A small video showing purse seine vessels and fishing boats as they were fishing in the decades of 60-70 and 80
Fishing with Purse Seine – Gri Gri
Posted in: Corfu Videos
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Ruins of Roman Villa with Baths in Benitses
Posted in: Corfu Historical Sites & Points of Interest
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Remains of a Roman villa with baths in Benitses
Let’s clarify. When we talk about Roman baths in Benitses, don’t picture the grand public Roman baths found throughout the ancient empire.
Here, we’re referring to just a simple house in ruins once owned by a relatively wealthy Roman citizen who used it as a summer residence almost 2,000 years ago.
It was a typical Roman house with running water, hence the exaggerated title “baths,” and adorned flooring suggesting its affiliation with a wealthy family. As you notice we never use this title, we call it as it is, a Roman house with pipes for running water.
The floor is from a later period and features an elaborate arrangement of black and white marble pieces. It’s the only significant remnant of the building, but unfortunately, it is now buried underground and inaccessible to visitors.
The decision to bury the floor again and fence the site stemmed from tourists’ behavior, as they used to take small pieces of the floor as souvenirs. This led the Antiquities Authority to bury it, preserving what remained after the looting by “civilized tourists,” (those who now know how to write ‘good reviews’ on this… Tripadvisor) and enclosing the area with a metal fence.
This was deemed necessary as the archaeological value of the site wasn’t considered high enough to justify a permanent guard.
Given the sheer number of ancient, buildings in Greece, assigning guards to all is impractical. In essence, the site holds minimal archaeological value.
However, the orchard and the surrounding area are systematically cleaned 4-5 times a year to prevent the vegetation from engulfing the building within a few months.
This information is shared to set realistic expectations for your visit. We’ve come across amusing reviews on Tripadvisor that highlight the importance of managing expectations.
Official government Description
There are remains of a Roman villa with baths on the Kapsokavadis family land, in the centre of the village of Benitses.
At the East end, there is a large hall (Caldarium in Latin), with dimensions 4.70 x 6m, its entrance is from the north and the housing is based on arches (ride).
The walls are almost one meter (90 centimeters) thick and are built of the same size bricks and mortar, in some places the stones are irregular, elsewhere there are bricks and mortar, and preserved at the bottom are sections that were probably made of marble.
In the four corners and the centre of each wall are clay water pipes.
The floor has a very colorful mosaic with geometric jewels and has a rectangular opening communicating with the basement area (hypocaust) whose central area was surrounded by a vaulted corridor.
In the South wall, there is a small semicircular niche, its floor is lower than the rest and separated from the rest by a low wall.
Left of the semicircular apse there is a rectangle.
At the west end, there is a corridor (with dimensions 0.90 X4, 80m.) that was barrel-vaulted.
Southwest of the first room there is another arched room (Frigidarium), whose dimensions are 4,40 X5,50m.
The floor is of a later period and contains pieces of black and white marble. On the north side, a low wall separates this room from the water tank to the north whose base is 2.50 m lower down.
Other large areas have been partly excavated in the adjacent property to the west.
Of the top of the building, nothing has been saved, and of course, there is no trace of any roof.
How to reach the Corfu Roman villa with baths?
Because the access to the monument is a bit weird… as it is hidden behind houses, we prepared a little guide with photos of the trail that leads there, from the main road right up to the monument.
Somewhere in the village’s inner main street, just opposite the entrance of the Marina, you’ll spot Captain Octopus restaurant on the left (first picture) and the old characteristic renovated house of the second photo on the right.
You must walk to the end of the yard between those two and at your right-hand side, you will find the narrow path of the third photo.
Don’t be discouraged, follow this path and after 3-4 yards on your left side, you will see the narrow street of the fourth photo.
Arriving at the end of it you will find an opening as shown in the fifth photo, after 50 more yards on your right you will find the baths as they look in the last picture.
Roman remains around the island
Roman remains are not something many visitors associate with Corfu, but traveling around you can get glimpses that show you that their occupation was definitely not a quick holiday stop!
Many conquerors have left their marks on the island, the history of Corfu is a fascinating glimpse into power struggles, and the rise and fall of dynasties.
The Roman period is less well known than later times but was an extremely important time for the island.
