Is it worth going to Corfu? Holidays in Corfu
"The green island was unknown,
We cannot reach people's minds,
It consisted of white spots
From bright white, like nowhere else.
Everything around is extremely simple:
Grass, words, smiles, work...
And I'm flying to a wonderful island,
It's like I was born here..."
Despite repeated visits to this green Greek island, which resembles a boomerang in shape (maybe as a symbol of the fact that many who have visited its shores return back), it was always good here, as it was once in childhood in Gelendzhik and Evpatoria: a lot of pleasant impressions , absence of fuss and importunity, measured life, pleasant surroundings, mild climate (especially in spring and autumn), impressive landscapes, historical sights and many other things, as well as something that is impossible to express and describe, and which looks like a sweet dream before the moment awakenings, a vague haze, a light fog, a pink halo, which are both outside and inside, and which are very individual for the feelings of each person, and therefore this is not wanted and impossible to impose, since everyone has their own perception and vision of what they need and what he wants, with a certain internal mood, for any important event, especially such an important one as organizing his personal vacation only once or twice a year.
Practical points
What does a tourist planning a vacation somewhere abroad want now: 100% confidence that he or she will end up where he or she wants and will receive the agreed amount of standard and additional services for a certain amount. The standard algorithm of actions is often the following: choosing a place, then a reliable tour operator, and the tour operator itself offers its own options. A proven, well-known and often well-working method. But when I visited Corfu for the first time, I saw that the overwhelming number of people with average incomes from all over Europe are choosing a different path, especially after the unification of Europe and the disappearance of visas. Tourists, if they liked somewhere, simply look for a private person, look at the place of their future residence, make an agreement and go there next year. People have been vacationing in Corfu this way for probably 20-25 years now, since almost 100% of the population provides housing and other services. Corfu, with a population of 110 thousand, is visited by more than 1 million tourists every year, and most of them choose private tourism. I myself have seen that the overwhelming majority of tourists (especially from nearby Italy) organize their vacation this way. Several colleagues or a whole department get together and go together, or just the two of them in their car. This is easy, as huge ferries regularly sail to Corfu from Italy, mainland Greece and other places. By the way, that’s why when renting a car you can visit neighboring places in Italy and other parts of Greece.
What do tourists get from such a holiday? The ability to fully plan their travel budget and get everything they need without overpaying. What risks do tourists take? Western tourists are practically nothing, since the competition for tourists who have already arrived on the island is quite high, and this forces us to keep the standard level of services at the level of a good 3-star hotel: a small, clean room with two beds, cleaned every 2-3 days, shower, toilet, kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove and other accessories, fan or switchable air conditioning, cozy balcony and often a small green courtyard, and sometimes a swimming pool. Private swimming pools are available in villas with a high level of service. For the most part, you can use the nearby public swimming pools near the apartments and studios for free. The price for such standard services ranges from 25 to 40 euros per day for a room for two people (where, as a rule, you can add an extra bed for a child) and depends on the height of the season, location and ambitions of the owners. The highest prices are in the north of the island - near the village of Paleokastritsa, where it is really a very picturesque place, where elderly tourists are taken by bus. But no less picturesque is a less noisy place 11 km from Paleokastritsa - Agios Georgios Pagon. It is quite difficult to find advertisements for such places on the Internet. There are many advertisements on the Russian Internet for standard hotels and villas, starting from 150 euros per day.
While vacationing in Corfu, I talked a little with a former fisherman and peasant (people there are very sociable and pleasant everywhere), who abandoned his previous occupation and built 2 small houses for 12-14 people each, 20 meters from the sea in a very picturesque place. He didn’t have a car, not even a computer, a fax machine, just a telephone and an old tractor. He built these houses himself for 3 or 4 years. I regretted then that I did not stay with him. A very beautiful and quiet place (cars practically did not get there, which was rare for the place where I lived), although somewhat in a Spartan style, which did not bother Italian tourists, who come to it every year mainly for underwater fishing. And not without success. There is a problem here (and not only with this fisherman): the level of knowledge of English is often low, although of course they don’t think so, and because of this it can be very difficult to understand them. But all this is more than compensated for by the warmth and cordiality of the relationship.
Green hills near Agios Georgios Pagon
Long and wide sandy beach in Agios Georgios Pagon
Problems and their solutions
There are a number of problems for Russian tourists. You can offer specific advice and recommendations for solving them, conduct preliminary negotiations with the owner of the selected house (apartment, villa) to clarify all the most insignificant nuances regarding the features of living in each place.
Visas
If the owner of a villa or apartment (or the manager of several private villas) has his own company registered and is known at the Greek consulate in Moscow, then obtaining all the necessary documents from him for the subsequent receipt of visas in Moscow is not a problem, as a rule, after an advance payment of approximately 25% of the tour. There are different managers and managers in relation to tourists. It is no secret that tourists often have additional questions about the living conditions, the condition of individual rooms of the apartment or villa, the condition of the furniture, kitchen, bathroom and toilet, etc. Often the photos of the respective villas are not updated for years. Not every manager will be in a hurry to update photos or answer all tedious questions in detail and spend enough time on each client. I know a manager (who is the owner of one of the villas) who treats such work conscientiously and very carefully.
It is more difficult to obtain all the necessary documents for obtaining a visa from a private owner who rents out one of his houses for tourists. This host simply needs to know how to properly prepare all the necessary documents for an invitation. In addition, he must want to do it. Not all private owners are interested in preparing such documents for various reasons. Western tourists have not needed any visas for many years, there are many of them, there is no additional work with them. To confirm the agreement, only one phone call is needed. For repeat and frequent tourists, the hosts often do not require any advance payment. There are often cases when tourists, already at the end of their vacation, inform the owner when and for how many weeks they will return to him for the next season. I know of private owners who can quickly prepare such documents to obtain a visa. I also know private owners who trust Russian tourists so much that they do not take any advance payment. Full payment occurs upon arrival.
After receiving all the documents from the owner or manager and filling out all the necessary documents and submitting them to the consulate, as suggested here - http://www.greek.ru, all tourists receive visas every other day. The cost of a Greek visa for April 2011 is 35 euros. There is a lot of talk in the press and among politicians at the beginning of each tourist season about significantly simplifying the procedure for obtaining a Greek visa. But so far little has changed.
Photo of a Russian passport with a Greek visa
Flights
Charter flights for the next season to Corfu are usually formed in February-March. In general, due to jumps in oil prices, air ticket prices have risen greatly or not very much every season for the last 3-4 years. In addition, all sorts of airport and fuel taxes and so on are being introduced. But, I believe that the price will fluctuate in the most optimistic case from 240 to 280 euros 1-1.5 months before departure (round trip for one person). A few days before departure, it can reach 400 euros or more, especially during the Easter and May holidays. This price is offered by some well-known tour operators working with Greece. There are not so many companies from which you can privately purchase tickets for charter flights at normal prices in Moscow, but they do exist. And often these companies are different, that is, there is no stability. Most of them prefer to work with large tour operators. Of course, you can easily purchase tickets from them for a regular direct flight (or with a stop in Athens), but this will often be much more expensive for private travelers. For tourists from St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk and northwestern Russia, it is easier and cheaper (often much cheaper) to fly through Helsinki.
To purchase air tickets from Moscow (and neighboring regions - 200-300 km), you can suggest sites such as www.chartex.ru, (reasonably priced, but not the cheapest tickets), www.skyexpress.ru (charter flights appear here where- then in May-June, unlike chartex, where they appear much earlier), or the Greek airline Aegean Airlines (www.aegeanair.com - usually landing in Athens, but there are also direct flights). Russian representative of SkyExpress and Aegean Airlines, Labyrinth and SkyLink. But you can buy air tickets on your own, then only after choosing a place to stay and making an agreement with the owner in Corfu, as a rule, after pre-payment of 25% of the cost of rental accommodation.
The minimum prices for air tickets to Corfu (round trip) in the 2010 season from SkyExpress were 280 euros per adult with a return after 2 weeks, 340 euros after 4 weeks. Returnable after more than 4 weeks, tickets can be purchased from Aegean Airlines for an additional payment of approximately 100 euros on top of their standard price. Chartex only sells tickets with return after 1 or 2 weeks. Last flight from Corfu via chartex on October 2 or 10. As a rule, you need to book tickets in advance for the last flight, due to high demand. But you can find flights from other airlines that depart later. It is advisable to purchase such tickets 1.5-2 months in advance.
There is an opportunity to buy very cheap air tickets (50-100 euros round trip) in the middle of the season, when various Russian companies often organize sales of sorts, after often raising prices to the skies, thereby scaring off all tourists. But for such tickets you need “ hunt” on the Internet (sold within 15-20 minutes) and the flight is very inconvenient: landings and long waits in 1-2 places in different parts of Europe. The flight therefore often takes a whole day. This option is not suitable for a large family with small children.
Under the wing of the plane, the green sea of olives is singing about something...
In general, with a little effort, every Russian tourist has the opportunity to fly over green Corfu like this:
Just a little over a minute until landing...
