Canal d’Amour is one of the most romantic and unique areas in Corfu, with secluded beaches between impressive sandstone rock formations. The beautiful area is situated in the popular seaside village of Sidari, on the north coast of the island.
Canal d’Amour is French for ‘Channel of Love’ and comes from an old legend that is said to have started by a French couple who fell in love after swimming there. Ultimately two versions of the legend have emerged. According to the first version, couples who swim here will remain in love forever. According to the second version, whoever swims through the canal is believed to find the love of his life on the other side.
Whether the legend is the reason for people coming here or not, Canal d’Amour is one of the most popular attractions on the island.
How To Get To Canal D’Amour
Canal d’Amour is situated in the northeastern part of Sidari, right next to Sidari Beach, and can be reached on foot, with a private vehicle, like a rental car, scooter, or boat, or by public transport.
By car, the Canal d’Amour is a 37-kilometer drive from Corfu Town, which usually takes between 50 minutes and 1 hour. From Paleokastritsa, it’s a 34-kilometer drive, and from Kassiopi, a 25-kilometer drive. At the beach, there are only paid and other private parking lots belonging to resorts and restaurants. For alternative free parking, you might have to drive a bit around the village to find a spot.
The nearest bus stop is about 400 meters away, on the main road through the town, Road 2224 Corfu-Skripero-Sidari-Peroulades. Green Bus line A2 connects Sidari with Corfu Town and runs all year. During the summer season only, line S1 connects Sidari with Agios Georgios Pagon and line S5 with Kassiopi.
Beach Description
Canal d’Amour is one of the most picturesque beach areas in Corfu because of the natural beauty of the limestone rock formations combined with secluded beaches with calm, turqoise waters.
The bays house a few small beaches which can get very busy due to the popularity of the area. The beaches and seabeds are sandy. The seabeds have a gentle slope and the bathing wather is shallow for the first few meters. Be careful of the rocks though, when you go for a swim.
Despite the development of the area with resorts, beach bars, and restaurants, the Canal d’Amour has kept it’s charm and natural beauty and some parts of the rocks and cliffs are covered with vegetation, including grass, bushes and trees.
History Of Canal D’Amour
The formation of the Canal ‘d Amour goes back thousands of years. Over time, the wind and seawater have gradually eroded the limestone cliffs which has resulted in the formation of bays, small coves, and sea caves.
The phenomenon of the Canal ‘d Amour is not only of geological interest, but archaeological traces of neolithic civilisation dating back 3.000 years have also been found in the area.
Things To Do At The Canal D’Amour
A great thing to do is explore the area by walking from one side to the other to take in the breathtaking views of the different bays and coves. Be careful though, when stepping onto the rock formations as it can be slippery.
To fully enjoy the experience of Canal d’Amour you can take a swim in the clear blue waters at any of the beaches. Whether you believe in the legend or not, it’s definitely one of the most beautiful areas to swim and the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day.
Other things you can do at Canal d’Amour are exploring the area with a boat trip, scuba diving to discover the sea caves, or simply taking it easy by relaxing at one of the beach bars while enjoying the views.
Facilities At Canal D’Amour
Most parts of the Canal d’Amour are organized, especially the beaches itself and the surrounding areas. There are facilities including beach beds and umbrellas for rent, showers, toilets, waste bins, beach bars, and restaurants.
