The attractive island of Corfu could also be principally identified for its historic town and its seafront resorts, though it has a lot extra to supply! This gem of the Ionian sea is in reality each nature lover’s dream!
Are you into mountain climbing, trekking, diving and exploring?
The island’s inland and shoreline are equally fascinating, with fantastic locations to go to that may permit you to reconnect with nature and expertise the magical ambiance of an unspoiled pure panorama!
Corfu presents loads of alternatives to those that are in search of methods to benefit from the outdoor, regardless of whether or not you’re a mountain or sea individual.
That will help you set up your holidays, we now have provide you with a number of concepts as to what to do in Corfu as a nature lover. We’ve additionally included the prime pure points of interest in Corfu, akin to waterfalls, lakes, sea caves, beaches and extra superior places!
Hold studying to seek out out!
Swim within the well-known Canal d’Amour
The realm of Sidari presents a number of the most spectacular pure wonders in Corfu! Sidari is barely situated 35 km away from Corfu City, on the northwestern aspect of Corfu and it’s thought of one of many prime places to go to on the island.
The realm has a novel type of pure magnificence, combining unique sea waters with dense vegetation and engaging rock formations.
There are a number of small coves for swimming in Sidari that you’ll have the prospect to discover whereas mountain climbing across the space, though most guests get there to see the well-known Canal d’ Amour and swim in its turquoise waters.
The Canal d’ Amour or Channel of Love is a naturally fashioned slim sea channel. The cliffs of the channel are product of sandstones and have been sculpted by the waves over the course of hundreds of years, leading to an uncommon geological phenomenon.
You will get there on foot and in reality, there are a number of small paths and artifical or naturally fashioned steps within the space, permitting you to hike above the cliffs to get a glimpse of the view.
When you get to the canal to swim, additionally, you will have the chance to find sea caves, hidden among the many rock formations. If you’re into diving and snorkeling, ensure to carry alongside your tools! The ocean backside is kind of shallow however nonetheless attention-grabbing, with quite a few forms of fish and sea vegetation.
Native folklore says that {couples} who swim collectively during the channel to the open sea will at all times be collectively, whereas tossing a coin within the water will grant eternal love!
Aside from the primary channel, within the space of Sidari additionally, you will discover a number of different sandy seashores that aren’t as in style because the Canal, though they nonetheless entice many guests. A few of them are organized.
Needless to say the cove on the channel is in reality tiny and it simply will get overcrowded throughout the summer time. To have the ability to benefit from the magical panorama with out having to cope with a crowd of vacationers, we advocate getting there throughout the early morning hours. One other bonus is that the solar won’t be too vibrant, permitting you to discover across the space on foot extra comfortably.
Uncover the enchanting Waterfall of the Nymphs
Hidden amongst oak and pine timber, the Waterfall of Nymfes is without doubt one of the most idyllic locations that one can go to within the countryside of Corfu! The realm is situated on the northern a part of the island and it’s coated with dense vegetation, providing the proper circumstances for mountain climbing at any time of the yr.
There’s a 5 km mountain climbing path that takes you to the waterfall, which requires about one hour and a half to finish and it’s thought of pretty simple. You’ll be able to both alongside the primary highway or get a bit deeper into the greenery and stroll via olive groves.
To get there, initially you’ll have to attain Nymfes village, a quaint little village, constructed on the foothills of Mount Pantokratoras, at an altitude of 200 meters. The small conventional settlement is taken into account one of many island’s most genuine villages and it is filled with each deserted and well-preserved homes with a standard model of structure. The village is surrounded by lush nature, giving some concept in regards to the magical surroundings you’ll encounter on the waterfall.
The trail to get to the waterfall begins proper exterior the village, after passing by a soccer pitch.
What makes this waterfall so particular although?
Aside from being the island’s highest waterfall (10 meters excessive), the place has been related to fairytales and myths since antiquity! Each the village and the waterfall have been named after the Nymphs, the traditional feminine deities of nature. Legend has it that they’d reside within the forest and bathtub within the crystalline streams on the waterfall!
Word that a number of smaller waterfalls are situated close by however they might dry out utterly throughout the summer time, particularly in extraordinarily scorching climate.
One other attention-grabbing reality about this space is that it is without doubt one of the only a few locations exterior of Asia the place kumquat timber can develop naturally and thrive within the wild as a result of local weather. The tangy citrus fruit is a staple in Corfu; it’s used to make liqueur, fruit preserves and different conventional merchandise.
Go birdwatching at Lake Korission
Hidden behind golden sand dunes, Lake Korission is the largest saltwater lake in Corfu. The lagoon is situated on the southwestern a part of the island and it takes lower than an hour to get there from Corfu City by automotive through a mud highway. Lake Korission was fashioned hundreds of years in the past and its waters by no means dry out. A skinny strip of land separates the lake from the ocean, forming the seashores of Chalikounas and Issos.
Overlaying an space of 24 km2, Lake Korission is the richest pure biotope on the island, housing quite a few species of fauna and vegetation. The lagoon and the encompassing space is a part of the Natura 2000 community to guard and protect the native biodiversity.