Legend says that Nero watched a play in the theatre at Kassiopi– now disappeared sadly.
There are however Roman remains to be found in many villages around the island, Acharavi, Moraitika, and Benitses to name but a few. Indeed in Benitses, the remains of a splendid Roman bath with mosaics can be seen.
One of the most famous naval battles in history, in Actium, where Augustus Caesar (then Octavius) destroyed the fleet of Antony and Cleopatra, was fought in the seas just south of Corfu, and Caesar’s victory was celebrated by building a large city near the modern town of Preveza, called unsurprisingly Nicopolis, which in Greek means Victory City (Niki = Victory & Polis = Town).
At the northern end of the Corfu channel, on the Albanian coast, is located the remains of Butrint, an important archaeological site containing Roman remains, as well as relics of older Greek civilizations that have colonized this coast.
Corfu has always been very important strategically, as the entrance to the Adriatic Sea.
The main road to Rome, the Appian Way, began at Brindisi, the Italian port a bit to the north of Corfu, where today’s ferry passengers also disembark.
It was also the gateway to the eastern empire and for ships needing to refresh supplies of food and water, it was an essential stop.
Benitses Corfu of The 60s to 80s and The Legendary ‘Spiros on the Beach’
The First Tourists of the 60s in Benitses
When we try to bring memories from Corfu of the 60s, 70s, and ’80s, the first place that comes to mind is Benitses.
In the early 60s, the first visitors began arriving in Benitses.
Many were wealthy and famous and were looking for beautiful traditional places such as Benitses.
Stage and screen designer Roger Furse and his actor and playwright friend Emlyn Williams had both bought land and built villas overlooking the sea, as had the publisher Hamish Hamilton.
Benitses was visited by famous actors and singers of the era, such as Peter Ustinov, Rex Harrison, Vivien Leigh, and Laurence Olivier.
Paul McCartney, Ava Gardner, Warren Beatty, Paul Newman, Doris Day, Gregory Peck, and Audrey Hepburn were among others who fell under the spell of the peaceful village.
Celebrities in Benitses of the 60s – With photos
Most of them saw it as an escape from civilization and the paparazzi of the era; they would spend their time on the beaches and in the two or three traditional taverns that existed at the time.
Vivien Leigh planned to buy a home nearby, and during the last years of her life, she visited her friends here in summer and winter.
George Harrison of the Beatles spent several days in Benitses water skiing.
Another regular visitor was John Lennon, who stayed in Agios Ioannis, three kilometers south of Benitses, in a room behind the restaurant of the Pachis family.
Inspired by the landscapes of Benitses in their songs, the Moody Blues used to play their wooden guitars on the Kaiser’s bridge.
From a 1967 album, with paintings of the painter Giannis Migadis, is the old cafe “Skaloma”. The photo was found on a blog; unfortunately, it is of very low resolution.
The music producer of the Bee Gees, Saturday Night Fever, Jesus Christ Superstar, and other notable productions, Robert Stigwood, made his appearance usually with his large yacht and used to organize big parties before leaving.
We can’t forget Cat Stevens, who, when out with a group of young friends, borrowed the guitar of the young Kostas Zochios. A few months later, he sent a new guitar as a gift to Kostas, this guitar is still treasured.
Although we have quite a rich collection of old photos, unfortunately, there is none with these people, but as we are sure that somewhere there are some, we will continue looking.
All of these may seem strange to today’s youngsters, but it is part of our history and perhaps interesting for other people who are a bit older.
It was the time that Benitses began to build their reputation, which during the 70s, brought a big wave of organized tourism, especially young women who came to Corfu not only for the sea and sun. The golden era of the “Greek kamaki”, a term known by older generations.
It was a beautiful era, a time that today’s sixty-plus-year-olds remember with nostalgia.
Spiros on the Beach
Just saying it brings back memories
Saying Spiros on the beach means a small seaside restaurant which, in a very short time, became the ultimate legend of Corfu nightlife during the 1970s and early 80s.
All the following photos belong and were made public on Facebook by Chris Hayward, who was the DJ at Spiros on the Beach during the 80s
The glorious decade of the 70s
Spiros on the beach was nothing remarkable, a small building a few square meters large, with an outdoor dancing area merging seamlessly with the beach.
