Kassiopi is a historic fishing village that has developed into a popular holiday destination on the northeastern coast of Corfu. It is one of the most well-developed and affluent areas in Northern Corfu, with picturesque views of beautiful bays and secluded beaches.
The village has an abundance of facilities aimed at tourists, including hotels, luxury villas, shops, restaurants, bars, and a lively nightlife, making it a great hub to explore the beautiful north of Corfu. Kassiopi also has the longest tourist season after Corfu Town and has a relatively large local population of almost 1,000 people living there all year.
History Of Kassiopi
Kassiopi is thought to have been founded during the reign of Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, in the 3rd century BC. With its strategic location overlooking the northern side of the Straits of Corfu, it formed an important military post.
In 230 BC, the town fell into Roman hands, after which Emperor Nero built a temple dedicated to Zeus Kassios. So the name of Kassiopi was derived from this temple. During the Byzantine and Venetian eras, the town was further fortified, and Kassiopi Castle became an important point of defense for the island.
The fortress was able to withstand several Turkish invasions in the 16th century. However, due to the many attacks, villagers started to move into the mountains, leaving the town abandoned for a long time.
Later, the town started to flourish again and nowadays, it’s one of the most developed areas in northern Corfu. Apart from a seasonal influx of tourists, the town also has a large number of permanent residents, including Greeks and foreigners, of which many are Brittish.
How To Get To Kassiopi
Kassiopi is located on the northeastern coast of northern Corfu and can be reached by car, bus, boat, or private transfer.
By car, Kassiopi is a 34-kilometer drive from Corfu Town, where the airport and main ferry port are located. From Sidari, it’s a 24-kilometer drive, and from Paleokastritsa, it’s 40 kilometers. Street parking is free and there is a free parking area next to the harbor, but spaces are limited. There is also a larger (paid) parking lot next to the road towards the center.
For the ultimate freedom and convenience to explore the island at your own pace, you can rent a car and pick it up upon arrival at Corfu Airport or Corfu Port, then enjoy a scenic drive to Kassiopi. You can search and book rental cars on our website here.
To get to Kassiopi by bus, you can take Green Buses line A4 or A12 from Corfu Town, or S6 from Sidari. You can find more information about the bus journey on the Green Buses page.
For a more convenient and hassle-free door-to-door trip to your accommodation in Kassiopi, you can book a private transfer from the airport or ferry port.
There are no ferries to Kassiopi, but private vessels can moor at the Kassiopi Harbor in the center of the village.
- Also read: How To Get Around In Corfu
Tours To Kassiopi
You don’t have to get to Kassiopi by yourself as you can also simply book a day tour to visit this charming village:
- Old Perithia the Ghost Town and Northeast Corfu: This tour brings you from Corfu Town to the historic medieval mountain village of Old Perithia with a stop in Kassiopi on the way back.
- Cruise to Kassiopi from Corfu: This boat trip starts in Gouvia and follows the beautiful northeast coast to Kassiopi.
- Corfu: Bus Trip & Swim at Canal d’Amour, Kassiopi & Barbati: This tour from Corfu Town brings you to several beautiful places along the north coast of Corfu.
What To See And Do In Kassiopi
Kassiopi is a lovely town to visit, with a charming center surrounding the marina, several incredible beaches and many other things to see and do in and around the town.
Kassiopi Castle
The Kassiopi Castle is literally the biggest attraction in the town as it spans an area of 1,073 square meters. With it’s strategic location facing the Straits of Corfu, the castle has played a crucial role in defending the town and island for centuries.
Although only parts of Kassiopi Castle have been rehabilitated, it’s free to visit and you can take a walk along the inside of its walls and climb up on the entrance tower for a stunning view over the town and its marina.
Kassiopi Harbor
Kassiopi Harbor is the charming centerpiece of the town as it is situated in a bay surrounded by several lovely restaurants and bars. It’s a great place for a stroll while taking in the views at the castle and surrounding hills, or you can relax with a drink at one of the waterfront terraces while watching the small leasure boats come and go.
Church Of The Panagia Kassopitra
The Church of the Panagia Kassopitra is definitely not just another church, but an important pilgrimage site that dates back to the ancient Greeks. On this location once stood a temple dedicated to Zeus Kassios which gave the town its name.
The church is linked to several miracles, including the legend of a man named Stephanos. His eyes were removed after being wrongly accused of theft, but after dreaming of the Virgin Mary when sleeping in the church, he could miraculously see again when he woke up.
Enjoy The Beaches
While it was once a strategic defensive outpost, Kassiopi is now mostly famous for its beautiful surroundings including some stunning secluded beaches.
The Imeriolas Bay on the east side of Kassiopi houses two of the larger beaches of the town. Kalamionas Beach is located on the eastern shore of the bay, right below the castle and has a more urban vibe. Imeriola Beach is situated on the southwestern side of the bay and is somewhat more quiet.
On the northern tip of the peninsula with the Kassiopi Castle you can find three smaller beaches, which are probably among the most beautiful in the area: Pepitos Beach, Bataria Beach, and Kanoni Beach. This area is always busy but for good reasons as it’s a true holiday paradise with secluded bays with sand beaches, perfectly turquoise colored waters and stunning views of the coast of Albania.
