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CORFU RESORTS
Sidari is a developed resort that has combined a couple of small former fishing villages. Sidari is still growing and is very popular with British visitors, so holidays in Sidari are certainly for those looking for a popular lively place with plenty of bars and tavernas and nightlife. Located on the north coast of Corfu, set on a bay and surrounded by fertile hills.
Sidari is 26 miles north of Corfu Town and the airport and just 4 miles west of the popular beach resort of Roda. Sidari is ideal for those looking for a busy resort, a little larger than neighbouring Roda, with plenty of shops and entertainment along with a choice of three beaches.
Sidari beach is divided into three parts. The main beach is the central stretch, a long sandy bay. The resort enjoys water that is remarkably calm and extremely shallow, making this a favourite with children and swimmers. Watersports are available. Other Sidari beaches are found near the harbour to the east and the famous coves of the Canal D'Amour to the west.
The Canal D'Amour is an area of eroding sandstone cliffs that have formed several tiny sand and shingle coves reached by paths and even ladders. Those furthest from the resort are the quietest. Sidari nightlife is definitely on the lively side with a lot of tavernas offering Greek and British food as well as innumerable cafes, music bars and clubs.
Sidari has plenty of shops that open until late. While on holiday in Sidari take the opportunity to walk along the cliffs and explore inland to find quaint unspoilt Corfu villages. Fascinating historic Corfu Town can be reached by bus, along with the resorts of Kassiopi and Aghios Stefanos. Other favourite Sidari excursions include the resort of Paleokastritsa and boat trips to the islands of Paxos and Erikoussa.
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Paleokastritsa has long been considered one of the most beautiful villages in Corfu and is a renowned Greek beauty spot. Paleokastritsa is chiefly memorable for the exceptional scenery along with the superb beaches. While on holiday in Paleokastritsa you can swim at six different secluded sand and fine pebble beaches enclosed by tall cliffs, wooded headlands, olive groves, lemon and cypress trees and lush hilly countryside.
Paleokastritsa is situated 16 miles north-west of Corfu's attractive capital, Corfu Town. The resort runs along the coast road that winds among the cliffs and sheltered bays. Paleokastritsa is a hilly place full of twists and turns and unexpected views
Paleokastritsa beach is famous for its clear water and striking blue-green colours. In fact it is one of a string of six spectacularly situated coves. Rocks provide great points for diving. Snorkelling is another justly popular holiday activity.
Tavernas and accommodation are scattered around the resort, many in excellent locations. Paleokastritsa is not for those seeking lots of lively nightlife but there are plenty of tavernas, bars and a couple of discos to keep you busy if you wish, as the resort has been a British favourite for years.
Favourite Paleokastritsa walks are up to the promontory farthest north to find the charming Theotokos monastery, the 13th century Venetian Castrizza San Angelo, and to the hills beyond. You can reach Aghios Georgios with its immense beach by water-taxi. There are plenty of boat trips from Paleokastritsa beach. Add variety to your holidays in Paleokastritsa by visiting Lakones and other hillside villages, where you will find quiet traditional Corfu charm and memorable country travernas.
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Pelekas is popular with independent travellers for many years and although this hillside village has slowly developed is still a world away from the excesses of some of the coastal resorts and is a popular escape both in and out of season. Pelekas is a small typical Corfu inland village with narrow streets and traditional churches, close to a series of spectacular Corfu beaches on the island's stunning west coast. Pelekas resort is for those who want to relax among forested hills, visit sandy beaches and admire sunsets. Wonderful views are had from the top of Kaiser's Lookout above Pelekas. There are restaurants with authentic Corfu food, a few shops and minimal nightlife.
While the scenic hills and olive groves are the immediate setting for a holiday in Pelekas, there are fine uncrowded beaches like Gialiskari and Kontogialos (Pelekas beach) reached by steep winding tracks in just ten minutes or by regular local buses. The former with golden sand and a few tavernas was once a hippy hangout.
Beautiful country roads lead to some of the best beaches of the west coast. Pelekas is close to the small shingle and pebble beach at Ermones with its diving school, Agios Gordis a popular snorkelling beach surrounded by lush vegetation, small sandy secluded Gialiskari, and the exceptional cliffside setting of Mirtiotissa beach, a real gem.
The resort of Glyfada with another golden sandy beach and excellent swimming is a popular Pelekas neighbour and is little more than a mile away. There are several popular “jumping rocks” between Pelekas beach and Glyfada and water sports are available at several points on the coast.
Holidays in Pelekas could take advantage of a superb international standard golf course and horse riding from local stables. Nature lovers will enjoy spotting wildlife in the wetlands of the valley. Other attractions of Pelekas are the Aqualand water park and the Corfu Trail, a 220 km walking route from north to south that passes through the village.