Living conditions
For studios and apartments everything is more or less standard. The owners try not to bother their guests. The premises are cleaned regularly (1-2 times a week) and towels and bed linen are replaced. This is a standard service and everything is well organized. It is better to unobtrusively discuss the issue of regular cleaning with the owner when you meet. For a small child, all owners put small beds in the room. The kitchen has everything you need for self-cooking.
In order for everything to go smoothly and quickly, it is advisable to start acting in advance: 2-3 months before the expected departure. If the vacation is planned in September-October: then everything should start in April-May. If in May, then in January, February.
Problems exist. But they, with a certain persistence of the tourist, are quite solvable. Those interested can look at photos and descriptions of various types of housing (link to a file hosting service upon request at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it), as well as discuss everything in detail and ask any substantive questions about email or SKYPE.
Below are a few photos just as an example.
You can live in such conditions - for a price of about 100 euros or more per day of rent...
And in these more modest, but no less worthy conditions for only 30 (35 euros in August) euros for two:
Transfer, communication, English and Greek languages
And so, the tourist looks, asks, thinks, makes a decision, chooses the time and place of rest in Corfu. Negotiations are held with the owner of the house, then air tickets are purchased (see above), consultations are given on the peculiarities of living in a certain place: its pros and cons. The owner sends all the documents for obtaining a visa according to the tourists’ international passports, or, if the owner has a registered company, the selected place is simply booked after paying 25% of the cost of housing. Some company owners make advance reservations for 3-5 days without payment, but then this payment must be made later. The owner, or a taxi driver hired by him, will meet tourists at the airport and also take them out on the day of departure to the airport. The cost of a standard car transfer from the airport to the extreme points of the island (35-40 km) is 45 euros. It is possible that tourists can drive home themselves in a pre-rented car. Tourists pay the rest of the money (75%) for accommodation to the owner in Corfu. You can get a check from him. During your stay with the owner, if any insoluble problems arise (very unlikely), you can safely contact him. Tourists will have all contact information. An IP telephony card costing 4-6 euros made it possible to talk to Moscow for 35-40 minutes (2006). Talking on a cell phone will be more expensive. Most hosts provide Internet access services. The island has the ability to connect to high-speed Wi-Fi Internet up to 8 Mb/sec. The possibility of working at your place of residence via Wi-Fi Internet and the speed of work must be clarified separately.
Of course, it is desirable that the tourist knows English at least at a minimum school level. This will make life much easier. Corfu has adopted a law according to which any person providing various services for tourists is required to pass an English language test. And this provision is being fulfilled. And if a tourist can say a few sentences in Greek, then any owner will be simply delighted with this, and the tourist is guaranteed various pleasant gifts and additional communication with him! Therefore, if you want to learn 100-200 Greek phrases, then see the relevant useful links in the subsection Greek of this site in the Culture section.
When considering the monetary issue, the maximum savings are obtained with a longer stay, given the fact that the products on the local market are of better quality and cheaper than in Moscow. Not to mention the air, sea and everything else. The savings are already noticeable for a 3-week stay and significant for a stay of more than 4 weeks.
Cozy house surrounded by greenery
Transport rental
To Orfu there is a small island. Its length is about 70 km, width - from 20 (in the north) to 4 km (in the south). There are many roads, most of them are of good quality, but there are many others, so you should be very careful. There are detailed maps and at each fork there are a lot of signs indicating where everything is. It is advisable to rent a scooter with an engine capacity of 49.9 cm 3 . To ride such a scooter you need a regular car license. Ordinary Russian licenses are suitable (data as of April 2011). The scooter can be retrofitted - install an additional plastic box (coffer), which will make it possible to load it additionally and allow the passenger to lean on this box. Pros: low fuel consumption, on a flat road it goes - 60-70 km/h, uphill, however, - 20-30 km/h, accelerates not so quickly, but this is an important safety point. No problems with parking, unlike cars. When traveling in mountainous areas, you must, of course, calculate your time so as not to drive in the mountains in the dark: this is very unsafe.
The “correct” rental price for a scooter like this is 10 euros per day when renting for more than 10 days. I can advise where you can order it and arrange it in advance. Driving a scooter with a certain skill is no more difficult than a bicycle - automatic transmission and electronic starter. But in the first 2-3 days you need to get used to the peculiarities of both his driving and local roads. I saw large groups of people traveling and very happy. To drive a scooter of this size, you will need a regular driver's license. For a scooter with an engine capacity of more than 49.9 cm3 - a license to drive a motorcycle.
See how Corfu in the Lakonesa area might look from the driver's seat when driving down the mountain towards Paleokastiritsa - Culture-Climate, nature and spirit of Corfu - Green Corfu in the northwest video clip section "On a scooter in Corfu".
Some owners, in addition to renting housing, also offer car rental (both large and small) at very affordable prices. For example, renting such category B cars Hyundai Getz, Daewoo Matiz, Pegeuot 107 5, all 5 doors, air conditioning for a rental period of 13 days in July-August will cost 33 euros per day.
You can rent such a car
Or a scooter like this
Travel on a comfortable green KTEL bus
Suddenly you forgot your rights at home,
Or it will rain,
Then the bus at San Rocco will defuse the situation.
You'll save a hundred euros
You will look around everything,
Yes, and you will save your nerves.
It happens that some potential tourists do not have the opportunity to rent a car, but want to see everything on their own, without organized excursions. That's what green buses are for. Such buses for long distances usually depart at 9 am. For more information about the bus schedule and photo impressions of one tourist, see. Many thanks to this tourist for this work! Knowing the schedule of such buses, you can travel around Corfu without renting a car or scooter, thus saving money on rent and, to some extent, your nerves when driving in traffic jams at the entrance to Kerkyra in the morning. Although I really like traveling on a scooter. You go wherever you want. A feeling of freedom and joy from direct communication. But you should, of course, be careful and not particularly turn your head to the sides while driving, as this is best done on the bus. By the way, I would like to note that such buses also depart from my beloved Agios Georgios Pagon in the northwest.
With this schedule, any tourist can easily plan his trips around Corfu. The best way to do this, of course, is to set off from Kerkyra. Although, of course, you need to remember the bus departure time and hope that the driver will arrive at the desired point on schedule, and will not forget to pick you up in some small village on Friday evening at the end of the working day!
I decided to provide a bus schedule just in case the above page disappears. You just have to take into account that there are changes in the schedule, just like for our Moscow electric trains. It is better to check possible changes near the bus station. The bus station is located near the walls of the new fortress. Approximately here - 39°37"29.68"N 19°54"51.57"E.
Green KTEL buses
"Western Corfu
Afionas, Arillas. From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 05.15, 14.00. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 06.30, 15.30. There is no bus on weekends. Ticket – 3.60 euros.
Agios Georgios north (tone Pagon). From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 06.15, 09.00, 13.30, 16.30. Sat: 09.00, 16.30. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 07.20, 10.15, 14.45, 17.30. Sat: 10.15, 17.30. There are no buses on Sundays. Ticket -3.30 euros.
Paleokastritsa. From Kerkyra to Paleokastritsa: Mon-Sat: 8.30, 9.00, 11.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.00, 18.00. Sun: 10.30, 16.00. Return flights from Paleokastritsa to Kerkyra: Mon-Sat: 09.15, 09.45, 11.45, 12.45, 14.45, 16.45, 18.45. Sun:11.15, 16.45. There is also a bus that leaves in the morning from Paleokastritsa to the city around 7 am, but it is not on the schedule. The ticket costs 2.1 euros. You can take the same bus to Liapades (stop at a fork 1.5 km from the village and 3.5 km from the beach). You can leave Liapades for Kerkyra at 07.15 (07.20) from the bus stop in the village, or later from the Liapades-Paleokastritsa junction.
Glyfada. From Kerkyra: Mon-Sat: 09.00, 11.00, 14.30, 16.30. Sun: 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 16.30, 17.30. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Sat: 09.45, 11.45, 15.15, 17.15. Sun: 11.45, 12.45, 13.45, 17.15, 18.15. Ticket -2 euros.
Ermones. From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 09.00, 14.30, 16.30. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 10.00, 15.00, 17.00. There is no bus on weekends. Ticket – 2 euros.
Agios Gordis. From Kerkyra: Mon-Sat: 08.15, 09.15, 14.30, 17.30. Sun: 09.30, 13.00, 17.30. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Sat: 09.00, 10.00, 15.15, 18.15. Sun: 10.15, 13.45, 18.15. Ticket -2 euros. This bus goes through Sinarades, so you can get off there, visit the folklore museum (open from 09.30 to 14.00, except Mondays), then walk to Agios Gordis, taking colorful photos along the way, swim on the beach and return to Kerkyra.
North-eastern part of Corfu
Kassiopi. From Kerkyra to Kassiopi: Mon-Fri: 05.30, 09.00, 12.15, 14.30, 16.30. Sat: 05.30, 09.00, 14.30, 16.30. Sun: 09.30. Return flights from Kassiopi to Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 07.15, 10.30, 13.45, 6.15, 17.30. Sat: 07.15, 10.30, 16.15, 17.30. Sun: 17.00. Ticket - 3.2 euros.
