Corfu island, located in the northwest edge of Greece, the second largest of the Ionian Islands a luxury holiday destination, and one of the most popular in Greece is among the most beautiful and famous islands of Greece.
Corfu location in Greece:
Corfu, one of the greenest of the Greek islands
The thousands of olive trees that carpet the landscape of Corfu, thanks to seasonal rainfall from September to June, made Corfu one of the greenest Greek islands! Corfu is one of the more rural, sleepy isles away from the touristic honeypots. Corfu celebrates winter and summer religious festivals, so is one destination not only for the summer, but you will have a fantastic time while visiting the island in the winter too!
The Goats On The Road, a weekly vlog which chronicles the journeys of Nick & Dariece (The Goats) as they travel around the world as digital nomads and full-time travelers, created a fantastic video for Corfu Island, that you should see!
The Goats, stayed at the Marbella hotel and Corfu Palma Boutique Hotel and explored the beautiful town of Corfu! Check it out:
11 Things To Do in Corfu
The Goats, in their blog post, 11 things to do in Corfu, wrote a fantastic article with amazing things to do in Corfu, and you should do!
A snippet of their article follows:
]Lush interior, pristine coastline, unique rock formations, and a romantic capital city. All this and more can be found on Corfu Island, a destination that truly delighted us during our trip to Greece. There are endless things to do in Corfu; you’ll never be bored.
The northernmost (and most popular) of the Ionian Islands chain, Corfu is very close to mainland Greece, and the country of Albania.
Due to its proximity and history with mainland Europe, Corfu Island was one of the first Greek Islands to experience mass tourism. Because of this, Corfu has numerous accommodation options, many restaurants and bars, and a more cosmopolitan feel than neighboring islands.
Read all the article right here and share their outstanding work!
Top Attractions in Corfu island
Corfu Old Town
History, art, museums, architecture, shops, restaurants, beautiful views, sea, small winding streets, churches, parks, coffee, and ice cream it’s all there, Corfu the magical island, one of the most and best attraction in Corfu island, it’s the Corfu Old Town, with pebbled streets and old architecture, wide range of historical buildings or museums. Delicious foods and drinks. Ice cream, desserts and cocktail bars, with its antiquity, charming and beautifully tiled streets, one of a kind shops and romantic tavernas and such genuinely friendly Corfiot people, comfortable and memorable time for all travelers. The capital of the Greek island of Corfu, Corfu Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Corfu Town is a charming place for a shop or a wander, and among the best homes on the island to delve into local history. The town is a frequent stop-off on day tours of the island, which typically combine a guided walking tour of the city with stops at the likes of Achillion Palace, the Monastery of the Virgin Mary of Paleokastritsa, Kanoni, and some of the island’s beaches.
For history buffs exploring independently, there are several interesting museums, including the Antivouniotissa Museum, which displays Byzantine artwork and artifacts, and Corfu Living History, a waxwork-filled townhouse showcasing life on the island in the mid-19th century.
Paleokastritsa beach
According to legend, the Greek village of Paleokastritsa (Palaiokastritsa) is where Odysseus was shipwrecked and met Nausicaa in Homer’s epic tale the Odyssey. It’s a suitable setting for mythical romance, with a string of beaches, olive groves, and cypress forests set against the glittering Mediterranean Sea. The island’s small size makes it easy to visit Paleokastritsa along with highlights such as Corfu Town, Achilleion Palace, and the Hill of Kanoni. Most Paleokastritsa tours make a beeline for the hilltop Monastery of Virgin Mary of Paleokastritsa, which offers panoramic views of the coastline. Paleokastritsa is a must-see for beach, culture, and history lovers. Temperatures can reach over 86°F (30°C) during summer. Paleokastritsa is located on Corfu’s northwest coast, roughly 16 miles (25 kilometers) from Corfu Town. Buses run regularly between the two towns and take around 40 minutes, but if you plan to explore the surrounding villages and beaches, it’s a good idea to join a guided tour or organize private transport. Contact our Team and we will organize all for you.
The coastline around Paleokastritsa is lined with sand and pebble beaches and the cool water is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and watersports. Boat trips around the bay allow you to cruise around small caves and rock pools, while during summer speedboats and water taxis hop between beaches.
