Corfu Travel Guide
Corfu has been one of Greece’s most popular islands since the 1970s. Located in the Ionian island group in western Greece, Corfu has beautiful white sand beaches, easy connections to Italy and Albania, stunning mountains, and wild, crazy nightlife.
I love the atmosphere here. It is a lot more relaxed than other islands in the Mediterranean, and there’s a great intersection of cultures here. While it gets crowded during the summer (especially with young backpackers), there are still many quiet places to stay and see on the island as most of the action sticks to just a few hotspots.
This travel guide to Corfu can help you plan your trip so you save money and have the best experience possible.
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Top 5 Things to See and Do in Corfu
1. Explore Kassiopi
Kassiopi is a small fishing village on the northern side of Corfu that’s much quieter than the popular Corfu Town (the main town on the island). From here, you can walk among the ruins of the Byzantine Kassiopi castle, lounge on the beach, or relax in the town square. You can also take a boat trip along the surrounding coastline to go diving, snorkeling, swimming, or just have lunch on a more remote beach. At night, grab dinner and drinks at one of the traditional restaurants along the picturesque waterfront.
2. See the Church of Saint Spyridon
This 16th-century Greek Orthodox church in the middle of Corfu’s Old Town is full of frescoes and elaborate artwork. You can’t miss it as the bell tower is the highest one in the Ionian Islands. The church holds the remains of the island’s patron saint, Spyridon, a shepherd from the 4th century who is said to protect the island from all ills, including the Ottomans and even the plague. The silver casket containing his remains is paraded through town during special events.
3. Hit the beaches
Great beaches abound all over the island, with each area offering something different. The western side of Corfu is home to a long stretch of sandy beaches, the eastern side has calmer waters, and the northern beaches are mainly pebble beaches. Sidari has the sandiest beaches, while the deep, calm waters around Paleokastritsa are ideal for water skiing, boating, and parasailing. Agios Georgios South is good for diving. Try to explore as many as you can see you get a sense of the variety here.
4. Spend time in Paleokastritsa
Located just 23 kilometers (14 miles) from Corfu Town, this relaxing seaside town has calm beaches and clear turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. You can visit nearby caves and hike up to the 13th-century Theotokos Monastery for views overlooking the town and the Mediterranean. The monastery’s architecture has that Mediterranean and Greek Island look. The building itself is yellow and the walkway leading to the belltower is full of color from the green plants, shrubs, flowers, and blooming trees. At the Corfu Aquarium, you can get a look at a variety of sea life, like scorpionfish, and learn more about the island’s ecosystem. End your day relaxing at the Greek tavernas serving fresh seafood on the waterfront.
5. Explore Achilleion
The Empress Elisabeth of Austria built this palace in 1890 as a place to seek summer refuge after the tragic death of her only son. It was designed in the style of an ancient palace of Phaeacia, a region in Greek mythology, and there are paintings and sculptures of Greek gods and goddesses throughout. Inside, there are also furnished rooms showing what the palace looked like in its prime. As you walk through the halls, you’ll see art and adornment everywhere, from the painted ceilings to the sculptures that appear to be holding the beams in place. The mythical hero Achilles is the central theme. You’ll see a massive sculpture of the Dying Achilles as the centerpiece of the lush, manicured gardens, which are filled with towering palm trees and colorful, native plants. The palace is located in Gastouri, a town only 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Corfu Town. Admission is 5 EUR.
Other Things to See and Do in Corfu
1. Hang out in Corfu Town
The origins of Corfu Town stretch all the way back to the 8th century BCE, when the town was an important commercial center for the Phoenicians. It used to be called Paleopolis, and you can see some of its original ruins opposite the Mon Repos Palace. Corfu was under Venetian rule between the 14th and 18th centuries, so there is a lot of Venetian architecture around town as well, such as pastel-colored buildings, iron fencing, cobblestone streets, and wooden shutters. Exhibits inside the New and Old Fortresses share a lot of the island’s history, plus they have incredible views of the sea and surrounding area. The fortresses are connected by the Spianada park, which is a lovely place for a walk. Some of the other things worth seeing are a the Church of Saint Spiridon where a saint’s relics are stored, the Liston neighborhood’s pedestrian promenade, the Casa Parlante for a look at life as an aristocrat in the 1800s, and Mon Repos Palace with artifacts dating back to 800 BC. If you want to take a guided walking tour of the town that includes food, this tour is really good.
