Kavos Beach Travel Guide

About Kavos Beach

Kavos, on the Greek island of Corfu, has been Corfu's prime party resort since the 1980s. Its reputation was, and still is, based on British 18-30s on package deals searching for cheap booze and all-night discos. It is a purpose-built resort that grew up here due to a 2km (1.5-mile) stretch of sand beach, and its isolated position at the southern tip of the island where it cannot cause disturbance to others. Most visitors stay in self-catering apartments in Kavos itself, though there are several 2- and 3-star hotels located in the slightly more peaceful Asprokavos, lying a 15-minute walk to the south and offering views of the island of Paxos, and in St Peter's (Agios Petros in Greek), which was developed in the 1990s as a quieter alternative to noisy Kavos and lies a 15-minute walk to the north. The centre is filled with British-style pubs and discos, and while it remains sleepy through the day the riotous nightlife runs from 2300 till sunrise.

Beach:

Kavos grew up along a 2km-long (1 mile) stretch of sand. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, and watersports facilities including doughnut rings, banana boats, waterskiing, jet-skiing, plus bungee jumping and even catapulting. Remember that the beach is generally quieter in the morning as clubbers are rarely out of bed before lunchtime, though some sleep off their hangovers on the sand. Many of the hotels have small outdoor pools, which a surprising number of visitors seem to prefer to the sea.

Beyond the beach:

Sleeping off hangovers seems to take up a fair proportion of most visitors' time, but those who feel up to it might take a trip in a glass-bottom boat to view underwater life. There is also a go-kart track at St Peter's, 1.5km (1 mile) north of Kavos (on the main road).

Family fun:

Kavos's main beach is fine for kids as the water is safe and shallow, however some people might consider the resort too noisy and chaotic for children. One hour north of Kavos, in Agios Ioannis on the main road to Glyfada, lies Aqualand (www.aqualand-corfu.com) water park, a vast complex of pools, giant Jacuzzi and slides, plus a bouncy castles, an adventure playground and a games arcade. There is also a go-cart track in St Peter's.

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. There are also organised boat trips to the unspoilt island of Paxos south of Kavos. 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.