Trip to Corfu (Greece) – Everything you need to know to organize your trip
Corfu, located in the Ionian island group in western Greece, is one of the easiest islands to reach from Italy or Albania, especially if you are in the south in the Ksamil area, but it is also ideal for those looking for wonderful beaches, small local villages, nature and peace (if traveling in low season).
If you are planning your next holidays here and are wondering what to see in Corfu , which are the beaches of Corfu that you shouldn’t miss but also in which area to sleep and how to get around, I have collected in this post all the useful information I have collected in the my two weeks of traveling on the island.
Corfu is a very large island that can be visited in just 3 days but it deserves more if you want to discover all its most beautiful beaches and treat yourself to a bit of relaxation. If you have 7 days available in Corfu I’m sure you will enjoy it to the fullest!
Curiosity – The legend of Kerkyra (Corfu)
Kerkyra is the Greek name for Corfu and the last one given to the island. Kerkyra was a nymph born from the river Asopus and loved by the god Poseidon who kidnapped her and took her to the still unnamed northernmost island of the Ionian Sea. He gave her the name Korkyra, which gradually transformed into Kerkyra.
Poseidon and Kerkyra had a son, Phaiax, from whom the islanders took the name of Phaiakes, in Latin Phaeaciani, a name for which the inhabitants of the island were called Phaeacians. Myth aside, scholars believe that the name derives from the Byzantine word Koryfò, hence the Latin translation Corfou.
Have you found plane tickets? See also on Traveljourn
Read also: Documents for Greece: Do you need a passport? 2023
How to get to Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island located relatively close to Italy and Albania. If you are traveling with a car the best way to go to Corfu is by ferry. The journey takes approximately 16 hours.
Direct ferries to Corfu only depart from mid-June to September .
If you travel before the start of the high season then you can take a ferry from Ancona to Igumeniza , in Greece very close to the border with Albania and then take the ferry to Corfu.
There are two companies that sell ferry tickets, I recommend booking well in advance if you are traveling between July and August . If you buy a return ticket, the ticket costs slightly less than a one-way ticket. Here you can search for the best route and calculate the related costs and book directly.
If you don’t want to take the ferry and travel without a car, you can also reach Corfu by plane . From Rome and Milan the route with direct flights is served by Ryanair and Easyjet . To check prices, routes and companies I recommend you search on traveljourn
How to get around Corfu
Corfu is a relatively large island, if you travel with a car you will have no problems getting around but if you don’t have one don’t despair because public transport works quite well.
- Getting around Corfu by buses – Buses are a practical way to get around Corfu, ticket prices vary depending on the distances traveled and vary between €1.20 and €4.40 each way.
In Corfu there are two types of buses: the blue buses which cover short distances close to Corfu Town and the green buses which go further away. The blue buses usually depart from Piazza San Rocco in Corfu Town and reach the port, Kanoni, Mandouki, Benitses, Achillion, Gouvia and Kontokali. The central green bus station is located near the port of Corfu . These buses operate routes towards Paleokastritsa, Lefkimi, Acharavi, Roda, Messongi, Pelekas and in general towards almost all the villages and beaches of the island.
For more information on the timetables and routes of the blue buses, consult the website www.astikoktelkerkyras.gr .
Regarding green buses, you can get all the useful information on www.greenbuses.gr . Service is limited on weekends and, for some more remote locations, virtually non-existent during the low season. If you plan to travel around the island, plan accordingly as bus times, even in high season, are infrequent. It’s a bit of a pain in the ass. - Scooter/ATV rental – If you plan small trips because, as written above, the island is very large, renting a scooter is an excellent way to get around nearby places. If you sleep in different towns, which I recommend you do, you can rent them from time to time. Scooter rental starts from EUR 15 per day, while ATV rental starts from EUR 35 per day.
- Bicycle – Daily rentals can be found starting from 10 EUR per day. Although the island is bicycle-friendly with many trails, keep in mind that there are many hills and cycling could be quite strenuous.
- Taxis – There are numerous taxis and if you decide to travel with them, consider that the starting fare is €3.60 and then just over 1 euro per kilometre. It is definitely cheaper to rent a car or scooter.
- Car rental – If you book in advance, you can find rental cars starting from 15 euros per day for a multi-day rental. For some ideas on rental costs, take a look at Rentalcars and rent well in advance if you are traveling in high season.
Where to stay in Corfu
Corfu is a very large island and to move around easily I recommend using a car . Even if the distances are not huge, the small winding roads and, in many cases, in poor condition, make some routes quite complicated.
Choosing where to stay in Corfu is therefore very important because it will depend on your holiday. The most populated and best equipped region for tourists is the north , where the things to see in Corfu are concentrated and where I recommend you sleep if you have a few days available and want large bays with crystal clear sea.
My advice is to dedicate a couple of nights to Corfu town , which is very pretty and has a lively historic center full of bars and restaurants and then maybe move near the sea.
