West of Cape Barbara - the northern tip of the corner of Corfu closest to Albania - the coastline turns west for around 30km, forming the lumpy head of the island. After the tiny cove of Avlaki, which is tucked in beside Cape Barbara, is cosmopolitan Kassiopi, one of Corfu's most attractive resorts. The coastal road further west is dominated by the presence of Mount Pandokrator as far as Aharavi, which shares this coast's longest stretch of beach with far quieter Almyros. The terrain inland from the predominantly British-visited resorts of Roda and Sidari to the west flattens out and includes the large, pleasant village of Karousades, where the coast nearby secretes some fine, quieter beaches.
The north coast is quite well served by green KTEL buses from Corfu town. Kasiopi is the terminal for the seven daily services (1 on Sun) that run up the northeast believed to have been the site of a temple of Zeus once visited by Nero. Initial impressions are of a fairly standard resort with a small central square at the intersection of the roads that come in diagonally from the coastal highway. It is only when you take the road that curves northeast from the square down to the picturesque harbour, presided over regally by the headland and leafy remains of the kastro atop it, that you fully realize the beauty of the place. Kassiopi's beaches, though limited in size, are dotted around the headland in scenic coves.