Ultimate Travel Guide for Corfu, Greece

The Ionian Islands are not usually the first islands people think of when traveling to Greece. While Mykonos and Santorini take all the popularity, I believe the most stunning islands in Greece are in fact, the Ionian Islands. Corfu, also known as Kerkyra, must be the most scenic, beautiful, and adventurous island of them all. From day trips to uninhabited islands, partying until the morning, or cliff jumping into the clear waters, Corfu is a giant playground for everyone to enjoy. Since it is the seventh biggest island in Greece and is heavily influenced by Venetian captivity, you could only imagine all the hidden gems and sights to explore. Let’s get into all the details of the island that I am itching to return to, Corfu!

Number of Days to Stay: 5-7 Days

Expenses: $-$$$

Best Time to Travel: April – October. If you want to avoid the summer crowds, make sure to not travel between June-August.

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Where to Stay:

Depending on what kind of trip you are planning to have there are many villages to stay in based on your preference. Because there are so many unique villages to stay in, I have narrowed it down to five of the most popular, as well as the village that my family decided to choose as our accommodation. There aren’t many hostels to stay in on the island which I am not surprised since a lot of the rental accommodations are very affordable!

Corfu Town – Staying in the town is the best choice if you are going to rely on public transportation to get around the massive island. There is also a ton of shopping, restaurants, and architecture to explore! Not to forget, it is right at the waterfront where the main port is located. Corfu is surprisingly not an island with a big a party scene and leans more towards a relaxing/casual night out with friends and family enjoying some cocktails or espresso before calling it a night. If you are looking for a hotel stay, then Corfu Town may not be the best choice as there are more apartment and home rentals and luxury hotels rather than affordable hotel stays.

Achilleio/Perama – If you are looking to stay close to Corfu town and in the center of the island, then the Achilleio/Perama area is a great location to find villas and rentals. When visiting Corfu my family (12 of us total) rented out a villa, which is very popular while staying in Corfu as the island is family friendly. It was a very quick drive to the Old Town and Benitses if you want to find shopping and restaurants! If you are looking to live like a local, look for a rental or hotel here!

Sidari – This village is located in the northern part of the island and has a very lively town. Not only is Sidari close to a lot of attractions on the island, but there are many shops, restaurants, and nightlife to discover. It is also one of the most popular beach towns on the island! There are a lot of hotel accommodations to choose whether you want to splurge on luxury or are on a budget and still want to hit the spa. 

Palaiokastritsa – If you are looking to visit the famous La Gratto and want your accommodation to be surrounded by greenery, Palaiokastritsa is a great village to choose to stay in! There are many places to hike with beautiful views and a small beach to relax in. It is one of the most popular spots on the island and is southwest, making is it easy to get to and from the old town.

Kavos – Kavos is the one of the villages on the southern tip of the islands, close to Paxos and Anti Paxos. If you are looking for the party scene on the island, Kavos is your destination for an accommodation. There are many affordable places to stay for apartments, hotels and studios. If you are looking for a place with a pool I would recommend staying in a hotel, but if you are saving your money for boozing, stay in a rental or hostel! I would avoid staying in this area if you do not want to be bothered with the young crowd the town draws in.

Where to Eat:

Because we rented a beautiful villa with a full kitchen and supermarket nearby (and we had already spent almost all our money in Mykonos and Santorini on this trip), we prepared home cooked meals most of this trip. However, there was one night where we went to a restaurant for Panagia (The Saints Day for Maria, and probably the biggest Holiday celebrated in Greece by Greeks.) We also ate at the beach bars and some restaurants which I have listed below, as well as other recommendations for some research.

• Il Visuvio, Corfu Town ($$) – Since Corfu has a lot of Venetian influence, it was hard not to eat at an Italian restaurant, especially in the Corfu Town. This restaurant was kind enough to accommodate 12 of us without a reservation and we were not disappointed with the food! If you are looking for a break from Greek food and looking for a tasty Italian meal, make sure to grab a bite here.

• REX, Corfu Town ($$) – One of the most popular restaurants in Corfu and recommended by most people if you are staying in the old town. Be sure to make a reservation in advance!

• Taverna Tripa, Κynopiastes ($$) – This taverna was recommended by a Corfu local for us to eat at for Panagia (Saint Maria’s Day) and they served the most delicious and fresh Greek food I have had in a while. They also had live dancers and a band playing music during dinner. The outdoor seating is filled with vine leaves and plenty of seating. If you are looking for traditional Greek food, Taverna Tripa will meet all of your expectations.

