Page 73 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

The famous eroded
sandstone headlands
at Sidári beach

two wooded headlands. on the main shopping street,
Although there is plenty of which also uncovered a fine INSIDER TIP
nightlife to attract younger Venetian fresco in the apse. Boat Trips
holiday-makers, there are no The ruins of a 13th-century Northwest Corfu is a
high-rise hotels here to spoil castle are a short walk further great area for taking an
the setting. Instead, tavernas to the west. authentic Greek caïque
and souvenir shops over look trip from Sidári or Ágios
fishing boats moored along- Stéfanos to the laid-
side motorboats from the 5 back outlying islands of
many watersports schools. Eríkousa, Mathráki and
The nearest beach is at Avláki, Sidári Othoní, or hire a boat
2 km (1 mile) south. Σιδάρι to explore the coast
In the 1st century AD the from Paleokastrítsa.
Roman Emperor Nero was the ⌂ 31 km (20 miles) NW of
first recorded tourist to come Corfu town @
here. He most likely visited One of the first settle ments attractions of sandy beaches
the local Zeus temple; the on Corfu, the village of Sidári and unusual rock formations.
ancient floor of this place of has pre-Neolithic remains The main strip is buzzing with
worship was revealed during dating back to about 7000 BC. souvenir shops, popular cafés
a recent restoration of the Today it is a bustling holiday and restaurants.
venerable Kassopítra church centre with the feature twin The natural erosion of the
sandstone along the coast at
Sidári has formed a treasure
trove of small caves and
channels of turquoise sea,
some leading to hidden,
sandy beaches. The most
famous of these passageways
is a channel between two
rocks known as the Canal
d’Amour (Channel of Love).
whose name comes from the
tradition that every couple
who swims in the crystal-clear
waters there will remain in
love forever.

Lawrence Durrell’s famous
White House next to the
shingle beach at Kalámi Bay

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