3 days in Corfu

Day by day

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

   Corfu Old Town, Spianada and the Liston and Old Fortress, then Corfu Town in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      Spianada and the Liston

      Look out for a cricket match on the Spianada on summer weekends, a quirky survival of the British period.

   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

      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.

   5. 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 and Church of Saint Spyridon, then Kavos in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Achilleion Palace

      Arrive at opening or late in the afternoon to avoid the tour coaches that visit in the middle of the day.

   2. Late morning

      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.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sofrito

      Tavernas in Corfu Town and villages throughout the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Church of Saint Spyridon

      Dress modestly and visit outside service times; the saint's relics are carried around town in processions several times a year.

   5. Evening

      Kavos

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

3. Day 3: Mon Repos and Archaeological Museum of Corfu

   Mon Repos, Archaeological Museum of Corfu and Museum of Asian Art, then Sidari and Ipsos in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mon Repos

      This wooded estate south of the old town was built as a summer residence for the British High Commissioner and is where Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was born in 1921.

   2. Late morning

      Archaeological Museum of Corfu

      It is a compact museum; allow an hour and pair it with a walk along the Garitsa bay seafront.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bourdeto

      Fish tavernas in harbour villages such as Kassiopi, Petriti and Benitses.

   4. Afternoon

      Museum of Asian Art

      Housed in the Palace of St Michael and St George, built in the 1820s for the British High Commissioner, the museum holds a large collection of Chinese, Japanese and Indian art, including ceramics, bronzes and screens.

   5. Evening

      Sidari and Ipsos

      Busy bar strips with music and late opening in summer.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Corfu Town keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Gouvia and Dassia ($$) suits families, beach and budget. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 13–14 hours of visiting over 3 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.

More or fewer days

• One day in Corfu
• 2 days in Corfu
• 5 days in Corfu

Questions travellers ask