FAQS
Travel
We cannot directly arrange travel sharing directly but some of the taxi companies offer shuttle services or the option to share a taxi and the Arillas Ride & Room Share Facebook page is a good place to post and connect to visitors who may be there at the same time.
Accommodation
We cannot directly arrange accommodation sharing directly but the Arillas Ride & Room Share Facebook page is a good place to post and connect to visitors who may be there at the same time.
Well, how do you like heat?? Corfu can be warm and still but it tends not to be very humid. The average temperatures in June range from 16-28 degrees Celsius. Most accommodation around Arillas is air-conditioned though some places may impose a daily surcharge. Older places may not have air conditioning but typically provide a fan.
Budgeting
MEALS
Budget 8 euros for a light supper or lunch
Budget 15 euros for a more substantial meal
DRINKS
Glass/bottle of beer 3.50 euros
Large glass of wine 3-5 euros
Self-catering accommodation is available locally. There is a bakery in the village, a number of small Greek food markets and two alternative food outlets, including Ina’s (on the main beach road) and Kostas Bio Market (about 10 mins walk up the hill from Arillas). Corfu Carne is a bigger supermarket about 10 mins drive from Arillas.
You are responsible for arrangements for you own meals with the exception of the Welcome Meal on Sunday 18 June. We plan at least one evening of themed hosted dinners in local restaurants – you will be responsible for the cost of your dinner. There are no snacks or hot drinks available on site at the venue. Please bring your own water bottles. Drinking water is available on site.
You have many options within walking distance of the venue to buy other meals. The Welcome Meal on Sunday 18 June included in your ticket will cater for vegetarian and vegan requirements. All other meals will be at your cost.
There are a number of mini markets in the resort, including two health food stories – Ina’s on the beach and Kostas Bio Market at the Agios Stefanos cross roads. There is a bakery and a pharmacy [5 euro Lateral Flow tests*] as well as the Recycling Centre for books & clothes etc, there are number of tourist shops selling souvenirs as well as Summer clothes and beach umbrellas, mats, googles snorkels etc. In addition to the Pharmacy there is a Doctor’s clinic. Visit fee is 50 euros.
*PCR tests have to be booked ahead of time. They can be arranged at your accommodation or you have to travel to Sidari or Roda.
Beach recliners and umbrellas were available for ~ 8 euros a day for 2 people in 2022. You can buy shops beach mats, sunglasses, beach wear and cheap snorkelling gear in the local beach shops. Local travel agencies offer snorkelling and other day trip options.
Arillas is a low-key, low cost resort which makes it very easy if you are on a budget. Alcoholic drinks, which are not available at the venue, are additional as is the cost of any day trips, peddle/power boat hire.
The Basics
The currency in Greece is Euros. Cash, debit and credit cards are widely accepted and there are least 4 ATMS in the resort. Please note that you may need to advise your bank that you are travelling to ensure that your cards are not blocked because you are abroad.
EU, US & UK citizens are not required to have a visa for a short term stays up to 90 days. If you are a citizen of any other country it is your responsibilitiy to check if you require a visa for your trip.
For Greece there are two associated plug types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Greece operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Check World Power Plugs to see if you need an adapter.
Being A Tourist
One of the delights of Arillas is how affordable it is. Restaurants typically offer Greek are, the ubiquitous Greek salad and also wonderful warming stews like stifado and pastitsada. Vegetarians are well served in this alternative community and Ina’s on the beach front offers great vegan and vegetarian options as well as a comprehensive alternative food store.
One of the delights of Arillas is how affordable it is. There are no upscale restaurants in Arillas but if it is your birthday or you are celebrating an anniversary you might want to try out Panorama in Afionas (an 20 minute uphill walk or a short drive), Arkotri on the headland between Arillas and San Stefanos or the sunset terrace at The Horizon hotel. For great fish check out Vavilas – best with a big group of friends – or a good brunch check out Ammos on the Arillas strip. Further afield, approx 30 minutes drive, Seventh Heaven at Loggas Beach is special for sunset drinks and music.
Arillas isnt a party resort – sorry to pop your balloon – but if you want to live it up on Happy Hour there are a handful of ‘party bars’ beside each other – Malibu and, fitting companion, the Coconut bar both complete with wide screen TV to watch Wimbledon, soccer or other sports that you might be missing at home.
Arillas is generally quite safe and relaxed. It does not look or feel like a big resort and it tends to attract a slightly more mature clientele. It is relaxed and non threatening during the day and at night nonetheless, please take care of your valuables and be conscious of walking alone on country roads or in dark unlit areas. Be responsible for your health and safety at all times.
Besides being famous for its green clay, Arillas has become a destination for alternative and new-age visitors from Europe and the UK. The area is home of The Corfu Buddha Hall, a well-established Osho community and a number of meditation centres. In addition, the well known Sound & Silence gatherings and a number of festivals have attracted musicians and other artists including Deva Premal & Miten, Estas Tonne, Mirabai Ceiba, Jai-Jagdeesh, Netanel Goldberg, Pepe Danza, MoJoh, Patrick Ganster and others as visitors and sometime residents. Apparently, Arillas is located on a ley line that runs from Skellig Michael in Ireland and through Glastonbury. Unlike other tourist resorts, you will find many in Arillas are long-stay visitors and seasonal guests. You may inexplicably find yourself attracted to stay longer!
Warmth and water invite mosquitos. They don’t carry malaria or other diseases in Corfu but, to make for a better holiday, avoid getting bitten by checking if your accommodation has mosquito screens for the doors and windows and/or mosquito nets over the bed. You can buy mosquito repellant locally. There is a local pharmacy should you need anti-histamines and a local doctor for anything more serious.
