Corfu

A Greek vacation dream in green

Categories: Corfu Ionian Islands Greece

The Greek island of Corfu, which lies southeast of the Italian boot heel, has the nickname "the green island". With 600 square kilometers it is the seventh largest island in Greece. More than 100,000 people live on the island, more than half of the Corfiotes live in the capital Kerkyra, as Corfu City is also called. Here Venetian and French influences mix with Greek culture - in addition to the mild climate, the city is considered one of the most beautiful in Greece, in the whole Mediterranean area. Rightly so, visitors who have already had the opportunity to get to know the island return.
© cristianbalate / Fotolia

And the Athenian population - many people from the capital have a summer residence here, because the "green island" has everything it takes for rest and relaxation. There is a magic in every beginning and Corfu immediately triggers this magic with a first impression. There is the hilly landscape where cypresses and olive trees dominate the flora, the Mediterranean flair that you can enjoy in the small cafes and taverns and then the breathtaking view over the sea! The island invites you to dream and offers numerous possibilities to make these dreams come true.

For active sportsmen the island, surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea, offers numerous water sports. The island is popular because of the ideal conditions for windsurfing, water skiing, wakeboarding, kite surfing, parasailing, motorboat trips and scuba diving. Swimming and sunbathing is of course also a popular way to spend your vacation there. You can explore the island by bike, there are rental stations in the main town. If you are good on foot, you will love to hike right here. The nature that surrounds the visitor here makes the soul dangle.

The west coast of the island is dotted with small, secluded bays, picturesque cliffs that rise out of the water and give the beach an adventurous appearance. There are also long sandy beaches and vacation resorts or small villages where the taverns are almost always in family hands and this makes them cosy in a special way. Here the visitor can feel the hospitality of the Corfiotes at first hand. The small village of Arillas, for example, with about 450 inhabitants, has long since established itself as a vacation resort and scores points with its long, fine sandy beach, among other things.

But its remoteness from the world is deceptive. A rental car or a scooter quickly takes visitors to other island destinations or even the ferry. It takes its passengers to one of the three islands north of Carfu, Mathraki, Erikousa and Diaplo (uninhabited). These can also be reached from Kerkyra. Although the green island is not rich in historical remains, it is a sight in itself. The mild climate, the unmissable olive groves, the northern tip with wild romanticism and always extensive sandy beaches, which are ideal for families with children.

Kerkyra
The capital of the island, which the Corfiotes call Kerkyra, has a remarkable old town, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007. One of the attractions of the main town is the "Angel's Castle" - Angelokastro, the old fortress. Located on the north-western tip of the island, this fortress was one of the most important defensive structures on the island. The castle, which is also the symbol of the city of Kerkyra, is definitely worth a visit.

Also outstanding is the New Fortress, which rises in the city and dates back to the 16th century, the period of Venetian rule. It was once a military restricted area, but today you can visit it for 3,50 Euro. The moat surrounding the New Fortress is particularly impressive. Inside and outside the main town the visitor will find very attractive small taverns, which are also popular with Corfioten himself. This is always a sign of good food and comfort.
© Balate Dorin / Fotolia

From the times of the Venetian domination the cuisine of the island was subject to its culinary influences, which mixed with the local habits and recipes and today resembles the Mediterranean dishes with its lightness and yet is typical of Corfu. The island is not only known as a popular vacation destination, but was once the favorite destination of the Austrian Empress Elisabeth, later known as Sisi. The Empress visited this island regularly, had a summer residence of an old Greek converted between 1889 and 1891 and enjoyed her island. Even today you can admire the palace of the empress, the Achilleion. It is one of the special sights on Corfu and is located near Gastouri.