This space was covered with the simplest material possible, with mats around the side and forming a roof.
Loud music of the era was played, simple lighting effects were used, and in the middle was a primitive wooden dancing floor.
All these were the ingredients that formed the almost legendary Spiros on the beach, the most “in” place of the 70s, the nightclub, the disco as they called them then, which every tourist visiting the island of Corfu was bound to visit!
From 1975 until 1985 it was the undisputed king of the Corfiot nightlife, gathering more than 3000 people every night, some to drink, others to listen to music, dance, and have a good time, and some to engage in the informal “sport” which increased the Greek reputation for being great lovers, the famous harpoon!… Kamaki!
The small bar was not able to accommodate all patrons and at some point, the customers paid for the drinks with banknotes without getting any change back, there was no time, and the pressure was so great, but despite paying three or four times more than expected they still felt happy that they had managed to get a drink at Spiros on the beach.
Music Hits Of the 70s – Oldies in 20 minutes!
This mix was created in 1982 and digitized in 2008. Our purpose was to provide just a taste of the 70s by playing only a few seconds from the most popular hits of that era.
70s-all-artists
Spiros on the beach had such an impact on youth at the time that the music sounded from the loudspeakers helped shape the musical taste of youngsters of the 70s.
Its reputation had surpassed the confines of Corfu, and especially in Great Britain, it was well known. “Spiros on the beach” was a place that many older people still remember.
Today, the area looks deserted, apart from some old abandoned buildings; there is nothing there, as the owner Spiros Poulis died young at the age of 50.
This article was written to keep the memories alive. This disco was a big part of the history of tourism for our village and made a tremendous contribution to the tourist promotion of Benitses at the time.
We found a Greek night barbeque ad of Spiros on the beach, it was September of 1974!!!… Certainly written on a typewriter and then came out on photocopies, computers did not exist then either in our imagination, click it to read.
What was the nightlife like in Benitses, Corfu, in the 80s?
Benitses then was the center of Corfu nightlife, its name became synonymous with nightlife, and it helped to bring more tourists in the following decade, the 1980s.
For over twenty years, Benitses was the holiday mecca for hordes of young British tourists, who were brought by major tour operators from the UK, although some were Greek-owned.
There was a time when on a road only two kilometers long were over 100 bars, nightclubs, and dozens of shops, Benitses had 10,000 people every night.
Those who lived here saw many tourists, some staying in the village, but others coming from all over the island who came to party the night away.
Meanwhile, the locals continued their lives by fishing as usual; that’s a small video from that era.
Then the problems began and increased every year, and there was a reaction by local people who objected to the drunkenness, promiscuity, and vandalism of some of these young people.
The tourists themselves were also unhappy, even young ones often complaining that they did not like to go out at night because of the bad behavior of others.
Inevitably, there were quarrels between local and foreign men over girls. The party had stopped being fun.
In the early 90s, the local people began to react, and many tourists were also complaining to the tour operators, some demanding refunds.
Tour companies began directing young people wanting to go crazy to go somewhere else.
For years later the number of visitors continued to decline as the village tried to live down its ‘party’ image.
A large number of shops, bars, etc., could not be sustained and closed one after another.
Panoramic Benitses Photo from 1981
Benitses in 1981 featured a dramatically different port layout than what visitors see today.
It shows the entire area of Benitses, almost from Koutsomaroula bay up to Laopetra, seems to have been pulled from the base of the then-old pier in the harbor.
So thanks to Mr. Alan Walker, who took it and kept it on traditional paper in a long frame, it can be preserved forever; it is the old memory of a village, a little different and certainly more picturesque and beautiful.
The photo was given by Mr. Alan Walker to the Argo pool restaurant bar, then to Takis Kontos of the Cultural Association in May 2013. Takis brought us the frame yesterday, and today it is already ready for all of you to see.
A big Thanks to the Cultural association and Takis, especially for their trust. This photo belongs to the residents, and the watermark is there only for protection, as always, and it also includes both websites.
We have the photograph at a much higher resolution and available to everyone.
Below there is a similar picture from May 2012, but from another angle, from the exact spot where the top of the old pier was, and therefore the village seems further away …
But anyone can send some conclusions; we do not express any opinion, but present and leave the conclusions for you.
What is left today of those Benitses Clubs?