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Agios Georgios is on the south west coast, 20 miles south of Corfu Town and Corfu airport. It is a small resort with no real traditional centre but offering a choice of tavernas and bars, a couple of discos and basic shopping. Agios Georgios is also known as St Georges South to help distinguish the resort from the other beach in the northwest.
Agios Georgios has two main beaches reached by quiet country lanes. Both beaches are wide, have easy-on-the-feet sand and are safely shallow for children.
Sand dunes and a lake add interest to the north beach at Agios Georgios and a little effort is rewarded with the discovery of isolated coves for more undisturbed bathing. There are around 6 miles of beach in Agios Georgios including the busier south beach and the resort runs along a parallel road and is bordered by olive groves and cypress trees that benefit from the winter rains.
Paragliding, snorkelling and jet skiing are among the water sports on offer. Boat trips are available from Agios Georgios beach. Walkers and cyclists could enjoy excursions into the surrounding countryside and visit some of the more secluded and pretty villages as well as other spectacular beaches.
You can explore little coves to the north, take a shopping trip to Corfu Town or walk to the market in Argyrades village, two miles from Agios Georgios, to sample the simple delights of Corfu village café life and a superb setting: contrasting options for a holiday in Agios Georgios.
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Dassia is an atmospheric, lively place, popular with younger couples, groups and water sport enthusiasts. Dassia is 9 miles from Corfu Town on the east coast of Corfu with views across the sea to the mountains of Greece and Albania.
From Dassia regular buses and taxis run to both Ipsos and Gouvia, another lively, busy resort. Dassia also has plenty of varied and inexpensive nightlife of its own, but is less intense than its famous neighbours. Popular Dassia beach is long, quite narrow and a mix of shingle and pebbles.
The water at the beach is exceptionally calm and flat. The beach slopes gently and platforms have been built out to sea making Dassia a superb place to swim.
Dassia has become a popular Corfu resort with a reputation for quality water sports including waterskiing, windsurfing and parascending. Hire a boat to explore the coves.
Dassia is on a flat coastal plain and is surrounded by low verdant hills that invite exploration by bike or car. Take small inland roads from Dassia through olive groves to discover more traditional, pretty Corfu villages. Dassia also offers a superb golf course and a pony trekking centre.
Dassia is well connected by buses and makes a good base for touring Corfu, exploration of the interior, and a boat trip to Paxos or to the Greek mainland.
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Acharavi located on the north coast of the island of Corfu, near Kassiopi in an extensive area of lush vegetation and a scenic 40km journey from Corfu airport through mountainous landscape and old quaint Greek villages. Hills rise up from the lush plain of Acharavi and peak at Mount Pantokrater, one of the highest mountains on Corfu. It all makes a pleasing combination of beach, hills and mountains.
Acharavi is popular with those seeking a relatively uncomplicated resort where they can take it easy and relax. Acharavi is an attractive resort for families and couples being neither quiet backwater nor overdeveloped. The Roman baths and the more traditional parts of old Acharavi village are on and around the main street parallel to the sea from where narrow lanes make the short distance to the beach.
This gently expanding resort now offers several good tavernas, bars and restaurants and a sufficiently busy nightlife should you wish to have a lively evening. You can take a stroll to the resort of Roda or a more adventurous walk into the hills that surround Acharavi but undoubtedly it is beach that is the main draw.
The European Blue Flag has been awarded to Acharavi beach in recognition of its water quality, and it is beautifully set among luxuriant green surroundings.
The sand shingle and stone of Acharavi beach stretches several kilometres and quiet relaxed family holidays in Acharavi are assured with its exceptionally gentle shallow waters extending for up to 50 metres providing plenty of safe bathing attractive for children. The beach front has a string of bars and shops.
Acharavi area has an abundance of other good beaches like the popular neighbouring beach resorts of Roda and Almyros, the latter tending to be the local's choice, generally a touch more tranquil and with an unofficial nudist beach. These Corfu resorts to the west and east of the town offer variety within short distances to complement an Acharavi holiday. If the award-winning waters of Acharavi beach get a little tame, a visit can be made to a local water park attraction “Hydropolis” found as you leave the town for Kassiopi or you may be enticed by good water sport opportunities. Acharavi is well-liked by snorkelers who have many attractive areas to explore, and there are diving schools for those who wish to go a little deeper. Boats can be hired to view Acharavi and the dramatic Corfu coast from the sea. Acharavi is surrounded by other attractions like the island of Erikoussa. An enticing excursion is Corfu Town itself with its mixture of old and new, tourist present and traditional past, with ample bar life from small local bars to livelier younger options.