• Avil Restaurant, Corfu Town ($$) – If you are looking for a view of the castle, make sure to book a reservation at Avil. It is located right outside of the town, so you may need to walk a little farther than usual if your accommodation is in the center, or you parked your car in the town. Vegan options!
• Klimataria, Benitses ($$) – One of the top three rated restaurants on the island and the location is very close to the city center. Be sure to make a reservation if you plan to dine here!

• Toula’s, Agni Bay ($$) – The most popular taverna to grab delicious, traditional Greek food made by the Yiayia (grandma) of the restaurant herself! The drive may be awhile if you are not staying on the Eastern part of the island, but it’s definitely worth it!

• The Venetian Well, Corfu Town ($$$$) – Fine dining in Corfu is not too popular, but if you are looking for a romantic dinner or want to treat yourself to tasty food make sure to reserve a table at The Venetian Well.

• Corfu Sailing Restaurant, Corfu Town ($$) – How many times can you say you have dined inside of a fort? Hidden away from the center of town you will find Corfu Sailing Restaurant!

• Ambelonas, Corfu Town ($$) – This is a restaurant and vineyard that also includes cooking classes so if you are looking to wine and dine, Ambelonas is a great option in Corfu! 

• Etrusco, Kato Korakiana ($$$$) – Another highly rated fine dining restaurant on the island. If you are a foodie and looking for a meal cooked by a renowned chef, this is the perfect restaurant to eat at. Tables fill up quickly, plan to look for a reservation in advance!

• Pomo D’Oro Corfu, Corfu Town ($$$)

• Dine at O Mylos by Isla Cuisine, Kommeno ($$)

• Cavalieri Hotel Rooftop Restaurant, Corfu Town ($$$)

• Boukari Beach Fish Taverna, Boukari ($$)

• Flavor, Palaiokastritsa ($$)

• Boulis Taverna, Palaiokastritsa ($$)

• Elizabeth’s Taverna, Doukades ($)

Vegetarian/Vegan Recommendations:

There are so many restaurants in Corfu that can accommodate vegans or have vegetarian dishes. Below I listed some popular ones around the island, but overall it was very easy to find vegan dishes at a variety of the restaurants in Corfu.

• Sagrado, Corfu Town ($$)
• George & Elena’s Taverna, Messonghi ($)
• Aubergien Café, Kapodistriou ($$)
• Bizou Café, Corfu Town ($$)
• Achilleas, Corfu ($$)
• Akrogiali, Agios Gordios ($)
• Akron Beach Bar, Palaiokastristsas ($$)
• Alexis, Agios Gorgios ($$)
• Alobar, Agios Gorgios ($$)
• Anthi Taverna, Nissaki ($$)
• My Habit, Corfu Town ($$)

What to Do:

Beaches

• Glyfada Beach – The most beautiful sand beach on the island! If you are looking for a spot to lounge on beach chairs all day and escape the heat by taking a dip in the ocean blue waters, make sure to have Glyfada on your list of beaches to visit.

• Agios Giordos Beach – Ranked #2 in most blog posts as the best sand beach to visit! Not only is it well organized but the water is absolutely beautiful to swim in and relax! There is also a shipwreck that you can snorkel and discover at this beach. Agios Giordos was a priority beach to visit on our trip.

• Swim at Canal d’Amour Beach – Known famously as the “channel of love,” many couples will flock here to do one of three things: if you are a couple you swim the length of the canal to stay together forever, if you are single (and a hopeless romantic like me) you must swim to the furthest tip to find the love of your life, and if you don’t feel like swimming or just want some luck you can toss a coin into the water and make a wish! We unfortunately did not have enough time to swim at the canal (no wonder I’m still single for quite some time), but it’s on my bucket list to make the trip back and go! If you go during peak season expect it to be very crowded as it is one of the top five beaches to swim at in Corfu!

• Sidari Beach – Sidari beach is one of the sandy beaches on the island and is said to be one of the best beaches for paragliding because of the view!

• Paleokastritsa – Another sandy, commercialized beach that is surrounded by beautiful mountains and great for snorkeling! The beach is a little small so beach chairs and umbrellas may be reserved quickly, so make sure to bring a beach towel to lay on the free beach. There are also boat transfers to La Gatto from this beach.

• La Grotta Beach Bar – This was my second favorite day in Corfu as La Grota beach bar is filled with fun music, food, incredible swimming, and cliff jumping! The beach bar is nestled into the mountain, and you can climb the mountain to cliff jump or you can jump off the diving board located in the water! There is very limited seating here, so you will have to snag chair real fast or bring a beach towel to sit on the shore. We also had lunch and drinks here and it did not disappoint.

• Agia Triada Beach- We went to this beach as we couldn’t find our way to park near La Gratto. It is another organized beach surrounded by mountain and featured many water sports and beach bars. The only downside to this beach is that it had many rocks (which my family is not a fan of). We took a small taxi boat to La Gratto where we spent a good portion of our day! This beach It is a lot closer to La Gratto than Paleokastritsa so it is something to take into consideration when planning your trip!

