The way to Plan the Excellent Journey to Corfu, Greece

From the place I stood on a dock in Sarandë, Albania, Corfu appeared shut sufficient to the touch, or on the very least, shut sufficient to swim to. It appeared like a paradise, with rolling inexperienced hills, azure waters, and old-world buildings dotting the coast. As we approached the island on our 30-minute boat journey, I shortly discovered it was not a mirage; the Greek island actually is as stunning up shut as it’s from a distance.

“Corfu is a singular vacation spot on account of its gorgeous pure magnificence, wealthy historical past, and vibrant tradition,” Christopher Sino, the visitor relations supervisor at Domes Miramare Corfu, shared with Journey + Leisure. “The island boasts crystal-clear waters, lush greenery, and picturesque seashores. Its mix of Venetian, French, and British influences is clear within the structure and delicacies, providing guests a various cultural expertise.”

As Sino famous, the island is in contrast to different well-known Greek isles. Right here, you may spot far fewer white-washed buildings, however you may nonetheless discover welcoming Greek hospitality.

“The individuals of Corfu are down-to-earth and relaxed – on most days, you’ll find locals within the village, having fun with espresso exterior, gathering in taverns, or assembly for companies at historic chapels,” Tassos Andriotis, the chief chef at Angsana Corfu, defined. Native citrus and cheese are weight loss program staples on this island, Andriotis explains, including that Corfu is “famend for olive oil, with some 5 million olive oil timber rising throughout the island. Lots of the farms and mills welcome guests to find the native Lianolia Kerkyra olive tree, which is particular.” 

Able to see and style every little thing Corfu has to supply? Preserve studying to plot out your good Greek island getaway.

Finest Resorts & Resorts

Domes Miramare

Tucked alongside a beautiful stretch of the Ionian Sea, Domes Miramare is a shocking luxurious escape that is tailored for discerning friends. How discerning, you ask? It was the popular summer season getaway for the likes of Aristotle Onassis and Jackie O, giving the lodge loads of jet-set avenue cred. On the lodge, friends can unwind in spacious suites that overlook the water, dive proper into the ocean straight from the lodge garden, or lounge by its huge pool lined by chaise lounges. These in search of an even bigger journey can ebook a day on its personal yacht, which can decide you up from the dock proper exterior.  

Angsana Corfu

Angsana Corfu is a vacation spot beloved for its mix of Mediterranean type and trendy facilities. On the resort, friends can dive into its completely huge pool that overlooks the crystal-clear waters or laze about of their boho-chic rooms which are decked out in sandy tones with huge image home windows that make the view the star of the present. For an unforgettable keep, splurge on a pool suite.

Aeolos Seaside Resort

Discover a family-friendly ambiance on the Aeolos Seaside Resort. The resort gives each direct entry to the seashore and an Olympic-sized swimming pool for adults, together with a youngsters’s pool for the little ones. The rooms and suites listed below are nice for households as nicely, together with the Superior Bungalows designed for 3 friends.

Grecotel Corfu Imperial

Positioned by itself personal peninsula, Grecotel Corfu Imperial gives an expensive getaway with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea. Company can take pleasure in personal seashores, connoisseur eating, and stylish lodging that mix trendy consolation with classical Greek decor. The resort’s opulent setting and distinctive service present an unforgettable vacation expertise.

Finest Issues to Do

Discover Previous City.

Construct in no less than a half day to soak up the sights round Previous City, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed vacation spot. The cobblestone streets will weave you thru and across the historic buildings, that are stuffed with trinket outlets, cafes, and taverns that are perfect for a fast chew. Do not miss the Previous Fortress (to be truthful, it is huge, so it is fairly exhausting to overlook) and stroll by the gorgeous St. Spyridon Church, earlier than ducking right into a spot like Laini Handmade Ceramics to select up an area memento. 

Hike Corfu Path.

Spend a bit of time with Mom Nature with a hike down the Corfu Path — or no less than a part of it. In totality, the path gives greater than 100 miles to traverse because it winds by means of various landscapes from the coast by means of the plush forests. Comply with this Corfu Path information, which comes with audio, textual content, and maps to observe so you will not miss a factor. 

Spend the day on the seashore.