A very beautiful road, past the picturesque Gouvia, Dassia, Ipsos, Pyrgi, Barbati, Nissaki, Kendroma, Kouloura, Kalami, Agni. You can get off at any of the above places. You need to find out in advance how you can then get back to Kerkyra or to your place of residence at the bus station.
The bus schedule on the Kassiopi-Sidari route may vary depending on the high/low season, so it is better to check the schedule obtained from the bus station. Last year's schedule at the beginning of June:
From Sidari in Kassiopi: Mon-Sun: 11.30, 16.00. Return from Kassiopi to Sidari: Mon-Sun: 10.15, 15.15. Ticket – about 3 euros.
Barbati. From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 09.00, 12.15, 14.30, 16.30. Sat: 6 09.00, 14.30, 16.30. Sun: 9.30. Return from Barbati to Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 10.50, 14.05, 16.45, 17.45. Sat: 10.50, 16.45, 17.45. Sun: 17.45. Ticket - 2 euros.
Pyrgi, Ipsos. From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 06.45, 09.00, 10.30, 12.15, 14.00, 14.30, 16.00, 16.30, 20.00. Sat: 05.30, 09.00, 10.30, 14.30, 16.30, 20.00. Sun: 09.30, 10.30, 12.00, 18.00. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 07.30, 09.00, 11.00, 12.45, 14.15, 16.30, 18.00, 20.30. Sat: 07.30, 09.30, 11.00, 16.45, 18.00, 20.30. Sun: 11.00, 12.30, 17.45, 18.30. Ticket -1.40 euros.
Ag. Ilias. From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 05.30, 09.00, 12.15, 14.30. Sat: 05.30, 09.00, 14.30. Sun: 09.30. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 07.00, 10.15, 13.30, 16.00. Sat: 07.15, 10.15, 16.15. Sun. 17.00. Ticket – 3.40 euros.
Northern part of Corfu
Roda, Acharavi. From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 05.30, 09.00, 11.00, 14.00, 16.00, 20.00. Sat: 06.00, 09.00, 11.00, 14.00, 16.00, 20.00. Sun: 09.30. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 06.55, 10.30, 12.15, 15.15, 17.15, 21.15. Sat: 07.00, 10.30, 12.30, 15.15, 17.15, 21.15. Sun: 17.15. Ticket -3.3 euros.
The bus that goes from Kassiopi to Sidari stops in Roda and Acharavi.
Sidari. From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 05.15, 09.00, 11.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.00, 20.00. Sat: 05.15, 09.00, 11.00, 14.00, 16.00, 20.00. Sun: 09.30. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 07.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.45, 16.00, 18.00, 21.00. Sat: 07.00, 11.00, 12.00, 16.00, 18.00, 21.00. Sun: 17.30. Ticket - 3 euros.
You can get to Sidari directly from Kassiopi (without a transfer in Kerkyra) (this schedule may change depending on the month, you need to check at the bus station). Mon-Sun: 10.15, 15.15. Return from Sidari to Kassiopi: Mon-Sun: 11.30, 16.00. Ticket – about 3 euros.
Agios Stefanos. From Kerkyra: Mon-Sat: 05.15, 09.00, 14.00, 16.00. Sun:09.30. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Sat: 06.30, 10.45, 15.45, 17.45. Sun: 17.00. Ticket – 3.70 euros. The tourist has a suspicion that this bus goes through Sidari, so you can check at the kiosk. And perhaps it can also take you to Peroulades and the fork in the road to Cape Drastis.
South Corfu
Messonghi. From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 10.00, 11.30, 14.00, 15.30. Sat: 09.30, 11.30, 15.30. Sun: 05.00, 09.30, 15.30. Return to Kerkyra (Messonghi-Kerkyra road intersection): Mon-Fri: 06.45, 08.35, 09.45, 10.15, 12.15, 13.45, 15.00, 16.00, 17.45, 19.45, 21.45. Sat: 06.45, 08.35, 09.45, 10.15, 11.45, 13.45, 16.00, 17.45, 21.45. Sun: 06.45, 11.45, 17.45. Ticket -2 euros.
Agios Georgios south (Argyrades). From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 09.00, 16.30. Return to Kerkyra Mon-Fri: 10.00, 17.30, No bus on Sundays. Ticket -2.60 euros.
Spartera. From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 05.00, 15.00. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 06.15, 16.30. There are no buses on weekends. Ticket – 4 euros.
Kavos. From Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 05.00, 06.15, 08.15, 10.00, 11.30, 12.30, 14.00, 15.30, 17.30, 20.00. Sat: 05.00, 06.15, 09.30, 11.30, 14.00, 15.30, 20.00. Sun: 05.00, 09.30, 15.30. Return to Kerkyra: Mon-Fri: 06.15, 07.50, 09.45, 11.30, 13.00, 14.00, 15.30, 17.00, 19.00, 21.30. Sat: 06.15, 07.15, 11.00, 13.00, 15.30, 17.00, 21.30. Sun: 06.15, 11.00, 17.00. Ticket – 4 euros.
Where else can you get to on “green” buses, besides the places listed above:
Sinarades- by bus Kerkyra-Agios Gordis. There is also a schedule of buses going to Sinarades (but I can’t vouch for its accuracy!): Mon-Fri: 07.15, 08.15, 13.30, 14.45, 17.30, 20.00. Sat: 07.15, 14.45. Return: Mon-Fri: 07.45, 08.45, 14.00, 15.15, 18.00, 20.30. Sat: 07.45, 15.15.
Agni, Kalami, Kulura, Kendroma, Barbati, Ipsos, Nissaki– by bus Kerkyra-Kassiopi.
Lefkimmi– by bus Kerkyra-Kavos.
Trumbet– by bus Kerkyra-Sidari, Kerkyra-Agios-Georgios ton Pagon.
Liapades– by bus Kerkyra-Paleokastritsa (stop on the highway 1.5 km from the village and 3.5 km from the beach)
Blue buses
Stop at San Rocco Square.
These buses go to nearby Kerkyra routes. Tickets can be bought at a kiosk at the station or at kiosks and supermarkets along the route; tickets are not sold on the bus itself. It makes sense to buy a return ticket right away.
Bus number 2. Kanoni–Manduki(circular). It does not depart from San Rocco Square itself, but from a stop on Alexandras Street, where the post office and police are located (for reference), 200 meters from the square). The bus departs every 30 minutes from 06.30 to 22.00 (Mon-Fri), on Saturdays from 06.30 to 14.30 every half hour, then once every hour. On Sundays - once an hour from 09.30 to 21.30.
You can take it to the observation deck overlooking Pontikonissi and Vlaherna, the Mon Repos Palace (Paleopolis Museum and excavations in the park and surrounding area). Ticket – about 1 euro one way.
It is convenient to take this bus to the observation deck in Kanoni, and return to the center of Kerkyra on foot, along the way visiting the museum in Mon Repos (open Tue-Sun from 08.30 to 15.00), excavations in the park next to the palace and visiting the Church of St. Jason and Sosipatros.
Bus number 3. Analipsis. Every day at 08.00, 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.30, 20.30. Return – 08.15, 10.15, 12.15, 14.15, 16.45, 20.45.
Bus number 4. Potamos, Europoly, Temploni. Mon-Sat: 06.00 (E), 06.40 (E,T), 09.00 (E), 10.30 (P), 11.30 (E), 13.00 (E), 14.30 (E,T), 16.00 (E), 18.15 ( E), 20.00 (E), 21.30 (E). Sun: 09.00 (E), 12.00 (E), 17.00 (E), 21.00 (E). Return in 30 minutes.
Bus number 5. Castellani, Kouramades. Mon-Fri: 06.00, 07.00, 08.00, 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 14.15, 16.00, 18.00, 19.00. 21.00, 22.00. Sat: 07.00, 08.00, 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 14.15, 16.00, 18.00, 21.00. Sun: 07.00, 11.00, 14.00, 16.00, 18.00, 21.00. Return in 30 minutes.
Bus number 6. Perama, Benitses. Mon-Sat: 06.45, 08.00, 09.15, 10.30, 11.45, 13.30, 14.30, 15.45, 17.00, 18.15, 19.30, 20.45, 22.00. (Fewer buses Saturday pm.). Sun: 08.30, 10.30, 12.30, 14.30, 17.00, 20.00. Return in 30 minutes.
Bus number 7. Kontokali, Gouvia. Dassia. Mon-Sat: from 07.00 to 09.00 - every half hour, from 09.00 to 14.00 - every 20 minutes, from 14.00 to 22.30 - every 30 minutes. Sun: from 07.00 to 22.00 - every half hour. Return in 30 minutes.
Bus number 8. Afra, Agios Ioannis. Mon-Sat: 06.15, 7.10, 08.00, 09.00, 11.00, 12.30, 13.15, 14.15, 15.15, 17.00, 19.10, 21.00, 22.30. Sun: 08.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.15, 18.00, 20.00. Return in 20 minutes.
