olive oil, salt and vinegar), Dakos salad (tomatoes, olives, feta and croutons), Oven Feta cheese, Grilled fish, dolmades (wine leaves stuffed with rice), Sofrito (slow cooked veal in red wine sauce), Pastichada (beef or chichen stew with pasta), aubergine dip, courgette balls, marinated octopus,โฆ
๐ฌ: The orange (๐) cake, Greek yoghurt with honey (and fruit), baklava, all type of phyllo pastries, lemon cake, apple cake
๐ธโ๏ธ: Freddo Capuccino/espresso), Kumquat liqueur, Raki, Ouzo, house wines, bottled beers (Mythos), canned beers (Nimfi, Alfa)
where to stay in corfu
Villa Mamamia the most perfect place you could ever imagine (as a solo traveller or couple). But you MUST have a mean of transportation. Located in the hills of Temploni, this bed and breakfast offers three rooms in the main villa as well as a tiny house. It has a pool overlooking the mountains, an open kitchen, 2 dogs and a lovely owner from holland. The location of this place is perfect because it is smack in the center of the island, meaning an easy access to everything.
Price for a room: around 50 euros. You can also rent a tent or sleep on the hammock for 15 euros/night.
Where to eat ๐ด: There is a fully equipped kitchen if you want to cook for yourself, otherwise I recommend you go to La Dokala. Everything they serve there is really tasty! But if I really had to choose Iโd take the eggplant dip, Dakos salad or the Greek salad, some grilled meat or courgette balls if you are a vegetarian.
A bit further away (but still very close with a scooter or a car) is Spiros 97 and Apomero restaurant (see below). You also have a mini market close with everything that you need.
If you are staying here I recommend you rent a scooter from Theo. For his contact you can contact me
Other places that I recommend (mid-range price):
Kapella apartments (Vatos)
Voula accommodation (Agio Gorgios)
Malibu B&B (Glyfada): Super cozy and extremely well equipped.
Top places to visit on Corfu island (beaches and villages)
๐จ N.B: The order is irrelevant
# Corfu old town
Corfuโs old town is the capital of Corfu island and therefore the biggest town you will find on the island. That is where the international airport is located, all the ferries arriving from other greek islands or mainland as well as going to Albania. If you take a bus it will most probably be from the Green bus station.
๐๐ผ What to do: Corfuโs old town is full of beautiful streets, architecture and has a good load of history. Wandering around and getting lost in the streets is definitely a good way to discover the city. Start from Saroco square and venture yourself into the city.
I recommend youโd go to the Old fortress or at least get a good view of it from the promenade.
๐๐ผ Where to eat ๐ด or have a coffee โ๏ธ: I recommend Favela n.17. It is a cute coffee and brunch spot located on a small and calm square in Corfuโs old town. The waitress is super friendly and the spot itself makes you feel you are 30 years back. Another good coffee place is Despeto. Just in front you have a super good bakery called Korakianitis bakery, their Spanakopita (spinach pie) is exactly what it is supposed to be. They also have a pistachio croissant that is supposed to be really good. If you are craving fast food you can go to Firi Firi for a burger (smash burger recommended)!
If you are craving for an ice cream ๐ฆ There are two places I recommend. I highly recommend youโd go to Solo Gelato the quality there is really outstanding. I recommend the flavors Dark Chocolate sorbet and yoghurt (but all seemed gorgeous). Papagiorgis is another really good gelato place with many different flavors (I recommend pistachio and yoghurt flavor)
๐๐ผ Where to have a drink/go out ๐ธ: Dellโ Acque - music and bar (music until 00:00 am), Naok Azur, ArtHaus cafรฉ cafe & wine bar, Alchemical materials bar (super friendly)
๐๐ผ If you want to get a tattoo from Corfu, go to needlepointtattoo, Mario is super professional, the place is very clean and very friendly
# Gardelades
๐๐ผ Close to Liapades (and Rovinia beach), Lakones, Doukades and Palaiokastrista
Gardelades is a really small village, but so worth the detour. Itโs a typical village you must visit if you are in the area. The laid-back atmosphere will relax you. There is only one little Taverna and I recommend it 100%. The woman comes from Crete, she is so welcoming and will happily cook something on the spot for you.
# Liapades (and Rovinia beach)
๐๐ผ Close to Gardelades, Lakones, Doukades and Palaiokastrista
Liapades is another small village close to the main town of Palaiokastrista. Liapades has the most beautiful beach of the island, Rovinia beach. It also has a little peaceful square where you can have something to eat or drink.
N.B. There are 3 different parking (3 euros for a car/day, 2 euros for a scooter/day), but you can also park for free if you go down the main street and park on the side of the road then take a small path that will lead you to the road leading to the beach.
๐๐ผ How to get there: By car or scooter
๐๐ผ Where to eat ๐ด or have a coffee โ๏ธ: Ariaโs grill is supposed to be good, as well as Taverna Aspros for fresh fish.
