Routes around Corfu. Corfu

Island Corfu It is very popular among tourists due to its mild Mediterranean climate. In summer there is practically no rain on the island, and a light sea breeze and soft sun make staying at local resorts comfortable for almost any category of tourists, including the elderly, children and those who have health problems and for whom the heat is contraindicated. Since Corfu is located north of the other Greek islands, the beach season here begins a little later. Despite the fact that in June the air temperature can reach 28 degrees, the sea still remains quite cold - 21-22 degrees.

But May and June are the best months for exploring the interesting sights of the island, for walking in the mountains and visiting numerous archaeological excavations.

The best month for a beach holiday is July, when the sea is already warm - 25 degrees, but there are no crowds of tourists yet, and you can comfortably stay on the beaches or walk along the embankments.

August is the hottest month in every sense of the word. This applies not only to air and sea temperatures, but also to the number of vacationers. Prices for air tickets and hotel accommodations increase by 20-30% compared to July, and owners of souvenir shops and restaurants are also trying to earn more money this season.

The average air temperature in July and August is 27-30 degrees, rarely rising above 32-33 degrees.

A wonderful time for relaxation is the beginning of September, when... read more

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Weather in Corfu by months:

*This table displays weather averages collected over more than three years

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Corfu Island

This year my family and I decided to go to the well-known island of Corfu and did not regret it one bit! We chose this air excursion from Thessaloniki airport, which added some spice to our trip, and, of course, additional comfort and time saving! Four of us went - my husband, me and children, and the vacation turned out to be very well planned specifically for our family. We met, told, showed, carried out everything at the highest level. Friendly staff, we really liked it) The excursion program was really very well planned and suited absolutely everyone! My husband and I were delighted with the stunning palace of Princess Sisi, and the children enjoyed watching the underwater world of the purest sea and rejoiced at every passing fish)). We were especially impressed by the famous heart-shaped bays located in the village of Paleokastritsa. The view is truly stunning and will not leave anyone indifferent. In addition, we visited the Vasilakis family store and brought home their delicious jam and olive oil, and we couldn’t do without liquor). I think that such an excursion will suit absolutely everyone, but for those who have not yet decided on their holiday destination or a one-day tour, our family recommends this particular excursion to the island of Corfu!

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Prices for holidays in Corfu. August 2018.

tour cost

My husband and I spent our honeymoon on the island of Corfu. The trip lasted 7 days. We both live in Vienna, so there is no question of visas. The cost of a round trip flight Vienna - Corfu is 700 euros for two with a transfer in Athens. Hotel 4* Elena Ermones with sea view, breakfast and dinner included 950 euros. Tickets and hotel were booked 3 weeks before the trip. Taxi from the airport to the hotel 30 euros.

Corfu is a relatively small island, so we rented a car for 70 euros for 2 days and decided to explore the sights on our own. The entrance ticket to the Achilleion Palace cost 10 euros per person, tickets were purchased on the spot. We went to Mouse Island by boat for 2.50 euros per person. We visited the observation deck of the Kaiser's throne. Any place on the island can be reached by car in 30-40 minutes.

Food and products

Lunch at any tavern cost about 30-40 euros for two. A popular Greek salad cost 6-7 euros, local beer 3.50 euros 0.5, the same price for a glass of wine (red, white). Seafood was the most expensive. Fish (sea bass, sea bream) 12-14 euros. Bread was served everywhere free of charge and always fresh. Very tasty shrimp with tomatoes for 8 euros and of course moussaka for 10 euros. Always big portions.

Souvenirs and other goods

For souvenirs, we bought a lot of soap with olive oil, 1.5 - 3 euros. All body care cosmetics with olive oil in Greece are very good. Kumquat tincture 8 euros 0.5. And, of course, olive oil 4.5 euros 0.5 and the olives themselves 3 euros.

Cost of services and entertainment

We rented a boat for 3 hours for 80 euros from Ermones to Paleokastritsa. Rent a scooter for 20 euros for one day. Car for 2 days 70 euros. Gasoline on the island is quite expensive at 1.70 per liter.

Helpful information?

Catherine

Impressions from a holiday in September

September Corfu is beautiful! So different, interesting and unusual. Plains, serpentines, mountainous roads and beautiful views!

Vacation with children

If you stay in the south of Corfu (Lefkimmi, Kavos), I am sure that the children will enjoy the pleasant sandy bottom and shallow, well-warmed, calm sea. Children are happy, parents are calm. Those who love the warm sea will also like it.

Youth recreation

If you go out to the town of Kavos itself (the southernmost town of Corfu) at night, you will easily find entertainment to suit your taste. Bowling, discos, billiards, all kinds of cafes and parties, a kind of Ibiza in the Greek version.

Family holiday

On the outskirts of Kavos and in many nearby villages there is peace and quiet in the evening. It’s so nice to have dinner or drink coffee while contemplating the calm sea.

