Corfu: Old Favourites, New Discoveries and Far Too Much Food

Corfu: Old Favourites, New Discoveries and Far Too Much Food 🇬🇷❤️

Day One: Avlaki and a New Favourite

Our first evening was always going to involve Avlaki. It’s one of our favourite places on the island, so after arriving, unpacking and settling in, we headed there for dinner and decided to try somewhere new. 

Aleoli had only recently opened and sits right on the beachfront, so it seemed like the perfect place for our first evening. The sea was in front of us, the evening was warm and we had that wonderful first-night feeling where you know you’ve got two whole weeks ahead of you and absolutely nothing needs to be rushed. 

Day Two: Pool Days and Cocktails

The following day was a pool day, which is sometimes exactly what a holiday needs. We settled into the rhythm of Katia — swimming, sunbathing, reading, chatting and watching everyone else enjoying themselves. 

Later that evening we wandered into Kassiopi, and because we’re both rather partial to a cocktail, Virginia’s was calling us. 

We sat watching the boats coming in and out of the harbour while frozen mango daiquiris, margaritas and mojitos appeared in front of us. It was one of those lovely Kassiopi evenings where you can sit for ages and simply watch the world go by. 

I’ve been visiting Kassiopi for many years and, somehow, I had never eaten at Number 9, a grill taverna that has been there for years. I’d always wanted to try it, so tonight was the night. 

It was brilliant — exactly what it says it is, with grilled meat, salad, good service, no frills and very reasonable prices. 

Nick and I shared a mixed grill which arrived looking absolutely enormous. We couldn’t finish it, which if you know us is basically unheard of, so we took the leftovers home and had them for lunch the following day 😂

Day Three: Beach Day — Getting In Was the Easy Bit

Day three was all about the beach. I absolutely love swimming in the sea, so I was more than happy to spend the day on the little wild beach just below Katia.

The water was beautifully clear and we spent hours swimming and snorkelling, with very little else to do other than enjoy it. 

Of course, getting into the sea is the easy part. 

Getting out is a completely different story. 

Nick and I like to think we emerged from the water looking effortlessly glamorous, breathing in and holding our waistbands in place as we tried to clamber out over the stones. 

The reality was more like two giraffes attempting to balance on a football! 😂

Trying to climb back out over the stones whilst simultaneously breathing in to hold our waistbands in place and attempting to look remotely elegant is not a skill either of us has mastered. 

One thing I would definitely recommend taking with you is water shoes. Most of the beaches around this part of Corfu are pebble, stone or shingle, and while they are incredibly beautiful, your feet will definitely thank you.

Days Four and Five: Corfu Town

We decided to do something we’d never done before and spend a night in Corfu Town. We’d visited lots of times over the years but had never actually stayed overnight, so we thought this was the perfect opportunity to see a different side of it. 

We walked to the bus stop at Avlaki Junction, around ten minutes from Katia, and caught the Green Bus into Corfu Town. 

I remember travelling this route years ago and sitting next to a lady who had her chicken with her, so I was slightly amused to see how much things have changed. These days it’s a very smart, air-conditioned coach — sadly, no chickens this time! 

The journey takes around an hour and a half, but it really doesn’t feel that long because the route is beautiful, winding through villages and along the coast with spectacular views. 

We arrived at the Green Bus Station and walked into the Old Town, where we had booked a private apartment independently. This part of our trip wasn’t included in our Jet2holidays package; we booked the Corfu Town accommodation ourselves. 

We were staying in The Liston area, which was a lovely base for exploring, and naturally, before we did anything else, I needed food. I hadn’t had a gyros yet, so we headed to Ninos, which didn’t disappoint.

After that we simply wandered around the Old Town. You can turn down one little street and find shops selling jewellery, artwork, clothes and traditional souvenirs, then turn another corner and suddenly find yourself in a tiny square surrounded by old buildings and little cafés. 

As evening arrived, the streets seemed to change completely. The alleyways were lit up, the old buildings glowed and the whole place felt almost like a bazaar. 

Corfu Town has so much history too, from its Venetian architecture and beautiful churches to the museums and the reminders of the island’s British influence, including the rather wonderful cricket pitch.

We did discover one thing, though — don’t assume The Liston area is necessarily the best place to eat. We ate on the main street and it was probably our most expensive and least favourite meal of the holiday. It was also incredibly busy. 

Next time I’d definitely wander further into the Old Town and look for one of those little tavernas tucked away down a side street. 

