Tag: corfu day trips

Corfu Guides

Things to Do Near Agios Gordios Beach, Corfu

Near Agios Gordios you can swim at several beaches, watch the sunset from the viewpoint above Pelekas, visit the Achilleion Palace and spend a day in Corfu Old Town, all within about a 20 to 25 minute drive. The beach is a good start, but the area around it is better than any single stop.

We stay a few minutes inland, in Sinarades, about 3 km from Agios Gordios. Here is how we would plan a few days.

Beaches and views along the coast

View over Corfu from the Kaiser’s Throne in Pelekas

Agios Gordios itself is a long beach in a curved bay, about 10 minutes by car from the village. Close by are:

  • Kontogialos (Pelekas) beach, about 3.5 km from Sinarades.
  • Glyfada beach, about 5 km away.
  • Kaiser’s Throne, the viewpoint above Pelekas, about 4.5 km away, which is best near sunset. See our sunset guide.

For a fuller comparison, read best beaches near Sinarades.

A day in Corfu Old Town

Corfu Old Town is about 11 km from Sinarades, roughly 20 minutes by car, and it is UNESCO-listed. It is a day of narrow streets, squares, fortresses and long lunches. We have written a separate guide to a day trip to Corfu Old Town from the west coast.

Sights within reach

None of these needs a full day. You could combine the Achilleion and Kanoni in one outing, then go to the beach on the next.

Village life

Not everything needs to be a sight. Sinarades has its own folklore museum, the Nikos Paktites Folk Museum, and the lanes are pleasant to walk early in the morning. Check the museum’s current opening hours before you go. Our Village & Around page has more, and so does our guide to Sinarades.

A quiet morning in the village also makes a good counterweight to a busy sightseeing day. If you have been out in the sun and among crowds, an unhurried hour on the balcony does more for you than another stop.

A simple three-day plan

  • Day one: Settle in, then a late swim at Agios Gordios.
  • Day two: Morning at Kontogialos, a wander in Pelekas, and the sunset at Kaiser’s Throne.
  • Day three: The Achilleion Palace in the morning, then Kanoni and the old town in the afternoon, or a full day in the old town.

Spread the sights out. Corfu is better when you do not try to see it all at once.

Grouping places to save driving

Some places go together naturally. Kontogialos, Pelekas and Kaiser’s Throne are all part of one outing, so they suit a single day that ends with the sunset. The Achilleion and Kanoni are easy to combine in one morning, and the old town can follow in the afternoon.

Agios Gordios and Glyfada are your flexible days. They need no plan, so keep them for the mornings when you would rather not decide anything, or for the day after a long sightseeing one. Grouping this way means less time in the car and more at each stop.

When to go

July and August are the busiest months on the coast, and midday is the busiest time of day anywhere. Early starts make the sights calmer, and the late afternoon suits the beaches and viewpoints. Spring and early autumn are generally quieter if your dates are flexible.

Getting around

A car is the easiest way to link all this up, and there is free public parking a short walk from the loft. Green KTEL buses also run from the terminal on Eptanisou Avenue in Corfu Town, and route B10 (Agios Gordios) calls at Sinarades on some journeys. Check current timetables on the day. Our Getting Here page has more detail.

Where to stay

If you would like a quiet base about 10 minutes from the beach, our loft studio is a newly renovated space for two, with a loft bedroom, a full kitchen and a small balcony. You can book direct for less than on Booking.com or Airbnb. See our direct-booking offers.

Quick answers

How far is Agios Gordios from Sinarades?

About 3 km, or around 10 minutes by car.

Can I see the main sights in three days?

Yes, comfortably, if you spread them out. The three-day plan above covers the nearby beaches, Pelekas and Kaiser’s Throne, the Achilleion, Kanoni and Corfu Old Town.

Is there parking at the loft?

There is free public parking a short walk from the loft.