What to take with you on vacation?

At the beginning of September the weather is always warm, even in the evenings. Therefore, we make do with a minimum of things: a few T-shirts, shorts, a pareo, comfortable sandals and a hat - that’s all you need! It's not a good idea to arm yourself with mosquito repellent cream, some evenings there were a lot of them, some evenings there were none at all, which really surprised us.

Where is the best place to stay?

We settled in Agios Petros - this is the outskirts of Kavos, not far from the port of Lefkimmi. There are many nice hotels, apartments and houses for rent in the neighborhood at reasonable prices. It’s a short walk to Kavos, and at the same time it’s quiet at night and the noise of the nightlife doesn’t disturb you.

What to do at the resort?

Since we are quite active people, we explored all the surrounding beaches, tried fishing on the river in the village of Lefkimmi (we caught several loaches, other local fish, which literally swarmed in the river, did not respond to our bait), and walked around Kavos.

I recommend a tour of the Achilleion Palace (built for Elizabeth of Austria in the 18th century). It is located in the strait separating the east coast of Corfu and the mainland, not far from the capital of the island. We received great pleasure from walking through the garden of the palace, looking at many monuments and busts, from beautiful views, from exhibits of historical value. The cost of the excursion is 8 euros for adults, 5 for children. The capital of Corfu, Kerkyra, is located not far from Achilleion; after a tour of the palace, we enjoyed walking through its streets. Narrow streets, beautiful architecture, houses like in the pictures, cobbled streets - all this is so beautiful. One evening for a walk around the capital will definitely not be enough! Be sure to visit the Church of St. Spyridon in Kerkyra - a very beautiful and “strong” place.

The beaches in Corfu are different, there are sandy and pebble and even... consisting of algae. We saw such a coastline near the city of Kavos. It's like a thick pillow of dry seaweed. They are pleasant to the touch, soft and springy. When you walk along such a bank, it seems that you are walking on an orthopedic mattress. At first it was very unusual for us, but we got used to it. Due to the current, algae are washed near the shore into a thick cushion, which simultaneously serves as protection for the coastline and perfectly absorbs the noise of waves in bad weather. We have traveled all over Greece and have never seen anything like this anywhere! Kavos also has a traditional long, wide sandy beach with plenty of room for everyone. There are also various water attractions and entertainment.

What can you buy?

Prices on the island are slightly higher than on the mainland. Not far from Kavos there is a Lidl store, Demeter and other supermarkets. There is everything you need for those who prefer to cook on their own, and for those who want to try local products. Souvenirs cost the same as everywhere else in Greece. Magnets for 1-2 euros, cups, ashtrays, lighters, figurines, handmade olive soap can be purchased for 2-8 euros per item.

About product prices

Olive oil from local factories costs from 7 euros per liter. Handmade soap from 1 euro. Honey is also very tasty and costs from 10 euros per liter jar. Yogurt, feta and other local cheeses cost 2 - 5 euros. Olives in vacuum packaging (200 g) 2-3 euros. For the first time we tried something like olive pate here - a small jar of olives crushed into paste costs 2.5 euros. Freshly baked bread from a local bakery, olive oil, oregano, olives and feta - it's magical and so Greek! Try it, you will like it.

Here you can also buy many people’s favorite pizza for 5-8 euros, all kinds of burgers for 2-5 euros, local Giros for 5 euros. A dinner of salad and grilled fish will cost 20-25 Euros per person. Ice cream for 2 euros per scoop in a waffle cup.

Pros of holidays in Corfu

Nice, calm, warm and gentle sea. Fine, very pleasant to the touch sand. Excellent air and a beautiful panorama of the bay, where many cruise ships, ships and yachts sail. A very calming sight!

Participation in the main ritual of celebrating the “First Easter”: on Holy Saturday, residents of the island, gathered on balconies decorated with red linens, will dump clay pots filled with water at exactly 11 o’clock in the morning. Your goal is to take possession of the neck of the broken jug and immediately make a wish!

Tour the magnificent palace of the brilliant...

Departure port - Preveza

Total number of main races – 9

One race - night

One race - training

Three races with a change of captains

One free day

Meeting of participants on the island of Corfu, excursions around the island from 12.00 to 15.00, then departure to the port of Preveza - a 3-hour journey.

Meeting at the port of Preveza.

Evening program at 20.00 - Welcome drink and introduction of all participants.

Captains' briefing, one practice and one main race.

Transfer to the port of Spila. Meganisi. (18 miles).

Evening program at 20.00 - opening of the BEACH PARTY regatta.

Second racing day. 3 main races. Swimming, lunch...

Traditional winery Ambelonas, Greek evening at the Tripa tavern

The program lasts 6 hours

We invite you to get to know the island of Corfu through the prism of national gastronomy. For a gastronomic tourist, food is, first of all, a cultural category. From this perspective, traditional cuisine is perceived in connection with history, religion, economics, politics, customs, legends and other factors that form the unique identity of the Ionian region.

