While the coast of Corfu island has been prospering, the beautiful villages inland are losing their inhabitants who seek their fortune catering to the tourists. These villages were at one time the true heart of the island, providing food for the city of Corfu and safety from Pirates and invaders.

Lefkimmi
A beautiful small town to south-east  of corfu island It was built, perhaps, in 1500 a.c., but  the historical roots reach up to 4o B.C. century. It still keeps up, in a great deal, the style and colour of the previous centuries. The small navigable river, the plains and  forests which surround it, as well as the golden beaches,  are some of its characteristics. To the south of Lefkimmi we meet the known near to sea locations, Agios Petros (3km) and Kavos (5 km). To the west we meet the picturesque villages and to the north, Perivoli, Vitalades, Argirades, Boukari, Petriti etc.

Argirades
a big picturesque village built during the Venetian Rule. It is situated in the southern part of corfu island, 33 km away from Kerkira. It has a population of 2,000 inhabitants, including the population of a nearby village, Marathias. Not far from Argirades, one can admire the beautiful beach of Agios Georgios (Saint Greorge).

Agios Matheos
large village of 1,500 inhabitants, situated 25.5 km southwest of Kerkyra, on mount Mathios's side. The local sights are the Gardiki Fortress and the monastery Christou Pandokratora, where, as the legend claims, Alkinoos' wedding was held. This is the reason mount Mathios is also called "The Wedding Mountain". The famous precipice of Agios Mathaios is said to flow into the sea. During the summer, the beach of Agios Matheos attracts many tourists

Sinarades
an old village, 13 km southwest of the island's capital. The Venetian belltower (15th century) dominates the scenery. In a traditional house in the village, the Museum of History and Folklore is open to visitors who can admire the village houses' furnishings, from the 19th century. The village's beach is lovely and attracts many tourists.

Lakones
Paleokastritsa has been extolled by innumerable travellers for the beauty of its coastline with all its little bays and coves, but it owes part of its reputation to Lakones, the village from which you can best enjoy the landscape of the region. As you come up the winding road from Paleokastritsa, just before you reach Lakones, stop at Bella Vista - its name says it all. Every day dozens of tourists gather on the balconies of the rented rooms and in the tavernas to admire the unique panorama; and telescopes are permanently installed on open, flat areas to help you enjoy the view in more detail. The village itself, with its narrow, well-kept streets and Venetian houses, is just as superb as the view. You can also walk to Palaiokastritsa along the path, lined with pine trees.

Doukades
If you could visit just one of the villages of Corfu island, then you would certainly choose Doukades. Set out like an amphitheatre on the hillside, with its Venetian stone houses, picturesque square, the neo-classical building housing the primary school, the imposing house of the Theotokis family and Elizabetta's taverna-grocery store, the village seduces the visitor from the moment of his arrival. As you approach towards the north along the national highway the village appears on your left, seemingly suspended from the sky. Park your car on the village square and set off to roam the narrow streets, admiring the colours of the Venetian houses and the carved stone walls with their wooden doorways. Best-known of the village buildings is the house of Georgios Theotokis, a descendant of the great family of politicians. Work on the mansion began in 1900, when Theotokis was prime minister. The house was abandoned after the last war but is now being renovated to house a Library of Political Science, with accommodation for researchers who come to study the rich family archives. Before you leave Doukades enjoy the village pastitsada - one of the best in Corfu - served at Elizabetta's taverna on the village square. Those who enjoy walking are sure to discover the path which leads to the monastery of Agios Simeon.

Liapades
Boat trips to deserted coves under the light of the August full moon, the ritual of the grape harvest; the gathering of the olives in nets in the month of March, springtime walks in search of rare wild flowers. At any time of year the beauty and natural diversity of the landscape make a visit to Liapades well worth it. Nestling among the vineyards and olive groves, below Paleokastritsa, this village continues the tradition of farming work, combining traditional activities with new forms of ecological tourism. In the fields around the village there are more than 200,000 olive trees (many of them planted during the period of Venetian rule), as well as about 100 acres of vines and 45 different species of wild flowers. At the kiosk run by 'Rural Corfu; sample the honey, oil, the celebrated Kakotrygi (the dark-hued white wine from the local variety of grapes of the same name), and a whole range of organic produce. You can set out from here along paths to a number of remote coves as far away as Giannades (1.5 hours), walking for miles through perennial olive trees.