Located on Corfu’s northwest coast, Paleokastritsa is usually included on most island tours or Corfu.
Video of Palaiokastritsa, by The Drone Guy (Matt Poole).
Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio)
The Old Fortress is a Venetian fortress in Corfu Town on the Greek island of Corfu. It covers the promontory between the Gulf of Kerkyra and Garitsa Bay and is separated from the mainland by a moat known as the Contrafossa. The western tower of the fortress was fortified by the Byzantines in the 12th century and is known as the New Castle, while the eastern tower is known as the Old Castle. The old town of Corfu initially grew within the walls of the fortress, which was used to fight off three Ottoman sieges, in 1537, 1571 and 1716.
The old town of Corfu initially grew within the walls of the fortress, which was used to fight off three Ottoman sieges, in 1537, 1571 and 1716. None of the Venetian era buildings have survived, so most of those existing today were built by the British.
The most famous fortress on the island of Corfu, the Old Fortress today houses the public library of Corfu and the Hellenic Music Research Lab of Ionian University (Music and Sound University), as well as the small church of St. George, built in 1840. The grounds are often used for art and culture exhibits and the top of the fortress provides great views over Corfu Town. Inside also, you can find the Corfu Greek Sailing school, with an amazing karnayo, small port for sailing boats, and a small taverna with delicious Corfu cuisine.
The fortress covers the promontory which initially contained the old town of Corfu that had emerged during Byzantine times.
To reach the Old Fortress, walk from Corfu town across the iron bridge that crosses the Contrafossa. The entrance is in front of the Liston, near the Esplanade. The town of Corfu got its Western name from the twin peaks of the fortress (“Coryphe” in Greek).
The earliest indication of fortifications on the site presently occupied by the Old Fortress dates from around the 6th century AD, after the destruction of the ancient city of Corcyra by the Goths. The Gothic invasion forced the Corcyreans to seek shelter inside fortifications on the peninsula at the tip of the city.
The full history of the Old Fortress of Corfu you can find in Wikipedia here
Saint Spyridon Church the WonderWorker
Built in 1590, the St. Spyridon is dedicated to St. Spyridon, who is said to have saved the Greek island of Corfu from Ottoman attacks on multiple occasions. Located in the heart of Corfu Town, the church is the final resting place of the saint, whose remains are kept in a casket inside the church. Four annual processions originate from the church, on August 11 (the date the Turks abandoned their siege of Corfu in 1716), Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday and the first Sunday in November. On each occasion, the body of St. Spyridon, is carried around the town as part of the procession. On three other occasions, his casket is put out for public display and worship.
St. Spyridon is a classic example of Venetian architecture in Corfu Town. The top of the church is divided into 17 parts with golden frames that were painted in the early 18th century and restored in the 19th century. The church’s bell tower was built in 1620 and today is the highest part of the town. For visitors approaching Corfu Town by ferry, it is the first thing they will see.
St. Spyridon Church is located behind the Liston in Corfu Town. It has two entrances, one facing the Spianada and the other toward Ag. Spyridon Street.
Life & Miracles of St. Spyridon Rev. Dr. Peter J. Spiro-Corfu Greece Video following after the article:
St. Spyridon the Wonderworker and Bishop of Tremithus
Saint Spyridon of Tremithus was born towards the end of the third century on the island of Cyprus. He was a shepherd and had a wife and children. He used all his substance for the needs of his neighbors and the homeless, for which the Lord rewarded him with a gift of wonderworking. He healed those who were incurably sick and cast out demons.
After the death of his wife, during the reign of Constantine the Great (306-337), he was made Bishop of Tremithus, Cyprus. As a bishop, the saint did not alter his manner of life, but combined pastoral service with deeds of charity.