Corfu Guides

Visiting the Achilleion Palace: A Practical Guide from Sinarades

The Achilleion Palace is a 19th-century palace in the village of Gastouri, about 6.5 km from Sinarades, and it is one of the best-known sights on Corfu. Built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, it is worth a visit for its story, its gardens and its setting, as long as you plan around the crowds.

What it is

The Achilleion was built in the early 1890s as a retreat for Empress Elisabeth. It takes its name from Achilles, the Greek hero, who features throughout the building and gardens. After her death, the palace passed to Kaiser Wilhelm II, who also used it as a summer residence. It is a distinctive, slightly theatrical building, and it reflects the taste and the obsessions of its owners.

For anyone interested in how Corfu has appealed to European visitors for well over a century, it makes a good stop.

What to see

The Dying Achilles statue in the Achilleion gardens, Corfu
  • The palace itself. The rooms, the staircases and the decoration tell the story of its owners.
  • The statues. Achilles is the recurring figure, and the gardens are the best place to find him.
  • The terraces and gardens. Many people find these the highlight, particularly for the views.

Allow a relaxed visit rather than a rushed one. Opening hours and ticket prices can change, so check them on the official site before you go.

Who it suits

The Achilleion is a good choice if you enjoy history, architecture or a well-told story. It also suits anyone who likes gardens and a view, since the grounds are as much a part of the visit as the palace. If you prefer the sea, a market or a slow lunch, you may find the beach or the old town more to your taste, and that is perfectly reasonable.

It is a gentle outing, not a strenuous one, though there is some walking and standing, so wear shoes you are happy to be on your feet in.

Getting there from Sinarades

The palace is about 6.5 km from the village. By car it is a short drive, and it fits well into a morning. Parking arrangements can vary, so check on the day. Buses and taxis are also options if you prefer not to drive. Our Getting Here page lists the main transport routes.

Tips for a better visit

  • Go at the edge of the day. Like most popular sights, it is usually quieter earlier or later than at midday.
  • Check before you travel. Opening hours can change from season to season, so confirm the current ones.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. There is a good deal of walking and standing.
  • Take your time in the gardens. The grounds are the best way to catch your breath.

Choosing the right time of year

July and August are the busiest months, and midday in summer is both the most crowded and the hottest time. If you visit then, aim for the start or the end of the day, and carry water. Spring and early autumn are generally quieter, which suits a visit that is meant to be unhurried.

Whenever you go, a morning visit is a comfortable plan. You can see the palace and the grounds, then be back for lunch or a swim before the afternoon heat.

Pairing it with other places

The Achilleion sits well with a second stop. Many visitors head for Kanoni and Mouse Island, about 9 km from Sinarades, or continue to Corfu Old Town, about 11 km away. If you would like an easier day, put the palace in the morning and spend the afternoon on a beach. Our guide to the best beaches near Sinarades will help you choose.

A base close to it all

Staying in a village like Sinarades means the Achilleion is a short trip, not an expedition. You can leave after breakfast, see the palace and be home for a quiet afternoon. For more on where we are, see our Corfu guide page.

Our loft studio is a newly renovated space for two, with a loft bedroom and a full kitchen. If it sounds right, book direct: it costs less than the large platforms, and you will be dealing with us from the start. See our direct-booking offers.

Quick answers

How far is the Achilleion from Sinarades?

About 6.5 km. By car it is a short drive.

Can I visit the Achilleion and Corfu Old Town on the same day?

Yes. The old town is about 11 km from Sinarades, so many visitors put the palace in the morning and the town in the afternoon. See our Old Town day trip guide.

Should I check opening hours and prices?

Always. They can change, so confirm the current details on the official site before you go.

Corfu Guides

Kanoni and Mouse Island (Pontikonisi): How to Visit

To visit Pontikonisi, or Mouse Island, you go to Kanoni, about 9 km from Sinarades. You see the islet from the viewpoint, walk the short causeway to the Vlacherna monastery, and, if you like, take a small boat across. It is a short, easy outing, and a good half day when combined with other stops.