Bus number 10. Achilleon, Gasturi. Mon-Sat: 07.00, 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 17.00, 20.00. Sun: 09.00, 13.00, 17.00, 19.00. Return – Mon-Sat: 07.20, 10.20, 12.20, 14.20, 17.20, 20.20. Sun: 09.20, 13.20, 17.20, 19.20. The museum is open daily from 09.00 to 18.00. You can also get to Achilleion from Benitses on foot (about 3 km, they say).
Bus number 11. Pelekas. Mon-Fri: 07.00, 10.00, 12.00, 14.15, 16.00, 18.00, 20.30. Sat: 07.00, 10.00, 12.00, 14.15. 17.00, 20.00. Sun: 10.00, 12.00, 17.00, 20.00. Return – Mon-Fri: 07.30, 10.30, 12.30, 14.45, 16.30, 18.30, 20.30. Sat: 07.30, 10.30, 12.30, 14.45, 17.30, 20.30. Sun: 10.30, 12.30, 17.30, 20.30.
The most convenient bus (No. 11) leaves from Piazza San Rocco at 10 am (the stop is on the right when facing the bus kiosk. You need to go to the opposite side of the square and walk a little in the direction of travel to the Green Bus station (all stops have numbers buses and timetables).
Arriving in Pelekas, you can stroll through its narrow streets and go up to the Kaiser's Throne, as well as down to Kontogyalos beach. But you have to climb a steep mountain to get back!
From the experience of a tourist: having arrived in Pelekas, you can go down to the beach, and only then take a walk around Pelekas, and leave back to Kerkyra on a flight at 14.45. Also in Pelekas there are small buses from Kontogyalos beach to Pelekas and then to Glyfada. You can ask for the schedule (if it is not posted in the window) at the supermarket next to the bus stop to Kerkyra. Accordingly, from Glyfada you can get to Pelekas without going to Kerkyra.
The only thing is that this minibus (No. 11) runs at the height of the tourist season, and you can only find out about its schedule in Pelekas and Glyfada.
Bus number 14. Alepu, Kanalia, Kobitsi. Mon-Sat: 08.15, 13.50, 17.15, 20.00. Sun: 10.00, 13.50, 19.15. Back in 20 minutes."
I would like to thank this tourist again for all the research she has done on moving around Corfu on various buses. I am sure that this information will be useful for many Russian tourists.
Additional information on the conditions of short-term and long-term rental housing in all areas of the island. Corfu (124 offers in total) can be obtained by downloading the file from a file hosting service.
Here you can find both a description of various villas, apartments and studios in Corfu (of different price ranges: mainly from 30-45 euros to 90-120 euros per day rental), and a more detailed description than on the website of my travels to Corfu with numerous photos, which can serve as a basis for organizing a tourist’s own excursions on this wonderful island! Specific prices are not indicated there, since rental prices may change every season, either down or up.
ATTENTION! Request the download file address and password at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. To view it, you must have JavaScript enabled with a brief summary of your wishes: number of vacationers, duration of the trip, whether a visa is needed, assistance with air tickets, etc. .
Possibility of eating in some Corfu taverns at special prices
The possibility of eating special meals in some taverns in Corfu (30-40% lower than usual) looks somewhat unusual. But some tourists, living with private owners at home, would also like to eat in good restaurants, or 4 or 5 star hotels, so as not to think every day about what and where to get cheaper and then spend time preparing food, instead of to enjoy the sunset on your balcony. Daily meals in various taverns are of course a good option, but for a family of 5-6 people it can become quite an expensive pleasure. Taking all this into account, a certain marketing survey was carried out among the owners of some taverns in the north of Corfu, which could receive guests on an ongoing basis (for example, as for a regular lunch (brunch) or dinner) and at the same time they would guarantee a price much lower than the prices given in their menu. The usual cost of an average dinner per adult is 18-25 euros. In the taverns listed below, its cost will be from 12 to 15 euros, and for children under 11 years old - 6-7 euros. Here you can have lunch from 12 to 15 hours or dinner from 18 to 21 hours. Breakfast is not provided here. The price includes the cost of appetizer, salad, main dish and water. All these taverns are located in the north: in the villages of Astrakeri, Acharavi and Almiros, and the quality of their dishes was checked by a Greek living nearby in the village of Almiros. So, below are the names of these taverns (in English and Russian) and their coordinates according to Google Earth. For tourists spending their holidays with private owners in these places, this may well serve as an alternative to eating in various taverns, or preparing dinner themselves. In this case, the family wallet will not suffer so much and time will be saved for other events. Below are also photos of some dishes from these taverns.
Acharavi village
Apnoea Tavern- 39.797571N,19.815801E
Tavern Lemon garden- 39.791776N,19.815425E
Pumphouse Tavern- 39.791859N,19.816208E
Filarakia grill-room- 39.790515N,19.812893E
Almiros village
Avra Tavern- 39.809243N, 19.833503E,
Tavern George-39.811987N,19.836969E
Tavern Zephyros- 39.808021N,19.837393E
Astrakeri village
Tavern Three Brothers- 39.795245N,19.756755E, located right on the beach.
Photos of some dishes from the menu of these taverns
Pastizada
Pastitsada
Moussaka in Greek
Grilled fish (dorado)
Pastizada
Baked cheese
Sofrito
Spetzofai
Stifado
Stewed zucchini
Souvlaki
Frapsala
Tzatziki
(sauce made from thick Greek yogurt, grated cucumber and garlic, sprinkled with lemon juice!!)
Some names of Greek dishes, the subtleties of their preparation, coordinates and features of the cuisine of some other taverns in Corfu with a brief overview can be found here.
Where to relax in Corfu with children
I accidentally found a very useful link for tourists vacationing with children. So, in any case, the author positions his article, which is quite large and full of all sorts of very useful links with his comments, to many of which there is nothing to add. In general, if you want to know where to go, when is the best time to go, how much does it cost (possible discounts), how to get there, then you should go here. All material is richly “fertilized” with a large number of links and original articles and photographs. Below are all the points of her review. Each point in her review is revealed to the maximum extent and is very interesting from both informational and educational points of view.
WATER PARKS CORFU
Water park "AQUALAND" (Agios Ioannis)
Waterpark "Hydropolis" (Acharavi)
Water park "Sidari Water Park" (Sidari)
AMUSEMENT PARKS
Aladdin Children's Center in Kotokali
Children's amusement parks at Corfu Exhibition Center
*Children's store Jumbo
CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND
Cafe with children's playgrounds
Cafe "Monkey Business"
Cafe "Mistral Bar - Roda"
Cafe in Benitses
Children's playground in San Rocco Square (Corfu Town)
Children's playground in Spilia Square (Corfu Town)
Children's playground in Boschetto Park (Corfu Town)
ORGANIZATION OF CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS
Group "Puppet Magic" "Puppet Magic"
WATER TOURS
Excursion from the Old Port on a glass-bottom boat "Calypso Star".
Walk to Vido Island
PALEOKASTRITSA
Boat trip to the grottoes of Paleokastritsa
5-hour excursion from the port of Paleokastritsa on the Calypso Star boat.
Excursion from the port of Paleokastritsa on the yellow submarine “Sea Discovery” Monastery of the Mother of God “Zoodokhu Pigi” in Paleokastritsa
Kanoni Peninsula (5 km from Kerkyra)
RENTAL of a boat, catamaran, canoe, etc.
HORSE RIDING
Silvia Steen's stable (The Silva Project) in Kanoni
Stables in the village of Ano Korakiana, 4 km from Dassia.
Stable of Dimitris (Dimitris horse riding) Kassiopi
Kostas Horse Riding Club in Roda
Karting in Sidari
Karting in the Ropa’s Valley (Kart Cross: Ropa’s Valley) near the village of Ermones
Karting in Moraitika
Karting in Kavos
PAINTBALL
Paintball in Dassia
Paintball in Kassiopi
MUSEUMS
Soap Factory Museum in Corfu Town (Patounis Soap Factory)
The Sea Shell Museum
Achillion Palace
The Folkloric Museum of Sinarades
Folklore Museum of Acharavi
Costume Museum (Pelekas)
Olive Oil Museum in the village of Kinopiastis
FORTRESSES
Corfu Town Fortress
Fortress of Angelokastro
Gardiki Fortress
Fortress in Kassiopi
For all this information, I can only say a BIG THANK YOU to the author Lenech and I can only add that much of what is given will be guaranteed to be interesting not only for children, but also for many adult tourists with a child’s outlook on life who still retain curiosity and inquisitiveness!
Reviews of Corfu
Review 1
This year in the fall, from mid to late September, I spent a holiday with my family (my wife and three sons, 15, 5 and 2 years old) in Corfu. The impressions from the trip were the most wonderful.
What I would like to immediately note is the unhurried and friendly way of life of the local residents, which you get infected with very quickly, you have enough time for everything at once, you have time for everything, you are not in a hurry. And the difference with Moscow by an hour in time is somehow felt in the profit, so to speak.
The attitude towards Russians is good.
We lived in a bungalow in the town of Arilas, a two-minute walk from the sea; to be honest, the distance from the sea does not matter too much when you are relaxing, as the savage says.