According to the witness of Church historians, Saint Spyridon participated in the sessions of the First Ecumenical Council in the year 325. At the Council, the saint entered into a dispute with a Greek philosopher who was defending the Arian heresy. The power of Saint Spyridon’s plain, direct speech showed everyone the importance of human wisdom before God’s Wisdom: “Listen, philosopher, to what I tell you. There is one God Who created man from dust. He has ordered all things, both visible and invisible, by His Word and His Spirit. The Word is the Son of God, Who came down upon the earth on account of our sins. He was born of a Virgin, He lived among men, and suffered and died for our salvation, and then He arose from the dead, and He has resurrected the human race with Him. We believe that He is one in essence (consubstantial) with the Father, and equal to Him in authority and honor. We believe this without any sly rationalizations, for it is impossible to grasp this mystery by human reason.”
As a result of their discussion, the opponent of Christianity became the saint’s zealous defender and later received holy Baptism. After his conversation with Saint Spyridon, the philosopher turned to his companions and said, “Listen! Until now my rivals have presented their arguments, and I was able to refute their proofs with other proofs. But instead of proofs from reason, the words of this Elder are filled with some sort of special power, and no one can refute them since it is impossible for man to oppose God. If any of you thinks as I do now, let him believe in Christ and join me in following this man, for God Himself speaks through his lips.”
At this Council, Saint Spyridon displayed the unity of the Holy Trinity in a remarkable way. He took a brick in his hand and squeezed it. At that instant fire shot up from it, water dripped on the ground, and only dust remained in the hands of the wonderworker. “There was only one brick,” Saint Spyridon said, “but it was composed of three elements. In the Holy Trinity there are three Persons, but only one God.”
The saint cared for his flock with great love. Through his prayers, drought was replaced by abundant rains, and incessant rains were replaced by fair weather. Through his prayers, the sick were healed and demons cast out.
A woman once came up to him with a dead child in her arms, imploring the intercession of the saint. He prayed, and the infant was restored to life. The mother, overcome with joy, collapsed lifelessly. Through the prayers of the saint of God, the mother was restored to life.
Another time, hastening to save his friend, who had been falsely accused and sentenced to death, the saint was hindered on his way by the unanticipated flooding of a stream. The saint commanded the water: “Halt! For the Lord of all the world commands that you permit me to cross so that a man may be saved.” The will of the saint was fulfilled, and he crossed over happily to the other shore. The judge, apprised of the miracle that had occurred, received Saint Spyridon with esteem and set his friend free.
Similar instances are known from the life of the saint. Once, he went into an empty church and ordered that the lampadas and candles be lit, and then he began the service. When he said, “Peace be unto all,” both he and the deacon heard from above the resounding of “a great multitude of voices saying, “And with thy spirit.” This choir was majestic and more sweetly melodious than any human choir. To each petition of the litanies, the invisible choir sang, “Lord, have mercy.” Attracted by the church singing, the people who lived nearby hastened towards it. As they got closer and closer to the church, the wondrous singing filled their ears and gladdened their hearts. But when they entered into the church, they saw no one but the bishop and several church servers, and they no longer heard the singing which had greatly astonished them.”
Saint Simeon Metaphrastes (November 9), the author of his Life, likened Saint Spyridon to the Patriarch Abraham in his hospitality. Sozomen, in his CHURCH HISTORY, offers an amazing example from the life of the saint of how he received strangers. One time, at the start of the Forty-day Fast, a stranger knocked at his door. Seeing that the traveler was very exhausted, Saint Spyridon said to his daughter, “Wash the feet of this man, so he may recline to dine.” But since it was Lent there were none of the necessary provisions, for the saint “partook of food only on certain days, and on other days he went without food.” His daughter replied that there was no bread or flour in the house. Then Saint Spyridon, apologizing to his guest, ordered his daughter to cook a salted ham from their larder. After seating the stranger at the table, he began to eat, urging that man to do the same. When the latter refused, calling himself a Christian, the saint rejoined, “It is not proper to refuse this, for the Word of God proclaims, “Unto the pure all things are pure” (Titus 1:15).
Another historical detail reported by Sozomen was characteristic of the saint. It was his custom to distribute one part of the gathered harvest to the destitute, and another portion to those having a need while in debt. He did not take a portion for himself, but simply showed them the entrance to his storeroom, where each could take as much as was needed, and could later pay it back in the same way, without records or accounting.
