Things To Do in Alykes Potamos

Alykes Potamos is proud of its sleepy nightlife – but you’re within 10 minutes’ drive of nightlife in Gouvia and Corfu Town. In the capital it’s a sophisticated affair – a trendy, well-dressed crowd heads to the Liston to drink in the chic wine bars nestled under the colonnade’s arches. Up in Gouvia it’s a wilder affair, with waterside cocktail bars and a couple of DJ-hosted techno clubs that get going around midnight.

The pebbly Dassia Beach is 10 minutes’ drive away and is one of the best diving spots in Corfu. There’s a watersports centre on the beach that offers beginner lessons – trips to the rocky seabed get you up close to octopus, lobsters and brightly-coloured plants. Back on the shore, this Blue Flag beach boasts lots of sunloungers and umbrellas, plus a few beach bars at its northern end.

Dining in Alykes Potamos revolves around just a couple of restaurants in town. For authentic Corfiot cuisine, head to nearby Corfu Town, where rustic eateries in the old town serve up local cuisine inspired by Greek and Italian cooking. A popular dish is the bourdetto, a peppery fish stew, while the pastitsada is an island speciality – it’s a kind of spaghetti bolognese made with rooster instead of beef.

The Cavalieri, in the heart of Corfu’s old town, has an elegant rooftop bar which gets you views of the old fortress and all the way across the town. The plush leather seating outside makes for a comfortable spot to take it all in as you sip on a frozen daiquiri or classic mojito, while chilled-out lounge music plays in the background.

There’s a supermarket in town that has all the essentials. Over in Corfu Town you can pick up souvenirs like ceramics, wood carvings and gold jewellery. Do wander over to the new fortress – the main shopping street, complete with a big Marks & Spencer, is there, and next door you’ve got a daily fruit and veg market. It’s a colourful, lively spectacle that’s fun to meander through even if you’re not buying.

Corfiot cuisine is very Italian-influenced – no more so than in Il Vesuvio, a rustic pizzeria on the main road through town. A stone oven in the back prepares all the classic pizzas as well as a couple of Corfiot specialities – feta cheese, olives and gyros meat is a particularly local mix. While you’re here, do ask to try their homemade retsina wine.

Aqualand is a mammoth waterpark, 10 minutes’ drive away in Agios Ioannis. It’s a lively, frenetic place with winding flumes and high-rise slides. Over in the children’s area there are smaller slides, plus a shallow paddling pool. You’ve also got a fast food restaurant here, and a grassy patch set up with sunloungers and umbrellas. A day ticket costs about 25 euros.