Karavi Beach is hidden in a tiny bay to the east of the Kassiopi Harbor and can only reached by following a narrow path along the coast or by boat.
Soukia Beach is another virgin beach that is hidden and therefore more quiet. The pebbled beach is located in a bay somewhat further to the east and can be reached via a small path or by boat.
A bit further to the east, on the outskirts of Kassiopi, lies Kogevina Beach. This pebbled beach is wider but due to its more remote location, it’s more quiet than the busy beaches near the center.
Erimitis
Just a few kilometers outside of Kassiopi you can escape from the crowds at the all natural and undeveloped area of Erimitis. This beautiful green peninsula houses many small bays with unspoiled hidden beaches that can only be reached on foot or by boat. This makes Erimitis perfect for relaxing in the tranquillity of nature. Make sure to bring your own food and drinks, because there are no shops, restaurants, or other facilities at all.
The area is also great for hiking and there’s trail along the coast that connects the different beaches while guiding you along some stunning viewpoints.
Pantokrator Monastery
Another great attraction near Kassiopi is the Pantokrator Monastery, located on Mount Pantokrator. It’s about a 45-minute drive to the top of the mountain, which is the highest point of the entire island of Corfu. With an altitude of 917 meters, it offers the most stunning views in all directions.
The monastery dates back to 1347 and inside it’s church, you can admire some beautiful fresco paintings from the 14th and 17th centuries.
Old Perithia
The historic village of Old Perithia is also a must visit if you’re staying in Kassiopi. The village was once a hideaway from pirates attacting the island but it ended up being deserted and in ruins. In recent years, the village has slowly gotten back to life when people started to restore some of the old houses one by one.
Nowadays, it’s a charming medieval mountain village with several old churches, stone houses, many of which are still ruined, and several tavernas serving delicious Greek food. This makes Old Perithia a great place to visit for a few hours. From Kassiopi, it’s only a 14-kilometer drive.
Make A Boat Trip
Another great way to explore more of the beautiful surroundings of northern Corfu is by making a boat trip. At the Kassiopi Harbor, you can find many boats offering tours to various destinations, including the virgin beaches of Erimitis, the Antinioti Lagoon, Canal d’Amour, or other nearby beaches, sea caves and snorkeling spots.
Discover The Beauty Of Northern Corfu
Kassiopi is ideally located to discover more of the beautiful north of Corfu. The area is more mountaneous and it’s coastline more rugged than in the central and southern parts of the island.
There are many beautiful beaches, stunning viewpoints, and charming villages that are less than an hour’s drive from Kassiopi, which is perfect for a daytrip. Popular attractions include the Canal d’Amour in Sidari, Cape Drastis, and Porto Timoni, and villages like Nymfes, Sokraki and Karousades.
The best way to discover the island is by renting a car or a scooter, so you can make your own itinerary and explore the area at your own pace, while making stops wherever you want.
You can also book a guided tour on GetYourGuide or Viator, for example this Northwest Coast and Village Charms 4×4 Tour with pickup in Kassiopi.
Where To Stay In Kassiopi
Being a popular beach resort town, Kassiopi has an abundance of accommodations, from individual apartments and studios, to luxury resort hotels, boutique hotels, guest houses, and private villas. Here are some of our recommendation that are highly rated by guests:
- Aria Suites –Â Modern and luxury apartments with the facilities of a hotel, including an outdoor swimming pool and a bar.
- Artheo Hotel – Modern hotel with studios and apartments with a seaview balcony, a living space and a kitchen.
- Hill Lofos Hotel – Modern hotel on a scenic hilltop offering amazing views over the town. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool with a sundeck and a bar and each room has a balcony with a view.
- Limani Apartments – Cosy apartments with a kitchenette and a balcony facing the Kassiopi Harbor. The complex has a swimming pool and is located very close to Bataria Beach.
Search Accommodations in Kassiopi
Where To Eat And Drink In Kassiopi
Kassiopi is one of the larger villages in Corfu with a big focus on tourism so you can expect to find plenty of bars and restaurants with a wide variety of of food options and a somewhat lifely nightlife.
- Kimi – Seafood restaurant with a terrace overlooking the bay and harbor and one of the highest ratings on several platforms.
- Trilogia – Great place for lunch as it overlooks the stunning beaches of Pipitos and Bataria on the northern tip of the peninsula.
- Thraka – Great ‘no frills’ Greek taverna with delicious traditional food at reasonable prices.
- Little Italy Taverna – Great pizzas, pastas, and other dishes like you can expect from a traditional Italian restaurant.
- Kostas Bar – Great nighlife spot for drink, laughs, and meeting other people.
- Kalypso Bar – Cosy bar serving some of the best cocktails at reasonable prices.
Shopping In Kassiopi
As Kassiopi is one of the larger villages on the island, there are plenty of shops where you can find everything you need during your holiday. Although there are no large hypermarkets, there are plenty of small mom-and-pop style supermarkets and souvenir shops, multiple bakeries, and a few boutique clothing shops.
Most of the shops can be found along the road that leads from the main road (no. 2217) towards the harbor. Here are also a few ATMs to get cash.
