Agios Gordios Beach Travel Guide

About Agios Gordios Beach

Agios Gordios, on the island of Corfu in Greece, enjoys a dramatic rural location overlooking the open sea on the isolated west coast. The village consists of low-rise, pastel coloured houses set in gardens with lemon trees and bougainvillea, built into a hillside above a long sandy beach, and backed by plunging rugged slopes covered with olive groves and cypresses. Fishing and farming are still more important to the local economy than tourism, so there's none of the hustle and bustle of the larger package resorts. This is a place where you can recharge your batteries in a homely, idyllic setting, which explains why so many loyal visitors return here each summer. Beside hotels and apartments to let, Agios Gordios is home to the Pink Palace, a large, self-contained hostel catering for backpackers, considered among the best of its kind in Europe. Last but not least, the village faces west so it captures some of the most stunning sunsets on the island.

Beach:

This 1km-long (0.6 mile) beach has been awarded a Blue Flag. The south end, overlooked by Agios Gordios Hotel, is sandy, though it becomes progressively more pebbly towards the north end where the Pink Palace is situated. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, plus watersports such as banana boats, peddle boats, canoes and motor boats. Along the beach runs a row of down-to-earth traditional tavernas and low-key cocktail bars. At the south end, a dramatic rocky outcrop known as ortholith rises up from the sea.

Beyond the beach:

Just 3km (2 miles) away, by both road and footpath, lies the authentic inland village of Sinarades, with a Folklore Museum (opposite the church) in an old house, furnished just as it would have been in the 19th century. The isolated west coast is a good base for walkers, and the well-marked Corfu Trail, running 222km (138 miles) for the length of the island, passes through Sinarades.

Family fun:

The beach is great for kids, being of soft sand and safely isolated from traffic. The village offers very limited activities, but the back-to-nature atmosphere should appeal to most kids up to the age of 10. Located just 20 minutes away, the Aqualand water park (www.aqualand-corfu.com) is great for children above 4. This is a vast complex of pools, giant Jacuzzi and slides, plus bouncy castles, an adventure playground and a games arcade.

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.