CORFU, GREECE: TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE GEM OF THE IONIAN SEA
Corfu is a place to be treasured. My second favorite of the Greek islands, it’s a destination steeped in both history and beauty that I’ve returned to four times now. Old Town welcomes visitors with colorful Venetian corridors, blooming bougainvilleas and charming boutiques, while lively squares spill over with outdoor dining along picturesque pedestrian boulevards. And as captivating as Old Town is, it’s the spectacular Corfu coastline that keeps visitors coming back. Arguably the prettiest in all of Greece, the west coast features sparkling turquoise waters that frame soaring sea cliffs, dazzling grottos, secret beaches and secluded coves. Below is my complete Corfu travel guide including the best beaches, viewpoints, places to visit, hikes, bars, restaurants, hotels, gelato shops, Google map pins and more.
This post contains affiliate links. When you click these links I may get a small commission that won’t cost you anything, but it does help me run this website.
It’s a 30-minute hike to reach this sweeping view of Porto Timoni.
CORFU TRAVEL TIPS
- CURRENCY – The official currency of Greece is the euro. Almost everywhere on the island accepts credit card, but cash is handy for smaller purchases.
- CRUISE SHIPS – Check the cruise ship schedules to avoid the crowds in Old Town. My favorite activity when a ship is in port is a boat day on the west coast.
- TIPPING – Tipping is not mandatory, but a 10%-15% tip is appreciated.
- STAY CONNECTED – Almost all hotels and restaurants have free wifi, but for 24/7 connection I suggest purchasing an eSIM right before your trip.
The west cost of the island is otherworldly.
WHEN TO VISIT CORFU
- JUNE & SEPTEMBER – Early June and late September offer the best balance of warm weather, manageable crowds and hotel options. This is my favorite time of the year to visit the island.
- JULY & AUGUST – Temperatures soar during high season when lodging is most expensive and tourists flood Corfu.
- APRIL, MAY & OCTOBER – Hotel prices are reasonable during shoulder season, but weather can be hit or miss, and possibly too cold to swim.
- NOVEMBER TO MARCH – Avoid visiting in low season when it’s is too cold to enjoy the island’s picturesque coast.
Heroes of Cypriot Struggle Square.
HOW MANY DAYS ON CORFU?
The dramatic Corfu coastline is absolutely incredible, and you’ll want to experience as many of its stunning beaches as possible. Spending five full days on the island gives you the perfect amount of time to tick off the major beaches, go hiking, rent a private boat and immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the Old Town – hitting all the very best Corfu has to offer.
The prettiest sparkles at Rovina Beach.
BEST CORFU BEACHES
AGIOS SPIRIDON
Agios Spiridon is the most popular beach in beautiful Paleokastritsa, boasting dazzling turquoise waters backed by soaring green cliffs and views of the historic monastery. Arrive early to enjoy time at the beach before the crowds arrive.
CANAL D’AMOUR BEACH
Located in northern Corfu, the Canal D’Amour is a stunning section of coastline sculpted with natural bays, narrow canals and mini-sea caves. It caters to everyone: you can join the sunbathers relaxing on the picturesque beach, or climb the smooth stone shelves with the thrill-seekers who use the rock formations for cliff jumping.
FALIRAKI BEACH
Faliraki Beach is a gorgeous stretch of calm water nestled right at the base of the Old Town walls. While there is only one small patch of actual sand, the real action is on the stone platforms used for sunbathing and sea access. For the best vibes, head to Imabari, an upscale beach club featuring a manicured deck, swim steps and premium sun chairs. A 30 euro food and drink spend is required per chair, for a three-hour window. Reservations can be made online.
GLYFADA
If you want to settle in for a proper beach club day, Glyfada is a great option. This expansive sandy beach offers plenty of sun beds and umbrellas to choose from, as well as convenient nearby parking and excellent food options. For the chicest experience, head to Asteria Glyfada to lounge on their retro red-and-white daybeds, just be sure to reserve in advance online.
LA GROTTA
La Grotta is easily one of my favorite spots on Corfu. Tucked into a gorgeous rocky cove on the west coast, this outdoor beach bar sits right above stunning, glistening blue water. It’s a fabulous place to sunbathe, swim and cliff jump. With only 20 sunbeds available (30 euros each), they’re usually claimed within the first hour of opening, but you can always find a flat rock to lay down a towel. La Grotta gets incredibly busy in the summer, often leaving only standing room on the bar decks. While it stays open until midnight, I highly recommend a daytime visit to catch the best vibes.