2. Check out Nymfes village
According to legend, Nymphs (nature deities from Greek folklore) used to bathe in 200-meter-high waterfalls near this village. The area is full of cypress trees, olive groves, and many streams. Just north of town, you can visit the waterfalls and see the remains of nearby Askitario, a small, ancient monastery. There are three waterfalls, the biggest tumbles water down fifteen meters into a pool below. It’s an easy trail that’s about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) long if you walk the whole loop. It takes about two hours to complete. A monk named Artemios Paissios lived here alone in the 5th century. He once had a premonition that his parents were coming to fetch him, so he dug a grave to lie down in it – at which point a boulder rolled on top of him. When his parents tried to dig him out, the boulder apparently ignited into flames. The village is 33 kilometers (20 miles) north of Corfu Town and takes just under an hour to get to by car.
3. Visit Aqualand
Aqualand is a fun, family-friendly waterpark with 15 different water-themed rides and attractions, including slides, pools, and rivers. It’s a little cheesy, but it gives you something different to do after you’ve spent a few days on the beach or browsing ruins (it’s especially fun if you’re with kids). Full-day access is 37 EUR (33 EUR if you book online), while two-day access is 60 EUR. You can buy your tickets in advance by clicking this link.
4. Hike the Corfu Trail
The Corfu Trail is an epic 150-kilometer (93-mile) trek starting from the south of the island near Kavos, crosses through the middle of the island, and ends at the northern tip near Spiridon. It’s a fairly easy hike, with lots of signage as you weave your way through hills, mountains, lakes, lagoons, monasteries, and tiny towns. You’ll see juniper dunes and olive groves along the way and the rocky plateaus and gorges in the northern part of the island. It’s a really unique way to experience Corfu away from the resorts, and there’s no shortage of accommodations along the way (or you can camp out). It’s broken up into 10 stages so most people do it over 10 days.
5. Go sailing
Thanks to the calm water and consistently warm weather, Corfu is an ideal place for sailing. Various companies offer charter trips, and many of them offer lunch packages and open bars. Some hostels run day-long party boats too. Day sails start from about 70 EUR per person.
6. Visit the Banknote Museum
Founded by the Ionian Bank, this coin museum in Corfu Town has exhibits showcasing coins, stamps, bank documents, post-Greek liberation banknotes, books, and foreign banknotes from the past two centuries. It’s located in the place where the bank was established in 1839, which is interesting on its own with the contrast of the white columns against the pink exterior. The highlight of the museum is a 100-billion-drachma note from 1944, the largest denomination note ever issued. Admission is free.
7. Take an olive oil tasting tour
Corfu covers a mere 585 square kilometers, yet it is home to over four million olive trees. Olive oil has always been a big part of Greek tradition and culture, and a tasting tour is a perfect way to learn about the production of this essential staple. Corfu Olive Tours offers an informative behind-the-scenes tour of olive tree groves and old mills where you can learn everything there is to know about olive oil. Plus, you get to try some samples too. A 1-hour tour starts at 27 EUR while the full 3-hour tour is 55 EUR.
8. Explore the Corfu Archaeological Museum
This museum is home to ancient artifacts from all over the island, including statues, funeral offerings, pottery, and golden jewelry. The most famous exhibit is the monumental pediment from the temple of Artemis, which depicts Gorgon, a monster of the underworld from Greek mythology. It’s the oldest stone pediment in Greece, dating to 590 BCE. Another highlight includes the stone lion of Menecrates and a limestone pediment from a temple to Dionysis. If you’re into history, you’ll definitely want to check this museum out. Admission is 6 EUR.
9. Visit Vlacherna Monastery
This picturesque, white-washed monastery on the eastern side of Corfu is set out on the water on its very own tiny island. You can only access it via a pedestrian bridge, which adds to its charm. As of 1980, it is no longer a monastery and functions today as a church for celebratory events, a tourist attraction, and even a filming location — most notably for the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only. Being a former monastery, the interior is fairly simply decorated and the main draws here are the beautiful views of the building itself and the surrounding bay. Admission is free. You can also take a 5-minute (3 EUR) boat ride from the monastery to the nearby Mouse Island, a tiny, relaxed island with a 13th-century church and a cafe.
