In this article, we rate the Greek island of Corfu for Belgians as a place to buy a home. With help from Rani, a Belgian travel blogger with extensive travel in Greece, we will find the best parts of Corfu, and why a Belgian would like to buy a home in Corfu.
Who is Rani?
Rani is the maker of Young Wild Free, a Belgian travel blog.
Rani describes herself as “a little world traveler who wants to seek out the most beautiful places on this planet. Wanting to smell, taste, see, feel and hear other cultures. In short: Experience!”
“I write here about our travel stories. No boring beach vacations, but vacations full of adventure, culture and nature. Trips that enrich your life and make it just that little bit more beautiful. Stop hiding your dreams in a small, dusty and forgotten corner. Time to leap: out into the wide world!”
Find Rani on Instagram here.
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.
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 horse riding.
The island’s beauty was featured in the popular British TV series, The Durrells, which was filmed in Kalami Bay, in the northeast at one of Corfu’s most picturesque spots.
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 Belgians
Rating Methodology
How did we decide what factors are most important for Belgian home buyers? To solve this challenge, we first asked our sales and legal team, who offer consultation and legal handling to dozens of Belgian clients (both those who do and don’t purchase a property). We then combined this data with a small survey of Belgian clients who ultimately purchased a home to find out their highest priorities.
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: 9 out of 10
Direct Flights
From Belgium, you can fly directly to Corfu from Brussels in about 3 hours. Currently, Ryan Air offers direct flights. Only a few Greek islands have international airports, so it is an advantage to find a direct flight. It might even take longer for some Greeks on the mainland to get to Corfu, because of the necessary Greek ferry ride.
Rating: 10 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: 8 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 French and Dutch 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: 9.4/10
