Things To Do in Sidari

Sidari restaurants really play to the Brit pack, so you’ll find plenty of places serving up dishes like steak and chips or bangers and mash. But you can tuck into Greek treats, too, in the tavernas along the waterfront. Pastitsada – a bit like lasagne – is a must-try Corfu speciality that you'll see on most menus.

You can take a ferry from Sidari’s little harbour to one of the nearby Diapontia Islands. It takes about 40 minutes to get to Mathraki, which is lined with tiny hamlets and cypress-fringed coves. Or you can head to Erikoussa – an hour away – for a picnic. Here you’ll find a long, sandy beach that’s pleasantly crowd-free, plus an old whitewashed village.

Corfu is famous for its handicrafts, especially jewellery and products made from the local olive wood. You’ll find a top-notch selection of both in the 2-level shopping centre behind the harbour. Try this trio for souvenirs – Olive Wood for ornaments, the Traditional Greek Olive Shop for olive-oil soaps and creams, or Midas for pretty silver trinkets.

Madison is one of the most stylish cocktail bars in town, but also one of the most relaxed, welcoming visitors of all ages. Many come for the easy beachside location – this makes it a good daytime option, as you’ll get a free sunbed if you buy a drink. Come at night for performances by Lady Gaga and Bob Marley – or versions of them, anyway.

From Sidari you can take a ferry to Erikoussa, a tiny, unspoilt island. Its long, sandy beach is crowd-free and south-facing – so you’re in top sun-worshipping territory. For picnic supplies, wander into the old village to pick up one of the locally made pies the island is known for. The boat trip here takes just over an hour – keep an eye out for passing dolphins along the way.

It’s a bit of a walk to this restaurant on the outskirts of the resort, towards Peroulades, but well worth it. The pretty garden has a fountain, hammocks and gourd lights – and the fruit from the trees turns up in the delicious dessert crumble. As for the mains, owner George serves up swordfish and octopus along with Greek classics like sofrito, a slow-cooked veal steak.

On Sidari’s main beach, watersports are top dog. You’ve got a line-up of pedalos, banana boats, scuba diving and parasailing. You’ll find hire places all along the strip, with speed boats to rent up at the harbour end. And if you fancy stretching your legs, to the west you’ve got the Canal d’Amour, a tiny beach at the foot of a cliff. You can reach it via a series of paths and ladders.

Beachside café by day, cocktail lounge by night – Calypso has covered all bases. Families are drawn in by the regular tribute nights, while the mega sound system keeps the party crowd on the dance floor ’til the early hours. And if you’re eating here, the homemade pizzas and Greek sharing platters are good too.

Sidari’s party strip curves around the coastline, almost hugging the beach. In the bars here you’ll find everything from cocktails, karaoke and pub quizzes to hypnotists, tribute acts and cover bands – plus the occasional Greek plate-smashing dance. When the shows wrap up, local DJs spin mostly pop and R’n’B into the early hours.

You can have a good dance at this soul, rock and folk festival, which takes place every summer in Agios Ioannis, a traditional village about 20 kilometres from Sidari. Tickets will only set you back 20 euros, and it’s half price for kids. Food is sold on-site here, but you’re welcome to bring your own picnic.

Legend has it that if you swim the length of the Canal d’Amour – a tiny cove less than 5 minutes’ walk away – you’ll soon meet your dream partner. Alternatively, you could scuba dive in the caves underneath – it’s one of the region’s best diving spots here. You reach the cove via a series of paths and ladders.

The restaurants round here serve up a global roster of cuisines, including good old English. If you want more of a traditional flavour, though, seek out Corfiot cooking in the tavernas dotted around town and in the quieter restaurants near the Canal d’Amour. One authentic favourite is pastitsada, a Corfiot-style lasagne.

You might have to walk for a few minutes to get to this family-run joint at the Canal d’Amour end of town, but it’s worth it. You’ve got the sea view for starters – and then there’s Mama’s hearty, home-cooked Greek food. She’s particularly proud of her kleftiko – lamb slow-cooked with herbs in a paper bag.

Cocktail bars, Irish pubs, quiz nights – you’ll find them all on Sidari’s main strip. But step into the narrow side streets and there’s a different vibe, with traditional tavernas, live music and Greek bouzouki dancing. You can afford to be generous with the rounds, too – a bottle of beer costs as little as a euro.