Kassiopi lies on the north eastern corner of Corfu thirty- five kilometres from Corfu Town and has a transfer time of ninety minutes. Kassiopi has a bustling working harbour where fishermen land their daily catch and pleasure boats come and go. Surrounded by verdant hills, Kassiopi is a picturesque resort very popular with British tourists. Its pebble beaches are washed by the clear Ionian waters and offer a variety of water sports. A Kassiopi holiday offers days of guaranteed sunshine in pretty surroundings with leisure activities both in and out of the water, together with a fairly lively nightlife.
Kassiopi is a charming town. Its white buildings contrast starkly against the backdrop of hills clothed in olive trees and citrus groves. Mount Pantokrator can be seen in the background. A Kassiopi holiday provides relaxation in pleasant surroundings with a traditional atmosphere. There are plenty of bars, tavernas and restaurants offering wide-ranging cuisine and gift shops abound.
The lively resort of Kassiopi has wide-ranging appeal. Families with teenage children, couples of all ages and young singles groups can all find what they are looking for in Kassiopi. Families with small children would probably prefer a sandy beach.
The Kassiopi holiday season extends from Easter until October, the most popular time being in the summer when the temperatures rise from the low twenties to the mid thirties.
Kassiopi on the north east coast of Corfu is a popular resort offering a range of accommodation catering for all budgets. It attracts holidaymakers of all ages with its diverse amenities and entertainment. Originally a fishing village, it has expanded to provide a welcome for the ever increasing numbers who choose a Kassiopi holiday. The harbour is a hub of activity with fisherman landing their catch and mending their nets, as well as boats offering excursions along the coast or to neighbouring islands.
Kassiopi’s Blue Flag beaches are pebbly and it is advisable to wear shoes as the pebbles and shingle can be sharp. The main beach has good facilities with toilets and showers. Although this beach shelves gently into the sea offering shallow water for children, the beach is exposed and winds from the north can sometimes make it fairly choppy. Care must be taken when using inflatables. Along the rocky headlands there are many small isolated coves where sun bathers can enjoy privacy.
There are numerous ancient ruins in the area for those with an interest in history. The church in the centre, built on the site of a Roman Temple dedicated Zeus, has two altars and accommodates both the Greek Orthodox and the Roman Catholic religions. After being burnt by the Turks in the sixteenth century it was restored in 1591.
The ruins of the Byzantine castle can be seen above the town and restoration work is in progress.
There are numerous cafes, tavernas, bars and restaurants catering for all palates and pockets and there is no shortage of gift shops. There are many shops selling Kassiopi lace.
Kassiopi nightlife is fairly lively with bars and discos providing evening entertainment.
Kassiopi has two large supermarkets in the town as well as a few mini-markets. There are the usual numbers of gift and souvenir shops where popular buys are leather goods, items made from olive wood, handmade lace and embroidered linens. Brightly painted ceramics are also in demand.
Kassiopi restaurants and tavernas cater for every taste and pocket. There are fast food outlets and English style pubs for the less adventurous palate. Many tavernas serve traditional food and a large number of restaurants provide international cuisine. Kassipoi is a fishing port and fish therefore features prominently on menus. Popular dishes are small fried fish, shellfish and kalamari.
If you wish to sample local cuisine, try a plate of tapas, where you are given small portions of a variety of dishes. A delicious dish is ‘pastitsada’, a Corfiot lasagne with layers of meat, tomato, herbs and spices, pasta and béchamel sauce. Tempting snacks in the form of souvlakis, a type of kebab, are sold from fast food stalls. For a more substantial snack these are sometimes wrapped in pita bread and called gyros.
Local wines are easy on the palate as well as the purse.
Eating in Corfu is meant to be a pleasure and is not to be rushed. Waiters will not hover over you waiting to remove plates. Don’t mistake this for tardy service.
