2 days in Corfu

Day by day

1. Day 1: Corfu Old Town and Spianada and the Liston

   Corfu Old Town, Spianada and the Liston, Old Fortress and Church of Saint Spyridon, then Corfu Town in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Corfu Old Town

      The Campiello quarter, the oldest part, is quietest in the early morning.

   2. Late morning

      Spianada and the Liston

      Along its western side, the Liston is an arcaded promenade built under French rule and modelled on Paris's Rue de Rivoli, now lined with cafés.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pastitsada

      Traditional tavernas across the island, often as a Sunday dish; ask for 'pastitsada kokora' for the rooster version.

   4. Afternoon

      Old Fortress

      Inside are the neoclassical Church of St George, built by the British, and paths to the lighthouse at the top for views over town and the sea.

   5. Late afternoon

      Church of Saint Spyridon

      Its red-domed bell tower is the tallest on the island, and the dark interior is filled with silver lamps and a painted ceiling.

   6. Evening

      Corfu Town

      Café-bars on the Liston, wine bars in the old town lanes and clubs along the coast road north of the New Port.

2. Day 2: Achilleion Palace and Kanoni, Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island

   Achilleion Palace, Kanoni, Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island, Mon Repos and Archaeological Museum of Corfu, then Kavos in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Achilleion Palace

      Its terraced gardens hold statues including the dying Achilles and a giant Achilles Triumphant, with views over the east coast.

   2. Late morning

      Kanoni, Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island

      Planes landing at the airport pass low over the lagoon right beside it.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sofrito

      Tavernas in Corfu Town and villages throughout the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Mon Repos

      The villa houses a museum of the island's history, and the park leads to the ruins of ancient Palaiopolis, including a Doric temple.

   5. Late afternoon

      Archaeological Museum of Corfu

      It also displays finds from ancient Korkyra's cemeteries and sanctuaries.

   6. Evening

      Kavos

      The island's main party strip, with clubs and bars popular with young groups in summer.

If it rains

• Swap in Museum of Asian Art (Corfu Town): Visit the Municipal Art Gallery in the palace's east wing on the same trip.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 12–13 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.4 hours in December to 15 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Car. A hire car is the easiest way to reach villages, viewpoints and quieter beaches; roads are narrow and winding, with steep descents to many coves.

More or fewer days

• One day in Corfu
• 3 days in Corfu
• 5 days in Corfu

Questions travellers ask