Southern Corfu

Southern Corfu has busy beach resorts like Benitses, historical buildings like the Achilleion Palace and Gardiki Castle, and wildlife at the Korision Lagoon.

The Achilleion Palace on CorfuThe Achilleion Palace

The southern half of Corfu, from the capital down, is much less mountainous than the north but is much more varied in its landscape. The wildlife here is much more of the natural rather than the human variety, although there is one notable blot on the landscape, the package holiday resort of Kavos almost at the southern tip, and given its 24-hour party atmosphere that is probably the best place for it.

Achilleion Palace

The Achilleion was built in 1890-91 on behalf of the Empress Elizabeth of Austria (1837-98), wife of the Emperor Franz Joseph (1830-1916). Elizabeth used her new palace as a retreat from the difficulties she was experiencing at the Hapsburg court at the time, not least the unfaithfulness of her husband. Elizabeth’s second son, the Archduke Rudolph, had also committed suicide at Mayerling. See our full page on the Achilleion Palace.

The Achilleion Palace on CorfuThe Achilleion Palace

Benitses

Nothing could be further from the rarified atmosphere of the Achilleion than the mass holiday resort of Benitses, a few kilometers down the coast. Its main appeal is to young people out for a good time, and in midsummer little remains of its Greek origins as a fishing village, but if visiting in spring and autumn you might be able to get a glimpse of the way things used to be. There are a few Roman remains here, including part of an old bathhouse, but hardly worth breaking a journey to try to find. See our page on Benitses for more details.

Don't miss our Southern Corfu Drive!

Beyond Benitses the resorts are more spread out, and you can enjoy driving down the coastal road with the Ionian Sea on your left and green hills dotted with villas on your right. The bustle builds up again as you approach the twin resorts of Moraitika and Mesongi, now more or less merged into one, and just south of here on the western coast is one of the most interesting areas in the south, the Korision Lagoon.

Korision Lagoon

It is not in resorts like Benitses that you will find the best beaches on Corfu – in fact the one at Benitses is very poor – but here alongside the Korision Lagoon. The lagoon stretches for about 5km (3 miles), cut off from the Ionian Sea only by equally long expanses of beach and sand dune. They are far from undiscovered, but so big compared to the number of people who venture here that you are sure to be able to find some quiet stretches to yourself.

The peacefulness attracts wildlife, which also appreciates the abundance of fresh water that the lagoon provides, which is rare on Corfu despite its greenness. You may see ibis and egrets, along with waders such as sandpipers and avocets, while rare Jersey orchids flower here in the spring.

Some Cool Corfu Souvenirs

Paleokastritsa-luggage-tag.jpg

Paleokastritsa Luggage Tag

Corfu-Cypresses-Capri-leggings.jpg

Corfu Cypresses Capri Leggings

Corfu-t-shirt.jpg

Corfu T-shirt

Corfu-tote-bag.jpg

Corfu Tote Bag

Gardiki Castle

To the north of the lagoon stands Gardiki Castle (open access), which was built in the 13th century by Michail Angelos Komninos II, the Byzantine Despot of Epirus and the man also responsible for the Angelokastro near Palaiokastritsa. The walls and some of the towers of Gardiki still stand, and near here some of the oldest human remains on Corfu have been found, dated back to 40,000BC.

Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides

Rough-Guide-Greek-Islands-2022.png

Other Corfu Pages

  • Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in north-west and central Corfu including luxury mansions, inexpensive rooms, and resort hotels.

    Where to Stay in North-West and Central Corfu

    Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in north-west and central Corfu including luxury mansions, inexpensive rooms, and resort hotels.

  • Paleokastritsa is on the west coast of Corfu and is one of the most popular holiday spots. This page gives information on beaches, boat trips, weather and map.

    Paleokastritsa, Corfu

    Paleokastritsa is on the west coast of Corfu and is one of the most popular holiday spots. This page gives information on beaches, boat trips, weather and map.

  • Sidari is a popular holiday resort on the north coast of Corfu with beaches and unusual rock formations as well as plenty of places to eat and to stay.

    Sidari

    Sidari is a popular holiday resort on the north coast of Corfu with beaches and unusual rock formations as well as plenty of places to eat and to stay.

  • The Achilleion Palace is one of the most visited sights on Corfu and contains a museum and impressive gardens with wonderful views over the coast.

