Kerkira, or Corfu, as it is internationally known, is the northernmost island of the Ionian archipelago, very close to mainland Greece and Albania. Because of this proximity, Kerkira was one of the first Greek islands to experience tourism - here was the place where old European royalty decided to spend their days away from court. Between the rulers of Venice, France, Great Britain and Austro-Hungary, it is no wonder that this royal influence can still be seen in the architecture of the old town of Kerkira. The kings, queens and high dignitaries had good taste: the natural beauties of Kerkira are breath-taking and the island has all of the major geomorphological varieties - highlands, hinterlands, lowlands and coast.
Why choose Kerkira?
Corfu island belongs to the Ionian archipelago and is the biggest one after Kefalonia. Other islands in this cluster include Paxi, Lefkas, Ithaki, Zante and Kythira, with the Kerkyraiki Sea separating Kerkira, Epyrus and Albania. Kerkira is blessed with all manner of terrain, like steep mountains found in the northern part of the island, dominated by Mt. Pantokratoras. On the other hand, the south has an environment one would expect from a Greek island, with long stretches of sandy beaches occupying the shoreline. Surrounding Kerkira are also a many great number of smaller islands, a perfect destination for exploration or island hopping. Recently, Kerkira has seen a big increase in the influx of tourists, and because of that, infrastructural development has been concentrated on ports, of which Kerkira boasts three. The old port is small and used only for fishing boats, the Mandraki port takes in sailing boats, catamarans and yachts and the NAOK port is the most modern of the three. NAOK is also a nautical club, where chartering a bareboat or skippered yacht is done with ease.
What to do and see on your yacht charter in Kerkira, Greece?
Visiting Kerkira, the first thing to do would be to take a stroll through the old town of Kerkira, designated on UNESCO heritage site. Renaissance, Baroque and Classical architecture is preserved perfectly in the old core, capturing a trace of ancient past in modern times. The center of the city is Spianada square, where local artists peddle handmade art inspired by the many cultural influences found on the surrounding buildings, particularly Saint Michael and George Palaces in the northern part of the square. Not to be missed are the fortificational monuments, primarily the stunning 15th century Old Fortress, as well as the New Fortress. The sacral architecture is many in number, but way above the rest the Church of St. Spyridon stands out, a cathedral of the island's patron saint. As many churches there are in Kerkira, the museum match them in number: to name a few - the Byzantine Museum, the Museum of Asian Art, the Archaeological Museum and the Dionysios Solomos Museum. During the entire length of the summer, musical evenings, culinary competitions and other joyous festivities are held across the island, but are most concentrated in the town of Kerkira. Outside the city, there is plenty to look forward to. Numerous palaces, like the British Mon Repos Palace or Achilleion, await curious visitors with their treasures on display. A trip around the coastline is best done by boat, either skippered or bareboat, because it is the best way to experience all that Kerkira has to offer. Nearby islands of Paxi and Antipaxi make for excellent island-hopping destinations, whilst the dramatic Cape Drastis is truly a sight to behold. The best beach on the island is considered to be at Porto Timoni, not to be missed by sailors. Inland, olive oil tasting tours are popular, as well as beekeeping and honey production demonstrations.
Sailing season - When to charter in Kerkira Greece?
Kerkira is one of the greenest of the Greek islands, because of extensive rains that fall from September to June. This rainfall makes possible the growth of many sorts of plant life, including the hundreds of thousands of olive trees that cover Kerkira. Besides the rain, the climate in Kerkira is stable all year long. The summer season starts with May, when the days start to grow hotter, but the nights still stay fresh. There still are not many tourists around, because the sea is not warm enough to support massive swimming, diving and other water sports. From June to July, the temperatures of both land and sea start to grow, with daily temperatures ranging from 30 to 34 degrees Celsius, whilst the nights stay at around 23 degrees Celsius. August maintains the temperatures of the previous months but with more humidity. During the summer season, from June to September, the beaches are packed with swarms of tourists from all around the globe. Prices for accommodations skyrocket, as well as prices for chartering yachts and docking them in marinas. The best way to avoid this would be to book your charter and accommodations several months in advance, to avoid being left out to dry. Also, to note, from May to September, a southerly wind called Maistros brings refreshment in the hot summer days. Considered a breeze in terms of speed, it is a wind that is welcomed by tourists and sailors alike.