The 16th-century St. Spyridon Church (Agios Spyridon is among the most impressive sights in Corfu town and houses the remains of its patron saint, Spyridon, said to have repeatedly saved the island from Ottoman attacks. In addition to the saint’s ornate silver casket, the church is known for its lavish frescoes and soaring bell tower.
The star attraction of the Paleokastritsa resort in northwest Corfu is Paleokastritsa Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful stretches of sand. Lapped by crystal waters and framed by a headland topped by the 13th-century Paleokastritsa Monastery, this crescent of sand is a hotspot for families, swimmers, and snorkelers.
Halfway between the main hubs of Heraklion and Chania, Rethymno (or Rethymnon) Old Town is arguably the most historic neighborhood on the island of Crete. Awash with 500 years of Venetian and Ottoman flair, you’ll find yourself meandering narrow cobblestone streets full of well-preserved architecture, delighting in local shops and tavernas, and enjoying a classic Cretan seafront promenade.
Located along the southern coast of Zakynthos Island, Kalamaki is a quiet beach with a long stretch of fine golden sand and warm, shallow waters ideal for families. A nesting area for the endangered Caretta-Caretta loggerhead turtles, the beach is protected as part of the National Maritime Park of Zakynthos.
While this site might not be a traditional beach, it boasts some of Zakynthos’ most swimmable waters. You can soak up the sun on the smooth, white rocks or plunge into the turquoise Ionian Sea from the small surrounding cliffs. Plus, a taverna at the entrance serves up hearty Greek classics.
Fresh fish, fruit, and vegetables fill the stands under the simple, unassuming structure of this farmers market, directly outside the giant Venetian walls of Corfu Old Town. Plenty of locals shop here, but tourists visit too, and are more likely to be tempted by the market’s selections of traditional sweets and souvenirs.
Located on the western coast of Corfu, the resort town of Agios Gordios is a paradise of pastel-colored buildings surrounded by rugged mountains, olive groves, and cypress trees. Known for its sandy beaches, Agios Gordios is also a convenient jumping-off point for exploring nearby villages on foot, by bike, or by car.
Walls of underwater tanks are home to an abundance of Mediterranean sea life at the Corfu Aquarium in Paleokastritsa. Displays showcase fish and sea creatures from the region’s waters, including octopuses, seahorses, and sea urchins, that are highly likely to entertain visitors of all ages. Reptiles and amphibians feature too, as do far-flung creatures, such as the adorable axolotl.
The Church of Saint Spyridon would be hidden among the narrow streets of Corfu Town were it not for the church’s Venetian bell tower that rises high above the rooftops, marking where to find it. A plain exterior masks what lies inside this famous local church, a grand interior with a painted ceiling, a marble iconostasis, and a tomb of holy relics.
Looming almost 3,000 feet (900 meters above Corfu, Mt. Pantokrator is the tallest peak on the island and offers endless views over the Ionian Islands–as far as Albania on a clear day. Drive or hike to the top to admire the panorama and visit the Moni Pantokrator monastery and Old Perithia, the most historic mountain village on Corfu.
A family-friendly park on the northeast coast of the Ionian island of Zakynthos, Tsilivi has splash-filled rides, wading and wave pools, a lazy river, and fun activities to keep kids happy all day. Whether you spend your time shooting down the adrenaline-pumping water slides or relaxing under a sun umbrella, the park is an ideal family break.
One of Paxos’ most beautiful bays, Erimitis Beach is a gift for anyone seeking sun, swimming, and snorkeling in spectacular and secluded surroundings. Flanked by soaring cliffs, washed by mint-blue waters, and famous for its sunset views, Erimitis is reached via boat or a steep track, giving it a wild and isolated aura and usually keeping it wonderfully unbusy.
On Corfu’s north coast, Acharavi Beach is a textbook Ionian beach: A long stretch of sand and pebbles spooling through the laid-back resort of Acharavi. Cue a low-key seafront of garden-style hotels, tavernas, and beach bars, alongside a gently-shelving beach where you can sunbathe and swim against a backcloth of Albania’s mountainous coast.
One of the most striking beaches in the Ionian Islands, Xi Beach turns heads with its russet-colored sand lapped by cobalt blue waters. Located on the southwestern tip of Kefalonia, this picturesque stretch of coastline is a popular spot for sunbathing, water sports, and boating. Visitors also come to slather on the beach’s mineral clay, which is said to have therapeutic properties for the skin.
Peek into the 19th-century nobility of Corfu at Casa Palante Museum in the old district of Corfu Town. Set in a period mansion, the museum uses original furnishings, animatronic figures, and sensory stimuli to recreate the world of an aristocratic Corfiot family of the time. Wander the rooms to experience the day-to-day routines, decor, sounds, and aromas of this long-ago household.
