Corfu Greece holiday tipsMany people consider Corfu the most beautiful island in the world in which to holiday. This perennially green island in the north-west of Greece has abundant rainfall and a rich carpet of plant life. Corfu has cool summers and mild winters compared to the rest of Greece. Travel by ferry from Brindisi port in Italy and you'll reach Corfu in about eight hours, one way prices in the low season varying from about US$38 for a deck passage to US$120 for a two bed cabin. |
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Corfu holiday tips This island boasts some of the most beautiful holiday resorts and luxurious hotels in the Mediterranean. Corfu has a stunning choice of beaches and although the coastal perimeter in many areas is a mass of tourist holiday infrastructure, the interior retains its unspoilt and authentic Mediterranean charm. A blanket of olive trees and lush vineyards covers much of Corfu, along with numerous fruit and vegetable farms taking advantage of the gentle climate and rich soils. It's easy to escape the tourist hordes and explore authentic Greek rural culture... donkeys and all. Corfu is the most northerly of the Ionian chain of Greek islands and lies at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea. The island's winter rainfall is particularly good, resulting in a thick blanket of green vegetation. The weather during summer is cool compared to the rest of Greece with temperatures rarely topping 40 degrees Celsius. The average August temperature in Corfu is 32 degrees. The capital is a town called Corfu and it is one of the most picturesque in Greece, memorable because of its narrow paved streets, historic castles, numerous churches and elegant squares such as the huge, tree-laced Esplanade Square in the middle of town. To the south of Esplanade Square is the Ionion Academy, the first university founded in Greece, and to the west is the famous Liston building built during the French occupation. The town's architecture, often multi-storied with imposing facades, is influenced by the various Venetian, Sicilian, French and British occupiers who have shaped the history of Corfu.
The town of Corfu is also the island's main port. About 35,000 people live in the township, which has plenty of Venetian architecture, arcades and greens that reflect its history of colonial occupation since the Middle Ages by the Italians, French and British. The town has two central bus stations, with local municipal buses based at the San Rocco square. Plenty of buses can be caught to most Corfu villages and settlements. The central station for these green buses is at I Theotoki Road. Excavations show the island has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic era from 70-40,000 BC. Corfu has different ruins and excavations reflecting various occupying civilisations such as the Spartans and the Romans. A holiday on this island can resemble a step back in time. The history of Corfu is a fascinating journey and an ever-changing canvas that is worth researching before you buy your Greece flights or start preparing for your holiday on Corfu. Traditional villages, Byzantine churches, Venetian fortresses and vacation resorts dot the island. Corfu has more than 800 different churches and monasteries, as well as seven significant museums - the premiere Archaeological Museum of Corfu in Vraila Street close to the Garitsa coastal road. Major settlements include the mountain village of Agios Mathaios (pop 1,500), the coastal village of Argirades (pop 2,000), the coastal village resort of Benitses (pop 1000), Gouvia marina resort about 8 kilometres north of Corfu (pop 700), the fishing resort and beaches of Kassiopi (pop 1,200), the island's second largest town of Lefkimi about 40 kilometres south of Corfu (pop 5,000), the beach resort of Palaiokastritsa 26 kilometres north-west of Corfu (pop 800), the elevated inland town of Pelekas about 13 kilometres west of Corfu, and the highly developed tourist village of Ypsos about 15 kilometres north of Corfu (pop 500). The north of Corfu is mountainous, the west is steep and rocky while the east has a more tranquil, sloping landscape with long beaches and sweeping bays. Corfu is surrounding by small islands you can explore during your holiday. If you want to avoid crowds of tourists, the best time to travel to Corfu is from October to May. Corfu is 53 kilometres long and 24 kilometres across at its widest point. The island has an international airport and plenty of ferries providing constant trips to Italy, Albania, the mainland and most other Mediterranean islands. To book airline discounts, hotels, car rentals, etc. for a vacation in Greece, visit our Travel Shop. |
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