The following morning we headed back to Kassiopi by bus. The Green Bus Station is around a 25-minute walk from the Old Town, so if you’re doing the same trip, give yourself plenty of time to get there, buy your ticket and find your bus.



Day Six: Avlaki and Cava Barbaro 

Once we were back in Kassiopi, it was time for another day at one of our favourite places — Avlaki. 

We hired two sunbeds and an umbrella and spent the day swimming, reading and snoozing. The views across towards the mountains of Albania are beautiful, and although parts of the beach are serviced, much of it still feels wonderfully wild. 

By late afternoon, it was time for a quick beach glow-up — swapping the bikini for a summer dress, the snorkel for sunglasses and adding a little CC cream and mascara. Then we headed straight from the beach to meet our friends at Cava Barbaro.

This is definitely one of my top five restaurants on Corfu. The setting is beautiful, overlooking Avlaki, with a huge old tree giving the restaurant even more character. The service is warm, friendly and professional, and the food is delicious. 

I had seafood spaghetti and, because it was so good, when we went back later in the holiday I ordered exactly the same thing again. 

It was just that good! 

Days Seven and Eight: Up into the Mountains and Around Northern Corfu

By days seven and eight, we were ready to get out on the road and explore a little more of the island. We had two days, a car and a list of places we wanted to revisit, along with a few new ones we were hoping to discover. 

Our first stop was Mount Pantokrator, the highest point on Corfu.

Now, Nick is actually a brilliant driver, and I’m sure that has absolutely nothing to do with the constant stream of helpful advice I provide from the passenger seat. 😂 The roads up through the mountains are winding, the drops are rather impressive and, while Nick calmly concentrated on getting us to the top, I concentrated on my very important role of co-pilot — pointing out bends, reminding him to slow down and generally making sure he was fully aware of what he was doing. I’m sure he found my guidance invaluable! 

But once you arrive, you completely forget about the journey.

The views are incredible — a 360-degree panorama across Corfu, with mountains, coastline, little villages and the sea stretching out in every direction. We spent some time at the monastery, which is small and beautiful, and it was one of those places where you naturally slow down for a few minutes and simply take in where you are.

From the top of the mountain, we headed towards Strinilas because there was somewhere I particularly wanted to revisit. 

Oasis Taverna was one of the places my mum, dad and I visited on one of our early trips to Corfu, so going back brought back a lovely little rush of memories. 

We arrived a little too early for lunch, but that didn’t matter. We stopped for a drink and sat beneath the enormous old tree that sits at the heart of the taverna. It was warm, peaceful and shaded, and for a few minutes I was transported straight back to those holidays with Mum and Dad.



From there, we headed across the island towards the north-west coast. 

A few years ago, during one of our Corfu road trips, Nick, Holly and I had discovered Agios Georgios and its long, sandy beach. We had loved it so much that we really wanted to bring Chris, Kirsty and Abbie back to see it. 

Agios Georgios is very different from the little bays around Kassiopi. It’s a proper beach resort, with watersports, boat trips, beach clubs, cafés, shops, cocktail bars and plenty of restaurants, but the beach itself is long and spacious, so there’s plenty of room.



We didn’t actually spend time on the beach this time, but I knew we’d be coming back over to this side of the island later in the holiday because I had one thing I still wanted to tick off my list — getting my sunset fix!

We’d discovered on an earlier trip just how beautiful the sunsets can be here, so I was determined to find an evening to come back and enjoy it properly

For now, though, we were on the road and heading off to one of the places Nick and I had been looking forward to revisiting — Glyfa. 

We love fresh seafood, so we were really excited to take everyone there. The restaurant sits in a beautiful position overlooking the bay, with views stretching across towards Corfu Town, and it’s the sort of place where you want to sit back, order a glass of wine and take your time. 

There was something lovely about sitting there after a day of exploring, watching the boats on the water, enjoying fresh seafood and a glass of wine while the light slowly changed around us.

Glyfa is definitely one for the list if you’re a seafood lover. For us, it’s not just about the food — it’s the setting, the atmosphere and that feeling of being somewhere you’re genuinely pleased you made the effort to find.



The following day, we headed back towards the north-east of the island and somewhere that holds a particularly special place in my heart — Kalami. 

My first holiday to Corfu was with my mum and dad, and we stayed in Kalami. We loved it so much that we simply kept coming back. 