10. Admire the views from Angelokastro Castle
One of the most important Byzantine castles, Angelokastro is located high on steep cliffs along the water near Paleokastritsa. This 13th-century fortress successfully defended the island against its many invaders over the centuries, never falling despite many attacks and sieges. Today, the castle has deteriorated with the passage of time, and it’s mainly in ruins. However, the views from the top are absolutely spectacular. Some other things worth seeing here include an 18th-century hermitage, anthropomorphic graves carved out of the rock, and a tiny church dedicated to the Archangel Michael. Castle admission is 3 EUR.
How to Stay Safe in Corfu
Corfu is a very safe place to travel, even for solo travelers. Violent crime is rare and petty crime like pick-pocketing is your only real concern but even that’s pretty rare here. Just keep your valuables close at tourist attractions and while at the beach. That’s pretty much the only crime you need to worry about.
If you’re an inexperienced driver, you may want to pass on the scooter rental. Locals zip around chaotically and the hairpin turns and hills sometimes make for dangerous driving. Accidents happen a lot so drive carefully.
Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, always follow the standard safety precautions (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). There are many incredible solo female travel blogs on the web that can give you specific tips and advice about a place that I can’t.
You won’t find a lot of travel scams here but you can read this post on common travel scams to avoid if you’re worried about getting ripped off.
If you go hiking, always bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. The days can be sweltering!
If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance,
The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.
Where to Stay in Corfu
Corfu has lots of hostels and budget hotels all over the islands. The Pink Palace is a BIG party spot so don’t stay there if you’re looking for a quieter Corfu experience. Here are my suggested places to stay in Corfu to help you get started:
Corfu Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Hostel Dorms – 19-26 EUR per night (double in summer)
- Hostel private rooms – 55-65 EUR (55-110 EUR in summer)
- Budget hotels – 35 EUR per night (double in summer)
- Airbnb private rooms – 40 EUR per night
- Airbnb apartments – 130 EUR per night
- Campsite – 12 EUR
Food
- Street food – 4-8 EUR
- Sit-down restaurants – 20-40 EUR
- Casual take-out places – 11-14 EUR
- Fast food (think McDonald’s) – 7 EUR
- Beer – 5 EUR
- Glass of wine – 5 EUR
- Cappuccino/latte- 3 EUR
- Bottled water – 1 EUR
- Groceries for a week – 45-50 EUR
Corfu Suggested Budgets
Backpacker – 65 EUR Per Day
On a backpacking budget in Corfu, you can stay in a hostel dorm, eat lots of cheap food, cook some meals, use the bus to get around, visit a few cheap attractions (like a museum), and take advantage of free activities like beaches and hiking. You’ll have to limit your drinking.
If you’re going to party while you’re here, add another 10-15 EUR per day to your budget.
Midrange – 125 EUR Per Day
On a mid-range budget, you can stay in a private hostel room, a budget hotel, or an Airbnb. You’ll be able to eat out for all your meals, rent a bike to get around, visit more museums, take some tours, and enjoy a few drinks. You won’t live large but you’ll want for nothing.
Upscale – 215 EUR Per Day
On a “luxury” budget, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink as much as you’d like, take taxis or rent a car, and do as many tours and activities as you want.
If you’re coming during peak summer months, prices are about 10-20% higher for everything!
Corfu Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips
Despite Corfu being one of the most touristy islands in Greece, the island remains relatively budget-friendly. Accommodation and tours will be your biggest expenses here but, overall, the island isn’t as expensive as places like Santorini or Mykonos. Here are some of my favorite ways to cut your costs in Corfu:
- Get the Corfu City Pass – The Corfu City Pass gives you access to many different attractions under one price, including Aqualand, a day sail, a walking tour, and more. It can’t be purchased online so you’ll need to buy it on arrival.
- Use the Greek salad/bread rule – If the bread fee is .50 EUR or a Greek salad is less than 7 EUR, the restaurant is cheap. If the cover is around 1 EUR and a salad is 7-8.50 EUR, the prices are average. Anything more than that and the place is expensive. Use this rule to avoid expensive restaurants unless you want to splash out!
- Eat super cheap – Gyros and other street snacks only cost 3-5 euros and can keep you full for less than 15 EUR per day if you’re on a tight budget.
- Have an ISIC Card – To save on the cost of admission to museums and other tourist attractions, be sure to present a valid student card if you’re a student. The ISIC is typically accepted in places where a foreign student ID is not.
- Book in advance – Corfu gets a lot of tourism and things tend to fill up quickly in the summer. If you want to secure that ultra-cheap hostel room, book way in advance!
