–Dress appropriately.
Always take a hat, sunglasses, comfortable footwear is a must, extra film , batteries for your camera and any medication you may need.
– Bottled water.
You drink bottled water rather than tap water, simply for taste. Tap water’s just fine for brushing teeth, etc.
– Internet Cafes.
There is one outside the harbor, one in the Old Town, and several others in the New Town. There are also internet cafes open to the public at the most hotels.
– Maps.
There are a number of maps of the island on the market and most of them are provided free of charge by Hotels, and Travel Agents.
– Newspapers and magazines.
Most western European newspapers and magazines arrive in Corfu on a daily basis and they are available in the Old Town.
– Catholic Church.
The Catholic Cathedral (a restored 14th century building) can be found near the Town Hall Square (platia Dimarchou).
– Golf Course.
A Golf course is available in the Ropa Valley near Ermones, 20 kilometres east of Corfu City. (18 holes)
– Casino. As all cosmopolitan places Corfu has its own casino, at the Corfu Holiday Palace Hotel.
– Post office.
Signs denoting post offices are usually bright yellow, as are post-boxes. If you need to send a letter there are stamp vending machines and post-boxes outside all central post offices. The main post office (tachydromio) in Corfu Town is located at the corner of Alexandras Avenue and Rizospaston Voulefton St., Tel: 26610 25544; Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. till 2 p.m.
– OTE
(Hellenic Telecommunications Organization) offices are the cheapest way to make local or international calls. Corfu is equipped with a very advanced telecommunications system. You can dial directly anywhere in the world without the involvement of the telephone operator. The blue telephone boxes found all over the island can be used either for local or for long distance calls. They all use phone cards that can easily be found in every kiosk or shops with the “Corfu cards Sold Here” sign. You can get them also right in the harbour, or in the Airport.
– Beaches.
The big attractions of Corfu are the beautiful beaches that surround the entire island. Entrance to all the beaches is free, but you will have to pay only if you rent a sun bed (about 6 euro). The beaches on the east coast are ideal for swimming since the sea is extremely calm, while on the west coast is generally windy and it is best offered for windsurfing and other water sports. This does not in any way means that you can not swim on the west coast. As a matter of fact, many people prefer the big waves of the west coast than the calm and smooth sea of the east coast…
– Police.
All the main resorts areas have branches of the Tourist Police, whose duties include the inspection of hotels, restaurants etc. And service to make sure that services to tourists are of acceptable standards. Tourist Police officers who speak languages bear the flag of the country in which the language is spoken on their uniforms.
– Health.
Corfu has plenty of doctors of all practices. The State Hospital is open 24 hours a day for emergency cases. There are also plenty of pharmacies and chemists.
– Banks and ATM machines.
There are many Greek and International banks that are licensed to do business in Corfu. All of them offer exchange services within the town of Corfu as well as in other popular resort areas. Banks are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the period from April to October, some of them are open in the evenings as well (5 p.m., to 7.30 p.m.) and on Saturday mornings, but only for the exchange purposes. In order to exchange cash or traveller’s checks, you need to have your passport with you. In addition, almost all hotels have exchange offices on their front desks. Visa, Master Card and other well known credit cards are also accepted by the majority of shops, and hotels. And you won”t need your entire wallet only some cash, you may prefer to use ATM machines when you need cash. ATMs are everywhere. Cash sometimes gets you a better price than a charge card.
– Shopping.
Corfu is an interesting place to shop. Many shops sell classic and modern gold and silver jewellery as well as antique reproduction jewellery, in 14k and 18k with diamonds and precious stones. Antique carpets and hand made silk on silk rugs, furniture, paintings and porcelain can also be found. Other kinds of goods such as souvenirs, sponges, clothes, shoes, books, and more can be found in the many shops of Corfu Island. And the traditional art workshops for the world famous hand made Corfu pottery”s-ceramics.
– In restaurants.
The island of Corfu can satisfy every gourmet because it produces various products of excellent qualities and the local cuisine is a real delight for the senses. Fresh fishes and a big variety of seafood”s, big choice of “mezes” (Mediterranean snacks), meat on grill, mousaka (the famous dish with potatoes, aubergines, cheese and béchamel).
-Tips.
A customary tip is 10-15% of the total.
