Page 22 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Corfu & the Ionian Islands

20 ❯❯ Top 10 Corfu and the Ionian Islands Highlights

Korisíon Lagoon, Corfu

The Korisíon Lagoon in southern Corfu is a sublimely tranquil spot.
A protected area, it is separated from the Ionian Sea by sand dunes
dotted with juniper bushes. The beaches of Agios Georgios, Issos and
Halikounas are on its shores, while an ancient cedar forest provides a
backdrop. The large brackish lagoon and its surroundings provide
habitats for wildlife, trees and flowers, including orchids and a rare
species of lily. It is an important stop for migrating birds from Africa
to Europe; you may also see sandpipers, ducks, seagulls, swans
and, if you’re lucky, Scops owls or buzzards flying overhead.

Halikounas
1
Beach
Located on the narrow
strip of shoreline sepa­
rating Korisíon Lagoon
from the sea, isolated
Halikounas Beach
(above) is long, wide and
sandy. It is dot ted with
Agios
Gardiki Castle
juniper bushes that give 3 4
it a wild feel. There are Georgios The remains of the
no tavernas here, only Beach (St Georges) Byzantine fort of Gardiki
enthusiasts enjoying the This long, wide beach Castle (below) overlook
flora and fauna. (above), bordered by the lag oon. It was one of
cyp r ess trees and olive three built in the 13th
Grava Cave
2 groves, lies to the south cent ury to defend Corfu.
The others are at Kassiópi
This large cave
of the lagoon and is a
close to Halikounas pop ular spot for sun­ and Angelókastro, near
Beach was only discov­ bathers. The adjacent Palaio kastrítsa.
ered a few years back. It town of Agios Georgios
contained ancient animal is a small resort with
bones, along with some accommodation
stone tools and primitive and tavernas.
vessel­like items, crafted
by communities that are
believed to have lived
here two million years
ago in Palaeolithic times.

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