Travel guide · Greece
Corfu travel guide
A Venetian old town, olive-covered hills and turquoise coves in the Ionian Sea
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: StefanosKozanis, Public domain
Quick answer
Corfu is the greenest of the major Greek islands, lying in the Ionian Sea just off the coast of Albania and north-western Greece. Its capital, Corfu Town, is a UNESCO-listed old town shaped by four centuries of Venetian rule and later French and British periods, with two fortresses, arcaded streets and a cricket ground on the main square. Beyond town, the island — about 60 km long — is covered in olive groves and cypresses; the north-east coast has pebble coves facing Albania, the west has sandy bays and cliffs at Paleokastritsa and Glyfada, and boats run to Paxos and Antipaxos. Plan 7 days for a first visit; the best months are May–June and September.
Key facts
- Country
- Greece
- Best time to visit
- May–June and September
- Ideal stay
- 7 days
- Main airports
- CFU
- Mid-range daily budget
- $120–$220 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Venetian old town, Olive groves, Achilleion Palace and The Durrells
Why visit Corfu
- Corfu Town's UNESCO-listed old town combines Venetian fortresses, the French-built Liston arcade and the red-domed church of Saint Spyridon.
- The island is unusually green, with millions of olive trees, cypresses and wildflowers in spring.
- Coves around Paleokastritsa and the north-east coast near Kalami and Agni have clear turquoise water.
- Local Venetian-influenced dishes such as pastitsada, sofrito and bourdeto set Corfu's food apart from the rest of Greece.
- Boat trips reach Paxos and Antipaxos and, across a short strait, the ancient site of Butrint in Albania.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Neighbourhood · Corfu Town
Corfu Old Town
The UNESCO-listed old town grew within Venetian fortifications from the 15th to the 18th century, and its narrow kantounia lanes, tall shuttered houses, small squares and Catholic and Orthodox churches still follow that plan.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Landmark · Corfu Town
Spianada and the Liston
The Spianada is one of the largest squares in Greece, with a cricket pitch introduced during British rule and a Doric-style rotunda.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- After dark
- Food
Palace · Gastouri
Achilleion Palace
Built in the 1890s for Empress Elisabeth of Austria ('Sisi') and later owned by Kaiser Wilhelm II, this neoclassical palace in Gastouri is dedicated to the hero Achilles.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Viewpoint · Kanoni
Kanoni, Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island
From the Kanoni viewpoint south of town, the white Vlacherna Monastery sits on an islet reached by a causeway, with tree-covered Pontikonisi (Mouse Island) behind it.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Castle · Corfu Town
Old Fortress
On a rocky promontory separated from the town by a moat, the Venetian Old Fortress resisted several Ottoman sieges in the 16th and 18th centuries.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Religious site · Corfu Town
Church of Saint Spyridon
Corfu's best-loved church holds the relics of the island's patron saint, who is credited with saving the island from plague and siege.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Where to stay
Corfu Town is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, couples and food lovers
Corfu Town
UNESCO old town of Venetian lanes, fortresses and the Liston arcade
$$ · Best for families, beach and budget
Gouvia and Dassia
Resort strip and marina just north of Corfu Town
$$$ · Best for couples, families and food lovers
Kassiopi
Fishing harbour with a ruined castle and coves on the north-east coast
$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury and quiet stays
Kalami and Agni
Quiet pebble bays below cypress hills, linked to the Durrell family
What to eat
- Pastitsada — Corfu's signature dish: rooster or beef slow-cooked in a spiced tomato sauce with cinnamon, cloves and paprika, served over thick pasta.
- Sofrito — Thin slices of veal cooked slowly in a sauce of white wine, garlic, vinegar and parsley, usually served with mashed potato or rice.
- Bourdeto — A spicy fish stew, traditionally made with scorpion fish, in a red sauce rich with sweet and hot paprika and onion, served with bread for mopping up.
- Bianco — White fish cooked with potatoes, garlic, lemon, white pepper and olive oil — a lighter, garlicky counterpart to bourdeto.
- Tsigareli — Wild and garden greens sautéed with olive oil, garlic, tomato and plenty of chilli, eaten as a meze or a light main.
- Nouboulo — Smoked and spiced pork fillet, thinly sliced like salami, a Corfiot charcuterie with Venetian origins.
When to go
The best times to visit Corfu are May, June and September, when it is warm and sunny, the sea is pleasant and the island is less crowded than in July and August. Spring is the greenest season, with wildflowers and Orthodox Easter, while September offers the warmest sea. From November to March many hotels and tavernas outside Corfu Town close and it rains often.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Green hills and wildflowers, Orthodox Easter in Corfu Town and comfortable walking weather; the sea is cool until late May. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, dry and reliably sunny with warm seas; July and August are crowded and expensive. |
| Autumn | September–November | Warm sea and fewer visitors in September and early October, then rain and closures in November. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild but wet, with most resort accommodation closed; Corfu Town remains open and quiet. |
Getting there and around
Corfu's Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport is about 3 km south of Corfu Town, roughly 10 minutes by taxi or a short ride on the blue city bus. Transfers take about 40 minutes to Paleokastritsa and around an hour to Sidari, Kassiopi or Kavos.
Corfu is about 60 km long, and driving from Corfu Town takes about 40 minutes to Paleokastritsa and around an hour to Sidari, Kassiopi or Kavos on winding roads. Corfu Town is compact and walkable, and buses link it with most resorts.
Plan your days
Three days covers Corfu Town, the Achilleion, Kanoni and Paleokastritsa. A week allows a relaxed beach holiday with time for the north-east coast, Mount Pantokrator, the west-coast sunsets and a boat trip to Paxos and Antipaxos.
Practical information
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- Greek
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is generally considered safe in Corfu Town, but quality varies by area and many people drink bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Tipping
- Tipping is appreciated but modest: round up the bill or leave 5–10% for good service in restaurants, and round up taxi fares.
Corfu is relaxed for visitors. The main risks are summer heat, sunburn, steep and winding roads (especially on scooters and quad bikes) and pickpocketing in crowded old-town lanes at peak times. Some west-coast beaches have strong waves on windy days.
Flights to Corfu
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Corfu?
Three days covers Corfu Town, the Achilleion, Kanoni and Paleokastritsa. A week allows a relaxed beach holiday with time for the north-east coast, Mount Pantokrator, the west-coast sunsets and a boat trip to Paxos and Antipaxos. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Corfu?
The best times to visit Corfu are May, June and September, when it is warm and sunny, the sea is pleasant and the island is less crowded than in July and August. Spring is the greenest season, with wildflowers and Orthodox Easter, while September offers the warmest sea. From November to March many hotels and tavernas outside Corfu Town close and it rains often.
+What is Corfu known for?
Venetian old town, Olive groves, Achilleion Palace, The Durrells, Kumquat liqueur, Paleokastritsa coves and Orthodox Easter. Corfu Town's UNESCO-listed old town combines Venetian fortresses, the French-built Liston arcade and the red-domed church of Saint Spyridon.
+Is Corfu expensive?
Corfu is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $120–$220 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Corfu?
Recommended if you want to explore beyond one resort, since buses to villages and viewpoints are limited. If you stay in Corfu Town or a well-served resort and use boats and tours, you can manage without one.