Corfu Resorts

Corfu Aghios Georgios North Aghios Gordios Agios Ioannis Agios Stefanos Agni Alykes Arilas Aspro Kavos Astrakeri Avlaki Barbati Corfu Town Cremythas Dassia Glyfada Gouvia Kalami Kassiopi Kavos Kokini Kommeno Bay Korakiana Loustri Nissaki Paleokastritsa Pelekas Perama Ropa Valley San Stefanos Sidari Sinies St George South St Peter Vigla

Arilas Holidays

Holidays in Arilas. Leave life as you know it behind.

Tucked between two green headlands, Arilas feels pleasantly cut off from the outside world. Forget the bleeps and buzzes that dictate your everyday life. Here, it's the sun that wakes you. It's the sounds of the sea and laughter that call you down to the shore. And it's the glorious sunsets that will tell you when it's time find a spot on a terrace and enjoy a cool beer. Arilas holidays equal ultra-relaxation.

Tranquil Arilas is a picture postcard of authentic Corfu. Flower draped streets, pastel houses and the obligatory friendly dog having a wander. Seven minimarkets, a few bars and several tavernas. The few hotels here have that friendly touch - like the family run Kaloudis Village Apartments. Arilas's long beach of golden sand and shingle is the centre of activity - which includes sunbathing, swimming and splashing around. The shallow waters are great for kids or for that first time canoeing or windsurfing.

Hop on a horse to go trekking into rural Corfu. Jump in a dingy to deserted Gravia Island, home to sheep and secluded beaches. Walk along the coast to Agios Stefanos or Agios Georgios. Don't miss Paleokastritsa, a spot famed beyond Corfu for its natural beauty, exclusive marina and ancient monastery.

When it comes to evening entertainment, you can't beat the sunsets here - make sure you're settled in at a seafront bar to drink it in. Then how about a flavour of Corfu proper, at Brouklis - a taverna so good the locals love it. Let the ouzo flow! Yiamas!

'Simple village life, charming tavernas and a shimmering sandy beach - what more could you want?'

Peaceful Arilas is one of those parts of Corfu that seems light years away from the holiday hotspots. Sat on the north-west coast amid rolling farmland, it's reached along a road that winds gently through lush green fields - giving a foretaste of the tranquil village to come.

Apart from a few simple tavernas, minimarkets and shops, everything about the place says 'quiet family holiday and sunbathers' territory'. First off is its gorgeous, sandy beach - a ribbon of pillow-soft sand dotted by shingle - stretching down to shallow waters perfect for youngsters. Sandy, grass-topped cliffs and a series of rocky headlands offer a sense of seclusion, so if you're planning on one of those reclusive kinds of beach holiday, you'll be in your element.

Back in the resort, evenings revolve around the traditional tavernas lined up along the single road. Pull up a chair and chat over the day's non-events as you tuck into a plate of oven-baked freshly caught red snapper. And afterwards, get into the swing of things at one of the low-key bars, serenaded by the soft lilt of bouzoukis.

When you need some variety, head into the old-time Corfu of the local villages hidden in the hills. Clamber onto a bus to bargain hunt in Corfu Town. Or strike out inland to Paleokastritsa's picturebook Byzantine monastery to wander around its decorative chapel and museum. While you're there, stock up with the cute miniature bottles of olive oil produced by the monks and sold in the shop - they're perfect gifts for the folks back home.

Evenings here are low-key, with traditional tavernas serving local dishes such as moussaka and kebabs. Or you could try the fresh seafood dishes that feature on the menu such as barbouni (red mullet) or fagri (sea bream). The village itself is compact and charming - it is built around a single, narrow road. Due to its size, there are few tourist attractions, although there are some shops selling essentials and the tavernas offer music in the evenings. Arilas attracts mainly families and couples searching for a small slice of peace and quiet dusted with tradition. There is a limited bus service to Corfu Town.