• Kassiopi – The perfect location to spend half your day lying on the beach and then exploring the villages of Corfu, Kassipoi Beach is ideal to add to your itinerary. The village and beach are situated around a harbor and is one of the most sought out places to visit in the northern part of the island. Several beaches are walking distance from the harbor that are small, so make sure to grab a beach chair rental early!
• Porto Timoni – Taking a hike to Port Timoni beach is worth it when the reward is spending some time catching your breath, relaxing at the beach, and getting a breathtaking view of one of the most spectacular natural beach formations in Greece!
• Agios Stefanos Beach – A family-friendly sandy beach, where the coastline is filled with beach rentals, tavernas, shops, and sparkling clear blue waters. There is also a Nature Beach that is not organized, and you can enjoy the natural formations while escaping the crowds.

Activities

• Day boat tour to Paxos and Anti Paxos – My family and I rented a private boat (there were 12 of us, so it made the most sense for us to get a boat just for ourselves) to visit Paxos, Anti Paxos, and swim around the coast of Corfu. Hopefully, after reading a couple of my previous posts, you will notice that renting any kind of boat for a day is a must when visiting a Greek island, but Corfu is an island where you cannot miss this excursion. Anti Paxos is an inhabited island, making the water look so clear that it looks drinkable. Out of all the islands I have been to in Greece, nothing compares to the water you swim in at Anti Paxos. Not only is it clear like bottled water, but it is very shallow and surrounded by beautiful greenery. Do take note that most boat rentals go to the small spot in Anti Paxos, so it can be a little crowded when you dock at the beach. Our driver stopped for us to get lunch at Paxos and took us to some spots around Corfu that were only reachable by boat. There is nothing like cruising around and taking a refreshing dip in the Ionian Sea

• Visit the old and new Fortress in Old Town Corfu – When you are walking through the old town, you will see the fort surrounding the city
• Boat Tour to Parga – Unfortunately, we were not able to do this during our trip, but it is highly recommended to visit Parga as it is a hidden gem, a fishing village close to Corfu
• Day trip to Albania
• Visit the Sivota islands and Snorkel in the Blue Lagoon
• Climb Mount Pantokrator
• Visit the Paleokastista village and the Monastery for an incredible view
• ATV or Jeep tours
• Hike the Corfu Trail
• Take a rafting tour in Corfu’s rapids
• Hike to Porto Timoni Twin Beach
• Hike the path between Arillas and Agios Stefanos for an amazing view
• Visit Achellion Palace
• Rent a boat to drive to Cape Drastis

Nightlife

The bars and clubs on Corfu are widely spread out. Surprisingly, the Old Town doesn’t have much of a bar scene and consists of many lounges and cafes to have a cocktail and enjoy each other’s company. This is ideal for those who want a calming night out or are not into the party scene. For those who are looking to socialize and dance the night away, I organized lists below based on the type of establishment you are looking for.

Clubs

• 54 Dreamy Nights Club, Port of Corfu – My friend and I went here one of our last nights on our trip, and if you are looking for house music and Techno, this is the spot for you! The indoor club is huge and has a lot of lounge space to sit and have a drink. There is an ample amount of dance floor space to move your body and socialize. There is a cover fee for entry, but it comes with a drink. Many locals will go here as they sometimes play Greek music.

• Palia Skouna Club, Roda – This club is open from early evening until sunrise, so if you are looking to pull an all-nighter before heading to the airport, this is definitely your spot!
• EDEM Beach Club, Dassia – There is nothing like dancing the night away on a sandy beach that looks like it belongs in Mykonos, especially when it doesn’t come with the price tag. This is a clubber’s dream for a summertime party spot.
• Montecristo – If you ever dreamed of going to a foam party, this club is known on the island for hosting them! When they aren’t covering the dance floor in foam, you can go there and enjoy house, techno, and late 90s music. Montecristo is rated one of the Top 5 clubs on the island,s you can’t miss.
• Pazuzu Beach Club, Glyfada – One of the few places in Greece that reminds me of the Tropicana Beach Club in Mykonos. Although the décor is a little more upscale, this is the best beach club on the island and it hosts some of Europe’s most popular DJs. It is also conveniently located 30 minutes away from Corfu Town!
• Wave Beach Bar/Club, Marathias – This beach bar by day, beach club at nigh,t is very popular on the island as tourists like to relax on a sunbed and then hit the party as the sun sets!
• Venue Nightclub, Kavos
• Future Club, Kavos

