In Search of Shade

"Even if the wind blows it doesn't cool us
and the shade is meagre under the cypress trees..."

(George Seferis, tr. Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard)


One shouldn't complain, as the British summer hasn't been so hot this year, but with constant daytime temperatures of around 36-39 C, Corfu can be uncomfortable.

I'm always in search of good beaches with plenty of deep natural shade. I haven't got much time for sun umbrellas.

Dassia Hotel has plenty of shade if one is happy to sit at a table (excellent, very reasonably priced restaurant, friendly staff, free use of sun-beds), but the best place, in my experience (but it's on Paxos) is Ben's Bar at Monodendri, Paxos.

Great service, free use of sun-beds and kayaks etc. That's the place for me. Ben even plays a great selection of Dylan songs from his computer (which might drive some people away).

Barbati (Corfu) may not appeal to everyone, but Michelle and her husband Perikles have an enviable location called Nautilus (which they manage very efficiently), with an adequate shady area under the trees (but you have to pay for use of the sun-beds).

I would welcome recommendations for good Corfu beaches which offer plenty of natural shade under trees.

There's nothing like a short beach-side siesta in the afternoon, but preferably without increasing the risk of skin cancer.