Corfu is green, turquoise and Venetian all at once. In the Old Town, colorful alleys spill into pedestrian squares full of outdoor tables, and bougainvillea climbs the old facades. On the west coast, sea cliffs drop into clear water hiding grottos, secret beaches and secluded coves. Beach lovers, wanderers and anyone who plans the day around dinner will find plenty to love.
Where should you stay in Corfu?
Corfu is more spread out than people expect, with winding coastal roads and mountain villages between the main resorts. Choose your base by what you want outside your door. Many visitors find a car or scooter the easiest way to reach the rest of the island.
Old Town
Many travelers like the historic heart of the island as a base, especially on a short trip. Mornings are quiet and serene, evenings turn lively, and staying inside the old quarter gives you a lovely start and end to every day. Bella Venezia, a neoclassical mansion on the edge of Old Town, has small, slightly dated rooms, but they are clean, and the beach, restaurants, shops and cafes are all within walking distance. Siora Vittoria, a restored 19th-century townhouse, has a similar feel, a central location and rates that are hard to beat. Most hotels and apartments here have no parking, so you'll rely on street spots or the Old Town lot.
Paleokastritsa and the west coast
Paleokastritsa is the prettiest stretch of the island, with coves ringed by cliffs and mountains and beautifully clear water. It runs on the quiet side, and lodging ranges from budget apartments to a five-star resort. Farther south on the west coast, Domes of Corfu sits above Glyfada Beach, a solid upscale choice with warm, neutral rooms that feel cozy in the evening. Expect to need transport for most sights.
The east coast
The big resorts cluster here. Angsana Corfu, a newer resort ideal for families, is about a 15-minute drive south of Corfu Town near Benitses and has a private beach club and a large infinity pool. Domes Miramare sits among olive trees facing the beach. Grecotel Corfu Imperial has its own private peninsula, with sandy coves and several sea-facing restaurants. Ikos Dassia, about 20 minutes north of Old Town, is all-inclusive, with waiter service at the beach and pools.
The north and other bases
Kassiopi, in the northeast, is a small village of cobbled streets and tavernas overlooking the harbor. Agios Georgios, on the west coast, and Ipsos are other solid bases. Kavos is the island's party town, so skip it unless all-night clubbing is the plan.
What are the best things to do in Corfu?
Start with Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is busy but spellbinding, all crumbling shutters and Venetian facades. Wander the maze of alleys with no destination, then settle in along the Liston, the elegant arcade beside Spianada Square, for a coffee or a kumquat liqueur made from the local golden orange. Heroes of Cypriot Struggle Square, the Campiello Quarter and the Old Town Tourist Market all reward slow wandering. Check cruise ship schedules before you pick your day, and when a ship is in port, head for the coast instead.
The Old Fortress is a Venetian construction on a rocky peninsula that dominates the eastern part of Old Town. Full admission is €10 and reduced admission is €5. From April through October it opens daily at 8 a.m.; closing is 8 p.m. at the height of summer and earlier from September, with last admission 20 minutes before closing. Hours change with the season, so check before you go. Anyone under 18 must come with an adult.
The Archaeological Museum of Corfu is at Armeni Vraila 1, a 5-minute walk from San Rocco Square, where the Blue and Green bus routes meet, and a 15-minute walk from the Liston. Admission is €10, or €5 reduced; the reduced rate applies only to Greek and EU citizens over 65, and only from October through May. In the summer season it opens at 8 a.m. like the fortress, but closes on Tuesday. The combined ticket is no longer sold, so budget a separate ticket for each museum and site. All state museums and sites, the fortress included, close on January 1, March 25, December 25 and December 26.
On the west coast, Paleokastritsa Monastery sits on a hill above Agios Spyridon Beach. Long pants or skirts below the knee and shirts covering shoulders and chest are expected at religious sites, though wraps are handed out at the door if you arrive unprepared.
Just outside Paleokastritsa, Angelokastro, the ruined Castle of Angels, is a 13th-century Byzantine stronghold high above the Ionian Sea. A short, steep hike leads to crumbling stone walls and a sweeping view of the sea. It isn't easy to reach on foot, so drive or join a tour.
Doukades, a small inland village nearby, has a few tavernas, a village shop and charming streets of old houses, and on summer evenings locals gather in the square. Close by, the Corfu Donkey Rescue gives old and neglected donkeys a permanent home. Visitors can brush and feed them, and donations are welcome.
Danilia Village, about 5.6 miles (9 km) from Corfu Town, is a 1970s replica of a 1930s Corfiot village, with two cobbled squares, a church, shops and wooden taverna tables. It is now an exclusive dining spot and a filming location for popular movies and shows.
For views, Kaiser's Throne in Pelekas looks out 360 degrees across the island; go on a clear day, and stay for a bite and a drink at the restaurant at the top. Achilleion Palace, once home to Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Kaiser Wilhelm II, has marvelous gardens and views of the town and island, though the interior is closed for restoration.