LIAPADES BEACH
Liapades is another gem tucked away on Corfu’s dreamy west coast, where striking shades of turquoise water are framed by dramatic cliff formations that hide nearby sea caves and secret coves. This pebble beach shelves into calm, deep waters that are perfect for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. While it maintains a wild feel, you can easily rent a sun bed for the day or grab a bite at one of the small tavernas.
PORTO TIMONI
It takes some effort to reach beautiful Porto Timoni, but the scenic coastal trek is completely worth it. The hike begins in the charming village of Afionas where a 30-minute coastal path leads to the famous twin mirrored bays. Just before the trail descends down to the beaches, there is a stunning viewpoint overlooking Porto Timoni. It’s beautiful! Pack plenty of water, food and an umbrella – there are no facilities and no shade. If you want to skip the hike entirely, there are water taxis available from nearby Agios Georgios.
ROVINA BEACH
Rolling green hills and soaring cliffs serve up a picturesque backdrop to the intense turquoise waters of Rovinia Beach on the west coast of Corfu. Reaching this remote paradise requires a steep, 15-minute hike from the nearby paid parking lots. Pack plenty of water and an umbrella – no shade and no facilities at Rovina Beach.
WEST COAST
One of my favorite adventures on Corfu is renting a private boat for the day to explore the island’s utterly epic west coast. This dramatic shoreline is a paradise of otherworldly white cliffs, hidden sea caves and secluded spots like dramatic Paradise Beach. Several rental agencies are conveniently located on the west coast near La Grotta, including Blue Lagoon, BOATIQUE, Corfu Rent a Boat, Mariolis, Odysseus and San Stefano.
La Grotta.
PLACES TO VISIT ON CORFU
ANGELOKASTRO
The ancient ruins of the Castle of Angels sit 300-meters above the Ionian Sea on the west coast of Corfu. Angelokastro is the remains of a 13th century Byzantine castle that protected the island from both pirate and Ottoman invasions. A short steep hike leads to the crumbling stone ruins and a sweeping view of the sea.
BENITSES
There isn’t much to see in Benitses, but it’s worth a stop one evening for dinner. The coastal village is home to a fishing port and pedestrian center lined with several little tavernas that serve delicious Greek cuisine and fresh seafood. It’s located 20 minutes south of Corfu Town.
CORFU DONKEY RESCUE
While donkey exploitation remains a widespread issue in Greece, the Corfu Donkey Rescue offers a sanctuary near the village of Doukades, providing a safe, permanent home for old and neglected animals. To support their mission, the rescue welcomes visitors, volunteers and donations. It’s a wonderful, heartwarming place where visitors are invited to brush, feed and connect with the donkeys.
DANILIA VILLAGE
Tucked away just 9 km from Corfu Town, this picturesque hidden gem in the center of the island features two charming, cobbled squares lined with colorful facades, a historic church, shops and wooden taverna tables. Built in the 1970s, Danilia Village is a charming replica of a traditional 1930s Corfiot village. Now owned by Grecotel, it serves as an exclusive dining destination, as well as a famous filming location for popular movies and television shows.
OLD TOWN CORFU
The historic heart of the island is an absolute must-visit while on Corfu. In fact, if you can secure a place to stay within the Old Town, it’s a wonderful start and end to each day. While mornings here are beautifully serene and quiet, the evenings transform into a vibrant scene filled with energy. Unmissable highlights include wandering the colorful labyrinth of alleys, browsing the Old Town Tourist Market and exploring iconic landmarks like the Old Fortress, Heroes of Cypriot Struggle Square, the elegant Liston Promenade, Spianada Square and the historic Campiello Quarter.
An evening in Danilia Village. OUTFIT DETAILS: Sezanne bag linked here.
WHERE TO STAY ON CORFU
One of the newer resorts on the island, Angsana Corfu is a Banyan Tree property ideal for families. It sits on the east coast, just 15 minutes south of Corfu Town, near Benitses. The resort offers a private beach club, as well as a large infinity pool that is stunning.
A neo-classical mansion filled with history, Bella Venezia sits on the edge of Corfu’s Old Town. The rooms are small and a bit dated, but everything is clean, and the location is perfect. From the hotel, everywhere in Old Town is walkable – the beach, restaurants, shopping and cafes.
This Autograph Collection property sits on the west coast perched over beautiful Glyfada Beach. Domes of Corfu feels quite grand. The rooms and suites boast a warm color palette of neutrals, and feel particularly cozy to retreat to in the evenings. A solid upscale option.