Bars

• The Lemon Tree, Agios Gordios – The most famous cocktail bar on the island due to the atmosphere, views, and refreshing cocktails.
• Amaze Bar, Corfu Town – One of the very few bars turned clubs in the town. Amaze is located near the castle and has an amazing view of the water
• Iznogood Beerock Bar, Corfu Town – If you are looking for a spot to taste some local Greek beers, make sure to stop at Iznogood Bar! It focuses on Greek beer and plays some great rock tunes
• Snobs Bar, Kavos – Not a fan of house and techno? No problem. Snobs play all hip-hop R&B, and Rap music. The most popular tunes start roughly around 1 am, and you can listen through the night until the doors close at 5 am
• WHY Cocktail Bar, Emporiko – Located right outside the old town you can find the best cocktail bar on the island, WHY. Not only does the bar have amazing cocktails, but the DJ will spin soul, jazz and deep house songs
• Drops Seaside Exclusive Coffee Bar, Corfu Town – One of the top-rated bars in Corfu Town to dance and have a drink at. If you don’t feel like leaving Center City but are looking for a party, make sure to stop here
• Akron Beach Bar, Agia Triada Beach  – Don’t let the name fool you, this bar is great for romantic evening drinks and a beautiful view of the ocean
• Bristol Café, Corfu Town  
• Mojitos, Ipsos
• Ammos Bar, Arillas
• Tartaya cocktail bar, Dassia

Transportation:

Getting To Corfu

Airport – The main way to get to Corfu is by airplane. My family and I flew from Athens to Corfu. The flight is just over an hour! Although there are no direct flights from the US, there are direct flights from many countries in Europe and you can fly to Corfu from some cities within Greece as well. A few airlines within Greece fly to the island, and from many major cities on the mainland like Thessaloniki. I suggest booking through Aegean and SKY airlines if Corfu is one of your destinations and you are already traveling in Greece.

Ferry – Taking a ferry is another popular and cost-friendly way to get to Corfu if you are traveling from the mainland, a neighboring island, or Albania and Italy (these ferries run to Corfu seasonally.) The only port on the island is located conveniently in Corfu town. You can travel from the following places in Greece by ferry to Corfu: Igoumenitsa, Ithica, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Patras, and Zakynthos (Zante.) The Direct Ferries website has a list of ports that leave to and from Corfu, the amount of traveling time, and the number of sailings during high season. You can check out more information here to plan your trip and book your ferry tickets. Tickets can also be booked on seajets.com and is easy to use (Please note: all ferry times are in military time.)

While in Corfu

Public Transportation – The only main transportation option around the island is by bus (KTEL). There are two different lines, blue or white, that will take you to destinations around the island, the port, and the airport. The fares are fairly cheap, ranging from one to two euros, depending on the destination. The central location for both bus lines can be found in Corfu Town. If you plan on hopping around to different destinations, you can purchase a day pass for five euros. You can find more information on the bus services here. 

Taxi/Uber/Private Car Service – Taxis are the most expensive mode of transportation in Corfu since the island is very big. There is a taxi stand or service at the popular villages on the island and to and from the airport. I would only suggest using taxis if you are going to a village or restaurants and bars close to your accommodation, if you are not near public transportation, or if you didn’t rent a car. There are many taxi services on the island, especially in Corfu Town, so you won’t find it hard to hail one ,unlike other islands. The base fare of taxis in Corfu can range from €3 – €,5 and you are charged €1.10 for every kilometer you travel. Prices from the airport to your accommodation can start as high as €24.

Renting ATVs / Cars / Scooters – It is highly suggested to rent a car in Corfu as the island is big and there are a lot of attractions to see that can be all spread out! We rented a car for the entire week of our stay, and it helped us get to and from the airport, grocery store, beaches, and all the other villages we traveled to. If you are renting a house or villa, they are most likely located up the mountain, which would be a big hassle to drag your suitcases up and down. Rentals are fairly cheap in Corfu, and you can rent all types of cars from SUVs to small vans (this is also not recommended as the roads are very small and we ended up exchanging the van for an SUV)

Corfu is one of the islands I would love to return to and get to experience more of the beaches, mountains, and all the adventures you can partake in throughout the island. It is my favorite of the Ionian Islands in Greece, and although it took me a couple of summers to choose to travel there, I had the most amazing time with my family and friends. I hope to return during a late summer and early fall trip to beat the crowds and get to explore the mountain part of Corfu. As an adrenaline junkie, I wish was to be able to get some ziplining in and jeep tours (with partying in between of course) but discovering the unique beach bars, taking a boat trip to Anti Paxos, spending the nights dining at local restaurants, or eating food at our beautiful Airbnb, made it a trip to remember! For now, it’s time to plan our next Grecian adventure, but hopefully we will return to Kerkyra soon.

Cordially,

Corfu