# Barbati (Mparmpati)
This village is located on the North East coast of Corfu Island, close to Ypsos. This very small village is worth going to if you want to spend some time away from the more touristic areas while staying quite close to the main attractions.
๐๐ผ How to get there: Probably best by car or scooter although there is a bus running a few times a day
๐๐ผ What to do: There is a main beach called Barbati beach that I have not been to but there is a smaller beach which is really cute and hidden: You need to enter and go down the stairs from La Skala bar and youโll arrive on a cute stony little beach with warm-ish water. A gem!
๐๐ผ Where to stay: Akrogiali apartments, they are just in front of that little beach and La Skala beach bar
# Kassiopi
Kassiopi is a port village located on the Northern part of Corfu island. From there you can see the Albanian town of Sarandรซ.
๐๐ผ What to do: When in Kassiopi youโll see the ruins of the Kassiopi castle which played a key role in the defense of Corfu during the Byzantine and later the Venetian periods. There are also several beaches worth spending time on. I recommend going early to Karavi beach in order to get a spot in the shade, under the trees. It is a small beach with no food stall nor sunbeds so come prepared.
๐๐ผ Where to eat ๐ด or have a coffee โ๏ธ: I had a pic-nic on the beach so I donโt know which one to recommend for sure, but Sousouro restaurant seems like a good spot to go to for food!
# Palaiokastrista
๐๐ผ Close to Liapades (and Rovinia beach), Lakones, Gardelades and Doukades
Palaiokastrista is a small village located on the western side of the island. It is home to many beaches, some reachable by boat, others on foot. Palaiokastrista is also known for itโs monastery overlooking the bays and village.
Monastery opening hours: 7am-1pm/3pm-8pm (free entrance/donation based)
You can go to Agios Petros beach
๐๐ผ Where to eat ๐ด or have a coffee โ๏ธ: Aragosta beach club, La Grotta bar (for a drink / younger population)
# Doukades
๐๐ผ Close to Palaiokastrista, Liapades (and Rovinia beach), Gardelades
Coming from the North, you will probably pass by Lakones, and if you donโt then you should definitely add it to your itinerary. From the small paved streets to the main little square
๐๐ผ Where to eat ๐ด or have a coffee โ๏ธ: Have a lunch at Elisabethโs Taverna!
# Pelekas (+ paralia/beach Mirtiotissa, Yaliskari beach and Glyfada beach)
Pelekas is a small village located on the west side of the island. As all villages in Corfu, it has a little square overlooking the mountains which makes it a nice place to have a coffee.
๐๐ผ What to do: The village as well as the view that comes with it is beautiful. They have a few restaurants and coffee places where you can relax at.
Super close you have this beautiful beach called Mirtiotissa beach. It is a nudist beach but you can still wear your swimsuit if it bothers you to be naked. You can rent sun-beds or umbrellas but you can also bring your own. The beach is small, the water is beautiful and you donโt get as many tourists as other places. This is probably my favorite beach on the island (with Rovinia). There is also a woman selling drinks and food if necessary.
How to get there: Youโll search on Google maps for the beach and youโll drive as far as Elia taverna and will park in the parking in front. You will walk the rest on foot (beware that you will have to walk all the way back up later). Walk until you see steps going down on your right and walk down to the beach. I recommend you go after 5pm during high season or early in the morning (8am).
There is the Mirtiotissas Monastery a bit further if you continue walking (opening 9am - 2pm / 5pm-8pm) worth seeing.
Another beautiful beach is Yaliskari beach; a little more south than Mirtiotissas beach and only 5 minutes by car from Pelekas. I recommend you go there after 4pm during hight season or early in the morning. There is a taverna there where you can get fresh food (recommendation: Shrimp linguini, fresh tuna penne)
Glyfada beach is definitely also worth going, it is a bigger, sandy beach. You can also find several beach bar depending on what you are looking for.
๐๐ผ Where to eat ๐ด or have a coffee โ๏ธ: They have a bakery kalled Kalimera which serves absolutely delish orange cake as well as baklava. They have many other sweet and savory stuff that Iโm sure are as great. In front of that bakery youโll find Aera sky a lovely coffee/bar with a rooftop overlooking the mountains.
Regarding food, I recommend you go to Spiros 97 (10 min driving in Vatos - recommending the Pastichada), Apomero (recommendation: grilled squid, grilled feta with sesame and their salad with Manouri cheese and dried fruit, Dakos Salad, greek salad, grilled pork, courgette balls), Tristrato cafรฉ-bar
# Afionas (Porto Timoni)
Afionas village is between Sidari and Palaiokastrista. It is home to the famous beach Porto timoni but the village itself is already a must see.
