Corfu did not leave the same impression on us as it did the Durrells, nor I imagine, on the thousands of tourists that flock to the island each year. At its best it offers jaw-dropping views (if you can access them), clear blue waters, and a capital full of charming pastel-colored Venetian buildings. At its worst, Corfu leaves you with flying ants in your pants and a fear of driving.
Yeah, we didn't end up going that way...
Even Alexi, who grew up driving in Greece, was challenged by the impossible parking situations and hairy scenarios (think two-lane-roads-turned-one with cars parked on both sides of the street while you play chicken with a tourist bus on a steep cliffside road). And the constant gasps and wincing from his passengers certainly didn't help (sorry hehe).
Few (if any) Greek islands have the infrastructure to support the tourist industry that they endure, but Corfu is an outlier in this respect. Even Mykonos and Santorini at the height of summer didn’t seem as bad. And at times, as the Greeks often say, the island seemed to be sinking.
That being said, our time in Corfu, though not easy, was still enriching in its own ways. Unlike its Cycladic brothers, the Ionian islands to which Corfu belongs are lush, green, and dramatic. And truth be told, the beaches look absolutely stunning, although we only really saw them from a distance (definitely renting a boat next time). Access is difficult, and the crowds were immense.
We spent a total of 8 days on the island, so rather than bore you with our day-to-day comings and goings from Marietta’s Cottage, here are some of the highlights of our trip.
Corfu Town
The capital of Kerkyra (as the Greeks call Corfu) really is the diamond in all the rough that is the rest of the island, at least in terms of architecture and history. It is one of those towns in which you can wander aimlessly and stay entertained; every corner you turn makes you stop and admire.
Marieta’s Cottage
The times spent at our rental house are actually some of our fondest memories of the island, partially because of this view, but also because it meant we didn’t need to get in the car. We spent luxurious mornings having breakfast on the balcony, reading, and catching up with Alexi’s parents.
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Cape Drastis
Incredible views. Windy. Dusty. Oh and maybe the one place where parking actually wasn't too bad! (Or was it all fever dream? Or did I just block out any memory of being in the car in Corfu?)
Did I mention it was dusty?
Ipsos Beach
Listen, it's not the nicest beach on Corfu. But you basically need a boat (and a strong pair of legs) to get to the good ones. Ipsos was easy. You didn't have to avert your eyes from the edge of the cliff whilst driving. And parking was ample. Easyyyy. So while Amber did get eaten alive by flying ants on the beach (we'll spare you those pictures), we enjoyed a nice μπάνιο or two at Ipsos during our stay. And Kefi dug many a holes -- a beach dog through and through.
Stay tuned for the next post where we write about our visit to Lefkada, a Corfu neighbor which was absolutely loved!
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Kefi looooooves the beach!