Alright, let's talk about figuring out what to actually do near the Temple of Artemis in Corfu. Honestly, when I first planned my visit, I kinda thought the temple was the main event. Got there, snapped a few pics of the ruins – which are cool, ancient columns standing there all majestic-like – and then… well, stood around wondering, “Okay, what now?” Finished that in maybe 30 minutes flat. So yeah, this post is basically me figuring out how to fill the rest of that day nearby.
First Move: Hit the Beach
Saw the sea sparkling not far off and figured, why not? Wandered down towards Kanoni. Takes about 15-20 minutes, easy walk. The path gets a bit crowded closer to the viewpoint spot, where everyone’s jostling to snap pics of Mouse Island and the tiny monastery. Honestly? Kept walking past that chaos. Ended up finding a much quieter little patch of pebbles closer to the water. Didn’t swim, just ditched my bag, took off my shoes, and chilled with a bottle of water. It was perfect. Cleared my head after the morning ruins.
Getting Hungry & The Village Hunt
Sand between my toes doesn’t fill the belly. Got dressed again and started hunting for food. Looked at my map app – Garitsa village was the closest dot promising sustenance. Took maybe 15 minutes walking along the coast road. Place felt different – not as tourist-trappy as parts of Corfu Town. Went into this random, hole-in-the-wall taverna – no fancy sign, just plastic tables. Grabbed a table outside where I could see the boats bobbing. Menu was simple Greek stuff. Ordered souvlaki and the local beer, Mythos. Nothing crazy fancy, but hit the spot after the beach walk. Simple, good, cheap.
Accidental View & Wandering
Finished eating, paid the guy (super friendly, patted my shoulder saying "Yasou!"), and just started walking with no real plan. Ended up climbing some random narrow streets heading uphill. Not gonna lie, got lost a few times. Old buildings, washing lines strung across – proper local neighborhood vibes. Then, boom – turned a corner and there was this amazing view of the entire Garitsa Bay and the old fort across the water. Totally unplanned, totally free. Spent a good ten minutes just leaning on a wall, taking it in. Felt way more “real” than the crowded viewpoint earlier.
The Monastery Curveball
While I was enjoying the view, spotted another white and blue building perched nearby. Looked up in my travel notes later – turns out it was likely the Vlacherna Monastery near Mouse Island. Wasn’t part of any “must-see” plan I had, just noticed it sitting there pretty. Figured, since I was kinda nearby (or so it seemed!), might as well try walking closer. Ended up looping back down towards the coast road, walked past loads of villas and holiday rentals, and after another 20-25 minutes, there it was, attached to the land by this thin little causeway. Decided not to actually walk onto Mouse Island itself – the line for the little shuttle boat was ridiculous – but Vlacherna itself was a peaceful spot to sit for five minutes. Nice little bonus stop.
Wind Down & Thoughts
By this point, legs were tired and the sun was dipping lower. Saw a small bakery near where the coast path met the road back towards Kanoni area. Couldn’t resist. Picked up a spanakopita (spinach pie, still warm!) and an iced coffee. Found a bench facing the water and just… stayed put. Didn’t rush. Ate my snack, watched the light change, saw some small planes coming in low over the water to land at the nearby airstrip (turns out the viewpoint area I skipped earlier is famous for that!).
In the End...
What started as just a quick temple stop turned into this awesome, relaxed day filled with little discoveries. No tickets booked, no tours followed, just meandering based on what looked interesting in the moment. So yeah, near the Temple of Artemis:
- Don't rush the temple – admire it, but know it's quick.
- Hit Kanoni Beach for a chill breather.
- Grab a simple bite in Garitsa – avoid tourist menus.
- Wander uphill behind Garitsa for unexpected killer views.
- Stroll towards Vlacherna for that iconic photo spot (go early or be patient!).
- Just find a bench with water view and take it all in. Best part.
Forget ticking boxes. Go see the stones, then let the area just show you what it’s got. Best day I spent near the temple was the one I didn't really plan.
