5 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

      Get lost in the Campiello lanes early in the day before cruise-ship groups arrive, then have coffee on the Liston. (Half a day, free).

   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. (1 hour, free).

   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

      Climb to the lighthouse in the late afternoon for the best light over the old town's rooftops. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   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. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Kanoni, Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island

      Walk down the steps from the Kanoni café to the causeway, and take the small boat across to Mouse Island in summer. (1 hour, free).

   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. (30 minutes, free).

   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

      Combine it with a swim at the small Mon Repos beach, a short walk from the park gate. (2 hours, free).

   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. (1 hour, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bourdeto

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

   4. Afternoon

      Museum of Asian Art

      Visit the Municipal Art Gallery in the palace's east wing on the same trip. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Sidari and Ipsos

      Busy bar strips with music and late opening in summer.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Paxos and Antipaxos

   About 1 hour by fast ferry from Corfu Town each way. Getting there: Ferry or excursion boat from Corfu Town, Lefkimmi or Kavos.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Paxos and Antipaxos

      About 1 hour by fast ferry from Corfu Town (Ferry or excursion boat from Corfu Town, Lefkimmi or Kavos); about 55 km.

   2. Day

      Paxos and Antipaxos

      Paxos is a small, olive-covered island with the harbour villages of Gaios, Lakka and Loggos, while Antipaxos has white-sand coves such as Voutoumi with bright turquoise water. Best for couples, beach and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Corfu

      Dinner: try Bianco.

5. Day 5: Paleokastritsa Monastery and coves and Angelokastro

   Paleokastritsa Monastery and coves, Angelokastro and Mount Pantokrator and Old Perithia, then Sunset from the Kaiser's Throne in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Paleokastritsa Monastery and coves

      Dress modestly for the monastery (wraps are often provided) and take a boat trip into the caves in the morning, when the water is calmest. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Angelokastro

      Go in the late afternoon for softer light and cooler temperatures on the climb. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bianco

      Fish tavernas around the coast and traditional restaurants in Corfu Town.

   4. Afternoon

      Mount Pantokrator and Old Perithia

      Drive up early on a clear day for the views, then have lunch at a taverna in Old Perithia on the way down. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      Sunset from the Kaiser's Throne

      Watch the sun set over the west coast from the lookout above Pelekas.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 20–24 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Corfu

Questions travellers ask