Corfu villa holidays - activities & sights

Walking in Corfu is delightful, so make sure you enjoy some of its stunning, unspoilt countryside on foot. A huge variety of landscapes awaits: hillsides awash with wild flowers and tall cypress seas, craggy cliffs lapped by azure seas, wizened olive groves and in the centre, Mount Pandokrator, Corfu's highest point. You can take the trail to the summit to experience the wonderful panoramic views and maybe even spot the orchids that bloom here in early summer. You'll also find little cobblestoned tracks linking many of the older villages, and if you're a keen walker, following the signposted Corfu Trail, which spans the island from north to south, will take you through the island's finest scenery.

A wide selection of beaches can be found on the island. From sandy beaches on the west coast, whilst on the east coast there is more shingle which keeps the sand at bay. The beach at Glyfada is reputed as the best on the island and a trip to Sidari's famous Canal d'Amour area with a couple of sandy coves is a must. Acharavi and Roda offer sandy beaches, ideal for families.

For a dose of spectacular scenery, head for Paleokastritsa on the island's west coast. Now a large resort, it's set amid a string of stunning blue bays framed by rugged cliffs, all of which are great for walking and exploring. It's easy to take a glass-bottomed or traditional boat trip here out to the gorgeous hidden caves, little grottoes and pebbled coves that punctuate the surrounding shoreline. And if you're up for a swim or snorkel, the translucent waters make for a sublime experience. If you've still got some energy left, walk the extremely steep, rocky cliffs to visit the pretty 12th century monastery perched on a neighbouring hillside: you'll be rewarded with inspirational views over the cliffs and sea below.

For a glimpse of old Corfu, you can't beat this enchanting, traditional village tucked in the mountains above Paleokastritsa. Essentially a jumble of tiny streets lined with old stone Corfiot houses, it dates back to the 8th century and has hardly changed in centuries. Here, donkeys carry loads through the streets, sleepy old men play backgammon outside coffee houses and you can see the old village bakery and olive press to get a taste of the island's old and fast-disappearing way of life. Macrades' chequered history - it was the scene of pirate attacks down the ages - means that many of the houses have their own defences - look out for the specially carved gunholes in some of their walls.

If you're looking for a beautiful place to swim, relax and snorkel, the Canel d'Amour to the west of Sidari is well worth the journey. A group of exquisite-looking sandstone cliffs into which the wind and sea has sculpted narrow sandy inlets and coves, it's an idyllic place to swim and sunbathe amid wonderful views. The main channel, or Canel, which was originally a sand tunnel carved into the cliffs, was given its name because it provided lovers with a quiet hideaway. It's said that if you swim to the end of this Canel, you will meet the love of your life!