One of the Greek Islands that lie between the country’s mainland and Italy, Corfu or Kerkyra is a popular tourist destination for many Europeans. It’s best to visit the island between the months of May and September, when the weather is at its finest. Sites in the main village that travelers should definitely visit include the Liston area and the 300-year-old Church of Saint Spyridon, both of which are free to the public. The Museum of Asian Art and the Archaeological Museum in Corfu Town are also highly recommended but stopping in will cost you.
While Corfu Town is the main city on the island, it’s certainly not the only place worth visiting during your stay. Lovely waterfalls can be found near Benitses (see photo) and the traditional fishing village of Kynopiastes contains a number of frescoes churches. Meanwhile, the villa of Achilleion just outside of Corfu Town is another popular spot with tourists. It was created by Empress Sisi in the 1890s, after she came to Greece to recover from her son’s tragic death.
Image Source: Andrea Tosatto via Flickr and CC 2.0
Of course, what would an island be without beaches? Lakkeiss Beach and Messonghi Beach are great places to go swimming. However, those looking for something to do before or after their swim might want to check out Kassiopi which contains ancient Greek and Roman ruins that travelers can explore but also has a nice beach. Or they might like to stop by Paleokastritsa where excellent seafood can be found in the local tavernas. Yachting, hiking, watersports and visiting the local olive groves are all popular activities on the island as well.
Image Source: Rob Sandbach via Flickr and CC 2.0
Travelers that are on a more modest budget should probably stay in a hotel or apartment outside of Corfu Town as accommodations in such spots including the village of Messonghi are typically cheaper than those found in the town itself. Hotel rooms generally run about $65 a night during the low season for a double room with breakfast but may cost twice that during the peak travel times. Price of Travel reports that about $50 a night for a one-star hotel room seems to be average on most of the Greek islands as well.
Image Source: Dimitris Kamaras via Flickr and CC 2.0
The island even has its own airport (CFU), which makes it easier for international visitors to arrive. However, this airport was recently named as being one of the worst in Europe so perhaps arriving by ferry from Italy or Albania might be a more palatable option if you have time to do so. Even so, it’s very easy to get around the island using the local bus system. In fact, the bus even stops at the local airport, a service that costs about $1.20 USD each way and isn’t always an option on other Greek islands that travelers can fly into. However, Corfu can also be easily explored using a rental car or boat, both of which can be hired for the duration of your stay. Of course, renting a bike is another good option for budget travelers that want to explore Corfu at their own pace.
As always, happy travels!
Sources: Wikipedia; WikiTravel; Lonely Planet; Xe.com; Nomadic Matt; Price of Travel; Sleeping in Airports
