Corfu Island Tourist Trap Tips by Jerelis Top 5 Page for this destination

Roda and Acharavi - Some excellent walking paths.

The fast growing resort of Acharavi is nestled between the long, sandy beach and the hills. It is a beautiful location in the foothills of Mount Pantokrator, Corfu's highest peak standing at 914 meters. Acharavi is popular with those seeking a relatively uncomplecated resort where they can take it easy and relax. It has something for everybody and is also very important for the locals as it has a post office, dentist and doctors.

We were not particularly interested in these kinds of holiday resorts. Still we visited it just to see what's it all about. Therefore we walked all the way over the long sandy beach from Roda to Acharavi and had a nice cold beer in one of the many tavernas. The beach front trully has a string of bars and shops. Just to maintain our balance and satisfy our needs we also had a short visit to the more traditional parts of old Acharavi.Do keep in mind that whenever you want to escape the tourist activities that there are some excellent walking paths set in the hills, which are the more adventurous hikes.

Unique Suggestions: Lay on the beach!

Address:
The villages of Roda and Acharavi.

Directions:
Situated at the east side of the island. It's a 27 km drive from the capital of Corfu, Corfu Town.

Roda and Acharavi - Huge tourist resorts.

Two beautiful villages, Roda and Acharavi, stand near the coast, both with amazing sandy beaches and a high level of tourism. Roda is definitely the tourist centre of the area with an abundance of shops. It has grown from a quiet fishing village into the tourist resort it is today, with its lazy sand-and-pebble beach and safe bathing. It's an easy place to chill out, but there are also watersports, pony trekking and excursions for those who can only take so much sunbathing and relaxation. By night, Roda has some seriously lively bars which stay open untill the early hours.

Besides all these tourists activity it is good to know that Doric temple dedicated to Apollo, dating from the 5th century BC, is located here. The finds from this historic site are displayed in the interesting Archaeological Museum in town. We also walked the main road of Roda and noticed just outside Acharavi the half-excavated remains of a Roman village. Just follow the signs to the Roman baths. We saw the lay out of Roman baths and learned that there was a whole village stretching back into the olive grove.

Unique Suggestions: Lay on the beach!

Address:
The villages of Roda and Acharavi.

Directions:
Situated at the east side of the island. It's a 27 km drive from the capital of Corfu, Corfu Town.

Roda and Acharavi - A different image.

The North of Corfu presents a different image of the island and is maybe the most beautiful part of it. The landscape is enchanting as it consists of a combination of rich green mountains and endless blue sea. It all makes a pleasing combination of beach, hills and mountains. The picturesque beaches of Roda and Acharavi are ideally located just off the main northern coastal road. The beach is quite long, approximately 5 kilometers.

We witnessed that the inhabitants still cling to their traditions and Greek hospitality is still a reality here. The entire area is also important mainly for archaeological reasons due to a burial ground that was unearthed there and is still being researched, because the archaeologists unfortunately were called away to a more impressive discovery elsewhere. But anyway, both Roda and Acharavi grew from a quiet fishing village into a pleasant resort, time to pay a visit!

Unique Suggestions: Lay on the beach!

Address:
The villages of Roda and Acharavi.

Directions:
Situated at the east side of the island. It's a 27 km drive from the capital of Corfu, Corfu Town.

Moraitika - Strip of bars, shops and restaurants.

About 20 Kilometers south of Corfu Town on the east coast you will find the village of Moraitika, nestled on a hillside overlooking the 4 kilometer long, shallow, sandy beach. To be honest the main street of Moraitika is a bit of a ugly strip of bars, restaurants and shops, that straggles for over a kilometer to the junction where the main road veers inland and the Messonghi River just beyond it forms the official boundary with Messonghi. Although Moraitika maybe very touristic, the entire area is slower in pace than the north of the island of Corfu and its beach is probably the best between Corfu Town and Kavos.

On this beach there are many water sports to choose from. Try using the diving centre, boat trips and the go-karting. There is also a great variety of bars and tavernas where you will meet the warm and friendly locals.

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.

Moraitika - Roman remains.

The village proper, Ano Moraitika, is signposted a few minutes' hike up the steep lanes inland and is vitually unspoiled. Its tiny houses and alleys are practically drowning in bougainvillea, among which you'll find 2 tavernas: the village taverna and the Bella Vista, which has a basic menu but justifies its name with a lovely garden, sea views and breezes. It's quite a contrast from the main resort with its narrow lanes and picturesque unspoilt little flower decked-houses. Another interesting fact is that here in Moraitika there is still the remains of a Roman baths establishement which formed part of the mansion belonging to a rich Roman citizen. A site of remarkable archaeological interest and not to be missed!

We visited Moraitika twice during our stay at the island of Corfu, but this wasn't because of the beauty of the village itself. At our first visit we discovered an internet café and wanted to check our email, etc.

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.

Moraitika - Village can accommodate 7,500 visitors

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.

Achilleion - One of the most beautiful spots!

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.

Achilleion - Portraits and photos.

When we decided to return inside we read something interesting about the palace. After the dead of Sissi in 1898 Achilleion was not inhabited for 9 years, until it was purchase by the Emperor of Gemany Vilhelm II in 1907. The Kaiser made several alterations inside and outside the palace. He removed the 2 statues of Achilles, built a building, which he named the House of the Knights, in order to house his battalion and he rearranged the gardens.

Once inside, we (again) admired the personal belongings of Elisabeth and Vilhelm, like furniture, jewels, et cetera. There was also an exhibition of statues representing heroes from ancient Greek history and mythology, as well as portraits and photos. We were impressed by the beautiful Achilleion and do think that it is a must see. On the other hand we were very glad to finally leave the large crowd of people behind us and enjoy a nice cold frapé at a picturesque and quiet terrace.

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.

Achilleion - A luxurious 3 storey building.

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.

Achilleion - Fans of Sissi?

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.