The Routes of Discovery

Active Tourism

Sailing

The geographic position of the island, its beauty, the many fine anchorages in the surrounding area, the mild climate and the international airport, all constitute positive factors in the promotion of sailing tourism. In a place famous since ancient times for the nautical skills of its inhabitants, you will today find some of the biggest and most beautiful yacht marinas in the Mediterranean, attracting hundreds of boats from all over the world. There are numerous yacht charter agencies on the island. Bookings are best made early, but it is always possible to find an available yacht even at the last minute. The possession of a skipper’s licence is essential. Charter rates vary according to the season, the type of boat and its size, but as an example we can quote the amount of 50-70 euro per person per day. If you take into account the reduction in costs of food and transportation, then it is clear how reasonable this kind of holiday can be.

Scuba Diving

Corfu is at the forefront of all underwater activities. The island’s coastline and bays, its headlands and endless reefs, constitute a paradise in miniature for diving fans of all ages. From June onwards the sea is warm enough for comfortable diving, and whether the aim is to harpoon a fishy nibble to share with friends later, or underwater photography, or just an undersea wander with mask and breathing gear, Corfu’s fantastic underwater landscape will not disappoint you. If you hold a diver’s certificate you must know that Corfu is one of the few places in Greece where scuba diving is permitted without restriction. If you have no previous experience of this sport, do not worry. You do not need to be an athlete, nor do you need to be able to hold your breath for five minutes. You only need to be in good health and to be able to swim. If you wish to learn, just contact one of the ten diving centers and schools, which are scattered all round the island, and arrange an introductory dive. All the centers and schools provide experienced teachers and full equipment.

Hiking

Stroll along cobbled footpaths, some dating from Byzantine times, and across hillsides scented with wild flowers. Meander along picturesque coastlines, beside water of dazzling clarity. Discover a landscape of olive and cypress groves, plains of grass with vineyards and orchards. Visit traditional villages where time stands still. Step into a walker’s paradise, where at every turn a new aspect, a new scene, is revealed. Corfu has, in comparison to its size, an enormous variety of scenery: bare limestone mountains on the Pantokrator Massif; forest-covered hillsides in the centre of the island; century-old olive groves; impressive coast-lines; inland wetlands; river valleys and gorges. Thus even within a single day’s hike many different landscapes will be encountered. Corfu also has the advantage of possessing many old cobbled footpaths which link the traditional villages, and the interior of the island remains almost completely undiscovered.

Corfu Trail

The Corfu Trail is a long-distance footpath of approximately 220 km, which runs the length of Corfu Island: from the white cliffs near Arkoudillas at Corfu’s southernmost tip to the wild coastline of Cape Agia Ekatirini at its northernmost point!

The trail meanders through all the island’s rural districts and avoids developed areas, takes in beauty spots, biotopes, beaches, picturesque villages, monuments, monasteries and diverse landscapes. The original paths have been cleared and waymarked with CT yellow signs, without disturbing the environment, and placed in strategic locations on the route. With the help of the accurate Corfu Trail map-and guide book you will easily be able to follow the trail! Since the most spectacular scenery and the biggest concentration of highlights are in the north of the island, walkers are advised to follow the route from south to north, though the Corfu Trail has been way- marked in both directions. The trail consists of 11 (including 2 minor) daily walks combining continuously the most beautiful seashores and landscapes. And the terrain varies, with rough footpaths, cobbled mule paths, dirt and gravel tracks and some minor roads and sandy and pebbly beaches. The best months to follow this unique trail are from February to June and from mid September to November.