On this excursion we invite you to visit the traditional Ambelonas winery. The company was founded in 1600 by a family of emigrants from Venice. Today, the total area of ​​Ambelonas is about 74,000 sq. m. m., of which about...

The island once belonged to the British, so now it is very popular among tourists from Great Britain, as a result, holidays in Corfu are considered to be quite expensive, almost elite. I hasten to dispel this myth - there are enough opportunities to spend a budget holiday here. For example, renting a room in one of the island’s many villas costs from 2,000 rubles. per day for three, and even with breakfast! In my opinion, even in the Moscow region there have not been such prices for a long time. On the other hand, you have to be more careful when choosing a habitat on the island itself. The fact is that the water in the Adriatic in autumn is three degrees lower than in the Ionian Sea - for those who like to swim, this can be a decisive factor. Therefore, it was decided to spend the first week in the old fishing village of Benitses, located right on the shore of the “warm” Ionian Sea. The owner of the hotel, looking at the faces of those who arrived, exhausted by Moscow everyday life, exclaimed: “Dear guests, you need complete relaxation!” Well, I don't mind! First - at sea.

It’s very hot outside - about 35°, but you can splash around in the sea for at least an hour - the water has warmed up quite well over the summer. The tourist part of the village is typical for such places - a series of hotels, villas, taverns and shops, and busy traffic. And the old and most interesting part of the village is, as it were, fenced off from the tourist bustle. It’s a pleasure to wander here - narrow streets, neat courtyards, in which everything grows: oranges, tangerines, lemons, grapes, quince, figs and many other different, but, unfortunately, plants unknown to me. And there are flowers everywhere - on the windows, along the fences and just in pots right on the ground. And, of course, Greek grandmothers, looking at those passing by with a smile. By the way, they are very similar to ours, except that they look happier.

>Our villa recommended a walking route into the interior of Benitses. I’m almost sure that few tourists get there, because not everyone will like the hour-long forced march up the hill, and even in the heat. I dared to take this promenade and didn’t regret it at all. Who would have thought that just three kilometers from the coast you could find yourself in a real jungle! Huge plane trees and eucalyptus trees are intertwined with vines, and despite the heat, it is cool here. The path led to a mountain river, the bed of which in some places is enclosed in stone tunnels - in the twilight it all looks somewhat ominous. At the end of the path I came across a small church. By the way, despite the fact that the main religion in Greece is still Orthodoxy, in Corfu the influence of the Old World is felt in this matter - there are clearly more Catholic churches here.

Another interesting feature: very often right next to the road you can find memorials - small models of a church, inside which everyone can put candles. Holidays in Corfu provide the opportunity to make interesting road trips. You can get there by public transport, which is represented by two types of buses: Green Bus - they travel mainly short distances and Blue Bus, which can take you to the other end of the island. Corfu is not a very large island - the coastline is only 215 km - and even long trips do not seem tiring.

Corfu is a place for the elite. Financial tycoons and celebrities chose it as a place to spend carefree, free days. Corfu is a quiet resort that is not replete with historical attractions, unlike, for example, Crete. People come here for the clean sea, beautiful nature and unforgettable panoramas.

Accommodation in Corfu

The choice of accommodation is determined by your financial capabilities and requirements for your vacation. For families with children, Benitses, Sidari and Agios Georgies are suitable. For those who are used to taking everything from life and not denying themselves anything, it is better to go to Komeno, and for lovers of active sports, go to Paleokastritsa, where there are excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling.

The island offers many accommodation options, especially if you go on a trip to Corfu on your own, there is plenty to see and choose from. We always look for hotels on the RoomGuru website, but if we are interested in private apartments from individuals, we go to the Airbnb website. There you can find excellent apartments and book them online, protecting yourself from scammers, since payment for the apartment is transferred to the owner only after you move in.

Flights to Corfu

Of course, it’s now better to buy air tickets online: cheaper, faster, more choice. You can find cheap air tickets on Aviasales.

Beaches of Corfu

The beaches of northern Corfu are characterized by shallow sea depths and fine sand - ideal for children. The west of the island, looking towards Italy, is characterized by the coolest water temperature, but the beauty here is indescribable: cozy, small coves, pebble beaches. The beaches of southern Corfu are sandy, with a large strip framing the coast. The sea on the eastern part of the island is the warmest and most gentle.

What to do in Corfu

1. Admire the beautiful view from the Kaiser’s Throne observation deck. Location: Pelakes village, 12 km. from Kerkyra

2. Spend the whole day at the Aqualand water park. Location: Agios Ioannis, Parelia. The water park is open from May to October, from 10.00 to 18.00.

3. When traveling to Corfu on your own, be sure to visit St. Spiridon’s Church (Cathedral of St. Spyridon) and ask the saint for the fulfillment of your most cherished desire. The church with the relics is located in Kerkyra at Kalogeretou 5-11.

