Monday, January 30, 2017

Corfu Greece: The Ultimate Travel Guide

* This post contains a sponsored link. As always, all opinions are my own*

Today I am happy to share a guest post with you from Alessandra of  An Expat Diary. I know you are going to love this post about Greece! Visiting this country is high on my bucket list, I am dreaming of Santorini!

Alessandra is an expat originally from Brazil. She has traveled abroad extensively, and has also lived in several different countries.  I am so delighted I connected with her in a travel group, and thankful she agreed to share this post!

The city being featured  is Corfu, and it looks just as dreamy as many of the cities in this country. Grab your favorite  drink and let your mind be taken away to paradise!

A Tour Through Corfu Greece


When its summer time in Europe many of us have the urge to go somewhere by the beach, and Greece is always a good idea.  Mykonos and Santorini are one of the most popular areas, but sometimes it's good to get away from the  mainstream tourist destinations and explore something new.

Corfu seemed like  the perfect place as it is one of the most beautiful islands in the country and is still quite unknown by a lot of tourists around the world.


A tour through Corfu Greece

As some of you may not know, Corfu is the greenest and most northern of the Greek Islands and it was controlled by different countries throughout history, such as Italy, France, and Britain.  It is located in the Ionian sea and it's very close to Albania and Italy

I spent an amazing 2 weeks there and below I will describe some of the activities I did while exploring the country. I hope the pictures I took will motivate  you to visit this beautiful island.

Where to Stay

I stayed in the north part of the island, in an area called Sidari, which is popular among English tourists. It is one hour by bus to Corfu town and has, what I think, the most beautiful beaches. Corfu is quite a big island and each area has its own flare.

For example, if you are young and looking to party, a famous destination is Kavos, but if you are looking for a more quiet place I would suggest  Paleopkastritsa. Depending on the size of your group and your budget, you can also find may styles of accomodation, which varies from renting a villa/flat to all inclusive hotels. In my case, I decided to have my own self-catering villa in a resort, and explore the food and restaurants around me.

A tour through Corfu Greece

Where to Eat

Greece is famous for its Tavernas, so don't forget to check one out.  The food that I normally ate there was different types of seafood, together with Tzatziki or a Saganaki style dish(which is made with baked cheese.)  Traditional desserts are these puffy balls with honey or chocolate called Loukoumades and Baklava. The Gyros and Lamb dishes are also popular.

You can also check for the restaurants that have a Greek night, where you will experience a typical Greek celebration. This will seem like quite a touristy thing to do at first, but it is a fun way to see the plate smashing and local dancing.

A tour through Corfu Greece

What to do

There are many things you can do in Corfu, as it's one of the most developed islands in Greece. If you want to be free to explore different sights, I would suggest renting a car and drive to the different areas and beaches.  If you want to see more of your local surroundings, you can also rent a scooter or quad bike.

Apart from experiencing some the most beautiful beaches in Europe, you should take a day or two to explore Corfu city and the old town and visit Esplanade, the Old Fortress and the Royal Palace.

A tour through Corfu Greece

Going back to the beaches, it is easier to get to some of them by boat.  You can also reach a lot of them by car.  Some of the most beautiful ones are Sidari (and the Canal D'Amour), Peroulades, Paleokastristsa, Kontogialos, and Myrtiotissa.

You can take a tour boat to other nearby Ionian islands like Paxos and Antipaxos and see the Blue Caves, as well as Sivota and Blue Lagoon, or go to Parga, a city located on the Greek mainland.  Another options is to take a boat to Albania and see the city of Saranda. There you can choose to stay around and enjoy the beach or take a tour to Butrint, which is designated y Unesco as a World Heritage Sight. You can also visit the castle of Ali Pasha, built during the Ottoman Empire.



Another interesting activity is to rent your own boat on Corfu Island.  You can have it for yourself for a whole day and ride it to as many places/beaches as you want and stop for a dive. This was actually
the highlight of my trip, as it is quite affordable to rent one.  I think it's a great way to avoid the tourists and have more of a personal experience of the coast.