    The Achilleion Palace

    The Achilleion Palace is one of the most visited sights on Corfu and contains a museum and impressive gardens with wonderful views over the coast.

  • Greece Travel Secrets’ pick of where to stay in southern Corfu including hotels in Moraïtika, Paramonas, Messonghi, Agios Georgios, and near Benitses.

    Where to Stay in Southern Corfu

    Greece Travel Secrets’ pick of where to stay in southern Corfu including hotels in Moraïtika, Paramonas, Messonghi, Agios Georgios, and near Benitses.

  • The main two Corfu saints are Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu who saved the island four times from disaster, and Saint Theodora Augusta.

    Two Corfu Saints

    The main two Corfu saints are Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu who saved the island four times from disaster, and Saint Theodora Augusta.

  • Mount Pantokrator is the highest mountain on Corfu and it’s easy to drive to the top for spectacular views of Albania, Corfu, and even sometimes to Italy.

    Mount Pantokrátor

    Mount Pantokrator is the highest mountain on Corfu and it’s easy to drive to the top for spectacular views of Albania, Corfu, and even sometimes to Italy.

  • These Corfu shopping tips include advice on buying souvenirs like ceramics, jewelry, gold, silver, wood carvings, and food and drink, with tips on haggling.

    Corfu Shopping Tips

    These Corfu shopping tips include advice on buying souvenirs like ceramics, jewelry, gold, silver, wood carvings, and food and drink, with tips on haggling.

  • Corfu’s wildlife includes rare and colourful birds, snakes, lizards, fireflies, and insects, with plenty of places to watch the wildlife like lakes and lagoons.

    Corfu Wildlife

    Corfu’s wildlife includes rare and colourful birds, snakes, lizards, fireflies, and insects, with plenty of places to watch the wildlife like lakes and lagoons.

  • Corfu’s special cuisine includes dishes like sofrito and pastitsade and the chance to try ginger beer and kumquats.

    Corfu’s Special Cuisine

    Corfu’s special cuisine includes dishes like sofrito and pastitsade and the chance to try ginger beer and kumquats.

  • The best beaches on Corfu, chosen by Greece Travel Secrets, include Paleokastritsa, Mirtiotissa, Sidari and Cape Asprokavos.

    Best Beaches on Corfu

    The best beaches on Corfu, chosen by Greece Travel Secrets, include Paleokastritsa, Mirtiotissa, Sidari and Cape Asprokavos.

  • Corfu Town is the capital of Corfu and of the Ionian Islands and has museums, two forts, several museums, churches, and many other attractions.

    Corfu Town

    Corfu Town is the capital of Corfu and of the Ionian Islands and has museums, two forts, several museums, churches, and many other attractions.

  • Corfu Town’s Old Fortress is the town’s most striking landmark, standing east of the Old Town on top of a rocky promontory.

    Corfu Town’s Old Fortress

    Corfu Town’s Old Fortress is the town’s most striking landmark, standing east of the Old Town on top of a rocky promontory.

  • This guide to southern Corfu’s beaches and villages includes busy resorts, quiet beach, hill villages and the southernmost tip of Corfu at Cape Asprókavos.

    Southern Corfu Beaches and Villages

    This guide to southern Corfu’s beaches and villages includes busy resorts, quiet beach, hill villages and the southernmost tip of Corfu at Cape Asprókavos.

  • From Nero to Nicolas Cage, the invasion of Corfu goes back to Roman times and through to Hollywood today!

    The Invasion of Corfu

    From Nero to Nicolas Cage, the invasion of Corfu goes back to Roman times and through to Hollywood today!

  • Corfu olives are an important part of this Greek island's economy, with an estimated 3-4 million trees producing olive oil of exceptional quality.

    Corfu Olives

    Corfu olives are an important part of this Greek island's economy, with an estimated 3-4 million trees producing olive oil of exceptional quality.

  • Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Corfu, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Corfu

    Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Corfu, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • Benitses is a popular resort town south of Corfu Town with its own marina, remains of a Roman Baths, an old town, and plenty of walks inland.

    Benítses

    Benitses is a popular resort town south of Corfu Town with its own marina, remains of a Roman Baths, an old town, and plenty of walks inland.