Get a glimpse of what is left from the photos below, and just consider that some buildings are missing, for instance, the club Babylon, which remembers it? We will add some photos soon!
If you are wondering what this is below? It was the entrance of the Paradise Club, I mean, what is left now, there isn’t any better angle to take a good shot, as the place is surrounded by uncontrolled vegetation.
Summer Villa of the Shipowner Pateras
In the above photo, you see the bay of Koutsomaroula as it was in 1960; then, there were only two or three houses, with the biggest one in the center.
It was the summer villa of the shipowner Pateras (Pateras is the Greek word for father), the father of the former(2011) President of the football club Panathinaikos.
Later, shortly after 1980, the villa was sold and demolished, and a nightclub called STADIUM was built there, a nightclub with a huge capacity and full of life.
Today, STADIUM operates as a nightclub and in recent years has become a popular venue for weddings, christenings, banquets, and other events.
What happened to the STADIUM Club?
Well, here’s the scoop: it’s recently changed hands, now owned by the same folks who run the luxury Angsana Hotel in Benitses.
Whispers in the wind suggest there are plans for posh villas to grace the spot, but that’s the extent of our intel for now. Exciting times are ahead, right?
Benitses Marina, Corfu – Map & Facilities
Benitses Marina is located on the eastern coast of Corfu, in the seaside village of Benitses.
It sits directly on the village waterfront, which means the marina is not isolated or industrial in feel. Instead, it blends into a busy coastal settlement with restaurants, cafés, small shops, and hotels all within walking distance.
The setting is sheltered and central for exploring both Corfu’s east coast and the wider Ionian Sea.
Map of Benitses Marina
Distance from Benitses Marina to Corfu Town
The actual driving distance from Benitses center, where Marina is, to Corfu town is about 13 kilometers.
To Corfu Town Center (San Rocco Square): 12 km (precisely 11,700 meters), approx. 20-minute drive (depending on traffic)
To Corfu Port (Mantouki): 14 km (precisely 13,500 meters), approx. 25-minute drive (depending on traffic)
To Corfu International Airport (CFU): 11 km (approx. 20-minute drive)
Local Insider Tip: Many official marine websites and booking platforms mistakenly copy-paste an old typo claiming Benitses is only 9 km from the capital. As locals who drive this road daily, we can assure you it is a scenic, almost 13 km journey along the EO Kerkiras-Lefkimmis coastal road.
CONTACT
📡 VHF Channel 67
☎️ +30 26610 72627
📲 +30 6937 133 662
Location and Access
The marina lies on Corfu’s main eastern shoreline, facing the Ionian Sea.
Its position makes it one of the more convenient stops on the island:
– Close to Corfu Town
– Close to the airport
– Direct access from the main coastal road
– Easy access to southern cruising routes in the Ionian
Unlike more remote mooring areas, everything around the marina is immediately accessible on foot, including village services and transport links.
Size and Capacity
Benitses Marina is a mid-sized facility rather than a large commercial port.
Key specifications:
– Around 100 berths
– Yachts up to 25 metres in length
– Multiple pontoons and quay-side mooring areas
– Capacity for both visiting yachts and seasonal berth holders
The size keeps it relatively compact, contributing to a quieter, village-integrated atmosphere compared to larger marinas in Corfu.
Services, Mooring Fees & Boat Rentals at Benitses Marina
Benitses Marina is a full-service marina in Corfu, offering modern berthing facilities, yacht rentals, winter storage, and easy access to sightseeing experiences around the island and mainland Greece.
Mooring Fees
Mooring fees at Benitses Marina typically start at around €120 per night for a standard yacht, although the final price depends on:
- Boat length
- Season
- Length of stay
If you remain in the marina until 19:00 on your departure day, a charge of 50% of the daily mooring rate applies.
Utilities such as fresh water and electricity are available through a prepaid card system, with cards typically starting from €5.
Boat Rentals & Yacht Charters
Benitses Marina offers a wide selection of boats suitable for different budgets and experiences.
Rental Type Typical Price
- Self-drive motorboats From €85–€350 per day
- Skippered yachts & catamarans From €445–€600+ per day
- Private day cruises From €600 for private six-route experiences
For yacht charters and private boat rentals, reservations can be made directly through the marina’s charter partners.