So, a bungalow is three houses adjacent to each other diagonally; in each house there is a large kitchen of 17 meters with all the necessary attributes, a combined bathroom with a shower and hot water. Two bedrooms, 14 meters each, with floor-to-ceiling windows that simultaneously serve as a sliding door to the loggia, which is quite large and has a dining table on it. Beautiful roses climb onto the loggia as if visiting from the plot.
All these houses stand on a fenced area with exotic vegetation for Moskvich, which is not annoying, but is noticeably present. There are a couple of sized handball goals, sun loungers, umbrellas, barbecue facilities, balls, etc. on the site. All inclusive, especially since there was a baby stroller, which in my case was very useful.
Practical advice that I could give or if I went there again.
1. I would immediately take a car at the airport (if there were...) The roads are good, there is no traffic compared to Moscow, if you buy an inexpensive map, you won’t get lost if you want, you will no longer be dependent on one place, you have to go there to swim at different beaches, and take walks. On one day, different places can have different water temperatures and calm seas. The British, who live there for months, rent cars on occasion or for an excursion or shopping. There are shops like Auchan in the capital, the price difference is very different, it’s really profitable once a week.
2. You need to take with you nonsense, for which fumitox is a pity for money, in my case, porridge, coffee, tea, sugar.
3. The weather during my stay there was wonderful, one day it was cloudy for half a day, the next day it was raining, but all this was before departure. The temperature according to the engine indicator was always 33-29 degrees, in the rain it was somewhere around 25-23. You don’t feel the heat all the time, there’s a pleasant breeze blowing, but you get a tan instantly.
4. The children never got sick the whole time, although they couldn’t get them out of the water. There are tons of all kinds of entertainment in different places on the island. Quite reasonable prices.
5. You can get tired of cooking at home, go to a restaurant, the prices are almost the same, only the food is delicious, somewhere the taste is so-so, there are no friends for the color. You can find out for yourself by the number of visitors where it tastes better. Of course, you need to get to know people there, most of all the English, so learning the language will be very useful. There are few Russians, but there are some.
6. Most of the expenses were spent on the flight, about 30% of the funds for the holiday, this problem needs to be solved in advance; you can fly through Finland, how else should you think, it’s a pity for the money when you find out the flight from London for the exact same distance costs 40 pounds round trip.
The most important thing is that if you are in Corfu, be sure to venerate the relics of St. Spyridon, your vacation will be successful. During your entire stay there, he will take care of you, and if you want to meet a Russian or you are lost, you will always meet a compatriot at the temple.
Review 2
Dear Valentin!
This is our second trip to this island. Two years ago we were on the island and lived in a hotel, but being tied to hotel life, and especially to its restaurant, was extremely inconvenient for us. Having once tried holidaying in apartments in Spain, we came to the conclusion that this independence is much more convenient and cozy. And such a vacation is our option! ;))))
You, Valentin, supported us a lot and helped us get our bearings wonderfully. Thank you for keeping us “under your wing” of care and attention until the last moment.
The days spent on the island were very calm, carefree and happy for our whole family!
Having arrived in Kerkyra, my family (me, my husband and my 6-year-old son) immediately got into the car. It was very convenient that we booked a car in advance via the Internet. I admit with shame that we do not speak foreign languages, but this did not create any difficulties with booking a car, as well as further stay on the island and communication with the local population and with the owners of the apartments where we stayed.
We lived in the north of the island. From the airport or from the capital Kerkyra it is one hour away by car. It was a little difficult to drive the first time, but taking a navigator with you made it possible. The road is beautiful, but there are quite sharp turns in the mountains, the road is narrow and considering that local young drivers are quite risky people, you need to drive carefully, not quickly and carefully! For the future, we decided to take into account departure and arrival to the place so that we would be on the island during the daytime, and get to our place of residence during daylight hours, without worries and without fatigue.
By agreement with the owner of the apartment, the meeting was scheduled at the villa where we were to live. But after getting a little lost, we called our hostess and said “ Sos ";))))) Sofia (that was the name of the owner of the apartment) immediately realized that we were lost, and immediately came to our aid to take us home. The owners of the villa turned out to be very friendly people and not intrusive. However, like the entire local population in general.
The hostess Sofia was very attentive to the order and cleanliness of the apartment, as well as the garden. Having understood our schedule, she came to us when we were not there, so as not to disturb us. She very carefully changed all the linen and towels every three days, and also cleaned the entire house. For me, as a housewife, this was a very important moment! She and her husband also noticed that we were meat lovers and offered us a grill with wood and coal. They placed an umbrella for us in the yard near a table with armchairs, and for the child they placed a rocking chair in the garden. Everything was simple, but so cute and cozy!
If you are planning to go to Corfu with your children, first of all, plan your route especially carefully, and think about how you will entertain your child if he suddenly gets tired of a beach holiday. There are enough places in Corfu to solve this problem, but will your hotel be in the right place? What about relationships with mosquitoes, of which there are also quite a few here? This is what we want to talk about in our article.
The island is very popular among tourists, but getting to it directly from Moscow or St. Petersburg is somewhat problematic, because tickets for charter flights are sold out quite quickly, but there are no regular direct flights yet. By plane from Moscow you can only fly to Athens and Thessaloniki, and there you need to make a transfer to Corfu.
In total, the flight from Moscow to the Greek island can take up to 12 hours, and you still need to get from the airport to the hotel. So the option with transfers is probably not the best route option.
Direct charter flights are already operating in July, but in order to buy tickets at competitive prices, they must be booked at least 2-3 months before departure. Otherwise, you will have to fly with a transfer.
Hotels for families with children
There are several excellent hotels in Corfu that offer the best prices and the best conditions for a holiday with or without children, but most hotels provide three-star service with all the attendant pros and cons
Among the best hotels for families with children in Corfu, we would like to highlight the following:
Each of these hotels offers not only magnificent and comfortable rooms, but also an interesting children's program. So, hotels have animators, children's rooms, and children's pools. Consequently, parents can safely spend time together while the child is entertained by professionals in their field.
Judging by the reviews, for example, about the Pelekas Beach Hotel, the level of service is very high. In addition, tourists will be pleased with the wonderful swimming pool, a variety of entertainment programs for both adults and children, and spacious rooms. Due to the popularity of the resort among tourists, it is better to book a room in advance. Otherwise, all rooms in the selected hotel will be occupied.
Of course, in a 3-star hotel the service is a little worse, but the prices are more reasonable and affordable. If your children are already quite independent and ready to go to the sea on their own, then perhaps you shouldn’t overpay for the stars. In addition, many budget hotels in Corfu have playgrounds and special children's clubs, which means that the child will have something to do on site.
Beaches
It is noteworthy that many hotels on the island offer good beaches for families with children.
The coast of the Dassia resort is occupied by 4-5 star hotels. Not every tourist can afford to relax there. However, in fairness, it is worth noting that the beach here is perfect for children. The descent into the water is smooth, there is no strong current.
The resorts of Gurya and Kontokali also offer beautiful beaches. These beaches are considered non-city beaches and are located 5-6 kilometers from the city. You can get to the beaches by bus. This pebble beach is also convenient for families with children because it is incredibly picturesque, the entrance to the water is excellent, and the water is clean and transparent.
Children's activities and excursions
For children, the island of Corfu is not only an opportunity to swim in the sea, but also to have fun. In fact, there are many attractions and interesting places for both adults and children.
For example, you can visit the palace built for the Austrian princess Elisabeth Achilleion. The palace is very picturesque, beautiful, and if you also take a Russian audio guide, then the child will be very interested in listening to the history of this place.
You should also visit the shell museum, which is located in the village of Benitoss. There, young visitors will find many interesting and unusual shells that will amaze kids with their bizarre shapes and huge sizes.
Of course, the island has its own small aquariums, water parks and amusement parks, without which no resort can do. Consequently, children will have fun not only in the hotel, but also outside it.
Many hotels are trying to create water parks on their premises. Of course, it’s great when the hotel infrastructure provides such wonderful entertainment for children and adults. However, there are usually few slides in such water parks, and it’s not that interesting to ride there.
That is why it is better to go to the AQUALAND or Hydropolis water park, located in Corfu, where there are always a lot of visitors, but there are also a huge number of ways to have fun!
There are also amusement parks on the island, for example, the Aladdin children's center, which is located in Kontokali. There is an amusement park for kids at the Corfu Exhibition Centre.
The main problem is, of course, getting to your hotel in Corfu. You must be confident in your child and his willingness to endure first the plane, and then transport to the hotel, which will take place along the winding roads of the island. Perhaps we would recommend refraining from traveling to Corfu with small children who have difficulty with the journey.
There are no special problems with hotels for children on the island, but again, provided that you are willing to pay for a good level of service, or, conversely, your children are already unpretentious enough that you can stay with them in more budget ones, but no less practical hotels in Corfu. Again, most likely, such a vacation is more suitable for parents with children over 3-4 years old.
