Corfu
Destinations you can visit from Linz Airport
Greece’s "green" island lies to the west of the mainland and impresses visitors with its scenic diversity and mild climate. Imposing mountains in the north, long sandy beaches in the west, lively holiday resorts in the east and olive trees and cypresses everywhere: That’s what characterises the island in the Ionian Sea!
Holidays on Corfu
The Greek island in the Ionian Sea
Corfu, with its 100,000 inhabitants, has been one of the most popular holiday islands for Austrians for many years already. The variety of beaches and bays, countless olive groves and the lush flora of the island are points of attraction and longing. But we also associate Corfu with the Austrian Empress Elisabeth. A visit to the Achilleion is an absolute must – not only for Sisi fans.
Corfu was under Venetian rule for a long time, and this is particularly noticeable in its architecture. You’ll look in vain for the white-painted houses that are so typical of Greece. The capital Corfu Town shows the diverse influences of a turbulent past, from the remains of antiquity to Byzantine relics and Venetian buildings. No wonder that the historic old town is a World Heritage Site!
The main tourist centres are located especially on the coastal regions in the northeast with their beautiful bays and deep blue sea. At the harbour town of Kassiopi, you can observe the hustle and bustle from one of the many cafes and tavernas. The west coast is less developed regarding tourism – with a coastline that alternates between cliffs and long sandy beaches. A unique feature of Sidari is the famous Canal d'Amour, a number of bays that cut deep into the sandstone cliffs. Be sure to pack your camera when visiting the village of Paleokastritsa. Rugged cliffs, a Byzantine fortress and a monastery are waiting for you there.
Another fantastic adventure is a trip by rental car to the mountain range around Pantokrator. With 905 metres in altitude, it’s the highest mountain on the island. And you can still feel the originality of the island. The quaint villages in the middle of the lonely mountain landscape convey a sense of tranquility and peace. A trip to the Nymfes waterfall is definitely worthwhile, too.
The evergreen hilly island is also perfect for biking and hiking. It passes through over four million green olive trees & cypresses, and you are rewarded with charming bays and beautifully rugged coastlines. Olive oil plays an important role on Corfu. The “liquid gold” has been extracted there for more than 500 years and is still partly harvested by hand.
A visit to the Aquapark is a special experience not just for families. In addition to many water sports and diving offers, the island is also a perfect starting point for sailing trips around the Ionian Islands.
Popular sights and attractions on Corfu
- Achilleon: Empress Sisi commissioned this castle south of the capital as an homage to Greek mythology.
- Kanoni, Pontikonisi, Vlacherna Monastery: From the scenic viewpoint of Kanoni, one of the most famous on the island, you’ll have a great view of Pontikonisi, the island of mice, a well-known postcard motif. The Byzantine chapel on the island is surrounded by cypress trees. In front of it is the Vlacherna monastery, which can be visited and reached via a footbridge.
- Pelekas: village visited by Kaiser Wilhelm II. From the scenic viewpoint of the Kaiser's Throne, you can watch the sunset.
- Patounis' Soap Factory: Find out how the olives of the island are traditionally processed into soaps and creams.
- Paléo Períthia: one of the island’s oldest villages in the north-east of the island with about 130 houses, built in Venetian style
Ideal travel time
The best time to travel to Corfu is from June to September, as it is very dry on the island at this time of year. While temperatures rise above 30 degrees during the day, it cools down to around 20 degrees at night. Water temperatures of a pleasant 24 degrees make diving into the cool water a pleasure. If you are planning a trip to Corfu during the rainy winter months, you might want to aim for a holiday around Rose Monday. The island’s Venetian heritage is still noticeable there – and the carnival season is celebrated with great enthusiasm.