Winter Storage & Boat Services
Benitses Marina offers both wet and dry winter storage, supported by a 50-ton travel lift for safe launching and hauling. Boats benefit from 24-hour CCTV surveillance and on-site security.
Available services include:
- Mechanical and engine repairs
- Electrical and electronics work
- Boat cleaning and detailing
- Hull cleaning and antifouling
- Underwater hull cleaning by professional divers
- Carpentry and structural repairs
- Rigging and sail repairs
- High-pressure cleaning
These facilities make the marina suitable for both long-term winter storage and maintenance stops during cruising.
Tours & Excursions
Visitors can also book sightseeing experiences departing directly from Benitses Marina through We Transfer You, an independent private transfer and tour company.
Available excursions include:
- Half-day Corfu sightseeing tours
- Full-day Corfu Island tours
- 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day trips to mainland Greece
Please note that these excursions are operated independently and are not owned or managed by Benitses Marina.
Booking Information
To book a boat charter, contact:
Phone / WhatsApp / Viber / Telegram: +30 698 684 9671
Getting to Benitses Marina
Benitses Marina is located just south of Corfu Town and is easy to reach by public transport or taxi.
- Bus: Local Line 6 connects Corfu Town with Benitses.
- Taxi: Approximately 15 minutes, costing around €14–€17.
Nearby Beach Club
If you’re visiting without a boat, the nearby beach club offers an affordable beach setup with:
2 sunbeds and 1 umbrella: €8
Weddings & Events
Benitses Marina is a scenic waterfront venue for weddings, private celebrations, and seasonal events. Couples can enjoy fully organized wedding ceremonies and receptions with personalized planning and catering, all set against the backdrop of the Ionian Sea. Throughout the year, the marina also hosts live music, themed evenings, and special events, creating a vibrant atmosphere for visitors and locals alike.
What the Marina Feels Like
What stands out most about Benitses Marina is not its size or infrastructure, but its integration into the village.
Within a few minutes of stepping off a boat, you are in a functioning coastal community. Taverns, bakeries, cafés, and bars line the waterfront, and the village has a steady local rhythm that continues throughout the year.
This creates a different experience compared to isolated marina complexes: it feels connected to everyday life rather than separated from it.
Why Sailors Stop Here
Most visitors use Benitses Marina for practical and geographic reasons rather than luxury positioning.
It is used because:
– It sits on a central cruising route in the Ionian
– It is close to Corfu Town and transport links
– It offers reasonable protection on the East Coast
– It provides direct access to village services
– It works well as a short stay or turnaround stop
It is not a superyacht marina, and it does not try to be one. Its value is convenience and location.
Village Life Around the Marina
One of the defining features of Benitses Marina is its integration with the village.
Immediately outside the marina area, there is a working coastal community with:
– Traditional tavernas and seafood restaurants
– Cafés and bars along the waterfront
– Small shops and local services
– Seasonal tourism activity
This creates a mix of local life and visitor traffic, especially in summer.
From Local Harbor to Modern Marina
The waterfront at Benitses has changed significantly over time.
What was once a small fishing harbor serving the village has been gradually expanded into a modern marina facility. The transformation added berthing capacity and infrastructure while keeping the location anchored in the same settlement.
Despite these changes, the marina remains closely tied to the original village shoreline rather than existing as a separate development.
Summary
Benitses Marina is a mid-sized Corfu marina with around 100 berths and capacity for yachts up to 25 metres. Its main strengths are its location, village access, and practicality for cruising in the Ionian.
It is best understood not as a destination marina but as a working, well-positioned stop where sea access and village life meet.
The STADIUM of FC Club Benitses
The STADIUM of FC Club Benitses Inaugurated today 04.01.2015
Amazing Things to Do in Benitses Corfu
Things to Do & Explore in Benitses
Benitses is not a place defined by major attractions, but by slow, easy exploration. The experience comes from moving between the village streets, the seafront, and the green hills just behind the settlement within minutes.
Here is a wide range of attractions and activities, from historical sites and nature experiences to boat trips and local culture, making it one of the most diverse areas in Corfu for visitors.
1) Step Back in Time: The Old Village Vibe
Benitses’ traditional part lies in a beautiful location in the middle of a green valley that sweeps down to the sea and has kept its natural beauty intact despite the intense activity and large touristic development since mass tourism started in the 1960s.
