Kassiopi beaches

Friendly, easy-going Kassiopi, on the island of Corfu in Greece, is one of the few resorts to have retained its village atmosphere. Centring on a horse-shoe harbour, where half a dozen blue-and-white wooden fishing boats moor up each morning with the night's catch, Kassiopi also boasts five small pebble beaches, and a peninsular planted with olive trees and cypresses, and capped by the ruins of a Byzantine castle. In fact, the village's history goes back centuries. One block back from the waterfront stands the 16th-century whitewashed church of Panagia Kassopitra, built on the site of a Roman temple. And locals claim that Emperor Nero was one of the first foreign visitors to the settlement, back in the first century AD.

Beach:

Kassiopi's beaches are rather small but fine for a few hours bathing. A 10-minute walk north of the harbour front lies the main town beach, Kalamonias, a pebble strip equipped with sun beds and umbrellas for hire, plus watersports facilities. Between Kalamonias and the harbour, a small peninsular, planted with olive trees and accessed via a narrow road lined by eucalyptus, is laced with three tiny coves with pebble beaches, while a 20-minute stroll further north lies the pebble beach of Imerolia, also with sunbeds and umbrellas.

Beyond the beach:

Northwest of Kassiopi, 12km (7.5 miles) into the hills, stands the semi-abandoned village of Palia Perithia, made up of 16th-century stone houses and churches, and renowned for its authentic tavernas and locally produced honey. For serious watersports enthusiasts, a 20-minute walk southeast of Kassiopi lies Avlaki, a beautiful deep bay with a curving pebble beach, home to Greek Sailing Holidays, a highly regarded sailing and windsurfing school.

Family fun:

Kassiopi's beaches are all suitable for kids and there are good watersports facilities on the main town beach. There is a small public playground with swings, a slide and a roundabout opposite the school on the road between the harbour and the central square. One hour south of Kassiopi, in Agios Ioannis on the main road to Glyfada, lies the vast Aqualand water park (www.aqualand-corfu.com).

Exploring further:

The island's elegant capital, Corfu Town, is stunningly beautiful with a romantic mix of Venetian, French and British architecture dating back several centuries. Alternatively, take a day trip by boat to Albania to visit Butrint National Park with its UNESCO-protected Greek and Roman archaeological site, and the seaside resort of Saranda.

Splashing out:

To explore the coast in style, charter a sailing boat for a day from Corfu Yachting based in Corfu's main marina at Gouvia. Sailing experience is not necessary - boats come complete with a qualified skipper, and there is plenty of time for swimming, snorkelling and fishing.

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