- Redeem hotel points – Sign up for hotel credit cards and use those points when you travel. Most cards come with at least 1-2 nights free, which can significantly lower your costs. This post will help you get the basics so you can earn points right away and have plenty for your trip.
- Travel in the shoulder season – Accommodations and scooter/ATV rentals are cheaper in the shoulder season. It may not be as hot as the summer months, but the weather is still pleasant.
- Book overnight ferries – Greece’s inter-island ferries can get quite expensive if you are taking a lot of them. Booking overnight ferries can save you up to half off the normal price plus save you a night of accommodation.
- Get a ferry pass – Eurail has a ferry pass that has 4- and 6-trip options. The only caveat is that you can only take Blue Star and Hellenic Seaways ferries. Those tend to be the larger, slower ferries and, depending on the islands, might require you to connect somewhere. You’ll need to research routes in advance to see if the pass is worth it. I would search routes on FerryHopper to see if it works for you.
- Stay with a local – If you plan ahead, you can usually find really nice Couchsurfing hosts all throughout Corfu. This way, you not only have a place to stay, but you get a local host that can share their insider tips and knowledge.
- Go to museums on their free admission days – Most of the museums have some days when admission is free. Check the Odysseus Culture website for details as they vary from museum to museum.
- Buy wine at the store – You can buy a nice bottle of wine for around 5 EUR at the store. It’s a lot cheaper than drinking at the bar!
- Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
How to Get Around in Corfu
Bus – Buses are really the only way to get around the island (outside renting your own vehicle). Depending on the length of your trip, bus fares cost between 1.20-4.40 EUR. You can purchase an unlimited day pass for 5 EUR on the blue-and-white bus around Corfu Town.
Be advised that service is reduced on weekends and, to some of the further afield places, virtually non-existent during the low season. If you’re going to be moving around the island, plan accordingly because bus times, even during peak season, are infrequent. It’s kind of a pain in the ass.
Scooter/ATV rental – A scooter rental is an excellent way to get around Corfu since the buses are a hassle. Scooter rentals start from 16 EUR per day while ATV rentals start from 38 EUR per day.
Bicycle – You can find daily rentals for as little as 10 EUR per day. While the island is bike-friendly with lots of routes, keep in mind there are lots and lots of hills!
Taxi – Expect to pay around 3.60 EUR as a base fare and then just over 1 EUR per kilometer. Since prices add up fast, skip the taxis as much as you can. It’s cheaper to just rent a car or scooter.
Car rental – Car rentals can be found for as little as 20 EUR per day for a multi-day rental when booked in advance. Expect manual transmissions. You’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and drivers need to be at least 21 years old. For the best rental car deals, use Discover Cars.
Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in the summer is relatively easy due to the influx of people traveling the island. It can be very slow during the off-season however. Check Hitchwiki for more details and tips.
When to Go to Corfu
Summer (June-August) is the most popular time to visit Corfu. The days are really hot and temperatures average 88°F (31°C). There’s plenty of sunshine and very little rain during the summer (only 2-3 days every month get rain). The Mediterranean is perfect for swimming and enjoying water sports during this time, but this is definitely when most people visit. Expect crowds and higher prices.
Personally, I think Corfu’s shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) are the best times to visit the island. The Mediterranean is pleasant year-round so you still get warm temperatures in the shoulder seasons — but without the tourist hordes. Plus, prices are less inflated. The average daily high is 73°F (23°C). There is more rain that in the summer (6-10 days have rain every month), so be sure to pack layers and rain gear. You can experience the island’s Carnival events during the week before Ash Wednesday every year, and they also have a huge celebration for Easter.
Winters average 50°F (10°C), and you won’t have to compete with tourists for hotel rooms during this time. That said, many businesses and services shut down in the off-season. It’s also the rainiest time of the year (10-12 days of rain every month). In short, I’d skip visiting in the winter if you can help it.
Corfu Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources
These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.
- Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
- Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
- Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
- Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
- The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
- Trainline – When you’re ready to book your train tickets, use this site. It streamlines the process of booking trains around Europe.
- Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
- FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
- SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
- LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
- Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
- Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
- Ferry Hopper – If you’re looking to book your ferries, this website is an easy way to search the various companies, piece together routes, and book your tickets.
GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!
There’s a lot of free information online but do you want to spend days searching for information? Prob not! That’s why guidebooks exist.
While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.
I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go.
Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!
Corfu Travel Guide: Related Articles
Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Corfu travel and continue planning your trip:
