A week to discover Corfu

Whether you arrive in Corfu by boat from the Greek mainland or directly by plane, chances are that your first steps on the island will take you through the streets of the capital, Corfu or Kerkyra (in Greek).

This is a good thing: the Venetian-influenced town of Corfu is a major must-see, and not to be missed under any circumstances. Don't hesitate to devote the whole of your first day to getting lost in the ancient streets of the historic centre, which is listed in its entirety as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

At the end of the day, make your way to Spianada, Corfu's main esplanade, to join the locals in their daily volta (walk) and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this superb town.

We're leaving Corfu's old town for a moment to head for the island's most photogenic site: Kanoni. Early in the morning, you can get there before the crowds of tourists and admire the real picture postcard of Corfu, the Vlacherna monastery.

After a short tour of the area, we set off for the tiny island of Pontikonissi and its Byzantine chapel, followed by a pleasant lunch overlooking the sea, watching the ballet of planes coming and going at nearby Corfu airport...

After a refreshing dip in the sea, head for the Achilleion. This palace was built and lived in by Sissi the Empress herself! The view from the gardens, with the sun declining, is magnificent. Evening by the sea, on the way back down to the east coast.

It's high time to take to the sea today, with mask, snorkel and swimming costume. Corfu's local tourist agencies offer a wide range of day trips by boat to the nearest Ionian islands: Paxos and Antipaxos.

On the way, a stopover at the Blue Lagoon, a series of islets bathed in crystal-clear waters, is the ideal warm-up before arriving at the small port of Lakka, on Paxos, at the head of its bay. Then it's on to Antipaxos for a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Voutoumi Bay, nicknamed 'Paradise Beach'.

On your return at the end of the day, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Corfu coastline, Kanoni, the old town of Corfu and its Venetian forts.

A change of scenery: by car, you drive up the many unattractive seaside resorts that dot the outskirts of Corfu towards the slopes of the island's highest point: Mount Pantokrator.

Take time out for a real road trip along the north-east coast, via Kalami then Kassiopi, before climbing the mountains to the north, with Palea Perithia as your goal. This former Venetian village, which was abandoned for a time, is slowly coming back to life and is one of Corfu's most authentic and endearing stops. It's easy to spend the night here!

On the way, it's well worth stopping off at Cape Drastis for the extraordinary scenery and to stretch your legs a bit!

But the main stop on today's itinerary is one of Corfu's most famous beaches: Porto Timoni. With its two coves facing both east and west, you can spend the whole day here, swimming and walking along the rocky coastline.

For the evening, we'll stick to the beach theme at Agios Georgios, at the end of a large sandy bay.

From Agios Georgios, Paleokastritsa is not far away, and all the better for it: there's a lot to see in the area! A stop at Angelokastro, for example, an ancient Byzantine fortress with a breathtaking view of the rugged west coast, is a must.

Then it's off to Paleokastritsa, Corfu's most popular resort. With its pretty beaches, limestone hills and clear waters, it's easy to see why! Snorkelling and even scuba diving are popular activities here...

When the light starts to fade, you can admire the sunset from the Paleokastritsa monastery: a superb way to end the day.

For this final day, take the morning to make the most of the sea before leaving the west coast. From Paleokastritsa, there are a number of superb beaches that are emblematic of Corfu: Rovinia, Limni, or, by water taxi, the superb beach of Chomi (another 'Paradise Beach'!).

Fortunately, Paleokastritsa and Corfu town are easily linked by road, crossing Corfu from west to east (35 minutes by car).

This means you can spend the whole day basking in the sun, before returning to your early-week routine in the capital, Kerkyra, for a final evening in Corfu.