Walkers can follow the Corfu Trail, which runs more than 124 miles (200 km) from south to north through inland and coastal villages. Any section makes a pretty walk. A day on a scooter inland pays off with olive groves, winding roads and small villages.
What are the best beaches in Corfu?
The coastline is long, and no single trip covers it all. These are the beaches worth planning around.
Agios Spiridon, Paleokastritsa
The most popular beach in Paleokastritsa has turquoise water, green cliffs and views of the monastery. Get there early, before the crowds. Ampelaki and Agios Petros are pretty coves nearby.
La Grotta
A beach bar tucked into a rocky cove above glistening blue water, made for sunbathing, swimming and jumping from the rocks. Its few rentable sunbeds go early, but you can spread a towel on one of the flat rocks around the cove. In summer it gets very busy, and at peak times the bar decks can be crowded.
Liapades
A pebble beach that shelves into calm, deep water, good for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. It feels wild, yet you can rent a sunbed or eat at a small taverna.
Glyfada
A big sandy beach with plenty of sunbeds, nearby parking and good food, and the easiest choice for a proper beach club day. For the retro daybeds at Asteria Glyfada, reserve ahead online.
Faliraki
The best swim near Old Town, in calm water right below the walls. There's only one small patch of sand, so most people sunbathe and get in from stone platforms. Imabari, an upscale beach club, has a manicured deck and swim steps; book its chairs online.
Canal d'Amour
In the north, a sandstone coastline of bays, narrow canals and mini sea caves. Sunbathers take the small beach while thrill-seekers jump from smooth stone shelves. Bring a mask and snorkel, and arrive early to claim a spot.
Porto Timoni and Rovina
Both take effort, and neither has shade or facilities, so pack water, food and an umbrella. Porto Timoni's twin bays are reached from Afionas on a 30-minute coastal path, with a viewpoint just before the trail descends. Water taxis from nearby Agios Georgios let you skip the walk. Rovina, a remote beach under green hills and cliffs, is a steep hike of about 15 minutes from paid parking.
By boat
A day on a private boat is a fine way to escape summer crowds. On the west coast, known for white cliffs, hidden sea caves and quiet, secluded spots, a number of boat rental agencies operate close to La Grotta. On the northeast coast between Kalami and Kassiopi, small bays that are hard to reach by land make another fine target.
What should you eat in Corfu?
Corfu's kitchen mixes Greek tradition with Venetian, French and British touches. Three dishes belong to the island: sofrito, garlicky veal cooked in wine; pastitsada, pasta with chicken or beef and warm spices like cinnamon; and bourdeto, fish in a spicy red sauce. Order at least one. Seafood often comes in a white wine sauce, and fresh fish can be pricey because local fishermen supply it. Gyros make a cheap, filling lunch, and sharing meze instead of ordering separate entrees keeps a dinner bill down.
Old Town has plenty of locally owned places. Avli and Spianada Cafe are reliable picks, and Corfu Sailing Club Restaurant sits right on the marina with sea views. Skalinada is a lovely lunch stop among Venetian facades, and Taverna Ninos turns out good gyros and pastitsada. For coffee and people-watching, Mikro Cafe has a large stepped terrace over the streets. Gelato fans should hunt down Mona Lisa L'Atelier, Papagiorgis and Scoop and Cone.
Outside town, Il Pozzo in Lakones serves Italian food, and Elizabeth's in Doukades is a family-run taverna handed down for decades. Benitses, a fishing village about 20 minutes south of Corfu Town, has little to see by day but makes a fine evening out, with Oi Oraies and Vavara's serving Greek food and seafood. For sunset, Dolce Cafe sits high in the hills near Paleokastritsa, and at Loggas Beach in Peroulades, nicknamed Sunset Beach, the 7th Heaven cafe has swing chairs and cocktails right in front of the sea.
Many tavernas and restaurants close for the winter from mid-October, so choices thin out after that.
How many days do you need in Corfu?
Five full days covers the major beaches, a hike, a boat day and plenty of time in Old Town. With only a long weekend, most visitors will do well to base themselves in Old Town. A rental car or scooter makes the plan below far easier.
Day 1
Walk Old Town's alleys while they're quiet, climb the Old Fortress, then linger over coffee on the Liston. Swim at Faliraki in the afternoon. Have dinner in a square and stroll as the town turns lively.
Day 2
Head to Paleokastritsa and reach Agios Spiridon before the crowds. Visit the monastery, then drive up to Angelokastro for the view. Have dinner in Doukades.
Day 3
Spend the day on the water. Rent a boat near La Grotta to explore sea caves and coves, then catch the sunset at Loggas Beach.
Day 4
Hike from Afionas to the Porto Timoni viewpoint, and continue down to the beach if you want a swim. Rest at Liapades or Glyfada in the afternoon, then have dinner in Danilia Village.
Day 5
Ride up to Kaiser's Throne for the views, or head north to the Canal d'Amour in the morning. Finish with dinner in Benitses.
How do you get to Corfu and around?