The excursion program on the island, of course, cannot be compared with the Spanish one, but it is quite possible to come up with 2-3 outings for the whole to satisfy the child’s needs. True, children under 3 years old are unlikely to be particularly interested in a water park, castle or amusement park. However, everything is individual.
In addition, you should definitely remember one rather important point. The island is literally surrounded by greenery, which creates a wonderful climate and clean air here, but such conditions appeal not only to tourists, but also to mosquitoes, of which there are quite a lot here. Some hotels make sure that all these biting midges do not bother tourists, but if your child is very sensitive to bites, then you should consider having special ones. funds in your suitcase to avoid problems.
In our opinion, it is better to go to Corfu with older children who can easily endure a difficult road and are not very whimsical in terms of entertainment.
We'll tell you where to go to Corfu in search of picturesque beaches. We have selected for you 5 of the most amazing resorts on this Greek island.
The island of Corfu, surrounded by the azure waters of the Ionian Sea, is chosen as a holiday destination not only by tourists, but also by the Greeks themselves. And the reason is not only the rich historical heritage. Corfu is well known for its beaches - fine pebbles and sandy, wide and tiny. And it’s even better when there is a developed resort nearby with all the necessary infrastructure. Which Corfu resort towns boast picturesque beaches?
Please note
- Where if you are there for the first time
- Historical sights of the island
- Everything about
Kavos
In the south of Corfu, about 47 km from the capital, is the lively town of Kavos. It is surrounded by green hills and seems to be created for fun lovers. Here tourists will find cafes, clubs, shops and bars in abundance. Kavos is also famous for its long sandy beach, which stretches for 3 km. Therefore, you can settle somewhere on the outskirts and enjoy a relaxing holiday. On the wide coast there are several areas: equipped with sun loungers and wild ones. Somewhere the rocks approach almost the water, and somewhere there is space for those who want to play volleyball. Kavos beach has water sports and equipment rental centers, diving schools for experienced and beginner divers, and right on the coast you can relax in a tavern or bar. Some travel companies operating on the beach offer boat trips to the shores of Epirus or Paxi Island.
Sidari
The village of Sidari is a place of wild beauty, famous for its coastal strip. The coast here is divided into several coves, delimited by sandy headlands. It is in Sidari that the Love Canal is located. This is a narrow sandy beach with a narrowed channel, the waters of which every tourist in Corfu strives to swim in. Each section of Sidari Beach is equipped with sun loungers and entertainment centers. Here you can rent a catamaran, go diving or relax in the bar. There are hotels along the beach, and tourist boats depart from the shores of Sidari to the isolated islets of Diapontia - an excellent opportunity to enjoy swimming in the quiet turquoise coves.
Planning a trip? Here you go!We have prepared some useful gifts for you. They will help you save money while preparing for your trip.
Paleokastritsa
Among the most famous resorts of Corfu is Paleokastritsa. And not least of all, it owes its popularity to its beaches. The coastal zone of the town is divided into six parts: Platakia, quiet Ambelaki, Agios Petros for those who want to relax actively, organized and most visited Agios Spyridonas, sandy Alipa and Ayia Triada with well-developed infrastructure. Guests of Paleokastritsa have a really huge choice. All the beaches of the resort are surrounded by dense forests, and the diverse underwater world off the coast of the resort will delight diving enthusiasts. The area around is also rich in restaurants. They even say that in Paleokastritsa you can taste the best seafood in Corfu.
Ermones
Romantics and lovers of secluded relaxation will love Ermones. This village itself impresses with picturesque views. Hotels and restaurants here seem to have climbed onto the tops of the hills, from where it is convenient to admire sunsets and landscapes. And Ermonesa beach is located in a bay, to which you need to go down the stairs. The water here is so calm and clear that you can see fish in the water. The shore of Ermones is pebbly, but there are also sandy areas. Entertainment includes water attractions and excellent fish taverns nearby. The beach, despite the modest size of the village, is well equipped, and its cleanliness is closely monitored.
The island of Corfu (Greek name - Kerkyra) belongs to the group of Greek islands located in the Ionian Sea. Its area is 610.9 square meters. km, length is about 64 kilometers, the widest part is 32 kilometers, the total coastline is 217 kilometers. The island, which stretches along the mainland, is home to more than 102,071 inhabitants. The western part of the island of Corfu is washed by the waters of the Adriatic Sea, and its eastern part by the waters of the Ionian Sea. Being in the north of the island, you can see the coast of Albania, located 1.5 kilometers from Kerkyra.
Ancient Greek myths say that this wonderful island was founded by the god of the seas, Poseidon. Having fallen in love with one of the daughters of the rivers, he kidnapped the beauty and settled her on an island in the Ionian Sea, as beautiful as she was. In honor of his beloved, Poseidon named the island of Corfu, and since then this place has been glorified more than once in legends, and Homer sang about it in his poems. Medea and Jason found their salvation in Corfu, having obtained the Golden Fleece, and on the way to Ithaca Odysseus stopped here.
The island is famous for its magnificent landscapes: beautiful green hills, numerous forests and olive groves, attractive beaches with golden sand and clear azure sea. In addition to natural beauty, here you will find many ancient monasteries and castles, historical and artistic monuments.
The island of Corfu is the greenest and most picturesque among the islands of the Ionian Sea. Thanks to its amazing nature and favorable geographical location, it has always attracted conquerors, as well as poets, artists and thinkers. Owning the island meant control over shipping, and therefore everyone tried to count Corfu among their possessions. Sparta and Athens started the Peloponnesian War for possession of the island; in the Middle Ages, Corfu was under the control of Sicily, which soon transferred power to Venice for many four hundred years. The island was able to withstand the siege of the Ottomans, but could not withstand the onslaught of Napoleon's troops. The island was also under English rule, and in 1864 Corfu officially became a possession of independent Greece.
Flight time:
(charter flights)
from Moscow - 4 hours 20 minutes.
from St. Petersburg - 4 hours
(regular flights)
from Kazan - (1-3 transfers)
from Ekaterinburg - (2-3 transfers)
from Novosibirsk - (2-3 transfers)
Current time in Kerkyra:
(UTC +3)
However, most tourists holidaying in Corfu prefer package tours with charter transportation. Charter flights to Corfu fly from Moscow and St. Petersburg, and occasionally from other large cities.
Usually, planes from Transaero (3 times a week), Aegean Airlines (3 times a week) and Aeroflot (2 times a week) fly from Moscow; from St. Petersburg this is GTK Russia with a weekly flight from spring to autumn.
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Climate and weather in Corfu
The favorable climatic conditions of the island are conducive to holidays there. Corfu has a typical Mediterranean subtropical climate, in which you can feel comfortable and enjoy your holiday. In the evening the temperature drops and becomes much cooler. During the dry summer period there is very little rainfall, the total number of sunny days is more than 250.
The average air temperature in the resorts of Corfu in summer ranges from + 24 C to +33 C, depending on the area. The average water temperature off the coast of Corfu is +21C in June, +24C in July, and +25 in August and September. Despite the heat, there is no feeling of heaviness or stuffiness - the fresh breeze blowing from the sea pleasantly cools the body.
Starting from October, the average water temperature gradually decreases from + 21 C to +19 C. Winter is very mild, air temperature, on average, from +15 C to +18 C, and water temperature + 15 C - +16 C. In winter, precipitation basic amount of annual precipitation.
The most favorable time to travel to the island of Corfu to relax, sunbathe and swim is from the beginning of May to mid-September. To travel to Corfu to get acquainted with its nature and history, you can choose the spring time, from the beginning of March to May. These days, flowers are blooming on the island, everything is starting to smell fragrant and it is not yet so hot.
Weather in Corfu in summer, autumn, winter and spring, climate by month, current weather forecast for 10 and 14 days - on the website.
Weather forecast
|
Saturday |
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Weather in Corfu by months
| Temperature daytime, °C |
Temperature at night, °C |
Temperature water, °C |
Quantity precipitation, mm |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7 | 15 | 136.6 | |
| 14 | 9 | 14 | 124.6 | |
| — | — | 15 | 98.1 | |
| — | — | 16 | 66.7 | |
| — | — | 17 | 37 | |
| — | — | 21 | 14.1 | |
| — | — | 24 | 9.2 | |
| 31 | 25 | 25 | 19 | |
| 28 | 22 | 25 | 81.3 | |
| 23 | 18 | 21 | 137.7 | |
| 18 | 14 | 19 | 187.4 | |
| 14 | 9 | 16 | 185.6 |
Reviews by month
| April 1 May 9 June 9 | July 4 August 13 September 4 | October 1 |
Photos of Corfu
Transport
You can move around the island during your vacation using different types of transport: taxis, rented vehicles, and municipal transport.
Taxi
Arriving in Kerkyra and leaving the small airport building, you will immediately find numerous taxis offering their services. Here, as in all of Greece, it is worth checking the cost of the trip and its route, otherwise you risk significantly overpaying.
Car rental
Of course, renting a car is much more convenient and cheaper if you plan to move around the island a lot. There are a lot of rental shops here offering a variety of cars, mostly manual ones. If you need a car with an automatic transmission, it is best to reserve it in advance on the Internet (for example, in the companies Corfu-town, Corfusunrise, Kosmos Rent A Car).
