Pelekas and the Kaiser's Throne, panoramic view of Corfu

Published on July 15, 2024 at 4:00 pm

Not far from Corfu town, on the west coast this time, Pelekas is a perfect base for combining the different charms of Corfu. This small village, sleepy during the day and lively in the evening, has retained its authentic Greek village atmosphere. With cafés, traditional tavernas and rooms to rent, there's everything you need to linger here.

Pelekas' main tourist attraction, the Kaiser's Throne, is a must-see for lovers of stunning views: this rocky promontory offers a fantastic panorama of Corfu, its relief and the sea. Kaiser Wilhelm II himself liked to go there to take in the island at a glance.

From up there, you can quickly see that the coast is not far from Pelekas. This is the other side of the coin to discover around the village, with superb beaches, sometimes with steep access, on the Mirtiotissa, Glyfada or Kontogialos side: welcome to the seaside atmosphere of Corfu!

Playful alley

Summary

Pelekas, an authentic Greek village
Excursions around Pelekas: the beaches
👉 Pelekas, practical information

Pelekas, an authentic Greek village

While Corfu's coasts are mainly reserved for seaside resorts, it's inland that you'll find more authentic villages, like Pelekas. Pelekas is a small country village overlooking the rolling plains of central Corfu, with their olive groves and rows of cypress trees.

The west coast around Pelekas

Arriving in Pelekas is no mean feat! It's best to leave the car behind and explore the village on foot: you'll soon have done the rounds of the narrow streets, but in a real Greek village, you can just as easily let the time pass quietly on the shady terrace of a café... The watchword in Pelekas is: don't be in a hurry!

The Kaiser's Throne

There's not much to visit in Pelekas itself, apart from its famous observatory, the Kaiser's Throne. Perched on a rock at an altitude of 270m, this promontory offers a 360° view of the whole of Corfu: simply superb! If you time it right, you'll find yourself at the top of the Kaiser's Throne for the sunset, for one of the most beautiful shots of the holiday.

Then it's time to head back down to Pelekas for the evening: this is when the village is at its liveliest, with its traditional tavernas and a few bars for a drink. Why not spend the night here?

Corfu

Thomas Art Hotel

Hotel 1 km from Kontogialos beach

From

£125

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Excursions around Pelekas: the beaches

Don't let the rural atmosphere of Pelekas mislead you: the coast really is not far away. In places, Corfu's relief plunges seamlessly into the sea, creating landscapes that are as steep as they are spectacular. This is the case, for example, at Mirtiotissa beach, a tiny strip of sand at the foot of a cliff reached by a steep path. Naturists and textiles rub shoulders here without fuss.

In Mirtiot

More formal, but also bigger, the beach at Glyfada offers a cocktail more common to Corfu: golden sand, parasols and deckchairs, and hotels and accommodation right on the beach, so you can stay with your feet in the water. The same atmosphere can be found on Kontogialos beach, also known as Pelekas Beach, and further south, in the seaside resort of Agios Gordios. There's plenty of choice when it comes to swimming!

Glyfada

To get back to the authentic Greek village theme, Sinarades is well worth a visit. The equation is simple: if you liked Pelekas, you'll love the authenticity of Sinarades too!

Corfu

Pelekas Beach Apartments

Establishment next to the beaches of Kontogialos and Glyfada

From

£77

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👉 Pelekas, practical information

How do I get to Pelekas?

By car, the village is 25 minutes from Corfu town, on the road to Pelekas.
By bus, it takes 45 minutes on the blue buses from Corfu town centre, Place G. Theotoki. Pelekas is the practical end of the line.

How do I get to the beaches around Pelekas?

The best way to explore the surrounding area is by car. But be careful! Some of the beaches on the west coast, such as Mirtiotissa, are difficult to access unless you drive a 4x4. It's best to park and walk the rest of the way, sometimes along steep paths. The more touristy beaches such as Glyfada are accessible by car.

Green buses also run from Corfu town centre to Glyfada, with the option of walking down to Mirtiotissa.

When to stay in Pelekas

The advantage of staying in a village such as Pelekas is that, unlike Corfu's seaside resorts, the atmosphere is relatively calm even in high season... Pelekas is a good base from which to explore the surrounding beaches.

Climb to the top of the Kaiser's Throne

This short climb is nothing too strenuous and can be done on foot from the centre of Pelekas. The site is equipped with railings and iron footbridges. Not to be missed at sunset.

Times: daily, 9am-10pm

by Editorial Team

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