As you come out of Corfu’s International Airport turn right until you reach the water front of Garitsa Bay.
Turn left here and follow this urban coastal road all around the outskirts of Corfu Town. As you leave the old town behind you travel along the old and new port on the same road until you reach a large T-traffic light junction. Turn right here and follow the main national road signs to Kassiopi.
Approximately 5km on this national road heading north you will come to a large traffic junction with the option of turning right towards Dassia and Kassiopi.
Turn right here for this is the start of the main coastal road that runs the length of the entire north east coast of Corfu and continues along the north of the island too. The first of the resorts to come by are Dassia and Ipsos which are amongst the first tourist spots on Corfu. This is where the first ever Club Mediteranee opened in 1962.
Both these resorts are easily accessed from Corfu Town but there is still a lot more to admire at on this road trip.
As you pass the long coastal resort of Ipsos the road becomes a small ascent and begins to curve along the slopes of Mt Pandokrator. It takes some care as this is a windy road all the way to Kassiopi but offers many magical moments and gives you a taste of Corfu Island at its best. Barbati is the first large shingle beach with a couple of well known beach bars and cafes that offer cushioned sun beds and cold coffees under the sun.
The small fishing port of Nissaki is famous for its location atop of the rocks and well worth driving down to for a refreshing pit stop and some great holiday pics.
Some of the water front resorts and shingle beaches along the North East Coast are Kalami, where Gerrald Durrell’s’ White House can be visited, Kouloura and Kerassia. Just before you reach a turning for St Stefanos fishing village you will get sweeping views of the Straits of Corfu and the narrowest point between Corfu and Albania. Make sure you step out of the car.
St Stefanos and nearby Avlaki Beach are the places to stop for lunch and a lengthier swim. They are much loved by their long standing visitors and private villa owners from abroad.
Kassiopi is the largest town on the north eastern most corner of Corfu and is worth your visit. It has been a natural frontier and well known port since antiquity where a medieval castle can still be visited today. Kassiopi has many shops and a pleasant harbor with water front cafes and restaurants and all other tourist amenities you might need.
Past Kassiopi the road straightens out along the north coast of Corfu and offers another option to drive back to Corfu Town via Troumbeta Pass rather than go back the way you came.
Make sure you stop off for ice cream at the homemade ice cream shop at the bottom of the turn for Old Perithia just before St Spyridon. Simply delicious ice-cream. Driving up to the old Venetian village of Perithia will add at least a couple of hours to your journey but will definitely give you another glimpse of Corfu Island you might not be expecting.
Drive safely and we wish you a pleasant adventure!