4. Swim along the “Channel of Love”. The legend associated with this place says that if you wish for a person’s name while sailing under the arches, then soon you will have a wedding with your chosen one. The picturesque “Canal of Love” is located near the resort of Sidari (Karousadon-Sidariou, Esperioi 49081).

5. Take a walk along the street of aristocrats Liston street. Previously, only those whose names were included in a special list could walk along the cobbled street, now it is one of the main pedestrian streets of Corfu.

Souvenirs from Corfu

We recommend bringing wine from your trip around the island; by the way, it is recognized as one of the best in Europe. In the tiny village of Agia Douli, in the monastery of Christ Pantocrates Camarella, you can buy wine produced by the monks. Barrel is preferable to bottled, among the latter the most notable are Alpha (red) and Moschofilero Butari (white), among cheaper options (9-14 euros), but no less high quality - Amethyst, Hadzhimichalis, Vivlia Hora. In Kerkyra, do not miss the Cava wine warehouses on N. Feotoki Street (Espianada Square area). Beer lovers will appreciate the taste of unpasteurized Korfu Beer. Traveling to Corfu on your own will not only give you an unforgettable experience, but will also allow you to purchase many interesting souvenirs.

Rent a car in Corfu

It is better to explore the island by car, especially if we are talking about traveling to Corfu on your own.

Most rental companies offer cars with a manual transmission. The price for cars with an automatic transmission is much higher than for manual ones and they must be booked in advance. We rented a car through a service, it’s safer than “on the street.”

To rent a car during a trip to Corfu, you will need the following documents on your own: a license, and driving experience must be at least one year, and when booking a premium car, at least three years; They often ask for a foreign passport and a credit card of the main international payment systems.

Before you go exploring the island, be sure to inspect the car and record all defects in the rental documents.

During the summer months, finding parking in the main city of the island is almost impossible. You can park your car for free on the streets in the direction of travel, with the exception of the area of ​​​​the old port and Espiánada Square. All parking lots are for an additional fee; in closed ones you will have to pay 3 euros per day; it is better to leave the car there than to drive around in circles looking for a free space.

The cost of fuel is about one euro. There are many gas stations, they can be found even in corners remote from Corfu. But when planning your route, keep in mind that gas stations are not marked on the map and they are closed in the afternoon for siesta.
The system of penalties for traffic violations is very strict. So, not wearing a seat belt will cost you 350 euros, and parking in an unmarked place will cost you 250 euros!

“In the light of the early morning dawn, the sea rolled its smooth blue waves. Behind
astern, like a white peacock's tail, stretched light foamy streams,
sparkling with bubbles. The pale sky was beginning to turn yellow in the east. Ahead
chocolate-brown earth with a fringe of white foam appeared as a vague spot
at the bottom. The water in the small bays was clear blue, and from the shore even
Through the noise of the steamship engines we could hear the triumphant ringing of cicadas.
This was Corfu."

Gerald Durrell My Family and Other Animals.

On an ordinary June evening, returning home after a day of work, realizing that the evening did not promise anything new and a kind of “Groundhog Day” had come in life, I said in a nasal voice in the voice of Efim Shefrin:
- I'm tired of everything!
In response to my statement, my husband looked up from the TV for a minute and asked casually:
- Where we go?
- Where is this going? What questions could there be, really? Only Corfu! - I stated in a confident tone.

Having studied a huge number of offers from travel agencies on the World Wide Web, it was decided to sacrifice 5* and 4* hotels in favor of the 2* Bella Vista Hotel and spend the freed amount on actually exploring the island itself. Benitses was chosen due to its proximity to the city of Kerkyra, and the Ionian Sea as being warmer than the Adriatic. We decided not to take our license with us in order to take a break from the steering wheel and being a little afraid of the serpentines of Corfu. Having developed a vacation plan: what we watch, when we watch it and why we watch it, we, “like a flock of migratory swallows” (J. Darrell), rushed towards my childhood dream - to the island of Corfu.

Corfu greeted us with 35-degree heat. We checked into a hotel (by the way, very decent for 2*, I will write about this in a separate review), met with the guide of the welcoming party Kanulas Travel, were disappointed by the lack of a sightseeing tour of the north of the island (Sidari, Roda, Kassiopi, etc.), We bought excursions that suited us and, in the euphoria of a dream coming true, not noticing the heat and humidity, we joyfully fell onto the beach under the shade of huge spreading trees with the hope of REST in the full sense of the word. On the third day, it turned out that the concept of “shadow from a tree” is very, very arbitrary: we managed to burn out, and our further stay on the island passed in more civilized conditions - under umbrellas. Immersion in nature thus failed at the very beginning.

We got a little upset, groaned a little and, having smeared cream on all the affected areas, continued our journey, namely, we went on a large sightseeing tour of the island.

