Corfu is a Greek island within the Ionian Sea and a well-liked vacation vacation spot. Its coast is dotted with stunning seashores and inns from price range to upscale. If you have an interest in an energetic or cultural vacation you don’t want to concern as Corfu has sufficient to peer and do for you as smartly.
Corfu used to be my first submit pandemic vacation spot for a explanation why. I needed to renew my Megastar Alliance gold standing. There are many low cost flights from inside of Europe brining hundreds of other folks to the island, however I select to fly Aegean Airways. From Amsterdam to Corfu by means of Athens intended it could be 4 flights and on the subject of sufficient miles to stay my standing. I all the time hop to one of the crucial Greek islands to do those flights and on the identical time talk over with some UNESCO Global Heritage Websites.
The entire puts of pastime on Corfu may also be observed in 2 or 3 days and that’s what I did. I didn’t cross to chill out for per week. Let’s discover the most productive issues to do and spot in Corfu however first I percentage my Corfu itinerary.
Corfu itinerary
Corfu is a reasonably huge Greek island and using from south to north simply takes 2 hours. Then again, maximum if now not all puts of pastime are within the norther part of the island. I like to recommend overlaying all of the attractions in 3 days, however you’ll be able to do all of them in two as smartly. When you simply have two days mix day 2 and three.
Should do Corfu day commute #1: Outdated Corfu day commute
When you simply need to get out at some point, you then will have to talk over with Outdated Corfu together with the Achilleion Palace and Vlacherna Monastery that are positioned close to town. The best means is to start out early (8-9 AM) on the Achilleion Palace and as soon as completed proceeding to Vlacherna Monastery. Be sure you hop to Pontikonisi as smartly. Now proceed to Outdated Corfu however make a forestall on the Archaeological Museum first after which park both close to the harbour of the outdated citadel. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the forts, church buildings, and museums.
Corfu day commute #2: Angelokastro & Paleokastritsa Monastery & Seaside
First head to Angelokastro early morning when the temperature continues to be low. The climb as much as the fortress isn’t lengthy however higher achieved when it’s cool. Proceed to Paleokastritsa which is a 20–30-minute trip south. It’s a stupendous seaside to chill out the remainder of the day however don’t omit to talk over with the monastery on the best of the rocks.
Corfu day commute #3: Outdated Perithia, Cape Drastis and Kassiopi
First head to Outdated Perithia within the morning. It’s an outdated, most commonly abandoned, village on Mount Pantokrator. Opt for a hike and end again in Outdated Perithia for lunch or proceed without delay to Cape Drastis. There you’ll be able to have lunch as smartly, chill out on the seaside, do a ship trip alongside the cliffs, or cross snorkelling. Within the afternoon proceed to Kassiopi for a walk within the harbour and dinner.
When you mix day 2 and three into one then power on this order: Paleokastritsa Monastery (no time for seaside), Angelokastro, Cape Drastis, Outdated Perithia (lunch right here first then hike) and end in Kassiopi.
Best issues to do and spot in Corfu
Now, let’s have a better take a look at the highest issues to do and spot in Corfu which are incorporated within the above Corfu itinerary.
Achilleion Palace
The Achilleion is a palace construct through Elisabeth of Austria, or also known as Sisi, as a shelter after her son died a sad lifeless. Its structure is, because the identify suggests, in keeping with historical Greek taste. Decorations in and across the palace are most commonly associated with Achilles, from which the identify is derived. At my time of talk over with, sadly, the higher two flooring had been closed for renovation. I sadly ignored the large portray of Achilles on the second one ground. Then again, the illustrations and sculptures at the floor ground had been wonderful as smartly. The inner is additional full of pieces associated with Elisabeth and Franz Joseph II. Don’t pass over the lawn for some magnificent perspectives over the island and the statue of Achilles. You’ll be able to’t pass over that one, it’s large! I discovered the doorway price of 10 euro rather steep, however the position is solely wonderful.