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Kassiopi is a charming town on the north-east corner of the island of Corfu 22 miles north of Corfu Town and Corfu airport. Kassiopi has the magnificent backdrop of Mount Pantokrator and hills covered with olive groves, vines and citrus plantations. It is a colourful place reached by picturesque coast roads. There are views out to sea to the Albanian coast. Kassiopi offers a satisfying array of possibilities from lively bar culture to relaxed bathing and people watching. Despite being an established resort, Kassiopi still retains something of its fishing village past and its importance in ancient history. Fisherman still work from the harbour alongside flashier modern boats.
Kassiopi harbour with its little square is today the focal point of the town's social life by day and a pretty trendy place by night. But Kassiopi has plenty of quieter calmer bars and restaurants, the latter a mix of tourist and traditional, with particularly good fresh fish thanks to fishermen. Kassiopi is deservedly popular with young visitors, teenagers and groups, but without the excesses of some of the more notorious party spots in Greece. Parents of fun-loving teenagers can easily find peace, quiet and beauty within a short walk resort's centre. It's easy to reach every beach, all of which are clean and safe. You will find EU blue flags here and at nearby Kalamionas beach. Children will enjoy the flat main beach which is safely away from traffic.
Kassiopi beaches and secluded coves with fewer facilities are found around the beautiful headland. Most beaches are pebbly but there are plenty of them and they can be charmingly small and secluded, but it's easy to walk to other longer beaches and bays like Avlaki, Imerolia and Kalamionas. There are water sports like waterskiing and paragliding, as well as a diving centre, tennis courts and swimming pools if your holiday in Kassiopi gets too sedate!
Walk up to the headland that flanks Kassiopi to visit the remains of the Byzantine fortress, before exploring the small coves below. You can explore the Kassiopi coast by boat, go pony trekking, hire bikes and mopeds, or walk along the many lanes leading into the beautiful surroundings. Take the ultimate Kassiopi holiday challenge and climb Mount Pantokrator for amazing views. Kassiopi holidays offer a range of interesting excursions as it is an important port. There are good boat and road connections to fascinating Corfu Town, boat trips to Paxos or Kefalonia and excursions to Dassia, Nissaki, lively Sidari and full-on Ipsos.
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Messonghi is a relatively unspoilt, small and uncomplicated resort running parallel to the sea for about a mile, and separated from its close neighbour Moraitika by the Messonghi River. The former fishing village of Messonghi is on the south-east coast of Corfu, 14 miles south of the capital, Corfu Town and the airport.
Messonghi resort tend to appeal to a cosmopolitan mix of young families and couples looking for a relaxed holiday base with a friendly atmosphere. A holiday in Messonghi can also count on the attractions of Moraitika across the river, as the two resorts are tending to merge.
Holidays in Messonghi are centred around the long sandy beach found on a sweeping bay with a headland at the southern end, all on a coastal plain backed by olive grove covered hills. Messonghi beach is away from the traffic of the main road and is well organized with shallow areas safe for children and plenty of water sport activities on offer. Nightlife consists of a modest selection of bars and tavernas, with the option of Moraitika across the river for a livelier alternative. Shopping likewise.
Moraitika is situated on a coastal plain on the east coast of Corfu and has a backdrop of olive grove covered hills. Situated just 12 miles from the capital Corfu Town and the airport. Benitses resort is 4 miles north. Moraitika has grown a great deal over the years and is now a very developed resort that is tending to merge with the Messonghi resort on the other side of the river Messonghi, which forms the border between the two. The original village of Ano Moraitika still exists on the hill above but is now dwarfed by the largely purpose-built resort that runs along either side of the coast road. Moraitika is based around this main strip which has plenty of bars, tavernas and restaurants, many offering British options alongside Greek favourites
There are plenty of lively clubs and discos open until late but Moraitika is not as wild as the youth resort of Kavos.The resort appeals to a cosmopolitan mix of families, younger couples and those wanting plenty of lively entertainment, plentiful budget to mid-range accommodation and a sandy beach.
Energetic Moraitika resort is just a few hundred metres above the beach, which is a little quieter. Moraitika beach is a popular, long mixture of sand and shingle with warm, shallow water for safe bathing and swimming for children. You can make use of a diving centre and other water sport facilities and enjoy boat trips and go-karting.
Moraitika has some Roman remains to visit and a you should certainly include a couple of strolls up to the original village of Ano Moraitika, a contrast from the main resort with its narrow lanes and picturesque unspoilt little flower-decked houses. Here you will find excellent tavernas, and superb views from the church of Theotokou Kimiseos. Fisherman still work from the river that separates Moraitika from Messonghi. The resort is served by regular buses south to Kavos and Messonghi and north to Benitses and the fascinating capital Corfu Town. The Aqualand waterpark is another popular excursion
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