Corfu Travel Guide, Greece

If you are searching for things to do in Corfu, expect a mix of history, coast and countryside. Corfu, also called Kerkyra, is the northernmost of the Ionian Islands, off the northwest coast of Greece, with Albania to the northeast and Italy to the west across the sea. It is about 62 km long and nearly 30 km wide at its broadest.

The island has been controlled by many foreign powers, notably the Venetians and the British, and that layering shows in the architecture of the main town. Two mountain ranges shape the landscape, with Mount Pantokrator, at 914 m, the highest point. The north is wider and more mountainous with pebbly beaches, while the south is narrower and has sandier ones. You can combine a beach stay with a day in the old town, a village walk and a boat trip, which makes the island suit couples, families and independent travellers alike.

Wander Corfu Old Town

The island’s capital and largest town is the natural first stop. Allow a half to full day to walk its lanes, squares and seafront. Go early in summer to avoid heat and cruise crowds, and wear comfortable shoes, since the stone streets can be uneven.

Drive up Mount Pantokrator

The island’s highest peak, at 914 m, gives wide views of the north and the sea. Allow half a day for the drive and a stop in a mountain village. Check the weather first, because cloud can hide the view, and expect winding roads.

Visit Old Perithia

The island’s oldest village lies just beneath Mount Pantokrator and is a Heritage Protected Site in a designated Area of Natural Beauty. Allow one to two hours. It is quiet, with old stone buildings, so go outside midday for better light and cooler walking.

Relax on a north coast beach

The northeast coast has long been a favourite, with good pebbly beaches and a quieter feel. Allow a half day or more. Bring water shoes, as pebbles can be hard underfoot, and check parking early in the day.

Try the sandy beaches in the south

South Corfu is narrower and tends to have sandier beaches, which suit families and long swims. Allow half a day. Visit outside midday in July and August, when beaches fill up and temperatures peak.

Stay in a beach village such as Arillas

Arillas is a beach resort that still feels like a village. It suits an easy day or evening, with a seafront walk and a meal. Check bus or car options, since public transport to smaller villages can be limited.

Explore ancient Corfu

Ruins of ancient Greek temples and other archaeological sites show the island’s long past, with Korkyra a major naval power in the fifth century BCE. Allow one to two hours for one site and check current hours before you go.

Corfu has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and milder, wetter winters. May to June and September to October are usually the best balance, with warm sea, comfortable temperatures for walking and fewer people. July and August are the busiest and hottest, with the highest prices and the most crowded beaches, so book early.

Winter is quiet and some seasonal businesses close, so check before you go.

The island has its own airport, with seasonal direct flights from many European cities and connections via Athens. Ferries also run from the Greek mainland and from nearby Albania, and the schedule changes by season, so check current timetables. Corfu lies off the northwest coast, east of Italy and southwest of Albania.

On the island, buses link Corfu Town with many villages and beaches, but services are less frequent in the countryside and in the low season. A rental car gives the most freedom for beaches, mountain villages and viewpoints, though roads can be narrow. Taxis and boat trips fill the gaps, and the old town is best explored on foot. Book a car early for summer.

Corfu Town suits first-time visitors and travellers who want history, restaurants and ferry connections on the doorstep. It is livelier in the evening, so ask about noise if you want quiet.

The northeast coast, sometimes described as Kensington on sea, suits couples and travellers who want a quieter, upmarket base with pebbly beaches. You will usually want a car.

Beach villages on the west and south coasts, such as Arillas, suit families and those who want sand, a village feel and easy swimming.

Book early for July and August, and compare prices in shoulder months, when they often drop.

Four to five days is a good fit. Two days covers the old town and one beach. A week allows slower beach time and village visits. Here is a simple plan.

1. Day 1: Explore Corfu Old Town and the seafront.
2. Day 2: Drive north to Mount Pantokrator and Old Perithia, then a north coast beach.
3. Day 3: Head south for sandy beaches and a seaside meal.

Add a day for a boat trip or a beach village such as Arillas.

Paxos

Paxos lies south of Corfu and is part of the same regional unit. Boat trips run in season, so check current schedules. Allow a full day, and bring a hat and water.

Albania

The Albanian coast lies just northeast across the strait. Ferry links exist, so check current times and any border requirements before you plan a day trip.

Zakynthos

Another Ionian island to the south, it works better as a separate stay than a day trip. Check flights and ferry options if you plan to combine the two.

Thessaloniki

The largest city of northern Greece is a possible stop on a longer route. Check flights, and plan at least a night to see the city.