Vlacherna Monastery
The Vlacherna Monastery is one among Corfu’s icons. It’s a monastery on a small island hooked up with a walkway to the shore. Where could also be nice when you like aircraft staring at because it’s proper in entrance of the runway. Now not that shut as in St. Maarten even though the place you get blown away through planes (learn extra in my Sint Maarten itinerary). Vlacherna (Holy Monastery of Blachernae) dates to the 17th century however served as a nunnery many of the 19th and 20th century. A talk over with doesn’t take lengthy because it’s only a small position which you’ll be able to stroll round. The inner you’ll be able to talk over with the courtyard and the small chapel with has an icon of the Girl of Vlacherna. Ahead of you cross, make sure you hop to Mouse Island as smartly.
PRO-TIP: Whenever you power again up forestall at one of the crucial eating places/bars for a really perfect view of the monastery beneath. There you’ll be able to see the pointy distinction between the white monastery and the blue sea.
Pontikonisi
Pontikonisi Island (Mouse Island) is a will have to cross to when you’re at Vlacherna Monastery. It’s a few mins through boat which prices a few euro at maximum. The island is rocky with a tiny monastery on best surrounded through huge cypress bushes. First priests arrived within the 10th century and the chapel used to be constructed within the 11th century. Smartly value spending part an hour in this idyllic island.
Corfu Outdated The city
Corfu Outdated The city is a UNESCO Global Heritage Website and for me for my part the explanation to visit Corfu. It’s my objective to peer all of the UNESCO websites international. Park both on the outdated or the brand new castle and make your means round the town. I parked on the harbour and new castle. There may be rather so much to peer as town dates to the eighth century BC and used to be additionally dominated for 4 centuries through the Venetians ahead of the French and British took over. Now it’s one of the crucial many Greek islands. Part an afternoon in Corfu Outdated The city is sufficient however you’ll be able to additionally simply spend an afternoon there. I’ll checklist the puts of pastime in strolling order beginning on the outdated castle the place I parked. You’ll go a number of different nice spots as smartly like gardens, squares and different church buildings.
Archaeological Museum of Corfu
The Archaeological Museum of Corfu has a really perfect show of archaeological reveals. You must talk over with if you wish to be told concerning the historical past of the island. Because it’s positioned simply outdoor of Corfu Outdated The city, I like to recommend visiting it early morning when it opens ahead of exploring town itself. There may be parking on the corniche and the streets across the museum.
The Outdated Castle
Venetians constructed Corfu outdated castle within the 15th century on best of stays of an older Byzantine castle. It used to be constructed to shield the island. The outdated castle of Corfu performed an important function within the Ottoman sieges. The Ottomans conquered many of the island, however the outdated castle of Corfu fell by no means of their fingers. You’ll be able to stroll during the more than a few portions of the forts in about 60-90 mins relying on what you wish to have to peer. There’s a small museum and a church as smartly. The latter, the Church of Saint George, dates from British rule and seems like a Greek temple. I do suggest mountain climbing to the highest for an impressive view of Corfu outdated the town.
The Palace of St. Michael and St. George
Subsequent up is the Palace of St. Michael and St. George or also known as Royal Palace. It used to be constructed within the early 19th century for the British Lord Prime Commissioner. At the moment Corfu used to be underneath British rule. As of late it homes the Museum of Asian artwork. When you’re into artwork this can be a will have to see in Corfu outdated the town.
The Esplanade
The Esplanade is simply subsequent to the Museum of Asian Artwork. It’s arcaded Liston with its many cafes is a smart position for a espresso. It used to be constructed through the French and a part of the Corfu Outdated The city UNESCO inscription. After a espresso get started wandering the streets in Corfu Outdated The city and make your option to the brand new castle.
