Things To Do in Dassia

When it comes to watersports, Dassia really pulls out all the stops. For fun, you can try snorkelling, hop on a banana boat or take a leisurely ride on a pedalo. And there’s plenty for the more adventurous, too, with paragliding, parascending, waterskiing, windsurfing and diving all on offer.

All the night-time action takes place along the coastal road, which makes bar-hopping a doddle really. On the drinks front, you can try the local ouzo or stick with classic cocktails like caipirinhas. The entertainment’s pretty varied, too. You might want to listen to live music courtesy of a bouzouki – a Greek lute – or join in with some Greek dancing. Plate smashing is usually on the cards as well.

This friendly, family-run place is deservedly popular, with its homemade Greek fare and reasonably-priced menu. You can sit outside among the trees and grapevines and sip local wine while you wait for your food. The chicken souvlaki and generous Greek salads are among the favourites here, and the sweet of tooth will love the crepes and hot chocolate.

It’s only 10 minutes’ drive away so it’s worth having a look at Corfu Town. The old part is full of narrow alleyways, Venetian-style buildings and historic monuments. You’ve also got a clutch of museums and churches. You could stop for lunch at one of the stylish restaurants on The Esplanade. And, for a top-notch view of the ancient fortress, head for the small garden of Bosketo.

If you’re a bit of a get-up-and-go kind of person, you’ve got plenty of watersports to keep you active. There’s snorkelling, diving, water-skiing and windsurfing. And should you prefer someone else to do the work, you can always sit on a banana boat while you’re towed along by a speedboat.

You’ll find all the night spots along the coastal road, so it’s easy to stroll between bars. Chat to friendly locals over a glass of ouzo, or head to one of the buzzier bars for quizzes and karaoke. You can join in with some Greek dancing – complete with plate-smashing – or sit back and listen to traditional music played on a bouzouki, a Greek mandolin.

You’ll find a good line-up of tavernas and restaurants along the coastal road that runs between the beach and the village. Calamari, octopus and whitebait all make it onto the menus here. You’ll get a lot of Venetian-influenced food, too, so try the pastitsada – veal casserole with tomatoes, red pepper and cinnamon – or fasolada, which is a delicious bean stew.

Most of the restaurants are strung along the coastal road between the beach and the town. Seafood is the real star here, so do order the squid, sea bass or whitebait. There are plenty of opportunities to sample authentic Corfiot food, too – you could try bourdeto, a peppery fish stew, or sofrito, sliced veal in vinegar, parsley and garlic.

Run by Scottish couple Ken and Sara, what you’ve got here is a real British boozer. They’re all about having fun, so expect karaoke and quiz nights. And they pull out all the stops on the entertainment front, too – every evening there’s a different show, with live tribute acts a regular. If you’re peckish, they do a mean Indian curry as well.

Over in nearby Agios Ioannis, this annual soul, rock and folk festival has only been going since 2009 but already it’s a major draw round these parts. You’ll get an international cast of musicians – Britain’s Joe Brown has headlined – and plenty of Corfu Beer on tap. There’s food here, too, but you’re welcome to bring your own picnic.

The shops on the coastal road do the usual line in T-shirts, pottery, belts and bags, and you can also find more authentic goods, such as souvenirs made from local olive wood. If you want snacks for the beach, head to the end of the main road where there’s a supermarket that sells great bread, olives, local wine and feta cheese.

The coastal road is where you’ll find your retail therapy. Shops here do a brisk trade in T-shirts and ‘designer’ handbags, and you’ve also got a couple of places selling souvenirs made from olive wood. And if you’re looking for picnic nibbles, a special shout-out goes to Belissimo – a deli at the southern end of the resort that does cheese, salami and pastries.

About 200 metres off the main street, you’ll find Karidia. It’s a popular spot with the locals, who come here for the traditional Greek cooking. You might want to start with the tirokafteri – a spicy cheese dip. For mains it’s hard to choose between loukaniko – Greek-style sausages – and the lamb gastra, which is casseroled up with onion, peppers and feta cheese. You’ll probably need a repeat visit.