Tips & Tricks

Summer
Is simply delightful, warm with moderate humidity but rarely too hot for comfort and all the Sunshine you could ask for. Winds, unlike the Aegean where they blow relentlessly all Summer long follow a very distinct pattern of 10-15 days of very light to moderate winds allowing temperatures to rise, followed by 1-3 days of strong North westerly winds cooling down the island, while the occasional short shower is not unheard of. All in all you could not ask for a better Summer climate to enjoy the Sea without suffering from the heat.

Spring
Makes its appearance with an abundance of colors, scents and new life sprouting from every tree and twig. It’s very difficult to put words to such beauty which can only be experienced to be fully appreciated. Rain is still common but its duration is considerably shorter, usually a few hours whenever it decides to rain, but with plenty of sunshine in between. The Sea is at its coldest at this time, but not too cold for a brisk swim, indeed there is a good number of swimmers who swim through the year.

Autumn
Begins to settle in early September when the first heavy rains appear, but temperatures remain very pleasant around 25 C with plenty of Sunshine to enjoy the warm seas. It is a particularly pleasant time of the year where one can experience the changing of seasons, the warm autumn colors of nature, but still have a taste of Summer.  If you are starving for sunshine and have only a few days available, be aware that it can be cloudy and wet for several days in a row .Otherwise September and October are simply delicious. The combination of rain and warmth create a most unusual effect. Spring and Autumn appear simultaneously, as leaves turned golden and drop, fresh grass and wildflowers pop out of the ground together with thousands of mushrooms, truly a unique experience.
Winter
Makes its entry with skies becoming progressively more and more grey and substantially more wet, but temperatures still average around 10C with the Sun making its appearance for a couple of hours at least almost every day. Early morning humidity can be uncomfortable and it is known to rain for several days continuously, so a warm dry place to stay is a must, even if temperatures are mild. But don’t confuse Corfu’s winter with Northern European winters where week long drizzles and varying shades of grey alternate between day and night. In Corfu when it rains it pours, the skies are dramatic and winds exceed Force 7 regularly creating a very dynamic atmosphere, one that artists will find particularity inspiring.

Greece is in the East European Time Zone(EET) and it is 2 hours ahead Grrenwich Time(GMT2).

ON the last Sunday in March at 04.00 in the morning clocks should be changed to summer time,that is one hour ahead(3 hours ahead Greenwich time-GMT3),while on the last Sunday of October at 04.00 in the morning clocks should go one hour back ,according to winter time.

Smoking prohibition in public buildings was implement by law and passed in 2000,followed by tighter restrictions in 2008,which came into effect on 1 July 2009.

Generally speaking,shopping hours are as follows:

Monday,Wednesday and Saturday from 09.00 to 15.30

Tuesday ,Thursday and Friday from 09.00 to 14.30 and 17.30 to 21.00

Department stores ,shopping centers and shops in busy central areas are open from morning to night daily.In addition,shops are open 7 Sundays a year.

There are two sales periods a year on Corfu and the rest of Greece,one in winter(January-February)and one in summer(July-August).Corfu has no reason to envy other cities in Greece.In the back streets in the Old Town you will mostly find souvenir shops and shops selling local,traditional products,while the town is famous for its jewelers.

Visitors to Corfu from countries outside the European Union are entitled to 23% tax free on products bought.This is only valid for purchases over 120€ and in shops which display  ‘’Tax Free Shopping’’ in the window.This is not apply to food and alcohol.

There are petrol stations located in central parts of Corfu as well as many places all around the island,should you need to fill up your car.Prices range from 1.6€ to 1.85€ per liter and fluctuate regularly.For more information regarding directions and prices,go to fuelprices.gr.

Citizens of the European Union only require an ID card/passport  for entry to Greece for unlimited stay.Citizens of the United States of Amrica,Canada,Australia,New Zeland and other countries outside the European Union may stay for up to 90days and require a visa for entry to Greece.

For more information ,visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site(mfa.gr/en/visas/).

• New year’s day(1 January):First day of the new year
• Epiphany(6 january):Celebration of the baptism of Christ by St.John the Baptist,in the Jordan river.
• Clean Monday:The celebration date changes every year.It is a day of fasting for Christians marking the beginning of Lent for the orthodox church as well as the ending of the Carnival season.
• Anniversary of the revolution of 1821(25 March):Double celebration for Greeks,as the national revolution against Turks in 1821,as well  as the Annunciation of Virgin Mary,the announcement of the happy news by Archangel Gabriel to Mariam regarding the birth of Jesus Christ,are both celebrated on this day.
• Good Friday:The celebration date changes every year.The day commemorating  Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.
• Holy Saturday:The celebration date changes every year.The last day of Holy Week and of Lent.At midnight the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated.
• Easter Sunday:The celebration date changes every year.The most importand Christian celebration celebrating  the Resurrection of Christ.
• Easter Monday:The celebration date changes every year.The second day of Easter.
• International workers day(1May):Dedicated to the Chicago workers riot in May 1886 demanding an            8-hour work day and better working conditions.
• Dormition of Virgin Mary(15August):One of the most importand orthodox celebrations,celebrating the passing and burial of Virgin Mary,with glorious ceremonies in many parts of Greece.
• ‘’NO’’ Day(28 October):On this day the Greeks celebrate dictator Ioannis Metaxas’s refusal,on 28^th October 1940,regarding Italian claims,leading to Greece taking part in World War 2.
• St Spyridon(12December):Saint Spyridon is the patron saint of Corfu and the day of celebration,all the back streets in the Old Town smell of delicious donats with honey and cinnamon made of worshipers,according to custom.
• Christmas(25December):One of the most glorious celebration of Christianity,celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Synaxis of Theotokos(26December):Second day of Christmas and celebration of Synaxis of Theotokos,congregation of believers to honour the Mother of our Savior.

Citizens of European Union(including Norway,Iceland,Switzerland and Liechtenstein)traveling to Corfu enjoy the right to free public health care,on production of the European Health Insurance Card.

Otherwise,any care needed,except for emergency room visit must be paid for.

Corfu Airport: Flying to Corfu , for most Europeans, is an easy flight lasting less than 3 hours. Corfu’s International airport (Kapodistrias) is located on the edge of Corfu (Kerkyra) town, it is modern and compact. During the summer months (May to October) there are regular charter flights from most European countries to Corfu. Domestic flights (from Athens) operate all year round.

Corfu Port: Corfu’s port is at the edge of Corfu (Kerkyra) town. Ferries from Greek mainland (Igumenitsa and Patra) offer a regular service as well as ferries from Italy (Venice, Ancona and Brindisi). Corfu port is also a popular stop for visiting cruise ships.

Driving to Corfu: Some drive to Corfu, the regular ferries from Italy and the Greek mainland to Corfu make the trip easier to plan. The roads of Corfu are generally in good condition, even if unavoidably steep and twisting in some locations.