Church of St. Spyridon (Áyios Spyrídon)
The Church of St. Spyridon (Áyios Spyrídon) is a will have to see in Corfu Outdated The city. This church dates to the past due 16th century and is devoted to Corfu’s patron saint: Saint Spyridon. There are stays of him within the silver sarcophagus. It’s mentioned he stored the island on more than a few events. Whilst you stroll thru Corfu Outdated The city, you’ll see extra church buildings. Be sure you talk over with them as smartly. I’ll now not checklist all of them because the Church of St. Spyridon is crucial. Proceed as much as the brand new castle.
The brand new castle
The identify New Castle is deceptive because the castle is just a little more moderen because the Outdated Castle. Corfu New Castle dates to the twond part of the 16th century and used to be construct through the Venetians. The Castle is empty, and you’ll be able to wander round and climb to the highest. You’ll have a stupendous view there over the pink terra cotta roofed town.
Strolling from the Outdated Castle to the New Castle will quilt all primary attractions in Corfu Outdated The city. There are extra puts of pastime simply outdoor of the outdated the town which I’ve indexed one at a time on this Corfu itinerary. You probably have time left, you’ll be able to cross both buying groceries, forestall on the seaside or simply have a drink at a terrace and watch other folks stroll through.
Angelokastro
Angelokastro fortress is a gorgeous Byzantine castle simply north of Paleokastritsa. It dates to the 13th century and is construct on best of a rock. The castle is a break however a number of partitions and stays of a church are left. You’ll must park your automobile on the base of the rock and climb up in about 20 mins. On a transparent day you’ll be able to see all the island of Corfu. Angelokastro fortress is needless to say on of the highlights of this Corfu itinerary.
Paleokastritsa Monastery
Simply above the seaside of Paleokastritsa you are going to discover a monastery with the similar identify: Paleokastritsa Monastery. It is without doubt one of the major monasteries of Corfu and thus a will have to upload on a Corfu itinerary. It dates to Byzantine time (early 13th century), however most modern structures are from the 18th century. While you talk over with, make sure you get dressed suitable. The church is gorgeous as are the gardens. Within the small museum you are going to see more than a few vital Byzantine icons. After visiting the Paleokastritsa Monastery make sure you stroll a couple of meters uphill and take the trail to the highest of a rock. You’ll have perfect perspectives from there.
Paleokastritsa Seaside
Paleokastritsa Seaside is a gorgeous seaside at the north western coast of Corfu. The easiest spot for water actions and rest. There are many bars and eating places as smartly. Sufficient to do for a complete day or, when you’re like me, to have a chilly beer and proceed additional.
Outdated Perithia
Outdated Perithia is a ghost the town in northern Corfu. Even though, it used to be a ghost the town, as there are a number of eating places now and a visitor space as smartly. Part a century in the past the small the town had over 1000 population. The world is a superb position to make a hike and experience a scrumptious lunch at one of the crucial eating places. I extremely suggest going when you talk over with Corfu. So make sure you come with it for your Corfu itinerary.
Cape Drastis
Cape Drastis is in north Corfu and an ideal spot to spend a complete day. It has stunning seashores, crystal transparent water for snorkeling, you’ll be able to do boat journeys and extra. On a transparent day you’ll be able to see Albania around the waters as smartly. As I used to be on a agenda, I simplest had time to go searching, however I do remorseful about now not having extra time right here!
Kassiopi
Kassiopi is a gorgeous coastal the town in North Corfu. Town is value including to a Corfu itinerary when you’ve got the time. I visited past due afternoon after exploring the northern a part of the island. It has a castle which is good, however the most productive phase is the harbor with its many eating places. In fact, opt for fish which is recent!
Even though I simplest spend 3 days on Corfu, I feel this Corfu itinerary contains all of the puts of pastime. I even had a few hours at my motels seaside to chill out. When you talk over with the island to spend extra time at seashores per week is definitely crammed as smartly. Let’s see which island I will be able to talk over with subsequent 12 months. Possibly Rhodes?
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