Understand
[edit]Central Corfu and Diapontian Islands is a municipality in the Ionian Islands region in Greece. It covers the central part of the island of Corfu and the Diapontian Islands. The municipality was formed at the 2019 local government reform, when the municipality of Corfu was divided in three. Its seat is the town of Corfu.
The municipality consists of the following eight subdivisions (municipal units):
- Achilleio, Corfu (town), Ereikoussa, Faiakes, Mathraki, Othonoi, Palaiokastritsa, Parelioi.
Towns and villages
[edit]
Map of Central Corfu
- 1 Corfu Town — The largest and most important town on the island. This is where the airport is located and where most cruise ships and long distance ferries dock. It is a small, pleasant city catering well to tourists. Its old town is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- 2 Benitses — A very old, traditional fishing village. Benitses lies 12 km south of Corfu Town, and leads to the emerald valley. The water of the springs which flow from the mountains of Aghii Deka and Stavros, join together in two small rivers, giving the area the name Pinisse (derived from the ancient Greek word 'Pinio') = Pinitse = Benitses. The mild climate and the natural beauty of Benitses village has attracted a lot of tourists from the beginning of the century. It is only during the last 30 years that tourism has replaced all other sources of income and now is the sole occupation of the inhabitants during the summer season. The coastal road of Benitses is full of hotels, restaurants, cafes and other shops that offering everything the most demanding visitor can ask. Benitses is surrounded by the mountains in one side and the aquamarine waters of the Ionian Sea in the other, this unique combination of nature with the hospitality of the residents, which are very familiar with different cultures, are what make visitors to love the place. 3 km to the north there is the famous Achilleion palace.
- 3 Kynopiastes — A traditional village of the Messi Region of Corfu and only 10 km away from Corfu town and airport, which is a must-visit. Old mansions of the 17th to 19th centuries, a marble church, a 17th-century monastery and a museum (and the only one on the island) devoted to the olive tree with one of the world famous restaurants on the island tavern «Trypas», which has hosted Kings ike the Kings of Greece and England, Presidents of Countries like Konstantinos Karamanlis (Greece) and François Mitterrand (France), stars of the European and American cinema and music, like Jane Fonda, and Anthony Quinn. The narrow tiled paths invite you to walk on them, looking at the small squares and at the houses which preserve the traditional colors. The main church is devoted to the Virgin Mary and it is in the central square. It is a traditional church with unique architecture and an impressive marble entrance. Inside, there are frescoes of the 18th-century Ionian School of Painting. At the edge of the village there is the monastery of Agia Paraskevi, built in the 17th century.
Get in
[edit]Get around
[edit]By car
[edit]By boat
[edit]By public transit
[edit]See
[edit]Do
[edit]- 1 Aqualand, Agios Ioannis (from Corfu Town: Blue Buses No.8 (Corfu Town – Afra/Agios Ioannis); Aqualand is the final stop of the No.8 bus route from Corfu Town to Afra/Agios Ioannis; the bus stop is approximately 100 m from Aqualand’s entrance), ☏ +30 2661 058351, [email protected]. 10:00-18:00. One of the biggest water parks in the world. Equipped with 51 slides, pools and a wide variety of other games.
Beaches
[edit]- 2 Glifada. A long wide sandy beach with fairly rough waters.
- 3 Pelekas beach. Also a nice sandy beach.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Eat at Agni Bay either in the evenings or during the day, arrive on foot or by boat; there are 3 places to eat on the beach all excellent, some of the best food ever. Water taxis run some evenings from some of the surrounding villages. Very romantic, but prices are high here. A very special place to be. As featured in Gerald Durrell's book My Family and Other Animals.
- Klimataria or Grapevine, Benitses (opposite blue bus stop in benitses), ☏ +30 2661071201. 19:00-23:00. If you aren't a seafood fan then this restaurant might not appeal to you as there are limited alternatives, although there is a good selection for vegetarians. Its a family run business and the setting, a very old building, must be the most photographed building in Benitses. Eat early to get a table as the locals rarely eat before 22:00. €10-40 pp.