Corfu town
I advise you to dedicate the first or last nights to Corfu town which has a small but very pleasant historic center full of life until late in the evening. If you want to sleep in the center I recommend the Dousmani Corfu Old Town Studio Suite , a recently renovated apartment equipped with all comforts and very close to the center and 3 minutes from the beach, or the Arcadion Hotel , which overlooks Piazza Spianada and the Liston arcades and it’s 10 minutes from the beach.
In the city you will find many apartments, if the ones mentioned are not available look for alternatives here.
Paleokastritsa
Paleokastritsa is one of Corfu’s most popular towns thanks to its spectacular bayside location and beautiful surrounding bays, some reachable only by sea.
Sidari
Sidari is located in the north of the island a stone’s throw from the Canale dell’Amore. The village is rather anonymous, it is obviously for tourist use, but its centrality among the places to visit in Corfu makes it an excellent base for a few days.
Coffee
In the far south of the island it is an interesting base for visiting Arkoudilas and has huge, accessible beaches. Since the village is mainly tourist, it comes alive starting from June, if you go earlier you will find many hotels and services still closed.
What to see in Corfu – 8 places not to be missed in Corfu
Corfu is a rather large island that can be visited in 5 or 7 days , even more if you want to dedicate some days exclusively to the sea. Most of the things to visit in Corfu are concentrated in the north of the island, but if you have time I recommend you also drive to Arkoudila Beach , at the southernmost tip of the island.
Corfu Town
Corfu town is the access point to the island, which is why it is perfect as a base for the first or last days of your holiday. The city is quite small and can be explored on foot. Corfu town is certainly the prettiest city on the island thanks to the small pedestrian centre.
Among the things to see in Corfu town be sure to visit these:
- Il Campiello – The pedestrianized historic center of Corfu where you can walk where you will find many bars, restaurants and shops.
- The Old Fortress of Corfu – Easily accessible from the center make sure you visit the fortress where you can have an exceptional view of the city. The Old Fortress of Corfu is one of the most impressive fortifications in Europe. The entrance ticket costs €8 per adult.
- Spianada Square – Spianada is the most impressive square in Corfu Town and is located between the Old Fortress and the Old Town. It seems to be the largest square in the Balkans. Before the 19th century it was simply empty land used for defensive purposes. Today it is a large grass park where cricket matches are also played – the only place in Greece where this sport is practiced – a legacy of the English.
- Liston – This large street with arcades is the most elegant part of Corfu, with restaurants and shops and borders the Spianada. The portico was built by the Venetians but it was the French who gave it the Parisian touch that we can see today.
- Museum of Asian Art at St. Michael and St. George’s Palace – The palace was built by the British in 1815 as the residence of the High Commissioner and the seat of the Senate. Today inside there is the Museum of Asian Art , full of Japanese prints, Indian sculptures and many other oriental treasures.
- The churches of Corfu – In Corfu there are more than 30 Orthodox churches. You don’t have to visit them all but be sure to see the Orthodox Cathedral, the Church of Saint Spyridon, patron saint of the island and the Byzantine Church of Saint Jason and Saint Sosipater.
- Corfu Archaeological Museum – The Corfu Archaeological Museum is located in a modern two-story building. The museum displays artefacts from the ancient city of Corfu and the rest of the island.
- Byzantine Museum of Corfu – The Byzantine museum is located in a 15th century church. The museum displays Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons created by anonymous or famous artists and dating from the 15th to the 19th century. In the museum you will also find relics, liturgical objects, wall frescoes from various churches in Corfu, ancient gospels, manuscripts and priestly robes. Entrance costs €4.
If you stay in Corfu town, don’t think that you don’t have access to the sea. The beaches are small compared to the others on the island, but you will find many accessible on foot, the most popular and very close to the center is Falikari beach .
Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island
Vlacherna Monastery is one of the most famous and photographed places in Corfu. Vlacherna Monastery is connected to the mainland by a pedestrian bridge that leads to the Monastery. Vlacherna is a small white church with a tiled roof and a distinctive three-story spire bell tower that serves as the main entrance to the church courtyard.
The walkway is lined with fishing boats and small ferries that take you from the monastery to the famous Mouse Island (Pontikonisi Island).
Mouse Island is a green island, with tall cypresses and other rare plants. It is a natural monument and disembarkation is not permitted. In the center of the island is a church dedicated to the “Metamorphosis of Sotiros” – “Transfiguration of the Savior”. According to the myth, here Ulysses’ ship was transformed into a rock by the god Poseidon to prevent him from returning to Ithaca.
Cape Drastic
Driving north be sure to stop at Cape Drastis, a beautiful and wild promontory. Cape Drastis is located after the village of Peroulades , a few kilometers from Sidari. Cape Dastris is characterized by enormous rock formations, sculpted by the sea and the wind and similar to those of the Canal d’Amour, which stand out from the very blue waters.
Cape Drastis is only accessible by sea, swimming or boat from the cape.
