Corfu Island Tourist Traps

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The gardens are one of the most beautiful spots on Corfu and offer a magnificent view over the island. They form a kind of outdoor museum as they are decorated with sculptures of exquisite artistry. The most important statues are, of course, “Achilles Dying” (created by the German sculptor Earnest Gustav Herter) and the really huge “Vanquisher Achilles”, which was created in 1909 by the German sculptor Goetz, ordered by Vilhem. We also had a walk towards the rear veranda with the statues of the Nine Muses and beautiful flowers. Scattered between beautifully decorated gardens and the fountains stand the beautiful statues of ancient Greek philosophers.

We can easily say that these imperial gardens on top of the hill provide a majestic view of the surrounding green hill crests and valleys as the Ionian sea gleams in the background.

Unique Suggestions: Travel by footh (a nice walk from the beach) or by car. Try to avoid a bus trip. Whever you do this it will mean that you will arrive with a lot of people at the same time and have little moving space to explore the palace. We went to the palace just in between the arrival of two busses and were able to walk around in our own pace and take pictures without all those people on it :-)

Address:
The palace of Achilleion, Gastouri.

Directions:
Situated at the south side of the island. It's a 10 km drive from the capital of Corfu, Corfu Town.

Fun Alternatives: Visit the little villages of Pontikonissi or Benitzes, which are close-by.

I met many, soooooooo many people talking to me and saying : Wow I went to Corfu and it is a very nice island...without never having been out of the palace...
If you wanna party go to many other places on Corfu but it is a shame missing all the magnificence and diversity of this Island which is maybe the most beautiful and for sure the most diverse one...So many flowers, beaches, the old town and it's spianada...
I think you can chose an other place to party than Corfu, I am Stunt when seeing how many peeps get sucked into the Pink palace and for one week drink Ouzo and eat at set times, get drunk at nite and then miss the check out time the next day cause it is 10 am...and stay there,,, Too bad, please don't do this mistake...
At least I have warned you...

Unique Suggestions: Then at least, if you stay there cause your guide book told you so, then try to take some days off and avoid their organised days and rent a scooter and visit some amazing sights close from where you are, as Paléiokastritsa, Pélékas and it's sunsets, Sidari, Kerkyra...
Don't get stucked at pink pal and get drunk all day, Greece is not about that all the time, it is way too rich and interesting......

Fun Alternatives: If you want some fun in Corfu but at the same time not to be in s closed area with it's own stores, discos, etc...like the pink palace, then go to Ipsos, Dassia, or Gouvia. Then you will find all the drink *** and Ouzo you want, but no one will tell you when to eat, when to sleep and when to s*#t...

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If you like all facets of touristic spots, Ipsos and Pirgi are the places to be! It's one of the most developed touristic settlements on the island. The beach between Ipsos and Pirgi is 1,5 kilometers long and is also known as Christo Mili (Golden Mile), which is very representative. The beach stretches along the roadside and gently curves at the harbour end. It's set against the dramatic backdrop of the hills of the north east of Corfu on the left and to you right accross the sea to Corfu Town. Sea sport instructors, diving, bars and restaurants, hotels and camping-sites are spread out throughout the beach, satisfying every taste.

When we talked to a local man he told us that it's changing a bit. Especially Ipsos was known as a party resort. You'll find romantic couples and parents with teenagers - who prefer the busier bars and clubs. It's still a very lively resort and the discos and bars will remain, but on the far side of the beach at Pirgi near the harbour it is quieter. Besides that the village behind the main road has some culture to offer and is less hectic.

Fun Alternatives: Address:
Villages of Ipsos and Pirgi

Directions:
Situated at the north side of the island. It is a 18 km drive from the capital of Corfu, Corfu Town.

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Once we were back in Pirgi we walked the Christo Mili all the way to Ipsos. This main road runs through the shopping and disco strip, lining the inland side whilst the clear water and clean beach occupy the opposite side. It was around 10 o'clock in the morning and we noted that the area was still trying to wake up. Not too many people walking around, probably still sleeping after a strenous night out in the pubs and disco's. In Ipsos we visited the local church, which is a beautiful basilica with a central nave and two side aisles built in the 18 th century. We ended up in the old fishing harbour. The pier provided us a stunning view at the Christo Mili, with the mountain of Pantokrator in the background.

On our walk back to Pirgi we discussed the fact that an area like this is not what we are looking for during a holiday. For us this area is too much of a 'wall-to-wall burger joints and music bar" kind of place. We don't like to pick up a smutty t-shirt or a blown up plastic turtle. As we are more interested in what the island has to offer we went to the nearby former Venetian Naval base and the small, but extremely pictoresque island of Lazareto in the bay opposite of Gouvia. We guess that it's just a matter of taste?

