AGHIOS STEFANOS
Area: Corfu
Country: Greece


Location:
At NW corner of island on small cape of Kefali, overlooking Ionian Sea. 30 miles NW of Corfu Town and airport.

Telephone code from UK:
30 26630

Position:
Low hills protect sheltered bay, backed by pleasant rural valley.

Description:
Over 1­ miles of unplanned beach development following the beachside road and straggling up the headlands on either side. Originally a quiet hamlet of farmers and fishermen, only a few local families now live here during the winter, although the population can swell to around 2,000 in the summer months. The resort has developed slowly since the early 1970s, but with little rhyme or reason so there is no real centre. The older part is at the S end of town, near the church and (now defunct) old port, and here you'll find a couple of more traditional tavernas. There is also a collection of shops and tourist taverns at the lowest point in the road but essentially this is a quiet, fairly basic beach resort with little in the way of local culture.

Suitability:
British favourite, popular with families young and old.

Accommodation:
Apartments all over the hillside; a couple of small hotels from budget to mid-market.

Shopping:
Basic shopping: supermarkets, tourist tat and a couple of jewellers using local materials.

Beach:
Well over a mile in length and up to 80 yards at its widest, boasting fine golden sand with some collections of seaweed. Relatively undeveloped, especially at the far end under the cliffs; loungers to rent in places and a couple of beachside bars. The sea is shallow for a long way but can get a little choppy in windy weather.

Entertainments:
Daytime: beach and a few water sports. Bike hire. Hill walking. Nightlife: several bars have music; one nightclub.

Eating:
Couple of reasonable restaurants serving traditional Greek food; otherwise tavernas offering British breakfasts and burgers.

Public-transport:
Three or four cheap and reliable buses a day to Corfu Town in high season.

Local-excursions:
Full day: Corfu Town for sightseeing and shopping; boat trips or cruises to many islands including Kefalonia and Paxos; cruise to Albania.