Great Things to Do Near Stefania
Sail on a glass bottom boat
Leaving Paleokastritsa daily over the main season, you'll see amazing undersea wonders, visit incredible caves close to Ermones that can only be accessed from the water, and enjoy an afternoon on Paradise Beach - a huge expanse of white sand/shingle beach and aquamarine sea also only accessible by boat.
Visit Lake Korission at the southern tip of the island
Go for a walk around the lake, watch the windsurfers just off the huge expanse of golden sandy beach, and explore the nearby Gardiki castle – a busy day out for all the family. And right on your doorstep too!
The Big Red Bus
Drive down to Corfu Town and pick up the Big Red Bus from the port. This relatively new service is an open-topped, 'Hop On / Hop Off' bus that takes you on a guided tour all around Corfu Town and the outlying areas. It's a great way to see and hear about the Town's history and highlights.
Blue Flag beaches
See how many beaches with 'blue flag' certification you can swim at during your stay, an ideal way of discovering the area and experiencing the diversity of the island, whilst having a lot of fun at the same time.
Boat trip to 3 islands (Diapondia) off the north coast
Erikousa, Mathraki and Othoni are three very quiet and completely uncommercial islands lying 11 nautical miles off the north coast of Corfu. This trip in a caique usually departs from the resort of Sidari, takes about one hour and is well worth the trip. You can have lunch on one of the islands, and the photo opportunities are brilliant.
Play a round of golf
You'll find the island's 18-hole golf course close to Ermones on the Ropa Valley (west of Corfu Town). This excellent course (one of only half a dozen in all of Greece!) was created by the British during their time of occupation.
The bitesize Archeological Museum
This little gem is small but magnificent! You won't get museum indigestion here as it is quite small, but very well laid-out, with a couple of real highlights which are as good as anything we've seen in the whole of Greece on many trips in the past. It is air-conditioned which makes it a lovely place on a very hot day - cool off as a culture vulture!
Read 'My family and other animals'
Gerald Durrell's semi-autobiographical book was based on his family's experiences of living in Corfu in the late 1930s, and his fascination with the natural world and wildlife around him. It is set in the area of Vigla, Kalami, Kouloura and he writes about the carpets of cyclamen found in the spring in the area walking up from Kalami to Vigla.
Visit the place where Prince Philip was born
Mon Repos, the birthplace of Prince Philip can be found a short 20-minute walk away from the town centre of Corfu. The walk to and from the palace of Mon Repos along the Garitsa Bay is delightful. On arriving into Mon Repos you will be amazed at the lush gardens and the grandness of this royal abode where the Greek royal family used to spend their annual vacations in the early part of the last century.
Saddle up and explore!
There are two horse riding schools along the north-east coast of Corfu, one at Avlaki (Avlaki Horse Riding School) and one at Ano Korakiana (TrailRiders Corfu). Easier rides are available for beginners and children, whilst those with experience will be taken on more demanding rides, through the olive groves and along the beach.
Visit another country - Albania!
There are organised day trips to this fascinating country, which are well worth the cost involved, to experience the culture of a country that is still completely un-commercialised. You can purchase tickets directly from the Ionian cruises office in the old harbour in Corfu town.
Try canoeing or kayaking
For beginners, Corfu is the ideal place if interested in sea-canoeing and kayaking as rental shops dot most of the popular beaches, while more confident and experienced sports buffs can explore the island's stunning shoreline independently.
Visit Halikounas
The long stretch of Halikounas' sandy beach protects Lake Korission from the sea. The lake is haven for over one hundred species of bird life. A small wooden bridge crosses the point where the lake flows into the sea and leads to a forest of cedar and juniper trees and then to Agios Georgios beach. Halikounas beach has soft sand dunes, safe shallow swimming and is a popular spot for kite surfers. There is no beachfront building though there is a taverna nearby.
Photos ops from the Old Fort
One of the island's principal attractions, Corfu's Old Fort, otherwise known as Paleo Frourio, has served to protect Corfu Town throughout various historical conflicts. Construction began in the 8th century but later modifications included the Venetians adding a moat in the 16th century and the British adding various buildings inside the fort such as the church during the 19th century. Magnificent views over the city are available from the top of the fort.
Explore the north-east coast by boat
Hire a boat for the day to explore the beautiful north-east coast, probably the prettiest coastline here on the island. You can stop off in any number of little coves that can only be discovered by sea, go for a swim or try some snorkelling, before heading to one of the bays (Agni, Kalami or San Stefanos) for a spot of lunch.
Sunset at Peroulades
Take a late afternoon drive towards Sidari and you will come to Peroulades, a small village set way up high on the cliff tops overlooking Loggas Beach. Here you will find the well-known Cafe Bar called 7th Heaven, perched right on the cliff edge. The bar's terrace extends onto a glass platform where you can gaze straight down to the sea and the cliff face beneath your feet - if you dare! Then finish off the evening with a cooling drink watching the sunset over the Ionian Sea.
A Drive to Perithea
Drive up to the once deserted village of Perithea, and explore the natural beauty of the area. Stop off at one of the cafes or tavernas set up in the mountain village and see what life was like many years ago on the island.
Corfu Town by Boat
Why not travel to Corfu Town either day or evening by boat and take the scenic sail down to the capital, seeing the North East Coast on the way there and back. Book this at a local travel office. Book early as it is a very popular way to get into the islands capital.
