Corfu is a beautiful Greek island in the Ionian sea. Its Greek name is Kerkyra which comes from mythology. Legend has it that Poseidon fell in love with Korkyra, daughter of Asopo and the nymph Metope, abducted her and as a wedding gift offered Korkyra an island which he named after her. But apart from this, Corfu has a lot of history. It has been the scene of many battles and has beautiful fortresses that tourists and locals can now enjoy. Corfu also has wonderful beaches with the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea and the Greek sun that attract thousands of holidaymakers every year. Discover its capital, its beautiful beaches and all the other things to do in Corfu.
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Places to see in Corfu Town
Walk around Kerkyra Old Town
The capital’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and when you walk through its narrow, colourful streets with their decadent air and pastel shutters, you understand why. Corfu old town’s grid of streets reveals two clearly identifiable architectural influences: Venetian buildings (the island was under Venetian rule for 400 years) on the one hand, and neoclassical buildings inherited from the British on the other. In addition to the light, colours and all the variety, you can see the sea from the centre of Corfu town. This means you never forget that you are on this picturesque island.
See the Old Fortress of Corfu
The island of Corfu has two fortresses: the Old Fortress and the New Fortress. Both are examples of military architecture. The Old Fortress of Corfu dates back to the 6th century, but reached its present-day appearance during Venetian rule (1386-1797). In order to protect the island, the Venetians built a moat that was crossed by a drawbridge. This defensive structure was used until 1979 when it was opened to the public for cultural and tourist purposes.
Inside the Old Fortress you can visit the Church of St. George which imitates classical Greek architecture. The fortress museum exhibits works of art from different Byzantine churches.
See the Spianada and the Liston
Opposite the Old Fortress, in the old town, is the Spianada, the largest square in Greece. It is a large esplanade that contains the largest park in the city. The Maitland Rotunda, a well-known and much-visited music pavilion, is particularly noteworthy.
Without a doubt, what brings the Spianada to life is the Liston. A lively area of cafés located under a building full of arcades. It is very pleasant to sit on its terraces and enjoy a refreshing drink.
Church of St. Spyridon
It is the main church of Corfu and today has become a place of pilgrimage to visit the mummified remains of the island’s patron saint, Saint Spyridon. They are displayed three times a year, on 12 December, Easter and 11 August. The rest of the year they are preserved in a metal casket.
This is one of the great buildings on the island of Corfu Greece. Its bell tower and red dome can be seen from any point in the city and remind us of San Giorgio dei Greci, in Venice. Inside, it is worth noting the murals and iconostasis, a marble partition covered with paintings of religious motifs.
Entrance to the temple is free and the visiting hours are from 9:00 to 14:00, although it is advisable to check that there isn’t a mass taking place when you want to visit.
Asian Art Museum
It was founded in 1928 thanks to a donation of Sino-Japanese art. Currently it has more than 15,000 pieces donated from private collections.
It is open every day of the week from 8:00 to 20:00.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to see outside of Corfu Town?
Paleokastritsa
Palokastritsa is a small town located 25 kilometres from the capital of Corfu. It is one of the most popular places on the island because of its fantastic rocky and sandy beaches, but always with a deep blue colour that attracts tourists and locals alike. In addition to its beautiful beaches, Paleokastritsa also boasts lush vegetation covering the hills and olive groves that surround the place.
The central and most visited beach is Ampelaki, with parasols, sun loungers, restaurants and other leisure facilities typical of popular beaches. While the beauty of Ampelaki is enough for many, if you get the chance, we suggest doing a tour of the bay by boat and visiting other unspoilt beaches in the area that are otherwise inaccessible, such as La Grotta.
Angelokastro
Angelokastro is a Byzantine castle very close to Paleokastritsa. It was built in around 1100 to protect the island. In fact, in 1403 an army of mercenaries from Genoa besieged the castle for a year and failed to take it. Today Angelokastro is one of the most iconic images of Corfu and a definite must-see. The castle is spectacular both from the outside, crowning the top of a cliff, and from inside.
The price of the visit to the castle is 2 euros and the opening hours are every day from 10:00 to 17:30 and closed on Tuesdays.
Monastery of Vlacherna and Pontikonisi
Via a floating walkway surrounded by fishermen’s boats, we arrive at one of Corfu’s landmarks. The monastery of Vlacherna. A white church with a bell tower that stands on a small islet which gives us one of the most beautiful photographs of our trip. This monastery is open to the public all year round.
With just a glance at the horizon, we can make out another of the most iconic places of Corfu, the island of Pontikonisi. Also known as Mouse Island, it is a tiny islet full of vegetation, cypress and pine trees, where you can visit the church of Pantokratora, a Byzantine chapel dating back to 1100. The island of Pontikonisi can be reached by ferry from the monastery of Vlacherna. The price of the boat is 2.50 euros and the trip takes only 5 minutes.
Sidari, Canal D’Amour, one of the most beautiful beaches in Corfu
Sidari, 36 kilometres from the capital, is a pretty fishing village surrounded by green forests. Very close to Sidari is the incredible Channel of Love. A series of rock formations that create uniquely spectacular coves and channels. The crystal clear waters make the place idyllic and to get to the beaches you have to walk down steps and paths. The Canal D’Amour is so called because, according to tradition, couples who swim across the canal will soon say “I do” to each other.
Akra Drastis
Akra Drastis is one of the most impressive sights to see in Corfu. It is a beautiful cape of white cliffs surrounded by lush vegetation and secluded beaches that are only accessible by boat or swimming. The cape is private land but you can enter for a fee of 5 euros per person. However, you can appreciate its beauty from Loggas beach and from the road leading up to it.