๐๐ผ How to get there: Scooter, Quad or car (parking available - 2 euros for a scooter, a bit more for a car)
๐๐ผ What to do: Visit the village (it is really small) but really cute with small shops - go to the Porto Timoni view point - hike down (then back up) to Porto Timoni beach
๐๐ผ Where to eat ๐ด or have a coffee โ๏ธ: I HIGHLY recommend Anemos, it is located just before the hike to Porto Timoni (on top of the village), with a beautiful setting, adorable waiters and delicious food. I recommend having the oven Feta with sesame, honey, and sundried tomatoes as well as the beetroot salad. The Sofrito (vege or meat) looks delicious as well as the grilled calamari. I had a hard time choosing.
# Sokraki
This village is definitely the most difficult to reach due to itโs reaaally curvy roads. But its absolutely worth it! You have a great panoramic view from which you can see Corfuโs Old town, other hill villages, the sea, butterflies and birds. The village itself is adorable with its little squares sheltered by an enormous tree. It is located so high that you feel you are on the top of the world
# Sidari/Melitsa/peroulades
Sidari (and Melitsa - right next to Sidari one would not even realize they changed area) is a coastal little town. It is definitely a touristic destination but, I managed to find some real beauty in this place.
๐๐ผ How to get there: You can take a bus from Corfu Town (1:15 minutes) or go there by car/scooter.
N.B: I recommend renting a scooter ๐ต from a family run shop not mentioned on Google maps. E-mail is: bikesclubsidari@yahoo.gr and phone number is +30 6932 646371. Close to Canal dโAmour and Katerinaโs taverna.
๐๐ผ What to do: Visit Kanali tou Erota (Canal dโamour), hike to Cape Drasti, watch the sunset in Peroulades, read a book or daydream on one of the benches overlooking Albania, go to Apotripiti beach (small beach away from the tourists).
๐๐ผ Where to eat ๐ด or have a coffee โ๏ธ: Eviva (coffee and breakfast + the owner is a sweetheart, youโll feel your in a safe place, try their orange cake its 10/10!!), Lalupa (coffee and breakfast on the beach - drinks later on), Tou aloni tou soukiou (a bit of-center, a family business serving local food, I wish I had the opportunity to go!), Orchad (diner), Kantina Grill for Gyros.
๐๐ผ Where to stay ๐ก: I stayed at Seahorse Hotel and apartments, a bit far from the center but if you have a mean of transport or like walking it is totally fine. The owner is a very chill man. Life is peaceful there.
# Old Perithia
๐๐ผ How to get there: Definitely with a car or scooter
๐๐ผ What to do: It is a small, old stone village at the bottom of Pantokrator (highest point of the island). The village is easily walkable but you have to be careful about the rocks, not to hurt your ankle. They have several restaurants you can eat at.
๐๐ผ Where to eat ๐ด or have a coffee โ๏ธ: You will have 4 restaurants you can choose from, they are all probably very good but I went to Taverna Evdokia and it was really nice. I simply had oven manouri with kumquat and honey with a simple salad and bread and it was perfect.
visiting Corfu on a budget
Is Corfu expensive? Moderately expensive, especially the accommodation which is really expensive (as a solo traveller.). When you divide everything it becomes a lot more affordable
Is it possible to visit Corfu on a budget? Yes. Is it easy? Moderately easy, especially if you are a solo traveler. Here are my recommendations:
#1 My first recommendation would be to go off season, especially May and June or September as the weather will already be splendid (minimum 24 - maximum 32 degrees) and the prices still normal.
#2 Do your competitive research. I donโt know how I manage to get such low prices on my room but when I enter other dates the price is double or triple. Maybe it is because I booked 2 days in advance, but that is a gamble.
#3 The South of Corfu seems to be slightly less expensive, especially the accommodation. That said I really suggest youโd stay in the center west
#4 Travel smart. By this I mean use buses and your legs as much as you can. Rent a scooter or quad whenever you want to go further. Of course if you are in a group, you can split the costs of a car.
#5 If you have a kitchen sometimes cook at home BUT I RECOMMEND EATING IN FAMILY TAVERNAS, itโs affordable and delicious.
Average spent per week without flight: 800 euros (average price per night: 50 euros + scooter 25 per day + food and other expenses)
How to visit Corfu
It really depends on how you plan your stay. My recommendation would be to stay at one spot instead of moving around all the time and plan your daily excursions from there.
Let yourself be surprised by the beauty of this island, the kindness of its inhabitants, and the divine food it has to offer.
do you need a car in corfu
Yes ONLY if you are planning on moving around all the time and visiting the entire island.
Otherwise if you plan on focusing on one part and taking it slowly, Iโd recommend taking a bus ๐ to the location (timetable and schedules here), itโs super easy, comfortable and cheap (tickets from 2 to 5 euros one way) then renting a quad scooter ๐ต or boogy for the rest of your stay.
Any questions? Any doubts? Any thoughts?
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