What Pontikonisi is

Pontikonisi is a very small, wooded islet just off the coast at Kanoni, with a small chapel on it. Its name means mouse island. A local tradition links it to a ship from Homer’s Odyssey turned to stone, although that is a story, not a fact, and it is a pleasant one to tell as you look at it.

It is among the best-known views on Corfu, and it is one of the island’s most photographed.

Kanoni: the view

Kanoni is the area that looks out over the islets and the water. The viewpoint is where most people begin. Nearby, you will notice that the airport runway is close, so planes pass low overhead as they land and take off, which adds to the spectacle for some visitors, and may surprise others.

Distances from the loft, approximately:

  • Kanoni and Pontikonisi: about 9 km.
  • Corfu Old Town: about 11 km.
  • Corfu International Airport: about 8 km.

Vlacherna and the boat to Pontikonisi

Aerial view of Vlacherna Monastery and the causeway at Kanoni, Corfu

Close to the viewpoint, a short causeway leads to the small Vlacherna monastery, which sits almost on the water. This is the photograph many people have in mind when they picture Kanoni.

From here, small boats typically run across to Pontikonisi. Because services, prices and timings can change, check the current details locally when you arrive. You do not have to cross to enjoy it: the view from the shore is the main event, and many visitors are content with that.

Practical tips

  • Go at the edge of the day. Like most popular spots, Kanoni is usually calmer earlier or later, and the light is better too.
  • Wear sensible shoes. There are steps and the causeway is narrow.
  • Do not rush. Half an hour at the viewpoint, a walk across and a coffee make a perfectly good visit.
  • Take a camera, but look up too. The planes are part of the scene.

A simple half-day plan

Start at the viewpoint and take in the view of the islets. Then walk the causeway to Vlacherna, and decide whether you want to take a boat across to Pontikonisi or simply enjoy it from the shore. Finish with a coffee and a slow look at the water.

From there, you have choices. You can continue to Corfu Old Town, about 11 km from Sinarades, for lunch and a wander. Or you can head back toward the coast for a swim, and keep the afternoon free. Either way, nothing is rushed.

When to go

July and August are the busiest months, so Kanoni is at its best at the beginning or end of the day, when it is calmer and the light is softer. Spring and early autumn are generally quieter, which helps if you want to linger over the view.

Because the airport is close, you may notice more planes at some hours than others. If that is not to your taste, it is easy to build the visit around a short walk and a coffee, and then move on.

Fitting it into your trip

Kanoni is close to Corfu Town, so it pairs very well with a day there. See our guide to a day trip to Corfu Old Town. Alternatively, combine it with the Achilleion Palace, about 6.5 km from Sinarades, for a morning of sightseeing, and finish with a swim at one of the west-coast beaches.

Getting there

By car, you can reach Kanoni from Sinarades in a short drive, and parking nearby may be limited at busy times, so go early or be prepared to walk. Green KTEL buses and taxis are also options, and our Getting Here page is a good starting point. You can find more about the area on our Corfu guide page.

Coming home to the village

A day at Kanoni is a lively one, which makes a quiet evening in Sinarades all the more welcome. The loft has a small entrance balcony, a full kitchen and air conditioning for a cool end to the day. If you would like to stay, book direct with us at a lower price than on Booking.com or Airbnb. See our direct-booking offers.

Quick answers

How far is Kanoni from Sinarades?

About 9 km. By car it is a short drive.

Do I have to take the boat to Pontikonisi?

No. The view from the shore is the main event, and many visitors are happy with that. If you would like to cross, check the current details locally.

How long should I allow?

Half an hour at the viewpoint, a walk across the causeway and a coffee make a perfectly good visit. Combine it with the old town or the Achilleion for a fuller day.

AVÓS Loft Studio

AVÓS Loft Studio is a newly renovated loft for two in the traditional village of Sinarades, Corfu. Book directly with us for our best price. Registration number: 00003754265.

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Sinarades, Corfu 49084
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+30 698 006 2338

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