There is also the tale by Socrates Scholasticus about how robbers planned to steal the sheep of Saint Spyridon. They broke into the sheepfold at night, but here they found themselves all tied up by some invisible power. When morning came the saint went to his flock, and seeing the tied-up robbers, he prayed and released them. For a long while, he advised them to leave their path of iniquity and earn their livelihood by respectable work. Then he made them a gift of a sheep and sending them off, the saint said kindly, “Take this for your trouble so that you did not spend a sleepless night in vain.”
All the Lives of the saint speak of the amazing simplicity and the gift of wonderworking granted him by God. Through a word of the saint the dead were awakened, the elements of nature tamed, the idols smashed. At one point, a Council had been convened at Alexandria by the Patriarch to discuss what to do about the idols and pagan temples there. Through the prayers of the Fathers of the Council, all the idols fell down except one, which was very much revered. It was revealed to the Patriarch in a vision that this idol had to be shattered by Saint Spyridon of Tremithus. Invited by the Council, the saint set sail on a ship, and at the moment the ship touched shore and the saint stepped out on land, the idol in Alexandria with all its offerings turned to dust, which then was reported to the Patriarch and all the bishops.
Saint Spyridon lived his earthly life in righteousness and sanctity and prayerfully surrendered his soul to the Lord. His relics repose on the island of Corfu (Kerkyra), in a church named after him (His right hand, however, is located in Rome).
His memory is also celebrated on Cheesefare Saturday.
Agios Gordios Beach
Agios Gordios is a small beach and village on the west coast of the island of Corfu and can be a great base from which to explore the island by either bicycle or car. Surrounded by mountains, olive groves, and cypress trees, the village also features sandy beaches, charming pastel-colored homes and a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops. At the beach, you will find canoes and boats for hire, as well as a diving center and other water sports. Sunbeds are also available.
From Agios Gordios, you can reach three nearby villages on foot, each within two kilometers. Kato Garouna is a traditional village more than 400 years old, sitting just below Panteleimonas Mountain, which provides great views of the surrounding area. Pentati sits high up on a hill above the famous Ortholithi rock, also providing spectacular views. Sinarades is another traditional village which features a historic folklore museum displaying items from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Just a 20-minute drive away is the Aqualand water park, with pools, water slides, bouncy castles, a large Jacuzzi and a games arcade. Agios Gordios can be reached in about 20 minutes from the Corfu town Center with a car. Alternatively, contact us , we organize every day city and beach tours around Corfu island.
Agios Gordios Beach Video:
Pantokrator Mountain
Mountain Pantokrator (Pantocrator, Pantōkrator, Παντοκράτωρ in Greek) sits on the northeastern side of the Greek island of Corfu. At 906 meters (2,972 ft) tall, it is the tallest mountain on the island. From the top, you can see all of Corfu, Albania and even all the way to Italy on a clear day despite it being around 130 km (81 mi) away. A Greek Orthodox monastery has sat on top of the mountain since the middle of the 14th century. The original monastery was destroyed two centuries later and the current one dates to the late 17th century, with a façade from the 19th century. The peak of Pantokrator can be reached by car or by foot. The walking trail to the peak is part of the Corfu Trail, which covers more than 200 kilometers around the island. On the way to the top, you will pass Old Perithia, the oldest mountain village on Corfu. Old Perithia is said to sit at the foot of Pantokrator, ‘The Almighty.’ The walk to Pantokrator is also part of The Corfu Trail, an established walking guide around the island of Corfu, although they fail to maintain the paths, so walks such as Perithia to Mt. Pantokrator are now nearly impossible to detect. Nestled high up on the mountain, it once served as a hideaway from pirate attacks. Today, visitors can wander along cobblestone streets, enjoy a drink in one of four tavernas and sample local cuisine. The rewards for reaching the summit of Mountain Pantokrator are spectacular panoramic views of Corfu’s green countryside and sweeping coastlines.
Take a break from Corfu’s beaches and visit the impressive Mount Pantokrator.
It dominates the island’s northeast region. Drive or hike to the mountain top and pause to explore traditional Greek villages on the way. Visit the monastery at the summit. Enjoy panoramic views and splendid photo opportunities of the island and surroundings. You can drive, hike or cycle to the top of Mount Pantokrator, depending on your energy level!