The route of this excursion was structured as follows: the village of Gasturi (passing), the Achilleion Palace, the Mavromatis plant for the production of liqueurs and kumquat sweets, Paleokastritsa, the village of Lakones, the village of Makrades.

The points:
1. Achilleion Palace of Empress Elizabeth of Austria (Sad Sisi) - in general, it is worth a visit, there is a lot of interesting information about the life of Elizabeth and the next owner of the palace, the German Kaiser Wilhelm II;

2. Mavromatis plant - a 5-minute video about the production of liqueur and sweets from kumquat and 40 minutes of stupid wandering in the store of this plant (prices for products in the factory store do not differ from prices in any supermarket);

3.Paleokastritsa – beauty, breathtaking! We must go! First we climbed a steep serpentine road to the active monastery “Zoodokhu Pigi”, which means “life-giving spring”. The monastery is very small, literally two flights of stairs, a beautiful church, next to the monastery there is a cannon from Ushakov’s ship. Then we went down to the bays of Paleokastritsa. Here, according to the program, we had 40-50 minutes of free time. You can swim in the Adriatic Sea, take a walk or ride on boats for a fee (7 euros per person) through the bays and grottoes. We chose a boat trip - we didn’t regret it, it’s beautiful, the grottoes are so small that you simply marvel at the skill of the local helmsmen;

4. The village of Lakones - located at an altitude of 400 m above sea level, the streets are so narrow that on the sides of the excursion bus there is only 5 cm left to the walls of the houses, no more. We saw houses “undercut” by bus mirrors and one house without a corner - the driver didn’t fit in and demolished it, not too much, the house just became rounded. Next, according to the program, we went up to a restaurant where any non-alcoholic drinks are free according to the program; you can dine for an additional fee from the menu (prices are 20% higher than in Benitses taverns, well, that was already clear). The restaurant offers breathtaking views of the bays of Paleokastritsa - the photos are very beautiful. When leaving the restaurant there is an observation deck on the bays - also great photos;

5. The village of Makrades - smoothly transitions from the village of Lakones, nothing remarkable - shopping for local creams (which are produced “naturally” only here and only at such a great price) and local rugs. All this “perfumery” took 50 minutes, during which my husband and I stood in the shade, escaping the 40-degree heat, without the slightest breeze, while our compatriots happily bought the “super new products” of the cream industry.

Result: The excursion takes the whole day: we left at 08.30 and returned at 19.00. Of the entire excursion, it is worth going to Achilleion and Paleokastritsa, which you can do on your own. We were also shocked by the skill of the local bus driver - BRAVO!!! Traveling along steep and narrow serpentines on a huge excursion bus is aerobatics. (By the way, going down is more scary ). The price of the excursion is 140 euros for two.

The next day we spent on the beach. We noticed that we couldn’t think through a single thought coherently; our brains became like processed cheese. The weather was “pleasant” with an increase in temperature to +40, in the shade. The water is like fresh milk, very comfortable, but not refreshing. Having assessed our capabilities in such heat, we revised our plans for independent excursions: we had to say goodbye to visiting the Love Canal after my husband’s statement:
- Do you want my death?! Travel for 2 hours with a transfer to look at the rock?! In the sunshine?! In 40 degrees of heat?! Never!!!
“Well, there’s the Canal of Love!” I howled, more for show, since I myself already doubted that I would get there alive. The husband was adamant. Sniffling through my nose, with a mournful face (in my heart, thanking God that I have such a smart husband), I crossed out Sidari. Sorry, Canal d'Amour!
After lying on the beach for two days, I made a strong-willed decision: we are going to see Pontikonissi, the Blachernae monastery and the city.
“What are we going to see in the city?” my husband asked me.
“The Venetian Fort, the old town, the New Fort, Liston Street, the Church of St. Spyridon and the Mon Repos Palace,” I said proudly and confidently,
- Well, or whatever we find.

The next day we went on a self-guided tour. From Benitses we took a regular bus to the village of Perama, where the dam began, over which planes take off and land. At the end of this dam there is Cape Kanoni and the Vlaherna monastery, which became the first starting point of our mini-trip. We got off at the bus stop and began to look for the way down to the dam, immediately found a huge stone staircase and happily jumped (if this verb is appropriate in 35+ heat) down. Once at the bottom, we saw a path that went to the right. With the hope that it would lead us in a circle to the dam (on the left), we continued our journey. Imagine our surprise when the path led us to a small pier, just for one boat. In front of us, in the sea, lay in plain sight “Mouse Island.” But the road ends here. We turned back, found a branch to the right and saw a dam, but the path further was only possible over huge stones, along the seashore. Not caring about anything, we climbed over these stones. Fortunately, we overcame the obstacle quite successfully. Having climbed the dam, we saw a convenient road that went a little to the left. The husband looked at the road, chuckled and said: “We are not looking for easy ways.” We proudly crossed the dam, under the perplexed glances of the people walking there who observed our “feat of rock climbers,” and went out to the Vlaherna monastery. A small neat church, all in flowers, produces some kind of peaceful impression and gives a feeling of peace. From the monastery we took a photo of “Mouse Island”, the view is magnificent. A small boat departs from the pier right away to Pontikonissi itself. Cost 2.5 euros per person. On the island there is the monastery “Pantocrator” - translated as “Almighty”. From the monastery site there is a breathtaking view of the Vlaherna monastery, the city of Kerkyra, Cape Kanoni and the dam. The boat waited for us for 30 minutes - this was enough to visit the monastery, buy candles and souvenirs, walk around the island twice in a circle and take many wonderful photographs as a souvenir.

