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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Kumquat Liqueur
Sweet orange liqueur made from Corfu's kumquats, the island's signature product; the older family labels are generally preferred over tourist-branded bottles
Price: EUR 8-15 per bottle (USD 9-17)
Where: Mavromatis shops, Nikiforou Theotoki Street, Old Town market
Corfu Olive Oil
Peppery, fruity extra-virgin olive oil from Corfu's old groves, often sold in tins or glass bottles
Price: EUR 8-18 per 500ml (USD 9-21)
Where: The Governor shop and mill, Old Town market, village producers
Kumquat Spoon Sweets and Marmalade
Candied kumquats and kumquat preserves, traditionally served with coffee or yoghurt
Price: EUR 4-8 per jar (USD 5-9)
Where: Old Town specialty shops, Mavromatis
Olive Oil Soap
Hard bars of traditional olive-oil soap from the historic Patounis factory
Price: EUR 3-10 per bar (USD 3-12)
Where: Patounis Soap Factory, Old Town shops
Tsitsibira (Corfu Ginger Beer)
Local ginger beer introduced during the British period, bottled on the island
Price: EUR 1-3 per bottle (USD 1-3)
Where: Local kiosks and supermarkets
Corfu Wine
Local wines including Kakotrygis white and Theotoky Estate bottles
Price: EUR 8-25 per bottle (USD 9-29)
Where: Wine shops in Corfu Town, Theotoky Estate
Olive Wood Items
Bowls, spoons and boards carved from local olive wood
Price: EUR 5-60 (USD 6-69)
Where: Old Town craft shops, Nikiforou Theotoki Street
Leather Sandals
Handmade leather sandals from local workshops
Price: EUR 25-80 (USD 29-92)
Where: Old Town workshops, Simatis Real Leather
Ceramics
Hand-painted pottery from Corfiot artisans
Price: EUR 10-70 (USD 12-81)
Where: Lanes behind the Liston
Honey and Herbs
Thyme honey and dried herbs from the island hills
Price: EUR 5-12 per jar (USD 6-14)
Where: Old Town market
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Nikiforou Theotoki Street
The main pedestrian shopping street of Corfu Town, lined with fashion shops, souvenir stores, cafes and sellers of kumquat liqueur and olive-oil products.
Where: Old Town, Corfu Town
Liston and Venetian Lanes Behind the Liston
The arcaded Liston promenade and the narrow lanes behind it hold boutiques and artisan shops selling ceramics, leather goods, icons, wine and liqueurs.
Where: Old Town, Corfu Town
Guilford Street
A lane in the Old Town where an olive-oil shop selling The Governor brand is located, alongside souvenir and food-product stores.
Where: Old Town, Corfu Town
Corfu Old Town Central Market (Agora)
The covered municipal market beneath the New Fortress sells fresh produce, fish, honey, olive oil, herbs and traditional Corfiot products.
Where: Below the New Fortress, Corfu Town
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-3:15PM
Patounis Soap Factory
Historic family soap maker producing olive-oil soap in Corfu Town since the 19th century, with a small shop and visitor area.
Where: Old Town, Corfu Town
Hours: Weekdays 9AM-5PM; Saturday mornings
Mavromatis Kumquat Shop
Retail shop of the Mavromatis distillery, a Corfiot producer of kumquat liqueur, spoon sweets, jams and refreshments since 1965.
Where: Old Town, Corfu Town
Mavromatis Kumquat Factory
The family distillery and exhibition space of Mavromatis near Skripero, where kumquat liqueur and sweets are made and sold.
Where: Skripero, central Corfu
The Governor's Olive Mill
A working olive mill with a small museum, shop and tasting room selling The Governor brand of Corfiot extra-virgin olive oil.
Where: Agios Mattheos, south Corfu
Simatis Real Leather
A Corfu business making handmade leather sandals, bags and accessories locally since 1984.
Where: Old Town, Corfu Town
Theotoky Estate
A winery in the Ropa Valley near Giannades offering tastings and sales of Corfu wines and olive products.
Where: Ropa Valley, central Corfu