The shortest guide to Corfu

View from above

For those who don`t want to read every single guide about Corfu in order to find out the most important things, here is a concise summary of everything which may be of help for your holiday.

Best time to visit

* For swimming, sunbathing and summer holiday: second half of June, July, first half of September
* For hiking and tranquil holidays: April, May, first half of June, second half of September, October (may be rainy in autumn)

Best reasons to visit

Pink church near the Old Fortress

* Beautiful architecture
* Variety of beaches
* Plenty of things to see and do
* Breathtaking views
* Delicious local cuisine

Best locations to stay

* For exploration of the entire island: Pelekas, Ermones, Glyfada, Agios Gordios, Liapades
* For families with small kids: Agios Stefanos - west, Arillas, Apraos, Agios Georgios - Pagi, Agios Gordios, Kontogialos, Glyfada
* For couples and honeymooners: Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town, Liapades, Ermones, Kontogialos, Kommeno
* For snorkeling: Kassiopi, Nissaki, Avlaki, Kalami, Kerasia
* For tranquil holidays and isolation: Gardeno, Marathias, Vitalades, Paramonas, Boukari, Agios Stefanos - east
* For party travelers: Kavos, Sidari

Best beaches

Sand dunes behind the beach

* West coast: Glyfada, Agios Gordios, Rovinia, Kontogialos, Gefyra, Agios Stefanos-West, Arillas, Paradise Beach, Agios Spyridon in Paleokastritsa
* East coast: Kerasia, Kaminaki, Krouzeri, Nissaki, Barbati, Messongi
* Southwest coast: Issos, Marathias, Gardeno, Prasoudi, Paramonas
* North coast: Apraos, Avlaki, Bataria, Agios Spyridon Acharavi, Sidari

Best places to visit

Red-painted church and a square with Venetian-style buildings

* Best places in Corfu Town: Old Town of Corfu, Liston, the Old Fortress, Spianada square, Faliraki beach
* Best old villages to explore: Liapades, Afionas, Pelekas, Agios Mattheos, Chlomos, Ano Garouna, Kato Garouna, Sinarades, Giannades
* Best historical sights: Corfu Old Town, the Old Fortress, Angelokastro
* Best nature sights: Canal d`amour, Cape Drastis, Cave of Gardiki
* Best monasteries: Monastery of Paleokastritsa, Vlacherna Monastery, Monastery of Pantokratoras, Mirtidiotissa Monastery
* Best museums: Achilleion Palace, the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, Mon Repos, the Shell Museum in Benitses, Corfu Aquarium

Best local products and specialties to taste

Kumquat in bottles

* Kumquat jam and liqueur
* Ginger beer
* Pastitsada
* Sofrito
* Bourdeto

Cafes and tavernas with the best views

Cafe-patisserie with view

* Golden View Cafe - above Agios Gordios
* Golden Fox Restaurant and Dolce Cafe - in Lakones
* Canoni Cafe - at Kanoni peninsula
* Balis Taverna - in Chlomos
* Zeus Throne and Porto Timoni Restaurant - in Afionas
* Cafe-Restaurant Archontiko - in Chlomatiana
* Sunset Taverna - in Krini
* Chris Place (Sofia) Taverna - in Pentati
* 7th Heaven Cafe - in Peroulades
* Akrotiri Cafe - between Arillas and Agios Stefanos
* La Grotta Bar - in Paleokastritsa
* Taste Me Ice Cream Cafe - between Sidari and Karousades
* Dimitri`s - above Kalami

Best viewpoints

Paleokastrtsa seen from the castle

* The view from Bella Vista
* The view from the top of the Old Fortress in Corfu Town
* The view from Afionas to Arillas, Agios Georgios and Porto Timoni
* The view from Kaiser Throne
* The view from the Monastery of Paleokastritsa
* The view from Achilleion Palace
* The view to Agios Gordios from the road
* The view to Cape Drastis
* The view from Angelokastro

Best boat trips

Boats for a day trip

* Boat trip around the sea caves of Paleokastritsa
* Boat trip or water taxi to Paradise Beach (from Paleokastritsa or Gefyra)
* Day trip to Paxos and Antipaxos (from Corfu Town or from Lefkimmi)
* Day trip to the islets of Mathraki and Othonoi (from Agios Stefanos)
* Day trip to Parga, Syvota and the Blue lagoon