A car with automatic control will cost much more than a manual one; for example, a four-day rental of a machine costs an average of 160 euros. It often happens that you have to wait a day or two until a suitable car is found, especially during the height of the tourist season. The cost of gasoline in Corfu fluctuates around 1-1.10 euros. For one week of stay you can use about 50 euros worth of gasoline. You can refuel anywhere, as there are enough gas stations throughout the island, even in the most remote corners of Corfu. The only drawback is the lack of gas station markings on the map, and their working hours are not always convenient. Early in the morning you are unlikely to be able to fill the tank, nor at noon, when everyone is closed for a siesta.
When accepting a rented car, be sure to inspect the car for dents, scratches and the condition of the tires in order to avoid possible misunderstandings in the future. But, usually, tenants do not pay much attention to minor damage.
Our regular license cards are also valid in Corfu, but if you have an international license, be sure to take them. Please note that in Greece, and in Corfu in particular, there are strict fines: parking in an undesignated place - up to 250 euros (within the city), driving through a red light - 750 euros, not wearing a seat belt - 350 euros.
ATVs
Another type of popular rental vehicle is ATVs. Traveling around the island on an ATV will give you unique riding pleasure. It's nice to ride in the heat, feeling all the smells of the island and the salty, refreshing wind hitting your face. The only downsides are a little shaking and low speed, but you get a different kind of pleasure and are unlikely to want to change the ATV to a car. Drivers on the roads are very polite and friendly towards other road users driving small vehicles, they never cut you off and patiently let you pass. The cost of renting an ATV ranges from 15 to 25 euros/day, depending on the model and power. However, you must have your license with you, as this is required by the rules for riding ATVs and scooters.
Municipal transport
The island of Corfu has a well-established bus service between major settlements. The bus station is located in Kerkyra near the New Fortress. Tickets are sold from the bus driver or can be purchased from a machine at the bus stop. When using the machine, you need to know at least a little Greek, so it is better to ask local residents for help, and also have a lot of small change with you, since the machine does not give out change. The low cost of public transport allows you to explore the entire island in the most economical way. At kiosks located at bus stations, you can purchase maps with routes, as well as find out exactly where the bus you need stops. Often buses stop in places that do not correspond to the signs.
In addition to bus stations, you can always take a bus along the road, anywhere, you just need to make a corresponding sign to the driver. All municipal buses are comfortable and air-conditioned.
What to see
On the island of Corfu, in addition to a first-class holiday, you can take exciting excursions and visit a number of interesting places.
Sights of Corfu town (Kerkyra)
- Palace of Saints George and Michael
- Esplanade (Spianada Square)
Attractions of the island of Corfu outside the capital
- Pontikonisi Island (Mouse Island)
- Paxos
Where to go in Corfu
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Entertainment
Parks and Recreation
Transport
Private guides in Corfu
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Corfu in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Things to do
Beaches of Corfu island
The island of Corfu is an ideal holiday destination. Here you will find beautiful, well-maintained beaches, crystal clear seas, the opportunity to sunbathe, engage in water sports and beach volleyball. The weather on the island is almost always favorable for relaxation.
Many of Corfu's beaches are ideal for families with children of all ages, even for the youngest, as the sea becomes deep gradually and this allows children to splash around on the shore completely safely. And on the clean, velvety sand, kids can play around for a long time, building castles and fortresses.
Beaches and bays of northern and northwestern Corfu
The beaches of this part of the island are mostly sandy, and the sea is quite shallow; you need to walk a long way to deeper waters. Northern and northwestern winds prevail here.
Western part of Corfu
Northeast of Corfu
Purchases
From a trip to the island of Corfu, you can bring home wonderful Greek products and goods, as well as various souvenirs that will remind you of your trip. In all the villages of the island there are small shops and souvenir shops, but most of them are located in the capital of Corfu - Kerkyra. On the main street of the city there are department stores, smaller shops, brand boutiques and retail shops. Note to tourists: all Greek shopping establishments must close for a break during the hottest time of the day - from 12 to 16 hours. On the island of Corfu there is a huge variety of original souvenirs made by the hands of Greek craftsmen.
Among the abundance of goods you will find wonderful things made of wood: olive, cypress and beech, as well as natural stone, glass and leather, for example, jewelry, various belts, shoes in the traditional Greek style, and clothing items. Here you can buy interesting jewelry of the finest handcraft. There are many fur stores with a wide assortment: fur coats, hats, vests, boas. A wonderful gift would be a set of bed linen decorated with hand embroidery, fine lace and traditional clothes made of fine cotton, CDs with traditional and modern Greek music.
It is worth purchasing excellent Greek cosmetics made from olive oil. In Corfu you have the opportunity to buy the famous Patounis soap for yourself or just as a gift. In his soap factory, which is also a museum, natural soap is still brewed according to an ancient recipe without the addition of artificial substances. The Patunis soap factory produces only three types of soap: olive, date and green (based on olive seed oil).
The island produces some of the finest olive oils, as the olives are allowed to fully ripen, resulting in a rich, delicious Corfu oil. The cost is different everywhere, for example, in a Kerkyra supermarket a liter of olive oil will cost 6-8 euros, bottling at the market will be more expensive - about 5 euros for 0.3 liters, in duty free oil in cans costs from 7 to 10 euros per liter. Along with olive oil, buy pickled olives, candied kumquats, which grow in abundance here, and liqueur made from them. You can add traditional feta cheese and other Greek cheeses and Greek sweets to your purchases. Among alcoholic products, we can recommend the Greek aniseed vodka ouzo, Metaxa, various liqueurs and tinctures of herbs and fruits. Alcoholic drinks are sold on every corner, as well as in duty free. Prices are approximately the same everywhere.
Food and drink
Greek cuisine is famous for its huge variety of products and dishes, prepared in the most unusual way, without the use of heavy fats.
While relaxing on the island of Corfu, you will not only enjoy the gentle sea and the Mediterranean sun, but you will also have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Greek cooking. Huge olive plantations were planted on the fertile island; they say that in the Byzantine period, for one olive tree planted, a peasant was rewarded in gold.
Olives here are harvested late, after waiting for them to fully ripen, which is why Corfu oil is considered the best. In addition to olives, lemons, kumquats, once imported from China, oranges, grapes and other fruits grow in Corfu. For tourists who prefer tasty and healthy food, the island of Corfu will be a godsend. Among the great variety of traditional Greek taverns, bars, cafes and restaurants, everyone can choose an establishment to suit their taste and budget. If you want to taste the real cuisine of the Greeks, what they themselves eat, then choose places where the locals have dinner or lunch. The variety of products and dishes prepared from them is unusually large, but the main directions can be briefly outlined.
Vegetable dishes
The most popular vegetable among Greeks is eggplant, which is prepared in all sorts of ways. But all other vegetables are also very popular: tomatoes, cucumbers, artichokes, peppers, beans and many others. There are countless names of salads prepared from a variety of vegetables. Grape leaves and tomatoes stuffed with meat or rice filling are very tasty.
Fish dishes
You can try classic Greek fish dishes in special establishments - psarotaverns, which, as a rule, are located near the seashore. Here you will find a large selection of different fish and seafood dishes. In psarotaverns there is always the freshest fish, caught in the morning of the current day and prepared in various ways: fried, stewed, baked, stuffed, smoked, hot, cold, salted and dried. Seafood dishes are very tasty: mussels in sauce, oysters, octopus, cuttlefish. Lunch, consisting of salad and seafood dishes, will cost, on average, 45 euros for two. Fish dishes are much cheaper, and note that the portions in all establishments are very large.
Meat dishes
The taverns offer a variety of meat dishes that will not leave you indifferent. A special place is occupied by beef and rabbit stewed in pots with wine, seasoned with a whole bouquet of spices. A very popular Greek dish is souvlaki, made from pork and lamb. It is also worth trying meat cooked according to an old recipe on a spit over smoldering coals. All meat dishes use a large number of herbs and spices, making the dishes unique and very tasty. Some taverns serve hot vrasto soup made from beef, which is very hearty and thick. There are also lighter soups, such as kotosupa me avgolemono - a chicken soup with rice, beaten egg and lemon. However, in general, first courses are not very common on the island due to the hot climate.
Dairy products
Large herds of sheep, goats and cows graze on the green and fertile island, from which they receive a lot of valuable milk. Greek dairy products are slightly different in taste from Russian ones, they are more nutritious and tasty.
The most popular are yoghurts and a variety of cheeses, the most famous of which is feta cheese. This cheese is used in many Greek dishes and salads. Many taverns serve a very tasty and unusual dish made from sheep's yogurt with various herbs.
Sweets and desserts
Any Greek lunch or dinner usually ends with dessert. It can be anything: various fruits and berries (oranges, peaches, apricots, grapes, plums, watermelons and melons), products made from sweet thin dough with filling - filo baklava (rolls with nuts, honey, etc.).
