Dassia Holidays

Dassia is set on the east coast of Corfu, framed by deep pine woods and with dazzling views across to the mainland. It’s a fairly small place and the shops, bars and restaurants are strung along the coastal road. Pace wise, the evenings are just the right side of lively, while days on the beach flit between sunbathing and trying out the watersports.

Dassia has a Blue Flag-winning 200-metre strip made up of shingle and pebble, which turns sandy in the clean, shallow water. There’s plenty of shade from the olive trees that fringe the beach. You’ve got a huge collection of watersports at the jetty, and from here you can also hire your own boat to explore the coastline.

After sunset, Dassia has a friendly, relaxed feel – think lively tavernas rather than pounding clubs. Eateries serve up a range of cuisines from traditional Greek to Indian and Chinese. After dinner, while there are plenty of places to just kick back with a drink, you can also find live music, quiz nights and karaoke if you’re in search of more life.

There are pony treks inland and coves to be explored by boat. Otherwise, you can head to the coastal villages of Gouvia and Kontokali for cobbled lanes, the remains of a Venetian shipyard and one of the oldest churches in Corfu. They can be reached in about 30 minutes, and there’s a rather lovely marina between the two places.