Dassia Beach Travel Guide
About Dassia Beach
Dassia (Dasia), on the island of Corfu in Greece, was one of first villages on the island to be developed as a resort. Its main pull is that it gives guests the best of both worlds: proximity to Corfu Town, which lies just a 10-minute drive away, and a peaceful beachside location. It has grown into a low-key, family holiday destination, straggling both sides of the busy main road joining Corfu Town to the northeast of the island. Most visitors stay in one of the large, modern, 4-star hotels set in landscaped gardens overlooking the sea, but there are also rooms and apartments to let, plus a campsite. Dassia is quieter and more up-market than neighbouring Ipsos, which lies 2km (1 mile) north along the coast and is known for its lively nightlife, bars and discos.
Beach:
Dassia Beach is about 200m (650ft) long and 15m (50ft) wide, and has been awarded a Blue Flag for cleanliness. Like all the beaches on Corfu's east coast, it is composed of pebble rather than sand. There are sun beds and umbrellas for hire, plus watersports facilities, and the calm water is said to be particularly good for water skiing. It lies just a 10-minute walk from the busy main road, and is backed by two smart, modern, 4-star hotels (the Dassia Chandris and the Corfu Chandris) at the south end, and by a string of bars at the north end.
Beyond the beach:
The highly professional, eco-friendly Corfu Mountainbike Shop, on the main road in the centre of Dassia, has bikes to rent and also organises guided cycling tours to Mount Pantokrator. Alternatively, visitors can take one-day boat trips along the coast to other resorts such as Kassiopi, and to coves with pebble beaches accessible only from the water.
Family fun:
Dassia Beach is ideal for kids, being a safe distance from the busy main road, and offering calm, shallow water for bathing. Watersports facilities include bananas and ringos, plus the more demanding water skiing, scuba-diving, paragliding and boat hire. A 20-minute drive away, in Agios Ioannis, on the main road to Glyfada, lies Aqualand water park (www.aqualand-corfu.com), a vast complex of pools, giant Jacuzzi and slides, plus a bouncy castles, an adventure playground and a games arcade.
Exploring further:
The island's elegant capital, Corfu Town, is stunningly beautiful with a romantic mix of Venetian, French and British architecture dating back several centuries. Alternatively, take a day trip by boat to Albania to visit Butrint National Park with its UNESCO-protected Greek and Roman archaeological site, and the seaside resort of Saranda.