  • This is the Greece Travel Secrets selection of where to eat in northern Corfu, from classy restaurants and traditional tavernas to beachside fish tavernas.

    Where to Eat in Northern Corfu

    This is the Greece Travel Secrets selection of where to eat in northern Corfu, from classy restaurants and traditional tavernas to beachside fish tavernas.

  • This Southern Corfu drive starts and ends in Moraïtika, taking in hill villages, secluded beaches, lovely views, and a visit to Gardiki Castle.

    Southern Corfu Drive

    This Southern Corfu drive starts and ends in Moraïtika, taking in hill villages, secluded beaches, lovely views, and a visit to Gardiki Castle.

  • This drive to Palaiokastritsa starts at Corfu airport and takes you across the Ropa Plan and through hill villages before returning to Corfu Town.

    Drive to Palaiokastrítsa

    This drive to Palaiokastritsa starts at Corfu airport and takes you across the Ropa Plan and through hill villages before returning to Corfu Town.

  • Kassiopi is a popular tourist resort on the northeast coast of Corfu with a sandy beach, Byzantine fortress, old church, and lots of places to stay and to eat.

    Kassiopi

    Kassiopi is a popular tourist resort on the northeast coast of Corfu with a sandy beach, Byzantine fortress, old church, and lots of places to stay and to eat.

  • The Corfu Trail runs from the southernmost point of Corfu at Cape Asprokavos and winds for 220km (137 miles) to the northernmost point near Andinioti Lagoon.

    The Corfu Trail

    The Corfu Trail runs from the southernmost point of Corfu at Cape Asprokavos and winds for 220km (137 miles) to the northernmost point near Andinioti Lagoon.

  • If you want to tour northern Corfu in three days you can see busy resorts, quiet fishing villages, Mount Pantokrator, and the Andinioti Lagoon.

    Northern Corfu in Three Days

    If you want to tour northern Corfu in three days you can see busy resorts, quiet fishing villages, Mount Pantokrator, and the Andinioti Lagoon.

  • Information for travelers on Corfu Food and Drink including restaurants and tavernas, Corfiot specialties, desserts, wine and other Greek drinks like ouzo.

    Corfu Food and Drink

    Information for travelers on Corfu Food and Drink including restaurants and tavernas, Corfiot specialties, desserts, wine and other Greek drinks like ouzo.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. How Wine Bars Are Redefining Nightlife in Athens

    Wine bars are now a cornerstone of Athenian nightlife, as an international trend goes local with a modern aesthetic and a distinctly Greek personality.

    Read More

  2. 10 Historic Tavernas in Athens and Piraeus

    These places win us over with their authenticity, unpretentious atmosphere, and dishes that, though simple, are crafted with precision and care.

    Read More

  3. Next Stop: Ancient Thessaloniki

    The “open museums” unveiled by the operation of the metro – Guided tours begin in January.

    Read More

  4. Syros: A Culinary Tapestry

    The gastronomic identity of Syros is a blend of romance, nostalgia, and a hint of drama – a rich mosaic of international flavors imbued with urban sophistication.

    Read More

  5. Thessaloniki Metro: A New Era on Track

    Thirty years after the first plans were announced, a new subway system is changing not just how residents get around town but how they experience their city, too.

    Read More

  6. A Day Trip to Mount Parnassos

    Busy schedules don’t always allow for extended getaways, but Mount Parnassos and its enchanting landscapes are perfect for a refreshing day trip.

    Read More

  7. 3 Museums Showcasing Athens’ Industrial Heritage

    Step beyond the well-trodden paths of Athens’ iconic landmarks and explore a different side of the Greek capital by visiting three lesser-known industrial museums.

    Read More

  8. Greece’s November 20 Strike to Disrupt Ferry Services and Public Transport

    A 24-hour nationwide strike is set to disrupt transportation in Athens and travel across Greece on Wednesday, November 20, as public transport and ferry employees join a general strike organized by Gr…

    Read More

  9. Museum of Modern Greek Culture

    A New Cultural Jewel in Plaka

    Read More

  10. Zakynthos: Greek Draft Law Plans Ticket Requirement for Navagio Beach

    Visitors to Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) on the island of Zakynthos will be required to purchase tickets for entrance once it reopens to the public, according to a new draft law proposed by the Gre…

    Read More