Why should I buy a home in Corfu if I am German? How does it rank compared to other destinations in Greece for me? What are the most popular areas to buy a home in Corfu? In this article, we’ll take you on a tour of Corfu with the help of Julia, one of the top travel bloggers in Germany and creator of the acclaimed travel blog Globusliebe.
Who is Julia?
Julia is a travel blogger, photographer & certified expert for sustainable tourism. On her travel blog, you will find more than 400 articles with honest travel tips, excursion destinations, and nature experiences, with a focus on sustainability.
Julia has been committed to tourism that is ecologically justifiable and ethically and socially just. “What does that mean? We mostly travel by train for long distances, stay in responsible accommodation and otherwise pay attention to an environmentally friendly travel style.”
“With our work, we also want to inspire you to be sustainable on the road – without having to do without everything.”
You can find Julia on Instagram and on Globusliebe.
About Corfu
Corfu, or Kerkyra as referred to in Greek, is one of the most popular islands in the Ionian Sea, western Greece. It is an island full of life and beauty with lots to discover. In addition to a 216 kilometer coastline full of amazing swimming beaches, Corfu offers many unique traditions, along with fine hospitality and exceptional Greek food.
With a population of just over 100,000 people, Corfu is home to a vibrant community made up of locals and a large number of expats. Just about everyone on the island speaks English and the lifestyle is considered to be one of the most laid-back and friendliest in Greece.
Beaches in Corfu
Corfu’s beaches rank among the best in Greece – and the world. Paleokastritsa, Sidari, Issos, Ipsos and Dassia beaches are just a few of the stunningly beautiful spots to take a dip. Porto Timoni Beach is also a favorite among both tourists and locals. It is actually two beaches in one, with the south beach being slightly warmer than the north beach. The beauty of Porto Timoni is that depending on how busy each side of peninsula is, you can choose a more secluded location
Things to Do in Corfu
The picturesque mountain villages are ideal for exploration, offering panoramic views and a range of activities such as hiking, cycling and sailing. Corfu’s historic old town is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a maze of narrow streets, brightly painted buildings and impressive squares.
Sailing Near Corfu
The summer wind in the area is known as the “Maistro”. It is a tame Northwest wind, and it tends to give a reliable breeze from May to September. Some say that you can “set your watch to the wind.” If it’s before 11:00am, there is likely not a wisp of wind. Then a breeze starts to kick up in the early afternoon, making ideal conditions for a relaxed sail. The wind is said to “go to sleep” at dusk.
Weather in Corfu
The island has mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. The daily average temperature ranges from 9.5 °C in January to 27 °C in August. In the summer months, the temperature often hits 35 °C though sea breezes commonly cool things down as temperatures also drop overnight.
Rating Corfu for Germans
Sea View
Corfu has one of the most beautiful coastlines of any area in Greece, and it expands over 200 kilometers. This is a longer coastline than a majority of Greece’s islands, including Santorini and Mykonos. Some parts of Corfu are undeveloped and there are many opportunities for beachfront homes. Some popular areas to get a sea view in Corfu are near Paleokastritsa, Sidari, Issos, Ipsos and Dassia.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Direct Flights
From Germany, you can fly directly to Corfu in about 2.5 hours. There are flights daily from Munich, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, and Berlin. Only a few Greek islands have international airports, so it is unique to find a direct flight.
For example, getting to an island like Paros, which is in the Cyclades, usually requires a connecting flight through Athens, which doubles your travel time. It might even take longer for some Greeks on the mainland to get to Corfu, because of the necessary ferry ride.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Property Prices
Prices in Corfu highly depend on the area where you buy a home. According to national averages from Spitogatos, average prices are 2100 Euros per square meter.
Compared to other popular islands in Greece, like Mykonos and Santorini, prices in Corfu are lower. For example, prices in the Cycladic Islands are 3500 Euros per square meter.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Internet Speed
Internet Speeds are available in Corfu via Speedtest by Ookla. The average speed is 33 MBPS. Compared to other areas of Greece, this is below average.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
English Speakers and Expatriate Community
If you choose one of Corfu’s most popular towns, like Corfu Town, Kavos, Roda, and Kalama, you will surely find English speakers or even German speakers. This area of Greece is growing a lot in popularity, so you can expect to see many visitors. If you choose to buy a home in the more remote areas of Corfu, the community of English speakers will likely be smaller.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Corfu Overall Rating for Germans: 9.2/10