Having returned to the Vlaherna monastery, we decided to move on by bus to the Venetian fort. It took 3 minutes to walk to the stop, the bus arrived in 5 minutes. Having clarified with the driver that the final stop would be near the Fort, we happily drove on. It must be said that in Corfu the regular regular buses (blue) are all equipped with air conditioning. After about 4 stops, turning my head to the right, I saw the inscription “Mon Repos” and the entrance price of 4 euros. Shouting: “Zhenya, this is the Mon Repos Palace, we are getting out,” frightening the driver and local passengers, we tumbled out into the street and rushed to the treasured inscription. As it turned out, this was a paid Mon Repos beach, and to get to the palace, you need to go back to the previous bus stop. Well, where ours didn’t disappear, we dragged ourselves up the small hill back, it was not for nothing that we jumped out of the bus. We saw an open gate overlooking a huge park, on the gate there was the inscription “Mon Repos” - we came here. By the way, entry is free. We walked uphill through the park for about 10 minutes until we saw the palace.
What can I say: we were, we saw. I didn’t make much of an impression, especially after the St. Petersburg palaces. The palace itself was closed, so we just walked around it and went back to the bus stop. We decided not to wait for the bus and walk to the Fort; according to the map it seemed that it was nearby. In fact, we walked 3-4 kilometers, the Fort was clearly visible, but it did not come closer to us. On the way we saw a tourist train that departs from Liston Street and goes to Cape Kanoni, a fun sight.
Finally, we reached the Fort, drank at the Frappe cafe, asked the waiter where Liston, the old town and the New Fort were, received the answer: “Here” and joyfully sat for another half hour, gathering strength and preparing for new exploits. There really wasn’t any heroic effort required from us – everything was within walking distance.
Liston Street, built on the model of the famous Parisian street Rue de Rivoli - only 2 houses, but very colorful. The old town has small pedestrian streets, very cozy with many souvenir shops. New and Old Fort - we still don’t understand where the new one is and where the old one is - you need a guide here, the view is majestic. The Church of St. Spyridon is beautiful, you need to visit it.

Result: The independent excursion took us 5 hours, the trip budget (without souvenirs, drinks, etc.) was 14 euros - 6 bus tickets for 1.5 euros and 5 euros for a boat to “Mouse Island”. Lots of wonderful photos and unforgettable impressions.

The remaining three days before the last excursion were also spent on the beach, quietly melting from the heat. We had lunch and dinner at local taverns. The portions are huge, we took one main course and one salad for two - we ate ourselves. The average bill for two with drinks is 27-30 euros. The cheapest cafe in Benitses “Big Bite” is located on the beach. There we managed to have lunch for 17 euros: one chicken salad, one tuna salad, an omelette with mushrooms, 2 juices and bread. The food is very tasty everywhere.

The last excursion from the tour operator “Sea trip with barbecue”.
Since there were only three tourists from our “southern” direction, my husband and I and another woman from our hotel, they sent a taxi for us, in which we went to the starting point of the excursion, namely in Dasia to the Corfu Chandris hotel. This hotel has a small pier from which our boat sailed.

The route of the boat trip is as follows: sailing from Dasia, a sea cruise along the south-eastern coast to the north to the wild beach “Barbara”, which can only be reached from the sea, there is no access road from the island to it (swimming and barbecue), then a cruise to Kassiopi with a visit to local shops with lace, blankets and embroidery, on the way back a stop at an underwater grotto (swimming) and back to Dassia.

The impressions are indescribable. On this boat trip we saw all the beauties of the island. I was convinced that you need to view the island from the sea. I cannot describe the picturesqueness and unusualness of the island’s coastline even approximately - you need to see it with your own eyes. While sailing to the wild beach we saw: the villages of Nissaki, Barbati (the largest beach on this coast), Agni, private villas with yachts, the Rothschild house, the house where one of the James Bond episodes was filmed, and, of course, Kalami Bay with a house Gerald Durrell. In this bay the steamboat came quite close to the shore so that we could get a closer look at the house of the famous naturalist writer. To celebrate, I managed to drown my camera case in this bay, I so wanted to capture this historical event - my childhood dream came true, I saw with my own eyes the house that I had imagined since I was 12 years old. She looked guiltily at her husband, to which he calmly said:
- It’s good that she didn’t jump out herself. I was even a little scared when you rushed to the railing.
And we laughed joyfully: I was from a feeling of delight, and he was infected with my mood.

