Exploring Southern Corfu

Returning to your hire car, continue down the south coast road until you come to the village and resort of Benitses, about 12 kilometres south of Corfu Town. There are two distinctive parts to Benitses and they could not be more different.

Benitses

The old fishing village of Benitses is centred around a harbour square with numerous cafes, tavernas and ouzeris spilling out across the pavement; a great place to soak up the flavours of Greece, so why not get out of your Corfu car hire for a drink or a bite to eat? Leading off from the square a tiny maze of narrow, whitewashed backstreets that lead between old stone buildings and fishermen's cottages and even the remains of some Roman baths. In stark contrast to the old village, the resort of Benitses is just to the south; a somewhat overdeveloped and these days almost abandoned package tourism destination.

Continuing down the southern coast road, you will pass by several beaches and the purpose-built resorts of Mesogi and Moraitika at which point the road swings in towards the centre of Corfu. Continue down to the village of Perivoli, an old village very much at the heart of Corfu’s farming community. The Friends of Corfu self-guided trail will lead you around the village and introduce you to some of its history so it is well worth getting out of your Corfu car hire here.

Lefkimi

Returning to your hire car, rejoin the main route down to the south, following the signs for Lefkimi, the capital of southern Corfu. Lefkimi is the major harbour town in the south of Corfu and you can get boats to neighbouring Paxos from here. Very much a working town, Lefkimi is all too often missed off the tourist trail. It is certainly worth a quick drive through to see the crumbling grandeur of the Venetian architecture, even if you don’t want to get out of your hire car. If you are staying close by or arriving in Corfu in Lefkimi, you can pick up a Car Hire 4 Corfu car hire here.

A short distance further down the road and you come to the southerly tip of Corfu and the huge resort of Kavos that rivals Falaraki in Rhodes and Laganas on Zante as Greece’s top party destinations. You probably won’t want to get out of your car here but with some hundred or more cheap restaurants, bars and clubs, this Blackpool in the sun is a spectacle worth beholding.

Lake Korrison

Skirting around Kavos, head back northwards on the westerly road until you rejoin the main road north just before Lefkimi. You will pass by some truly impressive old olive groves that are typical of southern Corfu. Continue north until you see signs for Agios Georgios and go down straight through the somewhat scruffy resort, heading up towards Lake Korrison. Lake Korrison is a saltwater lagoon and a haven for all wildlife, particularly rich in birdlife.

Heading north in your Corfu car hire through the tiny village of Agios Matteos, following signposts for Sinerades. Sinerades is a pretty, traditional Corfiot village where you will still see ladies wearing traditional dress and you will even see the odd donkey in use! Park you Corfu car hire and stop in the taverna in the village square for a drink or a bite to eat. The Sinerades Folk Museum is also worth a quick look.

Kinopisates

Returning to you Corfu car hire, you can return to Corfu Town in one of two ways from Sinerades; the quickest route takes you through the pretty village of Kinopiastes. The town council has made those crumbling ruins that owners could not afford to renovate into public gardens making it a great village to wander around. Kinopiastes is also home to the world famous Trita restaurant, definitely worth visiting but only open in the evenings.

The second route back to Corfu Town from Sinerades in your Corfu car hire is via the village turned resort of Pelekas. Pelekas is a pretty old village in central Corfu with quiet lanes and brightly coloured houses scattered around a tiny square. Some of the old stone buildings in Pelekas date back hundreds of years and it makes for a pleasant afternoon's exploration, so park up your hire car and get out for a wander and a drink. A short distance from Pelekas is the Kaiser’s throne, a viewing point with a spectacular panoramic view of the west coast of Corfu. You might also like to finish your car hire tour of Corfu with a swim and there are three spectacular beaches just down from Pelekas to choose from.

Return to your Corfu Car hire and follow the signs back to Corfu Town and the end of this tour of Southern Corfu.

Southern Corfu Excursion Suggestion

Pick up a car hire in Corfu Town or at Corfu airport and head out of town on the south coast road, skirting around Halkiopoulos Lagoon. Follow the coast road down towards the south of Corfu, signposted for Benitses.

You will soon pass through the village of Gastouri and the Achillion Palace. Originally designed by an Italian architect for Princess Elizabeth of Austria, the Achillion has been a royal home, casino, hospital and film set, before finally settling on a museum.

Park up your Corfu car hire and explore the kitsch palace, which is open every day except Monday.

South Corfu - A Corfu Car Hire Guide

Lake Korrison

Photos from around Southern Corfu

Southern Corfu route map for your Corfu car hire

Old house in Sinarades

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Planning to hire a car on Corfu, check out the gallery for more photos from around the south