Ioannis Kapodistrias International Airport sits about 1.9 miles (3 km) south of Old Town and is served by many European airlines. Buses N5 and N6 leave from just outside and reach the center in about 10 minutes, taxis wait outside arrivals, and private transfers can be booked in advance.
Ferries from Igoumenitsa on the mainland take about 1 to 1.5 hours, and boats also link Corfu with Paxos, the Diapontian Islands and Saranda in Albania. Ferries also cross from Italy: roughly 7 hours from Brindisi, 8 to 9 from Bari and up to 25 from Venice. The port has two passenger terminals about 1,970 feet (600 meters) apart. The domestic one is closest to town, and the international terminal handles cruise ships and ferries to Albania and Italy. From the port, Old Town is about 0.9 miles (1.5 km) away, a 20 to 25 minute walk or under 10 minutes by taxi.
A rental car is the easiest way to see the island at your own pace, and you can pick one up at the airport or the port. Scooters and quads are also easy to rent. Roads are narrow and winding, so drive with care. For buses, the Blue City Bus covers town and the Green KTEL bus goes farther afield, with many routes meeting at San Rocco Square. Online tickets are available on several routes, including Sidari, Kassiopi, Paleokastritsa and Glyfada. Riding without a valid, validated ticket can bring a fine of up to 60 times the fare.
What should Americans know before going to Corfu?
U.S. citizens can visit Greece without a visa for up to 90 days of tourism. Your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date, and you may be asked for proof of funds and a return ticket. Carry your passport or another photo ID at all times.
Greek law requires visitors to carry a valid U.S. driver's license along with an international driver's permit, even if the rental company doesn't ask to see the permit, and local law requires all motorcyclists to wear a helmet. Greece is generally safe, but petty crime is common in tourist spots, and thieves are known to break into rental cars to steal passports, valuables and luggage, so it's wise to take your valuables with you. Forest fires are common in the dry summer months and sometimes close roads, and strikes can halt buses, taxis, ports and airports.
Greece uses the euro.
Sources
- bucketlistbums.com (https://bucketlistbums.com/single-post/corfu/), checked October 17, 2026
- johnnyafrica.com (https://johnnyafrica.com/corfu-travel-guide/), checked October 17, 2026
- passport-for-living.com (https://passport-for-living.com/guide-to-corfu-greece/), checked October 17, 2026
- lonelyplanet.com (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/guide-to-corfu), checked October 17, 2026
- travel.usnews.com (https://travel.usnews.com/Corfu_Greece/), checked October 17, 2026
- U.S. Department of State (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html), checked October 15, 2026
- ktelkerkyras.gr (https://ktelkerkyras.gr/en/), checked October 15, 2026
- cfu-airport.gr (https://www.cfu-airport.gr/), checked October 15, 2026
- Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Odysseus (http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh155.jsp?obj_id=3420), checked October 15, 2026
- Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Odysseus (http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh355.jsp?obj_id=954), checked October 15, 2026
- astikoktelkerkyras.gr (https://astikoktelkerkyras.gr/en/), checked October 15, 2026
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All our pages
When to go
- Best Time to Visit Corfu: June and September for Warm Sea and Long, Sunny Days
- Corfu in January: Epiphany, Winter Weather, Swimming and What to Do
- Corfu in February: Weather, Carnival Season, Sea Temperature and What to Do
- Corfu in March: Weather, Greek Independence Day, Clean Monday and What to Eat
- Corfu in April: Weather, Sea Temperature, Orthodox Easter and Things to Do
- Corfu in May: Weather, Swimming, Old Town Sights and a Two-Day Plan
- Corfu in June: Weather, Swimming, Old Town Days and a Two-Day Plan
- Corfu in July: Weather, Sea Temperature, Old Town and Local Food
- Corfu in August: Weather, Sea Temperature, the Dormition Festival and What to Do
- Corfu in September: Weather, Swimming, Old Town Sights and a Two-Day Plan
- Corfu in October: Weather, Sea Temperature, Ohi Day and What to Do
- Corfu in November: Weather, Sea Temperature, Local Food and a Two-Day Plan
- Corfu in December: Weather, Sea Swims, Christmas Sweets and Old Town Walks
Things to do
- Things to Do in Corfu: Old Town, Beaches, Day Trips and Food
- Day Trips from Corfu: Paxos, Parga, Nicopolis and Mount Pantokrator
- 3 Days in Corfu: Old Town, Mon Repos, the Achilleion and Palaiokastritsa
- Corfu Old Town: What to See, How to Visit, and How Long to Stay
Where to stay
- Corfu Hotels: Where to Stay, Area by Area
- Where to Stay in Corfu Town: Old Town, Garitsa Bay, Kanoni and How to Choose
- Where to Stay in Kassiopi: Harbor, Village Lanes, Castle Hill and Coves
- Where to Stay in Paleokastritsa: The Bays, Lakones, Liapades and How to Choose
Getting there
- How to Get to Corfu: Flights, Ferries and Buses From Athens
- Corfu Airport (CFU): Where It Is and How to Get Into Town
- Buses on Corfu: Corfu Town, Beaches and the Length of the Island