We saw the village of Agios Stefanos - the closest to Albania, the strait between the countries is only 2 kilometers. I was pleased with the telecom operator, who every 5 minutes alternated SMS with the text “We welcome you to Albania” and “We welcome you to Greece.” The wild beach met all expectations: crystal clear and warm water, delicious barbecue, complete immersion in nature. Kassiopi is a very beautiful bay with yachts and picturesque houses. Sea grotto - pleasant swimming in the depths. The husband was happy when he dived from the grotto back to the ship.
The walk left an unforgettable impression and a piercing feeling of happiness that my expectations of meeting the island did not disappoint my hopes. Even after returning to the hotel, we continued to be overwhelmed by emotions.

The next day we flew to Moscow, exhausted and tired from the heat, burned, but not discouraged and completely delighted with the island of Corfu, which met all our expectations.
After boarding the plane, my husband asked me:
- Is your darling happy now?
“Yes,” I answered, “But we will return to Corfu?” I haven't watched everything yet
“Of course,” my husband answered, “But not in July, let’s say in September?”
“Come on,” I answered, smiling.

Please fasten your seat belts, our plane is preparing to take off. Estimated arrival in Moscow is 0 hours 10 minutes. The weather in Moscow is beautiful +21 degrees, no precipitation is expected.

Really beautiful weather.

If a tourist decides to explore Greece by car, this is indeed very correct! Many people are wondering what this strange object is, stretching along the paths and blocking the roadway? These are terrible toll roads that you have to pay for to travel throughout Greece, especially Corfu.

The main advantage of the highway is that it is much more convenient to travel along such a road. Such roads have high-quality coverage and good night lighting. In addition, these highways are maintained by various companies that periodically check the condition of the roads. In total, there are 6 toll roads in Greece.

Highways of Greece

Note! Paid bus stations are located on the National Roads or Ethniki Odos motorways, which are designed for fast and long-distance travel throughout Greece. They can be found on the main road between Athens International Airport and the city center, and the fare will often be in addition to the quoted taxi fare.

Sometimes a traveler can get lucky if he has to drive along the National Road that runs along the top of the large Greek island of Crete. After all, there are no toll roads in this part. The disadvantage is that there are several roads that are classified as direct roads in Crete, this includes only the National Road (too long) and cannot be avoided. However, a small part of the North-South road, running from Heraklion to Moaira, offers a road connected to the highway. The roads on the island of Corfu are quite well maintained. There are too few cars moving in this part of the island due to the narrow roads.

Motorways of Greece

Important! When traveling by car to the island of Corfu along the toll road, you must take cash with you, since the operator does not accept credit cards.

Where are the toll roads in Greece?

Attica Odos - This toll road crosses Attica, a peninsula near the center of Athens, and heads towards the Peloponnese peninsula.

Egnatia Odos - also known as A2. This toll road in Northern Greece, which partly follows an ancient Roman road, runs between Epirus and Macedonia. You can take this toll road to Thrace.

Corinth-Patras is the fastest way to travel across the northern part of the Peloponnese. This road runs parallel to the old coastal road that passes through every coastal village. Therefore, travelers who prefer a quieter, but more scenic option can freely travel along this route.

The Athens-Thessaloniki road is known to tourists and locals as Highway 1, A1, E75 (for Patras, Athens, Thessaoniki and Egnatia). This path is an easy way to get from one point to another despite the long distance.

Note! Payment for car travel on the island of Corfu is carried out at a special station with the operator. After payment, the barrier opens.

The picturesque resort of Corfu by car - features of the island

Features of traveling around the island. Corfu by car

The extraordinary beauty of the Greek island attracts tourists from around the world. Arriving on the island of Corfu, you cannot miss the grandiose museums and fortresses. They are located both in the city itself and outside it, while in the countryside there are also many monuments and attractions. Hundreds of traditional villages await numerous tourists as they explore the mountain ranges, deep valleys and vast tracts of idyllic scenery. At every step a traveler can encounter something interesting.

Corfu Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias is located very close to Corfu Town. The airport serves domestic flights from Athens and Thessaloniki. In summer, the airport also receives direct flights and charters from foreign countries. From May to September the tourist season begins in Corfu. During the summer, this part of the island has close air links with other Greek islands such as Kefalonia and Zakynthos, which are operated by the small airline Sky Express.

Note! Parking at modern and popular resorts becomes difficult, mainly in July - August due to the influx of tourists; the rest of the time the situation is more or less stable.

When renting a car, it is worth checking the details of the insurance; sometimes questions may arise about some items that are not included in the contract by the lessors. Therefore, before filling out the form, you need to familiarize yourself with the companies’ conditions in advance.

