Gouvia in Corfu: Marina, Beach and History

Gouvia lies on the east coast of Corfu, approximately seven kilometres north of Corfu Town. The town is considered a natural harbour; the largest marina in Corfu is located in the Gulf of Gouvia. The coast and harbour define Gouvia.

Character of the Town and Coast

Gouvia was once a fishing village and developed into a modern tourist destination over four decades. Its tourist infrastructure includes many restaurants, bars and cafés.

From the coast of Gouvia, you can see the island in the gulf where the Ypapanti Chapel stands. The Church of Ypapanti in Gouvia extends out into the water on a peninsula-like island. Both the view from the shore and the church’s location in the water are among the town’s distinctive landscape features.

Gouvia Beach is organised and has facilities for people with disabilities. If you rely on a specific facility, check whether it is currently available before your visit.

Shipyards and Historical Remembrance

The ruins of the old Venetian Shipyards and the marina are near Gouvia Beach. The framework of the Venetian Shipyards has survived to this day. This means a visible architectural relic sits in the townscape alongside the harbour and beach.

Another historical landmark in Gouvia is the Serbian Monument. It commemorates the landing in the harbour of thousands of Serbian soldiers and civilians of all ages in January and February 1916. At the shipyards, the surviving framework takes centre stage; the monument commemorates a clearly defined historical event.

Corfu as a Wider Travel Destination

As part of the wider destination of Corfu, Corfu Old Town offers its own cultural and historical focus. Its historic urban fabric has been almost entirely preserved; the buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The Old Town and its two fortresses are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Museum of Asian Art is also located in Corfu Old Town. Its collection comprises more than 11,000 objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas and Central Asia. From Corfu Harbour, the museum can be reached by bus route 2 on the Mantouki–Kanoni route. Check the current timetable before travelling.

The Archaeological Museum of Corfu displays the Gorgon Medusa pediment from the great Temple of Artemis. The pediment dates to 585 BC and was excavated near the Monastery of Aghioi Theodoroi in 1911. This adds an archaeological collection focus to Corfu’s cultural and historical attractions.

Trails through forested mountains are also part of the wider destination of Corfu: in the Achilleion municipal unit, ancient paths wind through the mountains of Agii Deka, Stavros and Garouna and are suitable for hiking.

For an overview of the wider trip: Ionian Islands.