The high cliffs of green clay in Arillas have become popular as an all over body cosmetic. The clay is in ample supply and mixed with a little sea water is easily applied. There are often buckets available in the nudist section of the beach and friendly help to apply it and make sure you don’t miss any bits!
Besides the green clay and the Corfu Buddha Hall, strictly speaking in Magoulades, Arillas is also known as the Arillas is the home of Corfu Beer and tours of the brewery are available. In addition to creating traditional beers Corfu Beer produces alcohol-free beer and a popular range of refreshing ginger beers – lemon, grapefruit and orange flavoured.
You will find a variety of massage, therapies and other sessions available from yoga to mermaid swimming in Arillas. As a ticket holder you have access to an online NOTICEBOARD which will have information about sessions givers & therapists who are offering their services during the week of our gathering. Join the Arillas Buddhafield Facebook group to see what is on offer and Arillas Ride & Room Share Facebook group for longer term options.
Be aware that unless you are staying in a modern building with British plumbing you are reminded that toilet paper must not be flushed down the toilet. A bin will be provided at your accommodation, in restaurants and public toilet facilities.
Climate & Environment
Corfu is a Greek island is the most northerly Greek island in the Ionian Sea off the west coast of Greece – a ferry ride from Brindisi — the “heel” of Italy. From the north of the island you can see the impressive and sometimes snow-capped mountains of Albania rise in the near distance. The island gets a lot of rain in the winter and, unlike most other Greek islands, stays green throughout the year earning one of its nicknames — the Emerald Isle.
Arillas is in the North Western corner of Corfu. It is 37km and approximately 60 minutes drive from Corfu town over rugged, picturesque terrain. Arillas is one of the most unspoilt resorts in Corfu with a small, friendly and vibrant seasonal population. For more information see Why is Arillas and the surrounding area known as Green Corfu?
In June you can expect blue skies and very pleasant temperatures. Although not as hot as the Aegean islands further south, temperatures tend to hover around 25C during the day. The weather may be variable in June, it can rain so bring a light rain jacket and a second layer or sweater for cooler evenings. Equally it can be hot and still and you may need a fan/air conditioning at night. Despite the mostly moderate temperature, the UV index is at its highest in June so sunscreen is essential!
The beach is long and although not postcard-perfect it offers options for the most reserved and unreserved of bathers. Along the tourist strip and in consideration of the conservative Greek population bathing suits are a must. Nudist bathing however, bookends both ends of the beach out of sight of cafes and restaurants. Rentable loungers are available even at the extremities.
The beach in Arillas is largely protected and the bay is shallow making it calm and good for swimming. Currents and choppy surf can occur if it is breezy.
Sea temperatures are generally warm but can be refreshing particularly in the morning. Regardless swimming in Greece in June is much warmer than swimming in northern waters around UK and Ireland.
Along the tourist strip and in consideration of the conservative Greek population bathing suits are a must. Unusually for Greece, nudist bathing, bookends both ends out of sight of cafes and restaurants and flanked by the privacy of high cliffs of clay. With a long standing alternative population nudism is normal and accepted for visitors and their families. Rentable loungers are available even at the extremities.
To the north of Arillas San Stefanos is a short drive and to the south, beyond the village of Afionas, about 15 minutes drive you will find the deep bay of Agios Giorgis. Both holiday resorts with a more traditional clientele but plenty of facilities.
Evolve 2023 is about pleasure, purpose & possibility. We are small organisation with limited resources but we choose to take small consistent actions in the direction of “a more beautiful world that our hearts know is possible” Charles Eisenstein and to encourage our clients to do the same.
Crossing Frontiers is a 1% for the Planet member. 1% for the Planet was founded by Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard to prevent greenwashing, certify reputable giving and provide accountability. The 1% for the Planet certification is given to businesses and individuals that donate 1% of annual sales to environmental causes. This means that 1% of your ticket price will be paid to an approved nonprofit charity working on sustaining & regenerating the environment.
“This is not philanthropy. This should be a cost of doing business. It’s paying rent for our use of the planet.” Yvon Chouinard
In consideration of our ethos at Evolve is to tread more lightly on this earth we encourage you to look at how you travel e.g. travelling with hand baggage only and/or carbon offsetting your flight if possible, we also suggest bringing a cloth bag for groceries and (or buying when you arrive) organic/bio degradable shower gel/hair shampoo/condition as the drainage systems here tend to be soak-away i.e. straight into the ground and water table.
Unlimited drinking water is provided free of charge at the venue. We advise you drink lots in the summer heat. To reduce single use plastic consider bringing your own bottle, buying one here (Kostas Bio Market has a selection) or sourcing a glass bottle here in one of the supermarkets.
Arillas is the home of significantly alternative community who are interested sustainability & regeneration. Many of the shops offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and diary free alternatives. An alliance of local businesses and work hard to restrict high rise development and keep the resort in local hands. The Recycling Centre is one of the best managed on the island and is a great source of second hand clothes books & furniture.
COVID
Currently [10 April 2023] there is no requirement for you to be vaccinated to travel to Corfu. You are, however, required to prove that you are COVID negative to attend Evolve 2022, to eat indoors or outdoors in a restaurant and to be admitted to any shops other than a pharmacy or grocery shop. Self-tests are not acceptable but the local pharmacy in Arillas offers certified tests at certain times of the day for 5 euros.
COVID restrictions are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check and follow Greek Government regulations regarding protocols for arrival to Greece.
The local pharmacy in Arillas offers certified tests at certain times of the day for 5 euros. PCR tests have to be booked ahead of time. They can be arranged at your accommodation or you have to travel to Sidari or Roda.
COVID restrictions are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check and follow the Government regulations for your onward travel.