South East Coast – South to North
Resort and Beach Information...
Kavos and St Peters
At the most southern point of the island we turn north around Cape
Asprokavos and are now on the east coast. Kavos is well known as a youth
resort with bars lining the main street that runs through the town. It
is a popular destination for the under 30’s and has excellent nightlife
with good quality night clubs and a long, narrow, sandy beach offering a
vast array of water sports.
St Peters, at the north end of Kavos is
near enough to the nightlife, should you wish to indulge, but is fairly
quiet and the beach, although sandy, does not have the same facilities
as its neighbour.
There is an excellent choice of accommodation in
both towns, from hotels to apartments complexes with pools
Petriti and Boukari
These 2 seaside villages are well worth visiting to indulge in the local seafood that is fished in this area. Both have excellent seafood tavernas set on the waterfront.
Messonghi
We now return to tourism, although, Messonghi is a small unspoilt resort that runs parallel to the sea for approximately 1 kilometre. A long sandy beach, a large hotel and small units of self-catering accommodation make up this village, it is ideal for young families.
Moraitika
Almost merging with Messonghi, Moraitika is a more developed resort with a busy main road with excellent facilities for shopping and eating out. The beach is set away from the main road and has some great cafes and tavernas within easy access.
Agios Ioannis
A small resort with a sand/shingle beach frequented by locals. There is a large hotel at the north end and water sports available as well as mini markets and tavernas close by.
Benitses
Just 12 kilometres south of Corfu Town, Benitses still retains its charm as a fishing village but with a cosmopolitan feel due to the excellent selection of cafes, restaurants and tavernas that line the village square. Benitses has a fully operational marina and a small shingle beach with good facilities to either laze the day away or enjoy the water sports on offer.
Corfu Town
Situated on the east coast, approximately half way between the north and
south points of the island.
The headland that the town sits on is
divided between the two fortresses, the old (15th century) and the new
(16th century), open to the public and offering panoramic
views.
For all its hustle and bustle, the town, is both an elegant
and charming capital. You will stumble upon a fine array of European
architecture, cobbled stone streets with small but exquisite
restaurants. Shopping is fabulous, from hand crafted jewelry, ceramics,
olive wood products to designer clothes. A myriad of narrow streets wind
beneath the tall narrow buildings, each turn bringing you to, yet,
another square with glimpses of the sea never far away. Set along the
arches of the Liston, are plenty of cafes to rest and recuperate after
your day of sightseeing and shopping.
In 2007 the old town was
inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Ano (upper) Korakiana
Just 14 kilometres North of Corfu Town and 7 - 10 kilometres from the
beaches of Ipsos and Dassia, Ano Korakiana lies on a wooded hillside
above the east coast of Corfu.
Historically the village is famous
for being the birthplace of loannis Kapodistrias, the first president of
newly independent Greece (1827-1831).
There is Kafenion and a small
general store in the village.
This picturesque village with its
narrow roads and traditional homes is a popular stop for walkers, from
here you can follow the paths that lead to Agios Markos, Ipsos and
Dassia or you can just walk to neighbouring Kato (upper) Korakiana.
There is a small museum dedicated to the Greek sculptor, Arisitides
Metallinos, located in the centre of the village.
Kato (lower) Korakiana
Neighbour to Ano Korakiana and separated by just 2 kilometres. Kato Korakiana has a small selection of holiday accommodation; it is largely residential with a small supermarket, taverna and café bar. Walk or drive through the stunning countryside to experience the stillness of the olive groves often cool even in the hottest months. It offers easy access to the east coast and the facilities of Dassia.
Agios Markos
Just 3 kilometres from the east coast, the village of Agios Markos is renown for its 2 churches, Agios Merkourious (1074 AD), one of the oldest Byzantine churches on Corfu and has frescoes dating from the eleventh, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and The Church of Christ Pantokrator (1571 AD) with its views towards Corfu Town.
Gastouri
A scenic village just 10 kilometres south of Corfu Town is where the
famous Achillion Palace is located. The palace was built by Princess
Elizabeth of Austria and dedicated to the Greek warrior Achilles. In the
superb gardens you can see the two impressive statues of Dying Achilles
and Achilles the warrior.
Gastouri is a well-kept traditional
village with many paths that wind through the narrow lanes. It also
boasts the best bread on the island so seek out the bakers (Fourno)
whilst there. The east coast and village of Benitses are just a
10-minute drive and in the other direction Agios Gordis beach is 12
kilometres away.
Sinarades
Set in the hills above the west coast, Sinarades is a beautifully kept traditional village. From here you can walk, downhill, to Agios Gordis beach and likewise if you are staying at the beach walking up into Sinarades is well worthwhile. There is a fascinating folklore museum in the village and the village square has a mini market and café for refreshments.