A tour through Corfu Greece

If you are not staying in Corfu town, you will notice that many of the villages have bars, clubs and restaurants. If you wan to lay by the beach, you can always stay in one of the restaurant's bungalows and order food or drinks..

For those of you who are more into sports, there are many hiking opportunities. Corfu has plenty of trails through the mountains. It is also a great place to do scuba diving and water sports.

A tour Through Corfu Greece

Follow along on Alessandra's blog for more awesome travel inspiration, and be sure to check out her on social media as well!

Pinterest| Instagram|Google Plus| Bloglovin

Thanks for stopping by once again. I hope your New Year has been amazing thus far!

                                                                 


Would you like to comment?

  1. What an amazing trip!!! These photos are all stunning!

    Rachel / www.helloher.co

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    1. yes her photography is superb, have a great day RAchel!

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  2. I've heard so many beautiful things about Greece (also not to mention the pictures). I went to Cyprus and loved it. They have lots of Greek influences, so I think I would love it in Greece as well.

    www.janded.eu

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    1. Yay you got to go, I am so dying to see Santorini!

      Have a great day Oana!

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  3. Wow. Looks so beautiful. This destination has been added to my must see list.

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    1. Mine too, I want to see all of Greece, such a dreamy place!

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  4. I have a love affair with Greek food so making a trip there is on my list. But it will have to wait because we have a few other trips in the works.

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    1. HI Ashley, I love greek food too, some of my fav!

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  5. I've always wanted to go to Greece.. the architecture, the sun, the food, there's nothing I wouln't love! I'll definitely look into renting my own boat if I ever get down to Corfu, thanks for the tip!

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    1. I know huh, such a cultural experience..I want to go bad!

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  6. Valerie, Greece is on my travel bucketlist. It looks so beautiful. My hubby has gone, and I think he needs to take me for my 40th birthday :)

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    1. I think he does too! ahhh 40 I wish I could go back there again..!

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  7. oh boy, I'm so jealous! This looks so incredible!

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  8. Wow, what a beautiful place! I'd love to visit there one day!

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    1. IT is such a dreamy place, I hope you and I both make it there someday!

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  9. This looks like a dream! I'm dying to visit Greece!

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    1. I am so dying to go as well...wish it were now! thanks for stopping by Rachel!

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  10. We went to Greece last summer and it is my favorite place I have ever traveled too. So breathtaking-ly beautiful!

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    1. Wow Jessica, lucky you, which cities did you visit?

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  11. WWWOOOOOOWWWWW!!! This looks so gorgeous and interesting! What amazing history! And that water.... swoon!

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    1. Hey Brittany,..yes isn't that water amazing..makes me think of Hawaii! Swoon Is right!

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  12. So gorgeous! I was hoping to hit Greece on our trip last year, but it looks like I'll definitely have to plan for the future!

    Liz
    Www.lizzieinlace.com

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  13. Been to Greece last September but we missed this beautiful island. Thanks for this detailed guide. Definitely visit it when we'll go back in Greece. Beautiful photos! :-)

    Joy | fatmoments.com

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  14. I love Greece! The beaches, the weather the food! Take me there now!

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  15. OMG looks at that water! I am soo jealous, I have always wanted to go to Greece! Maybe someday :)

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  16. I was in Santorini and Athens in September and your photos make me miss it so much! Such a beautiful country.

    Greta | www.gretahollar.com

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  17. WOW. Looks like absolute heaven- I have wanted to go to greece ever since I saw the first sisterhood of the traveling pants movie! Definitely on the top of my list. Those deserts sound amazing too. *thegoodthingscomin.wordpress.com

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  18. What a beautiful place! The water is absolutely pristine!! I want to go to Greece so badly now!

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    1. I know right?! I want to go so bad!! Thanks for stopping by!

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  19. It is my dream to go here! Such a beautiful place.

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    1. Hi Marissa, Id love to as well..anywhere in Greece will do!

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  20. This looks amazing! Im trying to travel more this year!

