However, less than thirty years ago Agios Stefanos was a small, traditional fishing village with a few houses, a beautiful church and a small picturesque harbour, which has since been replaced. There was also a quite wide and deep river that divided the beach into two. Today the river makes it to the sea only during the wintertime.
The history of Agios Stefanos begins some thousands of years ago, during the Stone Age (3.000-2.000 B.C.).

Our oral tradition speaks of a sunken city, about which the old fishermen knew and which is now lost somewhere in the open sea. It is also said that there lay, among the underwater ruins, ancient pillars and a great number of ancient pots.
The myth of the sunken city, the river and the small rock in the shape of a ship that lies near the Diapontian Islands, are mentioned by Homer in his Odyssey. Many people believe that here existed the famous city of the Phaeceans, on the coast of which Ulysses was washed ashore after his ship was sunk. He was then found by Nausica, the daughter of King Alcinoos, who offered him shelter for a few days and sent him back to his homeland, the island of Ithaca, in one of his own ships. But Poseidon, god of the seas, was full of rage against the Phaeceans, for helping his enemy, Ulysses and punished them by turning the ship into stone, just before it sailed back into the city’s harbour.

This history led the German archaeologist, Dorpfeld, to conduct excavations in the area of Agios Stefanos between 1912-1913 and the site of his search was visited by the German Emperor Wilhelm III. Those excavations may not have brought the city of Alcinoos to light, but they have revealed some very interesting Neolithic settlements. These findings are kept in the archaeological museum of the City of Corfu. More excavations were conducted again later by the archaeologist H. Bulle, in 1934 and Professor August Sordinas in 1964-1965, which confirmed the existence of prehistoric settlements in Agios Stefanos.

There is no information about Agios Stefanos during the Classical or the Roman period. Later in the Byzantine Era or under the Venetian occupation, the church of Agios Stefanos was built and the area was named after it. At that time the local people devised another story about the “stone ship”. They claimed that when the pirates came to loot the church of Agios Stefanos, which was built on the island of Diaplos, Saint Stephen to whom the church is dedicated was infuriated and punished them by turning their ship into stone! Because of the fear of pirates, the area of Agios Stefanos was not regularly inhabited. Only the inhabitants of the nearby inland village of Avliotes cultivated and sowed their fields here. In the 2Oth century, until 1974, pottery was manufactured using the traditional method which flourished thanks to the high quality of the clay of the area.

Unfortunately, the little church was deserted through the years. But in 1930 a young monk decided to rebuild it and to dedicate his life to it. Around the church of Agios Stefanos, feasts and festivals are organized every summer.
A small coffee shop was built next to the church in 1960… A few years later, the first hotel rose… The first British tourists arrived and the first British villa was built and was given the name “Quiet”…
In Greece every little place has a great history. This quiet corner of Greece is a part of the Greek history, which bears together the past and the present, myth and reality!

Walk 1- (Hilltop Walk)

Start at the Perros Hotel and you have the choice of two routes.  Turn left and walk towards the tennis courts, just as you reach the T-junction you will see a track on the left between 2 properties. Take this track and climb the track till it begins to lead to a private house, to the right you will see a track in the grass leading up the hill.  Keep climbing and see if you can spot the wildlife that inhabits these grassy slopes, don’t worry about the snakes, they are mostly harmless and are very timid.  When you reach the top you will see a road and small hamlet of houses.  Turn right and keep to the road until it ends.

You now have a choice – the left hand path will take you down to Arillas beach, whilst the right hand track will take you over the headland, past the chapel and down towards the harbour of San Stefanos.  To enjoy the stunning views and to savour the scents of the wild thyme and jasmine this walk is best done in the early evening.

The above walk up the hill is very demanding, if you want a gentler climb then turn right out of the Perros and follow the road around the hairpin bends till you reach the point where the road splits and take the right fork and this will lead you to the hamlet of houses mentioned above, where you can resume the above walks.

Walk 2-(Avliotes)

This walk will take you to the local village of Avliotes.  Turn left and walk to the T-Junction and turn right.  Follow the road past the Rose Garden Apartments and carry on through the cluster of houses. Keep to the track of the road through the Olive Groves and carry on past the football pitch till you come to a junction with the Olive press building in front of you. Carry straight across and keep to the road and this will lead you to the village of Avliotes.  Enjoy a drink with the locals in one of the many tavernas, and take part in the national pastime of Greece, people watching.
Walk 3- (The Olive Grove walk)

Follow the above route, but at the Olive Press factory take the left turn and climb the gentle slope back towards San Stefanos.  Here you have another choice, you will see a road on the right between two identical houses, take this road and follow the track through the Olive Groves, finally climbing down onto San Stefanos beach, please do not be shocked as this end of the beach is used as a nudist beach. If you decide not to take this route, then just keep to the main road that will lead you down into the center of San Stefanos.

Some things to look out for

Corfu abounds with wildlife and flowers:

Savour the scents of the:

• Wild Jasmine
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Poppies
• Cyclamen
• Crocus
• Hyacinth

Some of the birds to look out for are:

• Sparrow
• Greenfinch
• Swallow
• Swifts
• Buzzards

Mammals you are likely to see:

• Fox
• Pine Martin
• Otter
• Hare

Reptiles are hard to find but you may spot:

• Tortoise
• Geckos
• Snakes
• Frogs
• Toads

Points to remember:

Don’t attempt these walks in the heat of the day.  The best time for the walks are early morning or late afternoon, these are the cooler times and you will be able to appreciate the scents of the wild flowers and you are more likely to spot the wildlife.

Beware of the traffic especially at junctions and bends.

On the cliff top walks keep away from the edge.

Wear sensible footwear and clothing

We hope you enjoy these walks and we would appreciate any comments/additions you might like to add.