Corfu

Corfu enchants visitors as Greece's verdant greenest island where lush emerald hills and olive groves cascade dramatically to crystal-clear turquoise Ionian Sea waters, imposing Venetian fortresses guard atmospheric Corfu Town's UNESCO World Heritage old town, and the varied cypress-studded coastline hides secluded pebble coves between dramatic limestone cliffs offering diverse beach experiences. This beautiful Ionian island jewel (pop. approximately 100,000 permanent residents) distinctly differs from Greece's famous Aegean Cycladic sisters—remarkably lush green vegetation year-round thanks to abundant winter rains, strong Italian cultural influence from four centuries of Venetian Republic rule (1386-1797), and notable British colonial legacy from the 1815-1864 protectorate period creating a unique fascinating cultural blend rarely found elsewhere in Greece.

Charming Corfu Town's elegant Liston arcade architecturally mimics Paris's Rue de Rivoli with French-style café terraces perfect for coffee and people-watching, cricket mysteriously played on the vast Spianada esplanade (the only place in Greece where British colonial cricket tradition survives), while the imposing Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio, around $11 entry) and New Fortress (Neo Frourio, often free entry but with limited and irregular opening hours) offer atmospheric rampart walks, tunnels, and panoramic harbor views over the town and Ionian Sea. The stunning Paleokastritsa Monastery (Moni Theotokou, approximately 24 kilometers west of Corfu Town, free entry to monastery and museum) perches dramatically on a rocky promontory above six gorgeous turquoise coves where boat excursions (around $11–$16 per person) explore hidden sea grottoes, blue caves, and isolated cliff-backed beaches accessible only by water. The ornate Achilleion Palace (about 12 kilometers south, around $8 adults though check current status as significant interior sections remain under restoration) showcases Austrian Empress Sisi's (Elisabeth of Bavaria) neoclassical retreat obsession with Greek hero Achilles, featuring Achilles statues, frescoes, and beautifully terraced gardens commanding sweeping views surveying the coastline.

Yet Corfu constantly surprises visitors beyond just beaches—charming traditional northern villages like Kassiopi preserve authentic fishing village character with tavernas and Venetian castle ruins, tiny Paxos island (about an hour by fast boat; expect from around $22–$32 each way or $54+ for organised day cruises) offers perfect day-trip escapes to olive groves and emerald coves, and Mount Pantokrator's 906-meter summit accessible via winding mountain road rewards drivers with spectacular panoramic views spanning to Albania and mainland Greece on clear days. The celebrated food scene enthusiastically showcases distinctive Corfiot regional specialties differing from mainland: sofrito (veal slow-cooked in white wine sauce with garlic and parsley, Venetian influence), spicy bourdeto fish stew (scorpionfish in tomato-paprika sauce), rich pastitsada pasta (rooster or beef in tomato-cinnamon sauce), and sweet kumquat liqueur absolutely unique to Corfu where kumquat trees were introduced. The diverse beaches range from well-organized Glyfada Beach with umbrellas and beach bars to wild Agios Gordios' dramatic cliffs and beach tavernas, from Canal d'Amour's romantic sandstone rock formations at Sidari perfect for couples to the long northern sandy stretches.

Package holiday resorts heavily concentrate in Kavos (southern tip, notorious party scene attracting British youth), Dassia and Ipsos (east coast, family-friendly), and Paleokastritsa, while more authentic traditional Corfu village life persists in quieter west coast fishing villages and mountainous interior settlements. Visit pleasant May-June or comfortable September-October for ideal 23-30°C weather perfect for beach and sightseeing, carefully avoiding peak overcrowded August when prices spike and beaches fill. With abundant direct summer charter flights from across Europe, fascinating Italian-Greek cultural fusion rarely found elsewhere, notably greener and lusher scenery than arid Cyclades islands, and many visitors getting by on roughly $76–$130 per day including accommodation, meals and activities, cheaper than Santorini/Mykonos, Corfu delivers sophisticated Ionian island beauty, Venetian architectural elegance, diverse beaches, and that unique blend of Greek hospitality with Italian style.