Once the summer retreat of a shipping dynasty, Domes Miramare has been transformed into an elegant luxury hotel. The hotel sits on Corfu’s east coast surrounded by olive trees facing the beach. More than 100 chic modern rooms, suites and residences are scattered across the two-wing property. This is a sister property to Domes of Corfu.
This lavish resort is tucked away on its own private peninsula on the island’s east coast. The sprawling Grecotel property is home to sandy coves, secluded beaches, 24 private pools and several sea facing restaurants. Room design is upscale and classy with the use of bright whites, moulding and floor-to-ceiling tapestries.
Ikos Dassia ia another luxury option on Corfu, located just 20 minutes north of Old Town on Dassia Beach. The resort is all-inclusive with several restaurants to choose from, as well as waiter service for guests lounging at the beach or one of the many pools. Accommodations are spacious and plush – a mix of traditional rooms, suites and plunge pool bungalows.
Popular property on the island that was completely renovated in 2023 with hints of Italian and French influence in its updated design. The Kerkyra Blue Hotel & Spa rooms are nothing special, but clean and comfortable.
Siora Vittoria is a restored 19th-century townhouse ideally located at the edge of Corfu Town. Similar to Bella Venezia, rooms are a bit dated, but the central location and price per night can’t be beat.
One of the best Airbnb options in Old Town. The apartment sits in the heart of the historical district, but has been completely renovated. Interior design is fresh and modern. The Viaggio apartment is two stories – kitchen, bathroom and living area are downstairs with and upstairs bedroom and second bathroom.
Loveliest lunch at Il Pozzo.
GREECE GOOGLE MAP PINS
Every summer I visit the Greek Islands, and now I’m sharing more than 400 of my Google map pins across 14 islands and Athens with you guys here. The map is savable to your Google account, and easy to use for trip planning and navigation once on the ground in Greece.
Map pins include:
- must-visit destinations, churches, historic sites, viewpoints
- hotels, villas and Airbnbs
- bars, cafes, gelato shops, restaurants
- beaches, cliff jumping locations, secret coves, sea caves
- boat rental companies, ferry ports
- photos from several of these locations
Destinations included in the map: Athens, Corfu, Crete, Ios, Kastellorizo, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros + Antiparos, Parga, Paxos + Antipaxos, Santorini, Serifos and Sifnos.
My 400 Google Map pins from the Greek islands are available here.
CORFU RESTAURANTS
- AVLI (Garista Bay) – Greek and seafood
- DA ROBERTO E FEI (Corfu Town) – Italian
- IL POZZO (Lakones) – Italian
- IMABARI (Corfu Town) – Beach bar
- LA FAMIGLIA (Corfu Town) – Pizza
- MARGHERITA PIZZA ARTIGIANALE (Corfu Town) – Pizza
- OI ORAIES BENITSES (Benitses) – Greek and seafood
- OLIVA (Nisaki) – Mediterranean
- ROSMARINO – (Corfu Town) – Seafood
- SAN GEORGE (Agios Georgios) – Smoothies
- VAVARA’S (Benitses) – Greek and seafood
Mornings in Old Town.
BEST CORFU GELATO SHOPS
- EMERAL
- LORETTO
- MONA LISA L’ATELLIER GELATO
- PAPAGIORGIS PATISERIE GELATERIA
- SCOOP & CONE GELATO LAB
- SOLO GELATO
Delicious dinner at Oi Oraies, in Benitses.
GET AROUND CORFU
If you have plans to visit anywhere outside of Old Town while on Corfu, you’ll need a car or scooter. Car rentals are conventionality available at the airport, which is a 10-minute drive from Old Town. If you’re staying in Old Town, most hotels and apartments do not have parking spaces. You’ll have to find street around Old Town or in the Old Town parking lot.
Faliraki is the best place near Old Town for sunbathing and swimming.
GET TO CORFU
- FLIGHTS – The Corfu International Airport connects the island to Athens, as well as several destinations throughout Europe and the Middle East.
- FERRY – The ferry ports connect Corfu to mainland Greece, as well as a handful of Ionian islands including Paxos, Zakynthos, Kefalonia. There are also direct ferry routes to Albania, Italy Ancona, Venice, Brindisi and Bari in Italy. I use Ferryhopper to look up all ferry schedules and to book my ferry tickets – the site is very easy to use.
We stayed in a two-story villa at Angsana Corfu, a great resort for families.