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    1. Good for you, me too! I want to downsize, get rid of stuff and do some more jet setting, happy travels to you!

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  22. oh my gosh, this makes me want to move to greece and just live off sunshine and saganaki. i'm definitely bookmarking this - my husband is greek and we've been trying to plan a vacation to greece - i need all the help i can get!

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    1. How awesome you are married to a Greek..their culture is awesome, Id love to move their myself!

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  23. Greece is such a beautiful country! I'd love to visit one day
    Allison from www.mercuteify.com

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    1. Thanks for coming by Allison, its a dream for sure, I hope to make it to Europe soon, so many places I want to see!

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  24. I spent a day in Corfu and loved it! Such amazing photos!

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    1. Awesome Casey, so glad you went..this is probably all so familiar to you then!

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  25. Greece is one place I can't wait to visit again. I have to admit Santorini is still at the top of the bucket list, by I am adding Corfu as a close second, the pictures look amazing!!

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    1. Hi Ronnie, Santorini doesn't even look real..its so dreamy and this place looks equally inviting!

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  26. Corfu looks amazing! I've always wanted to visit Greece but definitely feel like I've heard more about Santorini. These pictures have me sold that Corfu is the place to visit!

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    1. Same here Joy, mostly have heard about Santorini, I am dying to go there, and now to Corfu as well, thanks for your comment!

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  27. Sounds like an incredible trip! Looks like she had a total blast and Corfu sure is on my list for when we visit Greece next! Hope to see you soon, Val xoxo

    xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com

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    1. Hey Miss Dolly Mum to be...so happy you came by...I lOOOVED your pics from Santorini, I want to go there so bad, so maybe you can give me pointers on how to get the best deal! Yes I hope to see you soon@!
      xox
      val

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  28. I loved my time in Athens and Santorini. Albania is high on my list for my next trip to the Balkans. Knowing you can ferry from Albania to Corfu is a great tip!

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    1. There are so many dreamy spots there I have heard of..seeing this post makes me want to go bad! Thanks for stopping by!

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  29. This sounds like such an amazing trip! And I love the pictures. I really really want to visit Greece some time soon and I'm definitely adding Corfu to the list now after reading this!

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    1. Greece has to be one of the most pretties places on earth, I cant wait to go someday, hope you make it too!]

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  30. You've made me very hungry thinking about all of the delicious Greek food now!

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    1. Ha Ha..yes Greek food is the bomb...I want some now!

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  31. Wow I hadn't even considered that renting a boat was possible! That seems like an incredible way to tour the island and surrounding areas - thanks for the tip!

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    1. I was so fascinated by reading that as well, that boat ride sounds dreamy!

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  32. Totally agree - While Santorini and Mykonos are beautiful, they are very heavily frequented compared to the lesser marketed islands which are equally gorgeous and more cultural. I visited Crete after Santorini which I really enjoyed but I think Corfu is in order too.

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    1. I think you are so right, even tho I have never been. I am dreaming of Santorini for ages now! Glad you stopped by...

      Valerie

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  33. I saw a couple episodes of this new show about a family that just up and moves to Corfu. I watched it for the scenery and views because it said it was shot on location. It looked just as beautiful as the photos you shared, and reading this guide it just sounds like heaven. I love sailing so Greece is high on my list! Thanks for confirming what I already suspected!

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    1. Wow That's awesome Sophie! I would love to see that show! Thank you for stopping by my blog!

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  34. Wow, I've heard of Corfu before but never like this, it looks incredible! That water alone makes me want to visit. I think you've definitely added this spot to my to-visit list :)

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    1. I am in awe of this beautiful place..I want to go so bad! Thanks for stopping by!

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  35. I am so delighted I connected with her in a travel group, and thankful she agreed to share this post!http://www.stockholmfreetour.com

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  36. Great article, thanks for the tips! With extensive coastlines and islands, an ancient culture and being the birthplace of the Olympics, Greece is indeed a fascinating land to visit. However, there are a number of crooks in the country targeting tourists in the country: http://travelscams.org/europe/common-tourist-scams-greece/

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