Porto Timoni
In the town of Afionas lies Porto Timoni, two beautiful parallel coves separated by the junction of two mountains. Its beauty is indescribable and you can experience true peace when lying on the golden sand and admiring the turquoise sea. It is difficult to get to which means that despite being one of the most recommended places to visit in Corfu, these two beaches are not overcrowded, quite the contrary. There are several ways to get there, but the most convenient is to pay for parking at the restaurant (5 euros), which is located at the entrance to the beach, and join the main path. If you have a boat, you can skip this and go directly via sea to one of the most beautiful places in Corfu and all of Greece.
How to get to Corfu?
The quickest and easiest way to get to Corfu is by plane. The island has an airport and direct flights to many European and especially Italian cities, without the need for a stopover in Athens. Airlines flying directly to Corfu include Ryanair, Olympic Air, Vueling, easyJet and Transavia.
Once you arrive at Ioannis Kapodistrias (Corfu International Airport) it is best to take one of the buses that run from the airport to the city’s capital, Kerkyra, just 15 minutes away. Bus number 15 connects the airport with the Corfu Town bus station (Blue Bus Terminal, in San Rocco Square (Platia Theotoki). The fare at the ticket machines is €1.20 for adults, €0.90 for students and €0.60 for children, and 50 cents more if bought directly on the bus. Bus frequency varies (from every 40 minutes to every two hours), so check before you wait for the bus and take a taxi if necessary for about €15.
If you’re not flying directly to Corfu and you’re en route in Greece, a good place to go from is the port of Igoumenitsa, where ferries leave every 15 minutes in summer and the journey takes about an hour. You have to pay €5 in cash. This is the only way to get to Corfu from mainland Greece.
What to do in Corfu Greece in 7 days?
Day 1: Get to know Corfu Town
- Walk around the Old Town
- Visit the Spianada
- Stroll down the Liston
- Church of St Spyridon
- Museum of Asian Art
Day 2:
- Spend the day in Paleokastritsa
- Go for a swim in one of its amazing beaches
Day 3:
- Trip to Vlacherna Monastery and Pontikonisi
- Visit the Old Fortress
Day 4:
- Enjoy a day in Sidari
- Discover the Channel of Love beach
Day 5:
- Spend a day in Porto Timoni
Day 6:
- Trip to Angelokastro
- Visit Cape Drastis
Day 7:
- Last visit to the centre of Corfu Town
- Return home
What to do in Corfu Greece in 1 day?
- The Spianada
- Old Fortress
- St Spyridon Church
- Museum of Asian Art
Where to eat in Corfu?
- Chrisomalis: As the oldest restaurant in Corfu it still retains its charm with traditional, homemade dishes that have all the flavours of traditional Greek cuisine. Price per person up to 9€.
- Abakas Mezedopoleio: A restaurant with the best Greek dishes of exquisite quality. It is in a quiet street in the centre of Corfu with a beautiful terrace. Price range: 11€ – 30€.
- Avli: Another of the best restaurants in Corfu where you can try traditional Greek dishes and feel like a real Corfiot. Sit on its movie-worthy terrace overlooking the sea and the Old Castle. Price range: 13€ – 19€.
Where to stay in Corfu?
A good option is to stay in the capital of Corfu, Kerkyra, where you will find all kinds of services and amenities and have better connections to other parts of the island.
- Locandiera: A good place to stay in the centre of Kerkyra is the Locandiera Hotel. It is right in the historic centre and 200 metres from Kolla Square. The rooms are tastefully decorated with a modern flair that stands out against the quaint décor of the common areas. The price in high season is 120€ per night.
Another interesting area to stay in Corfu is Ipsos in the northwest, a perfect place to see beautiful beaches and only 20 minutes from the capital.
- Villa Anna Apartments: Lovely apartments with balconies overlooking a beautiful garden, just 800 metres from the beach. They have all kinds of amenities and an excellent location. Price: 120€ per night in high season.
Finally, we recommend the area of Paleokastritsa. This is a very touristy area due to its wonderful beaches, so there is a wide range of accommodation available.
- Tango Apartment On The Beach: Nice apartments with sea view terrace and swimming pool, just 50 metres from the beach and 150 metres from the bar and restaurant area. Price per night in high season: 100€.
Tips for your trip to Corfu Greece
- High season on the island runs from late May to early September, with July and August being the busiest months for tourists.
- Greece is a popular destination, so book in advance.
- If you want to surf, visit the beaches on the west side of the island. However, if you want calmer waters, head to the east.
- Always carry some cash, as not all shops accepts card payments.
- Hire a car if you want to get around and see Corfu freely – there aren’t any good public transport links.
- Try local products such as kumquat jam.
- The currency in Greece is the Euro.
- Before you go shopping, remember that shopping hours in Greece are Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings only, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and closed on Sundays.
- If you’re looking for outdoor activities such as hiking, we do not recommend visiting the island in August because of the high temperatures. June is a good month, milder and with fewer visitors.
How to organise what to see on your trip to Corfu?
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- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
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If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
FAQs about Corfu Greece
Ideally, you should spend a week in Corfu so that you have enough time to do trips and see all the nearby towns. However, many tourists arrive on a cruise ship and only have a one day stopover. If this is your case, don’t worry, you’ll only need a day to explore the city centre, but you’ll want to come back to see more!
Ideally, you should hire a car so that you can move around independently, go on excursions and see Corfu without being tied to the timetables of public transport, which is not very well developed in this part of Greece.
Greek is the official language and the most widely spoken by the locals, but you should generally be able to communicate in English.
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