Discover Pélekas: Village Culture and Surroundings

Pélekas combines a distinctive village setting with experiences in the surrounding area. The architecture of its houses and two churches shape the village’s cultural character; nearby beaches and a section of the Corfu Trail broaden the choice. The Kaiser’s Throne observatory offers panoramic views, and a footpath leading there passes through Pélekas. This lets you explore village architecture, views, beaches and walking as different focuses for your trip.

Houses, Churches and Views in Pélekas

Notable features of Pélekas include the local architecture of its houses and the churches of Agios Nikolaos and Panagia Odigitria. Together, they give the village a distinct architectural and religious character. If you would also like to experience village architecture during your trip, the houses themselves are part of the village setting, alongside the two churches.

The Kaiser’s Throne observatory in Pélekas offers panoramic views. A footpath to the observatory passes through the village. This brings two different interests together: the character of the village and the view from the observatory.

Beaches and Different Coastal Atmospheres

Kontogialos and Glyfada are located near Pélekas. Both are popular beaches on Corfu, with fine sand, shallow water and beach bars. Kontogialos Beach is long and has a gently sloping seabed. It also has parasols, sun loungers and water sports. As these facilities may change, check their availability locally.

There are different settings even within Kontogialos Beach: “Small Kontogialos” is a small, relatively quiet bay at the southern end. A small fishing harbour is also located at this end of the beach. Once described as a hippie beach in the 1970s, Kontogialos is now considered a lively holiday resort. The bay and the beach’s lively character offer different points to consider when planning your time on the coast.

Myrtiotissa is also near Pélekas. The beach is used by naturists—a useful detail when deciding whether the coastal surroundings suit your preferences.

The Corfu Trail: Valley, Hills and Elevation Gain

The section of the Corfu Trail from Pélekas to Liapades passes through Vatos and crosses the Ropa Valley. It climbs to Giannades and continues into olive-covered hills; paths lead towards Liapades. This section offers views over Corfu’s west coast.

The route includes 600 metres of elevation gain. A descent of about half an hour leads to Myrtiotissa; after that, the route climbs steeply along a gravel and concrete track. The half-hour refers to this descent, not to the entire section. When planning your walk, both this limited time estimate and the elevation gain, followed by the steep climb, are important points to bear in mind.

Which Holiday Priorities Suit Your Search?

When looking for a holiday apartment in Pélekas, you can decide whether village architecture, the coast or walking should be the main focus of your stay. Along the coast, lively Kontogialos Beach, the relatively quiet little bay of Small Kontogialos and Myrtiotissa, which is used by naturists, offer different experiences. The Corfu Trail, meanwhile, passes through valleys and hills; its section from Pélekas to Liapades includes 600 metres of elevation gain.

Corfu: Old Town and Museums

Corfu’s Old Town offers a distinct focus on history and museums. Its historic urban fabric is almost entirely preserved, and its buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The Old Town and its two fortresses are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Museum of Asian Art in the Old Town houses a collection of more than 11,000 objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas and Central Asia. Alongside Pélekas’s village and coastal attractions, Corfu thus also offers a rich urban cultural experience.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Katavolos, Ypsos, Gazatika, Mesongi, Katsimatika, Anapaftiria, Velianitatika, Sidari.

Go to the main travel guide: Corfu.