Even now, when I arrive in the bay, there’s something about it that takes me straight back to those first holidays. 

Kalami is tucked beneath the mountains, with the little bay sitting at the bottom, and although it has inevitably developed over the years, thankfully it still has plenty of the charm I remember. 

We spent some time on the beach with our friends and it was lovely to see the White House and Thomas’ Taverna still busy, along with Dimitris’ restaurant further up the road.

The beach is a mixture of sand and pebbles, with sunbeds available if you want them, but you can just as easily take a towel and find your own little spot. There are paddleboards, canoes and motorised watersports too, so there’s plenty going on if lying in the sun all day isn’t your thing. 

And, of course, there’s the White House. 

If you’ve watched The Durrells, you’ll probably recognise the story, but this is Gerald Durrell’s actual home in Kalami — not the house used as the television set. 

Standing there and looking across the bay, I couldn’t help thinking about how different Corfu must have been when my mum and dad first brought me here, and how lovely it was to be back again all these years later.



From Kalami, we headed up into the mountains once more, this time following a recommendation from our friends who live on Corfu. 

They wanted to introduce us to Sokraki, a mountain village they love, and I’m so glad they did.

As soon as we arrived, it felt completely different from the Corfu we usually experience. 

There were old stone houses, olive groves stretching away across the hills, tiny lanes and a beautiful little square with a traditional taverna and café. There were flowers everywhere, little hand-painted chairs outside the cafés and locals sitting on their doorsteps wishing us a good day as we passed. 

It felt as though time had slowed down.



We stopped for lunch at Taverna Kapilio, where I tried spetsofai — a traditional Greek dish of country sausage cooked slowly in a rich tomato sauce with peppers, garlic and herbs. 

It was absolutely delicious, and I’ve already decided that I’m going to try to recreate it at home. 

But the food wasn’t the only reason I loved this place. 

The view from the restaurant was incredible, stretching across the hills towards Corfu Town. As evening approached, we could see the lights of the fortress and even the cruise ships out in the distance.



The restaurant also has some beautiful individual suites, each with its own character, along with a lovely pool area enjoying that same view. 

There’s even bike hire and cooking lessons, which immediately made me think that this would be a completely different way to experience Corfu.

I left Sokraki thinking that next time, I’d like to stay for a couple of nights rather than simply passing through.

Date Night in Kassiopi 

After all that exploring, we were ready for a proper date night, and there was only one place that came to mind — Kima Restaurant in the heart of Kassiopi. 

The octopus here is absolutely incredible, and the setting makes it even better, overlooking the harbour. 

It’s a very popular restaurant, so if you want to sit outside and enjoy the harbour views, definitely book ahead. 

The Last Day with Friends

Our friends’ last day arrived far too quickly, so we spent the day around the pool, packing, chatting and trying not to think about saying goodbye. 

That evening we headed to one of Kirsty’s forever favourites, Janis Restaurant. 

It’s been there for more than 30 years and has a huge menu, so there really is something for everyone. The portions are generous, the service is lovely and the view is breathtaking. The vegetarian platter is particularly epic. 

After dinner we headed to Illusions, the music bar, for dancing, singing and a good old-fashioned holiday night out. 

It was such good fun, and before we knew it, our friends were heading home. 

But thankfully, our holiday wasn’t over because Nick’s sister Kathryn and her partner Jonathan were joining us.

A Second Road Trip

We decided to recreate one of our favourite days and headed back to Avlaki. Kathryn and Jonathan had never been before and I was really pleased that they loved it as much as we did.

The following day became a bit of a mystery tour because I wanted to show them some of the places that made me fall in love with northern Corfu, and some of them were even new to Nick. 

Our first stop was Agios Stefanos, a lovely little bay just around 20 minutes from Kassiopi.

There are a handful of tavernas, a cocktail bar and some lovely little shops selling jewellery, clothing and ceramics. It’s a great place for people watching and wherever you sit, you can hear the waves gently lapping against the shore.

From there we headed to Kouloura, a tiny little harbour surrounded by cypress trees and famous for its almost perfectly circular shape. 

It’s one of those places that feels almost too pretty to be real, with its tiny harbour, clear water and wild beach nearby. 

There’s just one very popular taverna here and, naturally, we couldn’t resist trying to get a table.

We managed to squeeze in for lunch and ordered sardines and Greek salad, which was exactly what we wanted — simple, fresh and delicious.

