Excursions in Corfu: Excursions in the island of Corfu, Greece, Ionian Islands

Corfu: Information about Corfu

Excursions in Corfu: Excursions in the island of Corfu, Greece, Ionian Islands
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Corfu Excursions: Information about the excursions in Corfu

The old city lies between the old and the new fortress, surrounded by the walls. Most of the houses are old stone, multy storey buildings which survived the bombing during the war and stand witnesses to the history of the city. The place of those buildings that were destroyed during the war was taken by a few, new multy storey buildings.

In Kampielo, which is the oldest residential area of the ancient city, the houses are built close to one another, and although they look like deserted, they are actually inhabited. Even the picturesque laundry is hanged in ropes which are tied from one balcony to the other across the street. And still the housewives throw the basket, which is tied to a rope, to the street when they want to buy something from the street salesman.

It looks like time has stopped in this part of the city, where you can easily get lost walking in "kadunia".

If you take a walk to the square of the city, the Spaniada Square, you find out that it is full of life.

Young and old people walk in the small stone alleys to meet friends and have a cup of coffee with them in the famous Liston, an arcade, in French order, with coffee shops and restaurants, where people are coming and going throughout the year.

The arcades are the ideal place during the hot summer days. The most busy streets are: Nikiforou Theotoki, Siganiou, Voulgareos, Michail Theotoki, Philarmonikis and the Moustoxidi street.

You can find there folkrore art, clothes, jewels and beautiful souvenirs. In the central square there is a beautiful park and a stage for a band. The architecture of the houses is a jigsaw made of parts taken by different national origins, however, the result is a beautiful combination. Fine buildings with arched windows, carved balconies and elaborate designs present the history of four centuries of Venetian domination. In the southern end of Spaniada lie the ruins of the ex-Ionian Academy that stands to remind of the time when Corfu was a spiritual and cultural center.
The new city starts from Sarokko Square. It is a beautiful square, full of trees, ideal for a walk. Close to it, we come across Obelisk, a monument dedicated to the High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands in the period of 1835- 1840, Sir Howard Douglas.

Along the seaside, in the area of Mouragia, you come across the Gate of Saint George, the building of the Prefecture, which was also the house where the first Governor of Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias was born.

It is a magnificent example of the architectural art of the 19th century. You can still visit the Gate of Agios Nikolaos and crossing in front of the Cathedral Building, you can admire the Old Port where many pleasure boats dock there whereas the ferry boats depart from the New Port that lies in the west.
In the city there are many possibilities to entertain yourself at night, like restaurants, night-clubs, taverns with local and international cuisine. Also, there are taverns where you can enjoy the local cuisine and the Ionian "kandades" (music) at the same time.

In the suburbs of Granitsa you can find an organized beach and taverns.

In Kanoni you can enjoy the unique view that lies in front of you: green beaches, the small island with the church of Panagia of Vlachernon which is connected to Kanoni with a small strip of land and the famous Pontikonisi with the Church of Pantokratora built on11th or12th century.

Perama, wich is not far away from the city is rich in flora. From there, there is a passage that leads to Kanoni.

The bridge of Caiser, which leads to Achillion, is ruined. Benitses is a busy, fishing- village with rich flora, long beaches, touristic shops, bars, discos, restaurants, hotels and everything you could ask for during your holidays. You can find there the ruins of the Roman baths with mosaic floors. In the mouth of the river Messogi there are the villages Moraitika and Messogi. There exists an ancient temple from the 3rd century BC and other ruins of roman constructions. This beautiful area is very busy in the summer.

A little to the south, you come across the beach of Agios Georgios that covers a distance of 3klm up to the lagoon of Koryssion. The picturesque Lefkimis is the largest city of south Corfu and it is known from the ancient times. Around it, there are many beautiful beaches to swim, hotels and taverns. The homonymous river crosses the town. Kavos is a small village that became the point of attraction for many tourists because of its long sandy beach and the green of the area.

Agios Gordis is an ideal place next to a green hill, with organized touristic facilities, beaches with fine sand, clean sea and small restaurants just a step away from the beach. In the west side of the island stands the famous Palaiokastritsa where five natural bays are formed between the steep rocks and the small road that twists and turns.

The area is very green and the legend says, that here was the city of the ancient Faiakes. Those of you who decide to swim in the clear waters of the Ionian Sea, you will find out that the waters remain cold even in August, while the bottom of the sea, for those who love diving, is offered as an exciting place to explore.

In the north peninsula of the area is the Church of Palaiokastritsa, built on a rock from where the view is incredible. The Monastery is an example of the Greek architecture. It has a small museum in it with Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons. The area is full of olive trees even on the slopes of the mountains. A little to the north stands Aggelokastro, the Byzantine castle, built on a rock of 160m height, from where the view, you can enjoy, reaches the city of Corfu.

	One of the most beautiful agricultural villages of the island is Pelekas, built on the top of a hill. It has many touristic facilities but it keeps its beauty with the painted houses of different colors. The top of this hill is famous for its unique sunset. That was the reason why the famous Caizer Wilielm II, often visited this place. Because of this, the area is now called "the Throne of Caizer". Walking down the hill, near Peleka you come across Glifada, which also has a long beach with golden sand and clear waters. Near there, stands Ermones and the beach of Myrtiotissa and the Monastery of Panagia built in 14th century.
The northeast Corfu remains traditional and natural comparing to the rest of the touristicly developed areas. The huge sizeof Pantokratoras, imposingly stands between the mountain villages, which have not changed, in the least, their way of life and traditions. Outside the city of Corfu, to the north, it is worth visiting the bay of Goubies, where you can find hotels, camping sites, restaurants, marinas and facilities for water sports.
In Dasia, there are many organized touristic facilities and the private Club Mediterane. Further from Dasia, stands Ipsos, another popular area for its long beach and for the possibilities that offers for a comfortable staying. The beautiful beaches continue to the north, in Barbati, in Glifa and Nisaki. Kalami, Kouloura and Agios Stefanos (just 2 kilometers from Albany) are picturesque and quite places, where the trees, literally, jump out of the sea. The large village of Kassiopi stands over the ancient city where the famous temple of Zeus used to be. Today, in its place, stands Panagia of Kassiopitissa, a church built in16th century. Because of its position, it is a paasage. It also has a picturesque small port and during the ancient times it used to be surrounded by walls. Its fortress was destroyed by the Venetians when they seized the city. Northwest of Kassiopi there is Acharavi, a growing touristic area with beautiful sand. In the same side of the island, which flourished during the ancient times, something that is obvious by the findings in Rhoda, many ruins of the Middle Ages are still preserved today. They stand witnesses of the times when the island was repeatedly attacked by many conquerors. This area is full of green and lately it has been touristicly developed. Another magical beach is that of Agios Georgios of Pagon, which is surrounded by vegetation and ends up to cape Arilla from where a second bay starts. In this quite place we come across destroyed fortresses. The village of Arillas is being developed into a resort center. In Sidari, beside the beautiful sand beaches and the touristic facilities, you can admire nature 's fine art work, that forms sandy hills which penetrate into the sea in a cluster that was named "The canal of love". From there you can visit Peroulades and Agio Stafano with the beautiful beach and the clear blue sea.