Sidari and the canal of love
On the northwestern tip of Corfu, about a 20-minute walk from Sidari you can reach the Canal d’Amour , considered one of Corfu’s most popular attractions.
The Love Channel is created by sandstone rock formations that create a natural passage from the small beach to the waters of the Ionian Sea. You can swim in the canal.
Porto Timoni Beach (Afionas)
If you have little time and have to choose just one place to see in Corfu make sure it is Porto Timoni .
Portо Timοni is the name of the beach near the village Afiоnаs on the west coast of the island of Corfu. It is a scenario that deserves to be classified as a tourist destination, both from a naturalistic and historical point of view, because in ancient times it was a port and a fortress was also located here.
The wonder of this place is given by the fact that the island of Mathraki is joined to the Agios Geоrgiοs reserve by a small strip of sand creating a wonderful panorama from above and the possibility of choosing between two very different beaches.
You can get to Portо Timοni in two ways:
- On foot from Afionas village – You will find two paths which then join at a certain point, you can’t go wrong. In my opinion it is the most beautiful way because you can see the view from above. Arrive by car to Afionas, you will find paid parking. Cross the small village, very pretty, and reach the Canteen Afionas from where the hiking route starts. It will take you about 30/40 minutes. Before arriving at the beach, stop at the Porto Timoni viewpoint .
- By boat from Agios Georgios. At the small port you will find the boat rental place, the cost is around €30 (round trip), you can tell the boatman the time you want to be picked up. Navigation takes a few minutes. The cost is for the whole boat.
Things to know before visiting Porto Timoni – The walk to the beach will take approximately 30 minutes. The route, however, is rather rocky and bumpy . Bring comfortable walking shoes. Also bring water and snacks if you want to stay on the beach for the day because there are no refreshment points. If you don’t want to walk you can book the service in Agios Georgios.
Angelokastro
Situated on the side of a steep cliff on Corfu’s highest peak is Angelokastro , a 13th-century Byzantine castle. The monastery was built on rocky and difficult-to-access terrain as a protective measure. With the castles of Kassiopi and Gardiki, Angelokastro was part of the defensive triangle.
Only the ruins of the monastery remain, a small church, an underground chapel and the original walls. It’s worth getting there for the beautiful view. Entrance costs 3 euros.
Worth knowing
To reach the castle the climb from the car park is rocky and rather steep. It is not recommended for those who are not in good physical shape.
Palaiokastritsa
Palaiokastritsa is a small village in the north-west of Corfu and is considered one of the best things to see in Corfu . It is said to be the mythological site of Scheria and the last place visited by Ulysses before returning home.
Paleokastritsa includes a splendid stretch of rugged coast, with six deep bays and enchanting beaches, both sandy and pebble, which extend down to a crystal-clear blue sea. Most of the beaches in Palaiokastritsa can be reached by boat.
On the top of the mountain overlooking the village there is a beautiful monastery from the 1200s, which you can visit, with a beautiful flower garden, a church and a small museum, from where you will have a wonderful view of the cliff. Entrance is by donation. If women do not wear a skirt you will be provided with a headscarf.
Arkoudilas beach and Monastero della Panagia
In the far south of the island, rather far from everything and everyone, there is one of my favorite corners of Corfu: Arkoudila Beach .
The closest town to base is Kavos. The beach can be accessed by car, 10 minutes from Kavos , or even by walking, a journey of about 40 minutes (if you go in the heat I recommend bringing water and sunscreen).
Along the route at a certain point you will meet at a crossroads: if you take the one on the right you will arrive at the beach , there is a car park and a small lido as well as a lot of free beach, while if you take the one on the left you will reach the remains of a Byzantine monastery from where you will have a wonderful view of the sea. To go to the beach you have to go back to the crossroads.
I recommend you do the walk first and then finish on the beach.
When to go to Corfu
Summer, from June to August, is the most popular time to visit Corfu. The days are very hot and temperatures average 31°C. Expect higher prices and lots of tourists (Corfu has an airport).
In my opinion, the months of April/May and September and October are the best. The climate is temperate, the island empties and prices are decidedly less low. Temperatures are between 23 and 25 degrees.
In winter temperatures do not drop below 10 degrees, generally, the island does not have many tourists but also many businesses are closed. I recommend you stay in Corfu town where you will find at least some view of the rest of the island.
Corfu Greece – Frequently asked questions
Disclaimer: In this post, some of the links provided are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. However, this does not incur any additional cost to you. The commissions I receive through these affiliate links help fund and support my blog , thus maintaining its independence and lack of sponsorships. I always strive to provide you with the best information and advice possible, based on my personal experience and research. I would like to underline that your support is essential to keep this blog alive and continue to provide you with quality content. Thank you for your support!
Read also: Where is the prettiest beach in Greece?
Are you getting ready to travel? Check out these useful!!
Cheap flights
hotels
Don’t forget your travel insurance!
Car rental with Economybookings.com