Corfu is house to a few of Greece’s most stunning seashores — and as somebody who’s visited her fair proportion of Greek seashores, I do not say that frivolously. Go to stretches of sand like Cape Drastis to view the island’s dramatic cliffs that disappear into turquoise waters; head to Rovinia Seaside for its secluded attraction and white pebble shores; and cease at Porto Timoni for a really breathtaking view. Remember to pack a pair of goggles: You will wish to see all of the life lurking just below the floor. However these aren’t the one seashores that may make your journey full. “A lot of the shoreline is untouched, so there are lengthy, sandy seashores with hidden caves and secret snorkeling spots,” Andriotis stated. “Some seashores, like Chalikouna, are protected as nature reserves and residential to unimaginable wildlife like flamingos, cormorants, and turtles.” 

Finest Eating places

Coconela

Start your day at Coconela, a specialty espresso store in the midst of Previous City. The store serves each sort of caffeinated beverage you may need alongside a rotating menu of baked items, that are greatest loved exterior on its patio space (this permits for prime people-watching, too). And, if in case you have a Keurig at house, ensure to select up a few of the absolutely compostable pods by The Underdog within the store. They’re completely scrumptious. 

The Venetian Properly

When you ask anybody who’s been to Corfu the place to eat, The Venetian Properly will in all probability come up. The upscale eatery is a go-to vacation spot for a romantic ambiance and unbelievable meals. Go for the tasting menu to pattern as many Greek delicacies as attainable, and add the wine pairing whilst you’re at it. 

Klimataria

Have a extra low-key meal at Klimataria, a family-run taverna that focuses on straightforward dishes made with contemporary, native produce. It is a fish-forward spot, so count on loads of dishes like psari bianco (fish in a lemon sauce), octopus, and psari bourdeto (fish in pink sauce). 

Alonaki Bay

Get a meal with a view at Alonaki Bay. It is a super vacation spot for lunch because of its stunning surroundings and menu that comes chock-full of contemporary seafood and conventional Greek fare, together with some zucchini fritters that you will dream about lengthy after you have left. 

Villages to Go to

Corfu City

The island’s capital, Corfu City, is an ideal mix of historical past and tradition. Go to its clothes boutiques like Muses Corfu for one thing domestically made, take a tour by means of the fortress, and cease in at Coconela for the proper day. 

Kassiopi

Positioned on the northeastern coast of the island, Kassiopi is a pleasant little fishing village that is house to a picture-perfect harbor. Right here, guests can benefit from the sights, eat contemporary fish, and go to the Kassiopi Citadel for a bit of extra Greek historical past. 

Agios Gordios

Discover one other little seashore city with a go to to Agios Gordios alongside the west coast of the island. It is a quaint neighborhood with just some outlets and eating places lining the road that results in the seashore, however actually, it is received all you want, as a result of right here, the seashore is the primary attraction. Come spend a whole day on the shore by renting a chaise lounge and an umbrella from one of many many clothes shops ready to hook you up. 

Finest Time to Go to

The very best time to go to Corfu is from Might to October, when the climate is at its prime and sunny days are in no brief provide. Nonetheless, as Sino suggests, the bookends of those months could also be the perfect. “The very best time to go to Corfu is from late spring to early autumn (Might to September). Throughout these months, the climate is heat and sunny, good for seashore actions and exploring the island’s out of doors sights,” Sino shared. “July and August are peak vacationer months, so visiting in Might, June, or September can supply a extra relaxed expertise with fewer crowds.”

The way to Get There

By aircraft: Corfu Worldwide Airport (CFU) is the primary gateway to the island, with day by day flights from main European cities. The airport is situated only a brief drive from Corfu City, making it a simple place to jumpstart your journey on the island. 

By ferry: There’s common ferry service from the mainland of Greece to Corfu, together with frequent departures from Igoumenitsa and Patras. There’s additionally a world ferry connection from Italy to Corfu, which takes between seven to fifteen hours, relying on the departure level. There’s additionally a world ferry (the one I took) from Albania to Corfu, which will get you there in underneath half-hour. 

The way to Get Round

By automobile: Corfu is large, so one of the simplest ways to get across the island is by renting a automobile. The roads listed below are well-maintained and straightforward to drive, making this the prime choice. There are a ton of native outlets to lease from who will fortunately meet you on the ferry terminal or the airport together with your rental automobile. (Observe: Like different Greek islands, you possibly can lease scooters or ATVs; nevertheless, the island is large enough to warrant a automobile as a substitute.) 

By public transit: Corfu has a constant and dependable public bus system in the event you actually wish to forgo renting a automobile. Better of all, it is extraordinarily reasonably priced (underneath $2 a journey) and saves you the effort of looking for parking, which is very vital in the event you’re making an attempt to discover Previous City.