Up here, just a corner’s away from the seaside promenade, the feeling changes completely. Due to the proximity of the mountains and the higher altitude, you get the feeling that you are not in a seaside resort but rather in a mountain village of Greece, where life looks easier and more laid back.
The village consists of five settlements.
The traditional old and most populous part is located between the mountains and called Panochori (meaning “the upper village”).
Another settlement, Vaska (reservoir), is around the aqueduct.
The settlement around the old port is called Skaloma, and it is the current commercial centre of the village with the most shops.
The village expanded south through the part called Chontrakia or Kontrakia along the main road to Lefkimi, up to the Tsaki (chimney) area, the last settlement and where Benitses ends.
The village’s population is 1,000 residents, most of whom deal with tourism, but in the past their traditional occupations were fishing, cultivating olives and citrus fruit, and in the distant past, the operation of watermills for flour production on the mountain side of the village, occupations some of which, like fishing, are reviving now especially during winter.
The existence of sources created a river which many years ago passed through the current path of the old village; the diversion of the river was earlier in the last century.
These sources are, to this day, the aqueduct and are the reason that Benitses has been inhabited since ancient times and the origin of its name.
2) The Mountain Side of Benitses: Villages, Trails & Views
Benitses is literally built at the foot of green mountains, where several small churches are hidden among the trees, including Agia Paraskevi and Agia Triada, which stands on a beautiful hilltop with impressive views. Numerous old paths and trails lead from Benitses through the countryside towards the mountain village of Stavros, offering a completely different experience from the seaside and revealing the quieter side of Corfu.
Stavros is one of the most rewarding viewpoints above Benitses, with panoramic views stretching across central and southern Corfu. The village has a traditional atmosphere and is a pleasant destination for those who enjoy walking, cycling, or exploring the mountainous side of the island. A well-known local stop there is Kostas’ Bar, a small family place where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery.
For visitors who want to discover more than the coastline, the hills above Benitses offer some of the best opportunities to experience the natural landscape and local character of the area.
The village also has doctors, a pharmacy, a surgery, travel agencies, a laundry, and water sports.
3) Find out what happened with the Sea Museum
Once home to one of the most impressive private marine collections in Greece, the Sea Museum showcased rare shells, fossils, and sea life exhibits before closing in 2018.
👉 Read more about the Sea Museum of Benitses. A historic article only.
4) The Ruins of Roman Baths
Although commonly known as the Roman Baths, the site is believed to be part of a wealthy Roman villa dating from the 2nd century AD. The name comes from its water system and bathing facilities rather than from a large public bath complex.
Today, only limited structural remains are visible, as the original mosaics are protected beneath a layer of earth. The site is a small but interesting reminder of the Roman presence in the area.
👉 Read more about the Roman Baths in Benitses. This guide includes photos and directions on how to find the site.
5) Achilleion Palace (must-visit)
A landmark palace built in the 19th century, the Achilleion lies 3 kilometers from Benitses and belongs to the Gastouri neighbourhood village; it is known for its classical architecture, gardens, and statues dedicated to Achilles.
Easy to visit due to its proximity to Benitses. Keep in mind, though, that during the last few years, only the gardens are accessible to the public due to extensive renovation of the site.
👉 Read full details about the Achilleion Palace.
6) Daily boat trips
From here, boat trips connect to nearby islands and coastal destinations such as Paxos, Antipaxos, and southern Corfu. For full details, see the Benitses Marina.
For day boat trips or daily Cruises to the Greek Mainland, there are travel offices around the promenade where you can book, or ask at your accommodation; they will happily help you.
Note: It’s good to know that the current owner of the marina has forbidden fishing from the docks of the port. But there are always other points on the seaside free for fishing.
7) History – See Old Historic Buildings
Benitses features several traditional and historic buildings that reflect its long history as a coastal village.
👉 Read more in the Old Historic Buildings of Benitses.
8) Visit the West Coast Beaches
From Benitses, visitors can easily access some of Corfu’s most beautiful sandy beaches along the west and south coast.
👉 Read more in the West Coast Beaches. Something for every type of traveler, whether you prefer relaxing or exploring.