Coffee and other drinks
The most common drink on the island, as in the rest of Greek territory, is coffee. It is prepared and served in various ways: vari gliko is strong coffee with added sugar, matrio is slightly less strong and moderately sweet, sketo is medium-strength coffee without sugar. It is customary to drink coffee in small sips, while washing it down with cold water. Another favorite way to serve coffee on the island is cold coffee frappe (instant coffee is poured with cold water, sugar and fine crushed ice are added). Other traditional drinks consumed by the Greeks and offered in cafes and restaurants include all kinds of juices and fresh drinks, and mineral water. Tea on the island is mainly used as an aid for colds or intestinal diseases.
Alcoholic drinks
Taverns, cafes and restaurants offer a variety of Greek wines and stronger drinks. Greek wine is worthy of tasting and will leave a pleasant impression. The wines served are red and white from grapes grown in different regions of Greece. Stronger drinks - raki, ouzo, as well as various liqueurs and liqueurs. Raki is a grape vodka characterized by a tart taste and increased strength. Ouzo is aniseed vodka that is diluted with water and becomes a cloudy white color.
Connection
Internet
In the largest cities and towns you can find many Internet cafes. Internet access services will cost you approximately 5 euros per hour. In Kerkyra, similar establishments offer their prices somewhat cheaper. Almost all cafes located in major resorts have free access to wi-fi. Many hotel rooms also offer this service, which is usually free of charge. Some more economical hotels have internet rooms where you can use the Internet for free. In some very remote areas, coverage is either weak or completely absent.
Telephone
All kiosks sell special telephone cards of various denominations, which can be used to make calls directly from a pay phone. There are many such pay phones throughout the island, although only in large and busy towns and resorts. The cost of such a card starts from 5 euros, with it you can call both island numbers and abroad. You can also use tourist SIM cards for calls abroad, which are sold in kiosks, information centers and large stores. Local SIM cards are sold only to the holder of a Greek passport.
Safety
The island of Corfu is the safest place in Greece, at least this is what the local residents themselves say, who, by the way, do not consider themselves pure Greeks. This is explained by the fact that for a long period of time the island was under the influence of Byzantium, France and England. All the unrest and riots that have been observed recently on the Greek mainland have nothing to do with Corfu: it is always peaceful and calm here. Corfuans never interfere in Greek political squabbles, so everything always works here, even when the rest of Greece is on strike.
The local population is extremely hospitable and happily provides a warm welcome to the guests of the island. The crime rate is zero, since the island is small and everyone knows each other. Car thefts are impossible for the same reason, and there is nowhere to take them out. Albanians who once stole cars for parts were deported from the island by local authorities.
In Corfu you are unlikely to see even an ordinary fight, as this leads to a trial and a huge fine. So you can be completely confident in your safety, as well as the safety of your loved ones.
Some problems can only arise in high season, when hot Italians arrive. It is also not recommended to relax in those places where young Englishmen are located, turning everything into an endless disco with all the ensuing consequences. Swimming in the sea is extremely safe: the local waters are considered almost sterile.
Where to stay in Corfu
Booking.com offers more than 3,030 hotels in Corfu for booking. You can select a hotel using a variety of filters: hotel star rating, hotel type (hotel, apartment, villa, hostel, etc.), cost, hotel location, ratings of people who visited the hotel, Wi-Fi availability and much more. .
Latest booked hotels in Corfu
In addition to the traditional hotels presented above, you can, this may be convenient for some categories of tourists - families with several children, who prefer to cook for themselves, and so on.
Small but incredibly green Corfu, also known as Kerkyra, has chosen a cozy place between the northern part of mainland Greece and bordering Italy in the waters of the Ionian Sea. The special climate of Corfu made it unlike other Greek islands: it is buried not only in the gentle rays of the bright sun, but also in millions of olive trees, grape groves, slender cypress trees, and wild flowers. Natural resources are generously complemented by long secluded beaches. Find out from the Tour Calendar why the best time to visit Corfu is May, June and early autumn.
Tourist season in Corfu
The tourist season in Corfu lasts from to , which is quite respectable by resort standards. In addition to the amazing nature of the island, Corfu has the most magnificent beaches of all the Ionian islands. Tourists coming here spend a lot of time on the coast, indulging in a relaxed holiday, and leaving the coastline around late evening. The main artery of the island's active life is concentrated on the beaches: water sports, cafes and restaurants, hotels and bars. Corfu warmly welcomes all visitors: be it families with children or cheerful youth.
High season in Corfu
The high season in Corfu begins in and ends in the first half. It is worth noting that this island is unique in terms of climate: the maximum mark in August can be +33 °C, and even then not everywhere, while in the evening it will always be +10 °C - + 14 °C colder than during the day. And the temperature of sea water never crosses the line of +25 °C. The island's high season has only one drawback - large crowds of people and high prices.
Low season in Corfu
The off-season period in Corfu begins with the arrival of the rainy season and the night temperature drops to +10 °C. In winter, the island's resorts are more like ghost towns: life on the streets comes to a standstill, almost all taverns and cafes are closed, not to mention the souvenir shops. This mood hovers in Corfu until mid-April. In winter, there are also problems with water communication: ferries from Athens operate very rarely.
Beach season in Corfu
Formally, the beach season on the island opens at the beginning. But the sea water temperature of +17 °C, you see, is still very, very low even for a short swim. Yes, you can sunbathe perfectly, but you will be able to go into the water for a long time only when the sun warms the sea to +21 °C. People actively relax on the beaches of Corfu until mid-September; all this time the weather is stable.
Velvet season in Corfu
Corfu, unlike many other Greek islands, is located in the north of the country. That is why the velvet season here is very short. This is the first, and, with varying success, the second half of September. During the day, both the weather and sea water favor classic resort relaxation on the beach, but in the evening you will have to seriously warm yourself. After all, as you know, nights in Corfu are quite cool even at the height of the season. As for October, you can hardly get good impressions from your vacation: although the sea remains warm, the weather throws up unpleasant surprises in the form of strong winds and rain. In addition, ferry connections to other Ionian islands that are interesting to explore will be practically paralyzed.
It's festival time in Corfu
Corfu celebrates all year round both religious, national and seasonal holidays, as well as those aimed more at entertaining tourists. On August 6, the village of Agios Mateos walks all night, during the summer there are Philharmonic concerts, July is notable for the cricket season, in mid-August the Sardine Festival takes place, on September 1 the village of Loustri celebrates the Feast of the Pie, and in November the islanders commemorate patron saint of Corfu, St. Spiridon. Greek Orthodox celebrations in Corfu take place on almost the same scale in any locality.
Climate in Corfu
The climate of the island is truly unique; it differs in many respects in weather conditions from its neighboring islands. There is no typical “summer vacation” period here, as, for example, on the Greek island of Mykonos or Spanish Tenerife. Summer in Corfu is milder than in the rest of island Greece. And winter is warm and rainy with frosty evenings. Corfu receives a large share of rainfall, which has a beneficial effect on its diverse vegetation. However, in recent years, the island has experienced unpredictable weather and atypical phenomena: heavy rains led to serious destruction and landslides in one of the winters, and incredible heat was observed in the summer.
Corfu in spring
At the beginning of spring, the island awakens from its winter slumber. And if the month is still quite cold, then pleasant, warm weather sets in. Nature pleases with its beauty: buds are just beginning to bloom and wild flowers, still untouched by tourists, are blooming. Breathe fresh and easy. Closer to May, the amount of precipitation decreases to 5 rainy days, and the first batches of vacationers begin to arrive on the island.
Temperature and weather in Corfu in spring
| Weather in March | Weather in April | Weather in May | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature average | +12 | +15 | +18 |
| Temperature during the day | +16 | +19 | +23 |
| Temperature at night | +8 | +10 | +13 |
| Water temperature | +14 | +15 | +18 |
| Rain | 13 days | 12 days | 9 days |
Corfu in summer
In general, summers in Corfu are dry and hot. As a rule, temperatures on the island rarely rise above +31 °C. The climatic highlight of Corfu is the sharp drop in evening temperatures. So, in the evening it will be cool - about +18 °C. In general it’s +16 °C. In August, Corfu experiences cooling breezes from the northern Ionian Sea and strong winds “Maistro” with force 4-5.
Temperature and weather in Corfu in summer
| Weather in June | Weather in July | Weather in August | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature average | +23 | +25 | +25 |
| Temperature during the day | +28 | +31 | +31 |
| Temperature at night | +17 | +19 | +19 |
| Water temperature | +22 | +24 | +25 |
| Rain | 6 days | 4 days | 4 days |
Corfu in autumn
Autumn in Corfu begins with fairly high temperatures - about +27°C during the day, but towards the middle of the season there is a significant cooling. The first rains begin, gaining intensity towards the end of autumn. Storms are also common; fortunately, the sky clears quickly.
Temperature and weather in Corfu in autumn
| Weather in September | Weather in October | Weather in November | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature average | +23 | +19 | +15 |
| Temperature during the day | +28 | +23 | +19 |
| Temperature at night | +17 | +14 | +10 |
| Water temperature | +24 | +22 | +19 |
| Rain | 6 days | 10 days | 14 days |
