Areas to stay in Corfu

Kerkyra Town (Corfu Town) has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, but fewer tourists tend to stay here because they want a slower pace in Corfu. That said, if a range of architectural styles and lively bars sound up your street, you’ll enjoy your stay in Kerkyra Town. Along with elegant arcades there are French and Georgian-English style buildings which tell the island’s ruling history. It’s regarded as the commercial heart of Corfu, which is ideal for shoppers!

Once seen as a party area, the South region of Corfu has revamped itself as a quieter part of the island with a slicker feel. Benitses boasts a smart marina while the beaches on the southwest boast soft golden sands: the resort of Agios Georgios Argyradon is a popular choice with many tourists. If you’re looking to get into your watersports, head down to Halikounas beach, where you can give kitesurfing and windsurfing a go.

To the north of Kerkyra Town makes for one of the best areas to stay in Corfu, thanks to its array of lively resorts. The area is made up of former fishing villages, where small roads lead onto large marinas and there are plenty of sand and pebble beaches to enjoy. Consider staying in Gouvia with its sheltered bay, while the likes of Ypsos and Pyrgi are having a moment with families.

If it’s constant scenic vistas you’re after during your Corfu holidays, you couldn’t choose a better spot to stay in than the Northeast. With cliffside roads, foot-only beaches and tall mountains, you won’t know where to start in this area of Corfu – so book a stay here to soak up every last view! After you’ve passed by enough whitewashed cottages, 13th century fortresses and almond trees to your heart’s content, enjoy the buzzing nightlife or watch the local fishermen hard at work in the harbour.

The North and Northwest areas of the island are also pleasant areas to stay in Corfu, thanks to their array of holiday complexes and low-key resorts. Note that some areas, like Erikousa and Mathraki, are so small that you’ll have to reserve well in advance for summer stays! While you’re here, take the journey to the balcony-village of Lakones, which you can access via a twisting road; the views looking out to sea are some of the finest in Corfu, if not Europe.

Looking for the local life in Corfu? You can’t go wrong with staying on the west side of the island, which is home to an abundance of villages and hill-towns; base yourself here and visit each of them in turn to really make the most of this part of the island. Stop for lunch in Pelekas, admire the sunset at Kaiser’s Throne or rest up on the beach in Kontogialos; you can also while away part of a day in Sinarades’s History and Folklore Museum of Central Corfu for an extra insight into the island’s cultural traditions and heritage.

Okay, so Paxi might not be on the island of Corfu, but it’s only 10 miles south of the island and is the smallest of the Ionian islands. It’s a clean, quiet place with irresistible waters. You can visit it as part of a day trip, but stay a night or two here and you’ll find it hard to leave...