Benitses Holidays

Top attractions

On a Benitses holiday you can take in the beautiful scenery of the Greek island, as well as the pristine East coast that overlooks the Ionian Sea. Not only can you soak up the ever-present sunshine, but you can also soak in the history that the region holds, including the Roman villa and baths at Benitses’ centre.

Pride of the village, Benitses is home to a recently built harbour that offers boat trips to nearby Corfu town and the beaches of Messonghi and Morratika. Another way to reach Corfu Town is by bus. With its bustling streets, Venetian architecture and brilliant shops, you can mix sightseeing and shopping.

If you hire a car, you have lots of choice, with plenty of sights to see up the coast, like Mount Pantokrator where views look out to Albania and Achillion Palace, which is now a museum. Elsewhere ‘Mouse Island’ or Pontikonisi sits in the scenic bay of Kanoni and is home to the Byzantine church of Pantokrator.

Beaches

A beach holiday in Benitses is made for whole family with a variety of water sports, such as water skiing, paragliding and pedaloes, as well as lots of jetties and platforms built for swimmers. All you need is a parasol and towel to help you relax and soak up the Corfiot sun.

You’re spoilt for choice with beaches in Benitses, from pebble, shingle and sandy shores that slope rapidly into refreshing, clear water. The main beach has an EU Blue Flag award for its cleanliness, meaning the sea’s purity is ideal for swimming and other water activities.

Because of Benitses’ central location on Corfu, you have easy access to all the best beaches, like Perama. Surrounded by olive groves and home to several picturesque pebble waterfronts, Perama is the seaport of Gastouri and is situated between Corfu Town and Benitses.

Eating out

For a taste of real Corfu, you can grab a table in one of the many tavernas and restaurants that offer traditional Greek cuisine. You will find small, family-run restaurants in Benitses with menus crammed full of local dishes, all served in friendly surroundings.

Because of the location, the eateries mostly specialise in fresh seafood and use seasonal ingredients. Homegrown produce, like local honey and extra-virgin olive oil, feature heavily in Corfu dishes, as does sheep yoghurt. On your Benitses holiday you must try tasty traditional dishes like the veal dishes of Pastitsada and Sofrito.

The quaint family-run fish tavern, Klimataria, is located at the heart of Benitses and has a beautiful courtyard where you can dine al fresco. If you fancy something more international, then head to Pizzeria Kavouras for ‘the best pizza in Corfu’. You can witness firsthand your pizza being made, from the kneading of the dough, to the toppings being added then finally the pizza being baked in a wood oven, situated between the tables.

Nightlife

Back in the day, Benitses was a thriving party town, popular with clubbers. These days, it’s calmed down a lot. Although it’s not as lively, there is a good selection of bars that offer nightly entertainment.  Many play live music and stay open late, plus there is a nightclub if you want to dance into the early hours on your Benitses holiday.

For your fix of nightclubs, Corfu Town is the place to be at after sundown. Only a short journey away on public transport, café culture is big there so start the night off with a cool drink at one of the cafés on Liston Promenade. During the summer, there are free open-air concerts on the Promenade, so why not take a picnic to enjoy along with the music? Down at the port are the town’s best clubs, including Au Bar, Cristal, Villa Mercedes and Eixis.

Family holidays

Family holidays in Benitses begin and end at the beach. With a multitude of family-friendly beaches in the village and across Corfu, with 35 Blue Flag recognised beaches all over the island, you are sure to find a safe and clean beach that suits you. The clear waters of the Ionian Sea provide a myriad of water sports, from snorkelling and water skiing to pedalo trips.

Get your adrenalin pumping on your holiday in Benitses with a trip to Aqualand Water Park. From the wave pool, to the Kamikaze, this water park has something for all the family. The kids will love the many slides and chutes, whilst the adults can relax on the free sunbeds.

To broaden your little one’s mind, pay the Sea Shell Museum of Corfu a visit. Located just outside of Benitses, the award winning museum is home to a large collection of sea shells and fish fossils from around the world.

Couples holidays

A holiday in Benitses will be the start of a wonderful love affair between you and the village. With its old-town charm, whitewash houses, cobbled streets, historical remains and attractive harbour, the village is perfect for romantic cultural getaways for couples.

Down on the pristine beaches, you and your loved one are sure to fall for Benitses, what with its clean, soft sand and warm waters. Here you can wash away the pressures of home in the crystal clear Ionian Sea.

Have some quality time together on a boat trip to Paxi and Andipaxi Islets from the harbour, or visit one of Corfu’s wineries in the central Ropa Valley to taste the best of the island’s wines.

After dark, why not share a platter of shellfish in a candlelit seafront restaurant and enjoy the twinkling lights of the bobbing boats and yachts from Benitses harbour.

Action & Adventure

You can truly get off the beaten track and be at one with nature in Benitses. From off-road tours in search of hidden beaches, to hiking through the dense forests and scenic mountains, adventure isn’t far away from Benitses.

Following the markings, you will reach the water springs from where the village takes its name, meaning an abundance of water. The tree lined hills offer a shaded walk and from here the views of the bay are stunning. If you want to go further afield, the Corfu Trail passes above Benitses in the hills and leads to the nearby village of Stavros.

For an underwater adventure, you can go on a snorkelling safari to the small islands of Paxos and Antipaxos from Benitses harbour. Due to the clarity of the water, you are bound to have brilliant vision in the deep waters and get up close to the wealth of marine life.

Culture

A village draped in history and culture, Benitses has been a means of escape for centuries. From the Romans, to the Venetians and Ottomans, the village has always been favoured due to its natural fresh water springs.

On the banks of the former river that passed through the village is the pretty church of Agia Marina, which is the focal point for the celebration of Agia Marina, the patron Saint of Benitses every July. The 3^rd century ruins of the Roman courtyards and baths are also evidence of the village’s rich past and provide a little taste of the ancient monuments that are dotted around the island.

In Corfu Town, and only a short bus journey away, its busy streets are home to Venetian architecture, as well as museums. The ancient monuments, including its three forts, are so interesting that the Old Town was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.