The unspoilt pure panorama at this location has made the lagoon in style amongst nature fans and it is without doubt one of the prime locations to go if you wish to get to know the wildlife of Corfu! The lake homes greater than 120 forms of birds in complete, together with flamingos, geese, cormorants and egrets, in addition to a number of turtle species, snakes, bats, butterflies and tiger moths and naturally varied fishes, such because the uncommon Corfu Dwarf Goby, the Mediterranean Killifish and the endangered Valencia Toothcarp.
If you happen to go to the lake to birdwatch, remember the fact that some species migrate, relying on the season. You may be extra prone to spot a flamboyance of flamingos should you go to someday throughout September!
The surroundings can be fairly fascinating by way of vegetation, with reeds, water lilies and lots of different forms of vegetation that encompass the lagoon, together with orchids and tamarisk timber. Additionally, you will discover an uncommon cedar forest between the coves Chalikounas and Issos, which has additionally been listed as a Natura 2000 website.
One other attention-grabbing reality in regards to the lake is that the local people had been counting on its wealthy ecosystem for hundreds of years and extra particularly, because the early Outdated Stone Age, as some archeological findings counsel. The decrease jawbone of a hippopotamus that dates to ~100,000 BC has additionally been found on this space!
Tip: going to the lake may be mixed with a go to to the seashores Chalikounas and Issos. They’re each sandy, with shallow waters and an unorganized seashore for probably the most half. They don’t get crowded, permitting you to get pleasure from the great thing about the unspoiled panorama. For provides, you’ll be able to head to the seashore bar or one of many shops of Agios Georgios, which is the largest settlement within the space close to the lake.
We additionally advocate stopping by the eco-farm Bioporos and its restaurant, which presents natural meals, made with regionally and sustainably grown merchandise.
Stroll the Corfu Path
The Corfu Path is the last word expertise for hikers who need to discover all of the pure wonders of Corfu!
It’s a 220 km lengthy path that takes 10 days (or 50 mountain climbing hours) to finish and it’s appropriate for anybody into lengthy distance mountain climbing. It’s divided into 12 sections and you can be free to select any level because the beginning one. Hikers normally cease at most sections to spend the evening.
Shortcut routes but in addition aspect routes are additionally accessible and it’s attainable to omit some components altogether by both leaving them out or through the use of a automobile to get to the subsequent level.
In actuality, the Corfu Path can take wherever from 8 to 12 days as a result of route variations.
Though lengthy distance mountain climbing requires a sure stage of bodily health, the path is barely thought of reasonably tough and it’s in style amongst hikers, trekkers and backpackers alike. Designed rigorously in 2001, the Corfu Path leaves out extraordinarily steep areas and tough to cross passages however with out depriving you of the prospect to see the island’s wildest and most scenic locations!
This hike is the best alternative to get to know the distinctive pure panorama of Corfu and uncover its excessive diploma of range! Hikers get to discover the countryside of the island, together with each its inland and shoreline. The trail crosses olive groves, fields, forests, valleys and villages, passes via gorges, means that you can stroll alongside rivers, cliffs and headlands, climb mountains and extra!
The place to begin of the path is situated within the space of Kavos. A few of its highlights are the spectacular coves of Myrtiotissa Beach and Agios Spiridon Beach. Additionally, you will get to go to Lake Korission, stroll proper by the river Megapotamos and set foot in Parigori Gorge. For many who get pleasure from mountain climbing within the mountains, the path means that you can see Agii Deka Mountain, the second tallest mountain in Corfu and likewise expertise the “Karst Plateau” stroll on Mount Pantokrator.
Discover the ocean caves of Paleokastritsa
You could have already caught a glimpse of the scenic coastal panorama of Paleokastritsa within the well-known James Bond film “For Your Eyes Solely”. This is without doubt one of the prettiest areas of the island, with numerous hidden gems to find apart from the apparent well-organized seashore sections that entice quite a few guests.
Within the space of Paleokastritsa, 25 km from Corfu City, you will see that a number of small peninsulas which can be completely coated by lush vegetation and surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters. The cliffs across the seashores mixed with the vivid colours of nature create a magical ambiance, turning Paleokastritsa into an unique setting!
The seabed is fascinating right here and some diving centers have been established on the seashore to welcome scuba-diving and snorkeling fans.
Essentially the most lovely components of Paleokastritsa, nevertheless, are those that stay out of sight. Under the cliff sides, there’s a community of sea caves with emerald waters and distant seashores, coated with pebbles, that may solely be reached by boat.
The advanced consists of 6 important caves with distinctive options and beautiful rock formations which can be fairly small however value approaching.
Amongst them, you will see that the Blue Eye Cave which stands out for its vibrant blue waters and homes numerous fish. Additionally, you will get to see Agios Nikolaos Cave with its purple-tinted rocks and Nausika’s Cave, the place Ulysses was saved by Nausika in line with Homer’s Odyssey. The Respiratory Cave was solely lately found and it’s a problem even for knowledgeable divers, with components that stay unexplored.
Many boat tours across the space of Paleokastritsa are supplied, taking you to the caves and to numerous secluded coves which can be in any other case unapproachable. Most boats are sufficiently small to slot in at the least a number of of the caves. Along with the common excursions supplied by the locals, there are non-public excursions and you might also have the chance to hire a ship by yourself.
Lodging: Guide your keep in Corfu at Delfino Blu. This wellness boutique lodge will give you probably the most comfy vacation combining luxurious, pure residing and trendy facilities only a stone’s throw away from the seashore!
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