HOLIDAYING OR LIVING ON CORFU
A BIT ABOUT THE ISLAND
Tourism in Corfu runs mostly in the summer months from May5th through to Oct31st when the airport no longer puts on a direct flight to England, however for the more adventurous traveller who does not mind a flight to Venice’ and then an overnight trip on a ferry to Corfu, or a flight to Athens, and then an internal flight to Corfu, the weather stays good until Christmas and Corfu is blissfully empty.
Corfu is one of the most beautiful countries that I have ever visited including the Caribbean Islands which are very similar. The views in the North are incredible and take your breath away. Beaches all over the Island are lovely and it is easy to find yourself a small cove with no one in it. The weather is very dependable and the Island is classed as sub tropical. All areas are filled with olive groves which have a beauty all of their own.
Most holidays are package trips but it is easy to fly out and do a do it yourself holiday. To tour the Island is easy and there is plenty to see and plenty of places to stay and many places to eat
The Island has some lovely resorts not to mention the lovely old villages that are still as they were some 100 years ago.
Some of the places to see are …Corfu town, Venetian in style with all the main shops, businesses and government buildings, there is a historical area with much to see.
Gouvia area is just outside of Corfu town centre and is the boating area with restaurants, small shops and chandlers.
Dasia is a little more commercial and the tour companies use Dasia for its large hotels and complexes.
Ipsos has a lovely sea front and has water sports and nice beaches and bars.
Kouloura is a very pretty bay quite rural but appealing for a quiet holiday.
Kasiopi a lovely small town boasting a harbour with boats and boat trips.
With many tourist shops and bars to browse
Glfada has a really nice long sandy beach and is nicely set out.
St Stefano’s in the North West is a really nice area small friendly town with good restaurants and bars but most appealing is the wonderful beach and shallow water. People return year after year.
Sidari /Melitsa is a busy resort with plenty to do and some nice shops ,the beach is good with some water sports .Family orientated , young and old enjoy this bustling town..
Paleokastita is 3 small bays with restaurants, shops and bars, there is a monastery which is open to the public, this area is of natural outstanding beauty, and most people pay it a visit during their stay.
Arillas is a small seaside village with a beach frontage, pretty and friendly, limited shops.
St Georges bay and Afionas is a truly beautiful area, a little out of the way but spectacular with beaches and restaurants and views to die for.
Benites are a small bustling area where I am told the young like to go for night clubs.
Messongi is flat and again small and friendly
Canal, d amour is in Melitsa and is an area where over the years the sea has worn a rocky area in a strange and fascinating way, quite beautiful to look at and a tunnel has been formed nick named the tunnel of love, this you can swim through.
Kavos is Kavos I am sure that most people have heard of Kavos. Here you can drink and dance all night and then sleep on the beds on the beach if you so wish, Kavos wakes up in the afternoon but lives for the night.
There are many other areas which have not been mentioned as the villages are all fascinating and welcome the visitor to sit and eat and chat under the grape vines, why not rent a car and just explore ,it is well worth while.
Why not email us for more info or to make an appointment to view some of our properties for sale.
Living On the Island
Info on the Island Correct at time of writing.
Generally Corfu is a small island which is relatively easy to live on.
If you wish to move to Corfu to live there is little to stop you. Greece is a part of the EU and if you work you can pay into their system for the pension etc (although we would advise that it is safer to have one of your own).
Your children can come to school on Corfu and get a very good education (it will of course be in Greek). And a letter / report from your Childs school are required along with a clean bill of health letter from the doctor. This will need to be translated into Greek.
Your English car can be used on the Island but for only 6 months of every year, we would advise that if you live in Greece then buy a Greek car. If you are only using a holiday home for a few months per year then an English car is accepted.
To buy almost anything you will require a tax number and a bank account, there is also a residency card which you go to the alien police department to get, and this gives you permission to live or work in Corfu for 5 years. Places in the sun can help and advise you how to get these.
As a rule you will pay to go to the doctors and for any medical treatment that you may need unless you are in full time work and paying Ika (this is the equivalent of the National insurance stamp.) for this stamp paid for two consecutive years you will receive unemployment benefit if you are in tourism throughout the winter months, and you can go to the doctors for free. If a man works and pays Ika then his children will be under his umbrella until 18 years old. Places in the sun have affiliated themselves to a local doctor who will act as a Gp to the English.
We find the cost of living is less than English in that things are in general a little cheaper, electric, oil, water, fuel and telephone all seems to be better. TV licences are in with the electric bill and council tax is non existent. Car insurance is around the same and car tax is on engine size,
Bus services are excellent and as far as we know all villages are serviced; all routes appear to end in Corfu town.
To run a business in Corfu you must get a licence and an accountant can help you achieve this.
Everyone living in Corfu is required to submit a tax return once per year; an accountant does this for you at a cost of less than 100 Euro.
Shopping is a little strange at first as if you want a European type weekly food shop you will need to visit a couple of supermarkets but once you find your way around ,you can usually get most things that you want. If it is not on Corfu it can almost always be delivered from Athens within a day.
Driving is on the left and traffic lights are above your head. European licence required.
Jobs are usually within the tourist industry.
During winter there are no direct flights to England and we need to fly to Athens and then home (easy jet service Athens airport.) We do expect this to change soon and a direct flight become available. Other ways home are ferry to Venice,Brindese or Ancona and then fly home Ryan air.
The North of the Island is mountainous with spectacular views while the south is flat.
More info from the Greek or the British consulate Corfu or Athens