Beautiful Corfu, the most northerly of the Ionian Islands, is easy on the eyes. Filled with natural beauty, the island boasts rolling green hills in its south, and rugged limestone rock formations in its north. It also has a mild climate, lush Mediterranean vegetation, and some stunning beaches and underwater caves and tunnels.

The island also comes with its share of history. From 1386 to 1797, a period that gave it much of its most beautiful architecture, Corfu was held by the Venetians. Then, along with the rest of the Ionian Islands, it was under the British from 1815 to 1864

1. CORFU TOWN The island's lovely capital, Corfu Town, is a warren of cobbled alleys and elegant Venetian-era buildings, many of which now host informal seafood tavernas and souvenir shops at ground level. Centering on the Esplanade, an expansive green square, the UNESCO-listed old town is guarded by two imposing 16th-century fortresses and also includes a number of churches, like the Church of St. Spyridon, which is easily recognized by its red-domed bell tower. The waterfront incorporates a port, with regular ferries to Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland, and daily excursion boats to neighboring Albania.  There is the 'Green Bus', leaving from Agios Georgios beach to Corfu Town at least twice a day.  It is an excellent service and is cheap and does not take much longer than driving.  

2. PAXOS and ANTIPAXOS: Corfu's coast is peppered by islands and there's lot's of boat trips to make the most of island-hopping. One of the most popular trips are to the jet-setter's homes of Paxos and Antipaxos islands.

3. Built by the 1890 Empress of Austria in her favorite summer holiday spot, the ACHILLEION PALACE is the village of Gastouri’s most iconic building

4. Surrounded by pine forests and set against a mountain backdrop, the THEOTOKY ESTATE in the Ropa Valley exports its reds, whites and rosés all over the world and its olive oil is considered among the best on the island

5. KASSIOPI: In the northeast of the island, 36 kilometers north of Corfu Town, this traditional fishing village has retained its character despite its popularity. Overlooking a pretty harbor filled with wooden fishing boats, it offers a choice of seafood tavernas and cafés, which are popular with affluent Brits and Italians, some of whom have villas here. Calm and unhurried, it is especially noted for its numerous small coves with white pebble beaches and amazing turquoise blue sea.

6. In the north of Corfu, the highest point on the island, MOUNT PANTOKRATOR rises 906 meters. A road leads all the way to the top, so you can drive up, though some people prefer to hike from the village of Perithia (the walking time is approximately two hours). At the top, the Pantokrator Monastery dates back to the 14th century, though its present appearance is mainly from the 19th century. The views from the summit are stunning, with Albania to the east, the Diapontia islands (Mathraki, Erracusa, and Othondi) to the north, and the islands of Paxos and Anti Paxos to the south. On a clear day, you can even see the southern tip of Italy some 130 kilometers away.

7. Considered by many to be the very best beach on the island, GLYFADA also lies on Corfu's west coast, 26 kilometers west of Corfu Town and two kilometers south of the village of Pelekas. A blissful, long stretch of fine golden sand beach, it's lined with sunbeds and umbrellas and backed by hillsides covered with pine woods and olive groves. A couple of big hotels and apartments are in the area, and tourists will also find tavernas, cafés, and water sports facilities, including jet skis, pedal boats, and banana boat rides. Facing west, it has amazing sunsets but does get very busy in summer, especially in August (and almost impossible to park).

8. AQUALAND:  If you need some more active family fun, then Aqualand is located on the central-west side of Corfu,  11km away from Corfu town center and within a short distance from Glyfada beach and Myrtiotissa beach. The resort is ideal for families who enjoy Water Parks, and is one of the largest and most attractive Water Parks in Europe.  There are always deals on their website for booking in advance.

We recommend that our guests rent a hire car as it gives you so much more flexibility in visiting the rest of the island, as well as picking up groceries etc.  There are many firms at the airport to choose from.  We always hear good reports about 'ValuePlus' (https://corfucarrentals.com/ ),  but there are plenty of others.  It may be easier to pay for a transfer and then book a car from an agency local to the villa.  Most will deliver to the door and pick up when you are done.  Guests have used https://www.arillascars.com/ in the past. 

When you arrive at the airport there are many transfer services that will take you to Agios Georgios. You can just grab a taxi on arrival, but you will pay more.  We recommend Patricia Webster and her husband Yiannis ( https://www.facebook.com/YiannisBogdos ) who know our villa and where it is - which will make life much easier!  The cost will be around €60.

However the island also has excellent buses that serve the island as a whole (the Green Buses) and around Corfu Town (the Blue Buses). Timetables are online at https://greenbuses.gr/routes-en and https://astikoktelkerkyras.gr/en/.  There is a service that goes to Agios Georgios Pagon from the main Green Bus Station which is close to the airport in Corfu Town.  The buses are excellent value, and the trip to Corfu Town from St George is just over an hour, which is not much longer than driving.