Gouvia Marina is privately owned and is only 7km from Corfu Town and is the gateway to the Adriatic Sea and is one of the most famous Marina’s in the world. Many sailors consider this to be a natural link to the Adriatic and Mediterranean Sea and as a place to stop off and enjoy the beauty and sunshine Corfu has to offer. Within the Marina you will find shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, boat rental. The Marina is open all year round and there is a wide selection of destinations to choose from for day trips and sightseeing when hiring a boat, which is a great way to combine the scenery and relaxation during a visit to the island.
Dassia was one of the first villages in Corfu to be developed as a resort and is only a 10 minute drive from Corfu Town making it a firm favorite with tourists with its peaceful beachside location. Dassia is particularly popular for water sport activities, scuba diving, paragliding and the calm water is particularly good for water skiing. Dassia Beach is ideal for children, being a safe distance from the busy main road, and offering calm, shallow water for bathing.
Situated on top of the Analipsos hill near Kanoni you will find Mon Repos Palace, which was built by the British Commissioner Frederic Adams for his wife in 1826 and is surrounded by beautiful scenery set in a large park overlooking the Ionian Sea. The Palace was the birth place of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1921 and is steeped in history. The Palace has been restored over the years with classical imposing features and hosts a museum with many Ionian treasures. In the grounds of the Palace there are ancient remains which archaeologists believe to be the site of the original city of Corfu. The Palace is a popular attraction visited by many tourists every year.
You will find the Achillion Palace in the village of Gastouri approximately 10km from the centre of Corfu Town. The Palace was owned by the Empress of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, the Empress had an obsession with Greek tragedies and culture, which can be seen throughout the house and gardens from statues to paintings. After the Empress was assassinated in 1898 the house was eventually sold to the Emperor of Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm 11 in 1907. The Emperor made many changes to the Palace and gardens including building a jetty which was destroyed by the Germans in WW1 so they could drive their tanks through during the occupation of the island. The Palace is steeped in history and well worth a visit for those wanting to learn more about Corfu.
The Old Town of Corfu is just off the western coasts of Albania and Greece and located at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea with roots dating back to the 8th century BC. Corfu is Venice, Naples, France, British and of course Greek. The town is a maze of narrow streets and dominated by a 16th century fortress. The place to ‘people’ watch is the Liston: built by the French overlooking the cricket field, which was built by the British. Corfu Town offers a variety of shops selling many things including local products such as olive wood, leather handbags, clothing and jewelry designed by local craftsmen.
Paleokastritsa is a popular destination for walkers and beach lovers; it is 25km from Corfu Town on the north west coast and has some of the most magnificent views on the island. Paleokastritsa has plenty of restaurants, supermarkets, cafes, shops and small bars to suit the needs of all travelers. There is also a 12th century monastery which stands on the hillside surrounded by wild trees, olive groves overlooking the clear waters of Paleokastritsa where you will also find a museum with ancient relics.