Ionian Islands · 20 Places · Best May-June and September
Corfu (Kerkyra) is the greenest of the Ionian Islands, lying off the northwest coast of Greece a short crossing from Albania. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town, shaped by Venetian, French, and British rulers, sits beside olive-covered hills, a mountainous north, and beaches ranging from the cliffs of Paleokastritsa to the sandy shores of the south. The island also has a distinct cuisine, with dishes such as pastitsada, sofrito, and bourdeto found nowhere else in Greece.
Corfu is about 60 km long and roughly 4 to 32 km wide, and it is the second largest of the Ionian Islands after Kefalonia. The north is dominated by Mount Pantokrator (906 m), the island's highest peak, with Kassiopi, Sidari, and Roda on the coast below it. The west holds Paleokastritsa and the cliff-backed beaches of Glyfada and Agios Gordios, while the east coast runs from the pebbled bays of Dassia and Ipsos through Benitses to the quiet south around Lefkimmi and the Korission lagoon. At the centre is Corfu Town, whose Old Town was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 and is known for the Liston arcade, two Venetian fortresses, and narrow kantounia lanes. The island is reached by Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport (CFU), by ferry from Igoumenitsa, Italy, and Albania, and it is best explored with a rental car or scooter.
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The 20 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Venetian fortress on a rocky peninsula east of the Spianada, separated from the town by a man-made moat. Its Byzantine origins were rebuilt by the Venetians in the 16th century, and the summit lighthouse and Church of St George give wide views over Corfu Town and the Albanian coast.
Venetian fortress built in the 1570s on St Mark's Hill to defend the town's western flank after the 1537 Ottoman siege. Tunnels, bastions and the rooftop terrace overlook the Old Port and the Old Town rooftops.
Neoclassical summer palace built in 1889-91 at Gastouri for Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) and later owned by Kaiser Wilhelm II. It is decorated with mythological statues of Achilles and set in terraced gardens facing the sea.
The Spianada is the largest square in Greece, a former military glacis between the Old Town and the Old Fortress. The arcaded Liston, modelled on Paris's Rue de Rivoli, lines one side, and the square hosts the island's cricket ground and a bandstand.
Orthodox church of the island's patron saint, built in 1589 and recognisable by its red-domed campanile, the tallest in the Ionian Islands. It holds the silver casket with the relics of Saint Spyridon, carried through the town in four annual processions.
Greece's only museum dedicated to Asian art, housed in the neoclassical palace built by the British in the 1820s as the residence of the Lord High Commissioner. Its collection covers China, Japan, India, Korea and Tibet.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
A five-star seafront hotel on the Garitsa Bay promenade of Corfu Town, a short distance from the Old Town. Rates are indicative for the May-October season.
Check rates on Booking.comA four-star hotel in a 17th-century mansion in the Old Town, opposite the Spianada Esplanade. Rates are indicative for the May-October season.
Check rates on Booking.comA restored neo-classical mansion hotel a few minutes on foot from the Spianada and the Old Town restaurants. Rates are indicative for the May-October season.
Check rates on Booking.comA boutique hotel in a historic Corfu Town building close to the Spianada, noted for its breakfast. Rates are indicative for the May-October season.
Check rates on Booking.comCafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
A Corfu Town institution beside the Liston arcade, open since 1932 and run by the Katsaros family since 1955. The kitchen serves Corfiot classics such as pastitsada, sofrito and bourdeto in generous portions.
A long-standing traditional taverna and ouzo restaurant open since 1991 on Arseniou street, facing the water across the road at the edge of the Old Town.
A special-occasion restaurant on a small square of its own near the cathedral, hidden in the Old Town. Noted for careful presentation and a stylish interior.
A garden restaurant on Garitsa Bay with a plant-covered terrace and views towards the Old Fortress, serving regional meze platters, salads, meat and seafood.
A casual Old Town souvlaki restaurant described by one local guide as quite possibly the best souvlaki in Corfu, served with pitta, salad and potatoes.
A wine bar and bistro in Corfu Town with Spanish influences, known for its sharing platters.
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Corfu is a long, curved island of roughly 60 km north to south, with Corfu Town on the central-east coast, Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport (CFU) just south of the old town, and the New Port serving ferries to the Greek mainland, Albania and Italy. KTEL Kerkyras buses link the town with most resorts but run infrequently, taxis are plentiful in the town and at the airport, and a hire car or scooter is the usual choice for reaching west-coast beaches and mountain villages. Prices are shown in EUR with USD at 1 EUR = 1.15 USD and are indicative; operators publish current timetables.
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €30 (about $34.50) | €95 (about $109) | €280 (about $322) |
| Food (per day) | €20 (about $23) | €45 (about $52) | €110 (about $126.50) |
| Transportation | €10 (about $11.50) | €15 (about $17) | €35 (about $40) |
| Activities | €10 (about $11.50) | €15 (about $17) | €25 (about $29) |
| Daily total | €70 (about $80.50) | €170 (about $195.50) | €450+ (about $517+) |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Late spring and early autumn offer warm sea water, hot but manageable days, and far smaller crowds than high summer. The island is notably green because it receives more rain than most Greek islands, mostly from November to February.
Many beach tavernas and hotels open around mid-April to early May and close by late October. Greek Orthodox Easter, often a different date from Western Easter, is the island's biggest festival and books out early.
Corfu is a very safe island for visitors; the main risks are road accidents on narrow roads, sun and heat, sea conditions, and petty theft in crowded places.
Dial 112 from any phone for all emergencies; operators can handle English.
Keep wallets and phones secure in the Old Town lanes and on busy Liston evenings, and do not leave valuables visible in rental cars at beaches.
Drive carefully on narrow, winding village roads; rental scooters and quad bikes are involved in many tourist injuries, so wear a helmet and check insurance terms.
Photograph rental vehicles before departure to avoid disputed damage claims.
Carry water and sun protection; July and August bring strong heat and high wildfire risk.
Do not light fires, barbecues or discard cigarettes in forests and countryside during the dry season.
Swim at beaches with lifeguards when possible and avoid swimming in strong winds or rip conditions; some beaches shelve steeply.
Entry requirements follow Greece/Schengen rules. EU citizens need only a national ID card or passport; visitors from the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and many other countries may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Requirements vary by nationality, so check with the nearest Greek embassy or the official immigration website before travelling.
May, June, and September to early October offer warm weather, warm sea water, and smaller crowds than July and August. Winters are mild but wet, and many coastal businesses close from November to March.
A rental car or scooter is the most flexible way to explore, especially for the north and west coasts. KTEL buses connect Corfu Town with major resorts at low prices, and taxis cover short transfers, with a typical airport to Old Town fare of about €12-15 (about $14-17).
Corfu is known for pastitsada (spiced meat and pasta), sofrito (veal in garlic and white wine sauce), bourdeto (peppery fish stew), tsigareli (wild greens), and kumquat liqueur. Local ginger beer, tsitsibira, is a long-standing British-era legacy.
The top attractions in Corfu include the UNESCO-listed Old Town, the Old Fortress, the Achilleion Palace, Paleokastritsa and Angelokastro, Mon Repos, Vlacherna Monastery and Pontikonisi, Canal d'Amour in Sidari, and the village of Kassiopi.
Budget travellers can manage on about €70 per day (about $80.50), mid-range visitors typically spend about €170 (about $195.50), and luxury travellers €450 or more (about $517 or more) including accommodation, food, local transport, and activities.