From Kouloura we headed back towards Kalami so Kathryn could see the White House properly before continuing into the mountains. 

Our next stop was Old Perithia, which, if you’ve read any of my previous Corfu blogs, you’ll know is one of my favourite places on the island. 

It’s one of the oldest villages in Corfu, tucked away in the mountains, and walking through it really does feel like stepping back in time. 

Today, it has a wonderfully atmospheric feel, with flowers everywhere and bees buzzing around the village. It’s particularly renowned for its honey production, and the whole place really is buzzing with life — sorry, I couldn’t resist! 🐝

As we’d already eaten our way around northern Corfu, we decided to try some of the local treats, so we shared a slice of orange pie and some refreshing lemon and ginger juice. 

I’d love to stay here overnight one day because I imagine Old Perithia feels completely different once the day visitors have gone home. I’ve already got my eye on The Merchant’s House, so watch this space. 

By this point in the day, we’d been up and down mountains, wandered around little villages and eaten our way through northern Corfu, but somehow we still had one more stop planned. 

We’d become slightly obsessed with finding restaurants with beautiful views and, preferably, a sunset thrown in for good measure, so we headed towards the north-east coast to a little grill room called The Night Owl.

And wow, what a find. 

It has now firmly joined my top five places to eat in Corfu. 

Imagine a perfectly grilled sea bass, salad and chips, a carafe of wine and the most idyllic sunset over the island. The food was simple and cooked perfectly, but it was the whole experience that made it so special. 

The welcome was wonderful, the hospitality was fantastic and we had one of those evenings where nobody was in any hurry to leave. 

We sat, ate, drank wine and watched the sky slowly change colour, and I remember thinking that this was exactly what a Greek holiday should feel like.



The Final Night 

And then suddenly it was our final day. 

We spent it doing exactly what we like to do on a last day — a little time around the pool, plenty of chatting, relaxing and, of course, eating!

We always like to have somewhere special booked for our final night, so we headed back to Agios Stefanos to try Eucalyptus Taverna, which had been recommended by my friend Lucy, who lives near Kassiopi. 

We’d booked it earlier in the holiday when we were visiting the area, but because it was a late booking there was no guarantee we’d get a table right by the sea. 

I asked the owner if he could do his best and he absolutely did.

We had a perfect table, so close to the water that we couldn’t have been much closer without getting our feet wet. 

They brought over their fresh catch of the day and we chose a sea bass that was easily big enough for four people. It was cooked over charcoal and then our waiter filleted it in front of us before serving it with salad and seasonal greens. 

We’d already had a wonderful mixed meze of Greek favourites and a little shot of ouzo, and then, just when we thought we couldn’t eat another thing, dessert arrived — homemade mango and lemon sorbet. 

It was the perfect final meal and Eucalyptus has now firmly joined my list of Corfu restaurant recommendations.

And then, just like that, our holiday was over. 

We headed home, leaving Kathryn and Jonathan behind to enjoy a few more days of sunshine, and somehow our suitcases seemed considerably fuller than when we arrived. 

I’m not quite sure how that happens when I’m convinced I haven’t bought very much, but apparently olive oil, ceramics, clothes and various things that seemed absolutely essential at the time do take up rather a lot of room! 😂

Until Next Time, Corfu… 

I never get bored of coming back to Corfu.

There is always something new to discover, whether it’s a little mountain village, a restaurant we’ve never tried, a tiny harbour or a beach we somehow missed before. 

But just as important are the familiar places that bring back wonderful memories — the beaches I first visited with Mum and Dad, Kassiopi harbour, Avlaki, Kalami, the mountains, the food and those beautiful evenings watching the sun disappear. 

This trip gave us plenty of new memories to add to all the old ones.

Sokraki, Kouloura, Old Perithia, The Night Owl, Aleoli and our night in Corfu Town have all joined the list, alongside the places we’ve loved for years. 

And perhaps that’s why I never get bored of coming back. Corfu somehow manages to feel familiar and completely new at the same time. You can return to somewhere you know well and still discover something you’ve never seen before, while another place can bring back a memory from your very first visit as though it happened yesterday. 

There are still more beaches to find, more mountain villages to wander around, more tavernas to try and, if our track record is anything to go by, plenty more seafood to eat. 

So, until next time, Corfu… 

Thank you for another two weeks of sunshine, laughter, memories, wonderful food and a little bit of holiday magic. 

We’ll be back. 🇬🇷❤️