Agios Gordis: is a very extensive beach on the west coast and can be considered to belong to both Sinarades and Kato Garouna. Hotels, restaurants and bars fulfill the needs of the many visitors who regularly choose this spot for their holidays. Amongst Agios Gordis’ most impressive features are the rocks at its northern end, sculpted by the waves into works of art. Rocks and pebbles continue on from this end of the beach, overlooked by the imposing cliff of Aerostato. It was formerly known as Vardia (Watchpoint) because, in the days of pirate threats, it was from this point that the locals kept lookout over the western shores. You can get to Aerostato and its shoreline by way of a road at the northern end of Sinarades. At the southern end of Agios Gordis is the famous ‘Ortholithos’, a dramatic free-standing rock rising from the waves, which was mentioned by the writer Iakovas Polilas in his tales.

Ano and Kato Garouna: are two villages built in the shape of an amphitheatre, on opposite hillsides.A special feature of their architecture is the use of local stone, skillfully worked by the inhabitants.

Ano and Kato Pavliana: with a total of a thousand inhabitants, these villages are built next to each other in a wonderfully green setting.The church of Agios Dimitrios (St. Dimitris) is distinguished by an iconostasis carved from Garouna stone. It was built in Byzantine times.

Agios Mattheos: Located at the south west corner of the Mesis region, Agios Mattheos is an important village with a population of 1500, built on the lower slopes of the mountain of the same name. It is a village with great personality, fine traditional cafes line the main street and it has a philharmonic orchestra, founded in 1965 A huge, dense forest of oaks, fruit-bearing trees and wild olives encircles the village, and during the 19th century, fugitives from the law would hide out amongst the myrtles and lentisk shrubs. Near the summit stands the Monastery of Pantokrator (the Almighty), built at the start of the 4th century AD. Its remarkable all-night festival takes place on August 6th, and is well worth seeing. Nearby is the entrance to a cave which is said to lead down to the sea. The historical value of the place is undisputed, for here traces of Mesolithic Man have been found. From the village of Agios Mattheos, a road leads down to Paramonas, an excellent sandy beach with some small islets off-shore and two or three tavernas beside the waves. To the south are the clean and peaceful little beaches of Prasoudi, Kavouli, and Skidi, worth keeping in mind if you seek solitude during the peak season.

Messongi: twenty-two kilometres from town, it is a small village built on a rise on the east coast of Corfu. The main road to Lefkimmi passes through here, and, in the area of Perama, northwards, this road runs along the coast, separated from the sea only by a narrow strip of sandy beaches and rock. At every point you will find beaches with warm water, ideal for bathing, and plenty of tourist services. As far back as Roman times, and still today, this coastline has been the first choice of the summer holidaymaker. Messongi Beach itself is divided by the Messongi River, which flows into the sea at this point.

Moraitika: was first inhabited in the 16th century by refugees from the Peloponnese. The remains of a Roman villa have been found in the area, and the centre of the old village is very picturesque.

Benitses: an old fishing-village, with obvious sign of tourist development eight kilometres north of Moraitika. Between these two villages there are two fine beaches, Agios Ioannis Peristeron and Tzaki. After Benitses, the remains of the Kaiser’s Bridge can be seen, jutting out into the water. The bridge was built during the time of Kaiser Wilhelm II to allow him easy access from the Achilleion Palace to the sea.

Perama: seven kilometres from Corfu Town, has a number of hotels and rooms for rent, making it a good choice for those who wish to stay near the town. Perama overlooks Mouse Island (Pontikonissi) and is linked with Vlacherna and Kanoni by a causeway.

Kinopiastes: has narrow streets and a spring with drinking water of excellent quality. The Municipality of Achilleion has recently renovated some of its old quarters, and thus offers the visitor ‘a walk through the centuries’.

Gastouri: has 600 inhabitants and a philhamonic orchestra dating from 1898.It maintains Corfiot traditions both in its architecture and in the daily life of its people. You can still buy bread baked in a wood-fired oven, from the bakery you’ll find on a narrow lane leading off the main street. This lane crosses a ravine full of plane trees, and then ascends to the hamlet of Pachatika.

Achilleion Palace: Situated just outside the village of Gastouri, this building is surely the highlight of the island. Everyone who visits Corfu also visits this site to see the Palace which once belonged to the Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sissi. The Palace was built in 1890 in neo-classical style, and a huge amount of money was squandered on its lavish and overpowering embellishment. Statues depicting the Nine Muses, Shakespeare, Lord Byron and of course Achilles Dying and Achilles Triumphant, adorn the garden to remind us of the lonely Empress. The garden and its view are without doubt magnificent. After the assassination of Elisabeth in 1898 the Palace stood empty until 1907 when it was bought by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, who for a few years occupied it on a seasonal basis. Today, the personal possessions of the former owners are on display in a small museum, and are the focus of the camera lenses of the many visitors.

Agii Deka: is a small village which scrambles up the slopes of the mountain of the same name. The mountain is not particularly high (576 metres), but the view from the summit, which can be reached on foot, is one of the best on the island. The footpath which you should take begins at the north-west corner of the village, and anyone you ask will show you the way. The route takes you first through olive groves, and then up slopes covered with evergreen oak and myrtle, and after around 20 minutes, to a little plateau hidden between the rocky peaks. The Church of Pantokrator (The Almighty) is sited here, and a little further west stands the chapel of the Prophet Elias. There is easy access to the higher north-east peak, with its stunning view.

Stavros: is an unspoilt village with a splendid view, very friendly people and a wonderful festival on August 15th which should not be missed. On the eve of the festival there is a procession and participants are offered plates of macaroni. On the day of the Assumption of the Virgin a great celebration takes place, with music and local dance groups. The next day there is an evening of music and dance, with choirs, philharmonic orchestras and dance troupes.

Tours of special interest

South of the Ropa Valley the numerous villages of the main Mesis region have grown up, with their rich agricultural life, history and medieval buildings. Hidden on the flanks of hills as a safeguard from pirate attacks, with Byzantine origins and restored Corfiot houses, the development of these villages is closely linked to the history of the town. Between Ermones and Lake Korission, the coast boasts a long series of sandy beaches, large and small, with here and there impressive rocks thrusting out of the sea.

The inland road which links Lefkimmi with Corfu Town begins at Kinopiastes and, crossing the hilly country around Agii Deka, rejoins the main road at the Messongi River bridge. The route, winding through olive groves, is characterised by splendid views, beautiful natural surroundings and traditional villages.

With the expansion of the town during recent years, the villages in its immediate vicinity have essentially become suburbs. But they have not lost either their character or their beauty. Kanalia and Viros, with their fine tavernas, Agios Prokopis in its green setting, and Kombitsi with its pine woods and its haunted spring are places which you can easily visit if you are based in town and wish to take a short trip.