Hidden Corfu

26th August 2024

Corfu, a verdant island in the Ionian Sea, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality. Known for its lush olive groves and cypress-studded hills, the island is a feast for the senses.

Beyond its natural charms, Corfu boasts a fascinating history. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with Venetian architecture.

Fresh seafood, olive oil, and local wines are staples of the local diet. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, exploration, or a taste of authentic Greek life, Corfu promises an unforgettable experience.

Apart from the well-known tourist hot spots there is also a range of hidden delights to explore.

First up is Paleokastritsa,The village is located in the north of the island’s centre and on the west side of Corfu. The distance from Corfu Town is approximately 25 kilometers and it is one of the most beautiful places, not only of Corfu but of the Ionian Islands, too. It consists of a series of beaches that are separated through small capes. The view from the village of Lakones is simply breathtaking. There is an old pathway that connects the two villages but only donkeys can pass through or people on foot. On the top of the hill there is a beautiful monastery of Virgin Mary dating back to the 12th century. It is still open and operating normally as Monks still live there. There,the famous icon of Virgin Mary can be found.

Next is Afionias. Afionas is one of the oldest villages in Corfu, built on an ideal location upon a mountainous cape and offers great views of the Ionian Sea, the Graviaskerry and the Diapontia islands (Othonoi, Erikousa and Mathraki). The sunset of Afionas is particularly stunning and it attracts a fair number of visitors. On the left, one can admire the bay of Arillas and on the right the bay of Agios Georgios Pagon. Below Afionas, the double beach of Porto Timoni is located. The name of the left beach is Limni whereas the right one is called Porto Timoni. In order to reach the beach, a walking distance of 30 minutes is required.

And now for a drink! The Corfiot Microbrewery is situated in Arillas, a small village in the north of the island. The company was established in 2009, the same year that the economic crisis started in Greece. The production started with 80.000 bottles of beer, 70.000 euros turnover and just three employees. During 2012, the production increased fiercely at 500.000 bottles of beer and the turnover was 500.000 euros. Mr. Kaloudis, the owner of the company stated that this year investments were made in order to increase their production and respond accordingly to the demand, anticipating sales to be 30% more. He continued by explaining that the demand is higher than the supply as the company is small. The Corfiot beer is fresh and not filtered, this is why it has gained a lot of fans due to its unique aroma and taste.Well worth a visit.

Chlomos is another of the oldest villages in Corfu, dating all the way back to the 13th century. This picturesque village is known as “the balcony of Corfu” as it is situated on an altitude of 270 meters and offers great views of the south as well as the east part of the island. Most of the buildings in the village feature the Venetian architecture; they are painted with red and orange colors and are built around the main square. If you wander around the small alleys you will discover a variety of old mansions, including the 15th century mansion of Thomas Palaiologou, the brother of the Emperor Konstantinos Palaiologou. Another interesting fact is that Chlomos in the Greek language means pale and the village took its name from its habitants, who were very pale due contracting malaria at the beginning of the 19th century.

Mirtiotissa Beach.This tiny stretch of shoreline along the west coast of Corfu is considered one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches on the island. It is a perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling due to its crystal clear waters and rocky seabed. Bask in the sun as you sip on a refreshing cocktail from the standing bar. Once a secluded beach popular amongst the nudist community, today there are umbrellas and lounge beds to rent and the small beach can get crowded as the day goes on. The road leading to the beach is steep and winding, and can be a challenging walk. A quite brilliant place to laze away a day!

Finally a great meal. Anthos Restaurant in Corfu Town offers just that…Anthos is a family-run restaurant, situated in Corfu Town. It offers various Mediterranean dishes and local specialties with a twist, as well as delicious, fresh desserts, which are daily made. Enjoy your meal in a warm, cozy atmosphere, with some quality wine to complement the exquisite flavours of your main course.

Enjoy your virtual tour of Corfu!

Tony for the TripFiction team

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