In addition, you should not leave your car on the side of the road; the roads in Corfu are not very wide and any passing bus or truck can “catch” it. Therefore, some tourists prefer to rent scooters, bicycles or ATVs rather than cars.

At Corfu Airport there are offices of famous car rental companies Budget, Auto-union, Hertz, Surprice, Olympic car, Firefly, Avis, where you can rent a car of any brand. Car rental in Corfu is also possible outside the airport, where more favorable rates are offered, but you will have to take a bus to get to your destination, or use the services of a free shuttle.

The cost of renting a car is approximately 30 € per day, which is significantly cheaper than in other European cities. The price of the service depends on a number of factors, for example, the amount of insurance, the amount of rent, the make of the car, etc. Much also depends on the age of the driver, the class of the car, and additional capabilities of the vehicle.

Note! The best option is to think in advance about booking a vehicle to move around the island, which is especially important in the high summer season from July to September. In addition, you need to find out in advance what you can see by car in Corfu.

At local gas stations you can buy different brands of fuel, diesel fuel, and unleaded gasoline. If this is provided for by the vehicle's engine configuration, you can refuel with gas, but the number of gas stations is limited.

The average cost of gasoline on the island of Corfu is expressed in the following figures:

• Gasoline 95 - 1,582 euros.
• Gasoline - 1,702 euros.
• Diesel - 1,237 euros.

Exploring the island by car

What to see in Corfu on your own by car

Before planning a trip to Greece, travelers usually wonder what to see in Corfu on their own by car. Starting from Corfu town, head west to Tsavarachi (Tsavros), which leads directly to Paleokastritsa. Every tourist should visit the Venetian-era villa, which houses works of prominent Greek artists since 1830. Now that the main collection of Greek artists at the Athens Museum is closed until at least 2019, this is the best chance to delve into the country's historical art history.

Thanks to the development of Greek painting, all the key figures are represented in this complex (especially Nikolaos Gyzis, Nikiforos Lytras, Yiannis Tsaroushis and Nikos Chatzikiriakos-Ghika). Near the villa there is a shop that sells interesting books about art. Next you should continue along the coastal road. Signs will lead to the village of Spartilas and Strinales in the southwestern part near Mount Pandokrator.

In Strynislas (in the east), at 914 meters high, Corfu's highest point, is the miniature stone monastery of Ipsilou Pandrokrata (open daily except 12.30-2.00 April-October). You should go to this monastery in calm and clear weather. Because the road is tiring and quite long. It is advisable to bring refreshments and snacks with you.

No less interesting is Strinales, off the northern coast through the villages of Eriva and Lafki, reaching near Acharavi. This is an ideal place for swimming. There are sandy beaches here, Almiros is just northeast of Acharavi towards Kasiopi.

Note! In the capital region of Corfu there is a monument to the Russian admiral Fyodor Fedorovich Ushakov. The majestic monument is located in the central part of the city.

Traveling around the island of Corfu by car can take the traveler to the magnificent beach of Halikounas or Dassia to see pink flamingos. There is a large lake near the island of Korission.

For family holidays, experienced tourists suggest holidays in the famous oceanarium. This picturesque aquarium offers marine life shows all year round.

All of the above listed attractions in Corfu can be seen independently by car. If necessary, a tour guide can meet a tourist in the city and tell him about the history of this ancient population.

Corfu Island routes by car

Guide to Corfu by car

Every year, the amazing and picturesque resort of Greece welcomes tourists with different preferences and financial capabilities. The island has the best hotels, villas and yachts that provide guests with 100% comfort. If you close your eyes to expensive yachts and hotels, it will immediately become clear that Corfu will be comfortable and fun for everyone.

Fun water parks and attractions, parachutes, bananas and boats on the beaches, a sea of ​​hiking routes through green valleys and mountains, where every peak is the “best panoramic platform” in the world. It’s also the closest place to Italy. And this neighborhood is noticeable immediately as soon as you get to the capital of the island - Kerkyra.

With its architecture and narrow streets it is very reminiscent of the old towns of the Apennine boot. A guide to Corfu by car is presented on the official website. Here you can also find out all the routes by car around the island of Corfu.

What a tourist should know when coming to Corfu

Advice from an experienced tourist is always useful when traveling abroad. For lovers of active recreation, experienced travelers suggest visiting a resort called Kavos. Noisy parties are held on this island. Local clubs offer guests the best cocktails.

On the Ionian Sea coast, water sports enthusiasts, especially divers, can have fun. In addition, you can go to the water park. The price per person is 25 euros*. Entry is free for children under 4 years of age. It should be noted that traveling around Corfu by car will reveal the secrets of ancient civilizations.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the island of Corfu is the most beautiful and green place in all of Greece. The best sandy beaches are located here. In order to take a sunbed with an umbrella you will have to pay only 5 euros*.

*Prices are as of September 2018.