Things To Do in Agios Ioannis Peristeron

The beach at Agios Ioannis Peristeron gets a constant gentle breeze, which explains why windsurfing is the favourite activity here. Wakeboarding, jet-skiing, banana boating and parasailing also get a look-in. And it’s a really great place for kids to play, too – the shallow water and thin stretch here means you can keep a safe eye from the comfort of your sunlounger.

Over in Moraitika, the 1-kilometre main street has it covered on the shopping front. You can pick up beach bits like snorkels and treat yourself to a new leather handbag, while the souvenir places do a nice line in handmade olive wood sculptures. Back in the resort, a couple of mini-markets should cover the essentials.

Shopping is limited in Agios Ioannis Peristeron. But the fishing port of Benitses, less than a 10-minute drive away, is home to a marina edged with souvenir shops. Plus, Moraitika, 3 kilometres south, has a long catwalk of boutiques. And there’s always the island’s capital, Corfu Town, a 35-minute drive away. Its straw-thin streets deliver a huge hit of ceramics, lace, pottery, and handmade jewellery. And it doesn’t get more traditional than olive-wood bowls, and olive oil soaps.

At nearby Gastouri – about 20 minutes away – you’ve got one of Corfu’s top tourist attractions, the Achillion Palace. This Italian-designed villa was rustled up for the Empress of Austria, AKA Princess Sissy, who had a bit of a thing for Greek mythology. The gardens are scattered with sculptures, while inside it’s all Michelangelo-style ceiling paintings of war hero Achilles.

Corfu’s nightlife is a mixed bag – it ticks off drowsy tavernas through to clubs that stay wide-eyed awake ‘til dawn. Agios Ioannis Peristeron falls squarely in to the first bracket. Here, it’s all about sipping bottles of Mythos beer at the counter of a local bar, or nursing a glass of kumquat liqueur on a sea-facing terrace as the sun takes one last bow. Those after something a bit more lively need not worry, though. There are plenty of clubs and bars in Moraitika, 5 minutes’ drive away.

If you want lively nightlife, head over to Moraitika – you can walk there in 15 minutes. The main strip in the centre gives you a good quota of bars and discos. Entertainment-wise, you’ve got everything from Elvis tributes to Greek dancing with a good helping of cheesy pop thrown in. Places stay open ’til the last one standing calls it a night.

The other Agios Ioannis, 18 kilometres from Agios Ioannis Peristeron, is the host of Corfu’s yearly soul, rock and folk festival. The music begins to fill the other-times sleepy village square from 6pm every night and continues for almost 3 weeks. You can expect loud and raucous international bands rubbing shoulders with locals performing traditional Corfiot songs and dances.

Agios Ioannis Peristeron has just a few restaurants, which you’ll find along the seafront. They’re laid-back little Greek tavernas where you can tuck into specials like squid fried in garlic, pancakes of salted cod fish or veal in white wine sauce. These family-friendly spots will mix the kids up their own fruity cocktails while you enjoy a more grown-up pina colada.

Prokopis Pachis runs this friendly beachside taverna. He’s picked a great spot, with a rustic terrace giving you a ring-side view of the sea. On the menu, you’ve got specialities like spaghetti with lobster, grilled swordfish and hearty beef moussaka. Mr Pachis doesn’t stint on portion sizes here, so arrive with a big appetite.

If you fancy a bit of headbanging, this is the place to go. Owner Charlie has Corfu’s biggest collection of rock music – you can ask him for even the most obscure old metal track and he’s bound to have it. The party atmosphere in here is for all ages, and kids are more than welcome to join in with their own air-guitar solos.

Agios Ioannis Peristeron’s tavernas and restaurants serve everything from home-cooked souvlaki and kleftiko to international dishes. Some even introduce live music and spur-of-the-moment Greek dancing as the night wears on. For a livelier scene, Moraitika is a couple of kilometres south. Its main street is a wriggle of tavernas and restaurants, many with British-themed dishes sharing space on the menu with Greek meze and straight-from-the-sea fish.

The beach at Agios Ioannis Peristeron is every inch a success story. The Evian-clear waters provide the stage for swimming and watersports, while the sand-and shingle combination is great for lounging and beach games. Throw in a clutch of tavernas and cafés offering delicious pick-me-ups just behind the front, and it’s easy to see why the place is so popular with the locals.