Most visitors have never heard of Afra, and that is part of its charm. It is a quiet village in the green hills of central Corfu, and from here almost everything on the island is within easy reach.
Where is Afra?
Afra lies in the middle of Corfu, between Corfu Town on the east coast and the long sandy beaches of the west coast. Being in the centre means you can choose a different side of the island every day without long drives.
- Corfu Airport: 8.2 km, 10 minutes by car
- Corfu port: about 9 minutes
- Corfu Old Town (UNESCO): about 8.5 km
- Kontokali Beach: 6.8 km
- Ermones Beach: 9 km
- Glyfada Beach: 11.8 km
- Paleokastritsa: about 21 km
Beaches near Afra
Glyfada is the family favourite: long sand, shallow water, sunbeds and beach bars. Kontogialos is a wide bay below Pelekas. Myrtiotissa is a small wild cove under green cliffs; arrive early. Agios Gordios has rock formations and calm morning water, with tavernas for sunset dinners. For turquoise coves and boat trips to sea caves, drive to Paleokastritsa.
Sights within 10 km
- Kaiser's Throne, Pelekas (about 5 km): a 360° viewpoint over the island, best at sunset.
- Achilleion Palace, Gastouri (about 8 km): Empress Sisi's summer palace and gardens.
- Old Fortress and the Old Town (about 8 km): Venetian walls, the Liston and the Spianada.
- Vlacherna and Mouse Island, Kanoni (about 6 km): the postcard view of Corfu, with planes landing right next to you!
Where locals eat
Some of the best tavernas in Corfu are in the hill villages around Afra rather than on the coast. Try Botigis in Sinarades for kontosouvli in a garden, Rosemary in Sinarades for careful home cooking, or Maragkos Grill in Giannades for charcoal meats with a view over the Ropa valley. Closer to home, Karampampas in Kanali, under 1 km away, is a grill popular with Corfiots.
Shopping and everyday needs
The closest supermarket, Arista in Kompitsi, is under 1 km away. Larger stores (Sklavenitis, Lidl, AB Vasilopoulos) are 4–6 km away on the roads to Paleokastritsa and Corfu Town, and Korakianitis bakery in Triklino opens daily from 7 am.
All the details, with Google ratings, phone numbers and directions, are in our Where to go? guide.
Staying in Afra
Castelia is a family estate in Afra with three private-pool villas built in 2024. The land has been in our family for generations; our grandfather called this hillside "Castelia". If you want quiet evenings, green views and short drives to everything, Afra is a very good base.
