Holidays to North & North East Corfu

North East Coast

Barbati and Kalami

Transfer time 40-60 minutes

For years the north-east corner of Corfu has attracted the discerning visitor, for this winding stretch of coastline packs a huge scenic punch. The rocky coast restricts development, so here narrow roads run steeply down to white-pebble coves and beaches. This is a land of small villages and fishing hamlets dominated by Mount Pantokrator above. Especially beautiful are the views to Albania. Boat hire is a big deal here - the indented coastline is made for it - and both our resort areas have motorboats available for rental.

Barbati marks the start of the north-east coast and has one of its best beaches - a mile-long stretch of pristine shingle shelving gently into a sparkling sea. Backed by a handful of fashionable beach bars and restaurants Barbati has a chilled 'beach life' vibe. Up on the main road above you will find more restaurants (some very good - Barbati has a growing reputation for the quality of its food), some low-key bars, a couple of supermarkets, a church and a shell museum. Views are good too, over the sea to Corfu Town's fortress.

Halfway up the north-east coast, at its heart, is pretty Kalami. The village is small, albeit busy in season, but has not been overly spoiled by its claim to fame in the shape of the Durrell family who lived here in the 1930s, their house now a pleasant taverna above the sea. There are three more tavernas on the sheltered shingle beach and one up on the hillside behind.

There are some lovely walks available from Kalami, using coastal paths and steeper inland tracks. A 15-20 minute pleasant walk south over the wooded headland - via the gleaming white-pebble beach of Yaliskari (excellent snorkeling) - brings you to peaceful Agni, one of Corfu's most scenic bays and home to three of the island's best known taverna restaurants. Two of them operate a boat-taxi service from Kalami in the evenings for their customers, making for an atmospheric alternative dinner venue. Going north you can walk to the picturesque village of Aghios Stefanos in around 75 minutes, via Kouloura and Kerasia beach.