Fun Alternatives: Address:
Villages of Ipsos and Pirgi

Directions:
Situated at the north side of the island. It is a 18 km drive from the capital of Corfu, Corfu Town.

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We got tired of the bad weather in Switzerland and decided to go look for a" last minute"
package.
We decided on Corfu for a week, at the travel agency they booked our hotel and flight, the brochure they showed us of the hotel, looked stunning.

Unique Suggestions: Only when we got there, we realized the hotel, looked closed, the "staff' what looked like a porter , could only speak greek, the swimming pool was empty, the rooms appalling.
Unfortunatly we had to sleep one night, the next morning the breakfast was , well, I think one bread roll and a boiled egg, or something. After various telephone calls, we got hold of our agent, and asked to be replaced at another hotel of our choice.

Fun Alternatives: I am sure these things happen often enough, we were reimbursed the one night, and taken to a beautiful hotel near the beach. I am glad I did not keep quite and take it, like some of the other guests, who stayed behind.
Make 100% sure about where you are going, and if you are not happy, you should always graciously complain, until you get what you want.

The name Moraitika originates from the settlers who came from the Peloponese (originally known as Morais), in 1540. Moraitika has a population of 820 inhabitants who, in the winter collect olives and work on the land, and in the summer provide excellent service and good will to the thousand of visitors. Today the village can accommodate 7,500 visitors in a great choice of hotels of various categories and many apartments suitable for families.

One of the main attractions of the area is the attractive Church of Theotokou Kimiseos with a quaint belfry on the right. There is a great view of the coast from this area. We also fell in love with the small river from where many local fishermen begin their day. It's a fasinating thing to witness. In the entire community there are 6 churches dedicated to different saints and to celebrate their patronage, they hold traditional festivals in which both the locals and the visitors join together in celebration.

Unique Suggestions: Well, that's not too difficult! Moraitika has some Roman remains to visit and visitors should certainly take 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.

Address:
Village of Moraitika

Directions:
Situated at the east coast of the island. It is a 20 km drive from the capital of Corfu, Corfu Town.

Website:
Have a look at All about Moraitikia.

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Maybe you can say that we’re fans of Sissi, because we visited her residence in Funchal (Madeira) and when we decided to go to Corfu we had our mind set on visiting Achilleion. But be aware that this is the ultimate tourist trap! Busses loaded with tourists arrive at the small parking lot. Guides in 4 different languages provide tours and people are waiting outside in lines for their turn. We were a bit overwhelmed by this as we didn't expect this kind of masses of people. But anyway, we payed the entrance fee of €5.- per persone (Iris was for free) and went inside the gates, trying to find our way around without trying tp pay too much attention to all those people. We were a bit lucky as one bus was a bit delayed giving us a chance to move around in our own pace.

Elizabeth herself named the palace in Gastouri Achilleion and she dedicated it to her favourite hero, Achilles who, as she wrote, “…represents the Greek soul, the beauty of the land and is strong, proud and persistent like a Greek mountain…”.

Unique Suggestions: Travel by footh (a nice walk from the beach) or by car. Try to avoid a bus trip. Whenever you do this it will mean that you will arrive with a lot of people at the same time and have little moving space to explore the palace. We went to the palace just in between the arrival of two busses and were able to walk around in our own pace and take pictures without all those people on it :-)

Address:
The palace of Achilleion, Gastouri.

Directions:
Situated at the south side of the island. It's a 10 km drive from the capital of Corfu, Corfu Town.

Fun Alternatives: Visit the little villages of Pontikonissi or Benitzes, which are close-by.

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Achilleion was built between 1889 and 1891 and is a luxurious 3 storey building in Pompeian style with neo-classical elements, and is surrounded by verdant gardens decorated with excellent works of art. It was built by the Italian architect Kardilo on behalf of Elisabeth, Empress of Austria, better known as Sissi. It is situated near the village of Gastouri, where, in former times the mansion of the philosopher Petros Armenis Vrailas stood. It housed Corfu’s casino between 1962 and 1992 and it’s interior decoration with paintings and statues by the best artists of the period left us with an unparalleled impression.

We visited the Catholic chapel which is housed in the palace . The decoration of this chapel was of striking beauty. We also loved to see the old pictures, paintings, chairs and other objects that gave us a good impression how Sissi must have lived.

Unique Suggestions: Travel by footh (a nice walk from the beach) or by car. Try to avoid a bus trip. Whenever you do this it will mean that you will arrive with a lot of people at the same time and have little moving space to explore the palace. We went to the palace just in between the arrival of two busses and were able to walk around in our own pace and take pictures without all those people on it :-)

Address:
The palace of Achilleion, Gastouri.

Directions:
Situated at the south side of the island. It's a 10 km drive from the capital of Corfu, Corfu Town.

Fun Alternatives: Visit the little villages of Pontikonissi or Benitzes, which are close-by.