Cycling

It’s not an original idea, but one which is often misunderstood. A Greek idiom says that when our existence becomes a trial that ‘we are turning life into a bicycle’. Nevertheless, there’s evidence that more than 6000 people each year come to Corfu just to cycle, while double that number rent bikes for a few days of their holiday. The majority come from Holland and they consider Corfu to be a paradise for this activity. Serious mountainbikers come from all over the world to try out the island’s paths. A bicycle is quicker than walking. With a bike you can get to places only accessible on foot; you can get close to the countryside and its people; you can feel the peace and quiet, and you can bathe alone on a deserted beach, even in the height of the season. And as you cycle, there’s always a breeze, even on the hottest day! A bicycle is safer than car driving, and doesn’t make as much noise as a motorbike. Slow pedalling on shady roads and leisurely trips along riverbanks cannot be compared with any petrol-driven tour. Corfu has got an ideal road network. The British Protectorate bequeathed an extensive road network, with tracks going everywhere to give access to cultivated land. Today the metalled roads, the dirt tracks and the footpaths validate the rule that in Corfu you can go wherever you want with any road. Cycling leads you into a different Corfu. A bike tour around the island is like opening a Russian doll: you continuously discover a new side of Corfu. Little lakes, streams, deserted monasteries, untouched villages, rare flowers, picturesque cafenions; constant surprises. Biking on Corfu is nice and easy, but care is also required. Country roads are usually narrow and windy, due to the way they were traced out around the bordering olive trees. The olives fall on the road surface, leaving a sheen more slippery than motor oil. Great care must be taken of the potholes which waylay you on blind corners, of the coaches which take up nearly all the road, and of the heavy tourist traffic which during summer snarls up the circulation even more.

Golfing

The Corfu Golf Club’s beautiful course has been praised by many as one of the best kept in Europe. It was designed by the famous Swiss based architect, Donald Harradine and he has blended the natural resources of the lovely Ropa Valley with man made hazards to make the course a good test but a fair test. It is equally enjoyable for the scratch player as it is for the long handicap one. Te magnificent greens of Penncross Bent are considered to be the finest in the Mediterranean; the treelined fairways and the sandtraps combine with the several lakes and meandering streams, to make an attractive picture against a backcloth of high hills. A modern irrigation system keeps the course in perfect condition at all times. From March to November and sometimes beyond, there is warm sunshine and blue skies in Corfu but even in high summer on the golf course there is almost always a cooling breeze blowing from the sea. Golf can also be played during the very mild winter in Corfu so any time is golf time. There are three sets of tees thus providing enjoyment for all categories of players. The turf is very good so it is easy to walk on and every hole on the course provides infinite variety - and its own problems. Corfu is a great golf course and its fame is spreading rapidly as golfers come from all over the world to test their skills at golf and to enjoy the island. Facilities The attractive looking clubhouse built of local stone is not only impressive outside, it is comfortable and luxurious inside. There is a bar, a lounge and a bright, cheerful restaurant where appetizing meals are served at reasonable prices. The changing rooms are modern in every respect. The professional’s shop is well stocked with items of golf equipment and golf bags and golf clubs can be hired. The practice ground is particularly large and buckets of balls can be supplied to those wishing to indulge in serious practice. In front of the club-house there is a putting green. The professional staff are on hand at all times to give lessons and to make all visitors feel very welcome making sure they thoroughly enjoy their Corfu Golfing Holidays and all that the beautiful island has to offer.

The “Routes of Discovery” project is an integrated system for marking paths, routes and points of interest (POI) covering a large part of the region of Corfu. This is an innovative programme that for the first time in Greece will provide visitors with the opportunity to follow routes exploring the nature, history and culture of Corfu, in safety, as there will be an electronic system to monitor users as well as an immediate notification system in case of emergency (e.g. accident or fire).

Routes on footpaths and rural roads which the user will be able to follow by walking, running or cycling, are divided into the following categories: Trail running, hiking, riding, climbing, pilgrimage routes, culinary routes, accessible routes, viewpoints, historical interest points, religious attractions, local producers, soundscapes. Potential users of the proposed initiative fall into the following categories: tourists, nature lovers, climbers, hikers, cyclists, school students, the local population and the disabled. When following these routes users will be able to understand more about of the identity, cultural heritage and economic activity of the locality. At each point on the route that someone chooses to follow they can be informed through notifications about points of interest such as attractions, historical sites, local handicrafts, birds or animals that they may encounter, or plants such as oregano or other herbs that may be collected according to the season. Primary research is being conducted to create the platform and the project is expected to be completed in March 2023.

Stay tuned.

Follow the routes of discovery