CORFU, GREECE: TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE GEM OF THE IONIAN SEA
It may not have the notoriety of Santorini or Mykonos, but Corfu has plenty to offer as a destination. Located in the north Ionian Sea, Corfu is a place to be treasured – an island rich in history that boasts the most charming Old Town. It’s home to warm and welcoming locals, as well as colorful Venetian corridors, delightful boutiques and outdoor dining that spills out onto the picturesque pedestrian boulevards. And while the town will have you smitten, it’s actually the incredible coastline that keeps visitors coming back – quite possibly the prettiest in all of Greece. Crystal clear waters surround Corfu and give way to soaring sea cliffs, dazzling grottos, secret beaches, sea caves and secluded coves. It’s one of my all-time favorite destinations in Greece, and below is my complete guide to the island including the best beaches, viewpoints, bars, restaurants, hotels, Google map pins and more.
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Welcome to the moon. These amazing rocks are only accessible by boat on the island’s west coast.
WHEN TO VISIT CORFU
- JUNE & SEPTEMBER – June and September offer the best balance of warm weather, crowds and hotel options. Shoulder season is my favorite time of the year to visit.
- JULY & AUGUST – High season in the Greek islands is when temperatures soar and tourists pour into the island. Lodging is most expensive this time of the year.
- 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.
The gnarliest diving board in Greece is at La Grotta, on Corfu’s west coast.
HOW MANY DAYS ON COFU?
5 DAYS. The Corfu coastline is incredible, and you’ll want to pack as many beaches into your visit as possible. A solid five days on the island is enough time to see the major beaches, hike, rent a boat and experience the vibrance of Old Town – all the best that Corfu has to offer.
Rent a boat on Corfu – it’s very affordable, and no license required.
CORFU TRAVEL TIPS
- CURRENCY – The official currency of Greece is the Euro. Most places on the island accept credit card, but cash is handy for smaller purchases.
- CRUISE SHIPS – Check when cruise ships are in port and avoid Corfu Town during those hours. The ships flood the little town with tourists. Opt for beach time or exploring the island when a ship is docked.
- PACK WATER SHOES – Several of the beaches are rocky on the island. Pack water shoes.
- BOAT RENTAL COMPANIES – Blue Lagoon Boat Rental, BOATIQUE Boat Rentals, Corfu Rent a Boat, Mariolis Boat Rental, Odysseus Boat Rental and San Stefano Boat Rental.
Delicious smoothies at San Georges – a refreshing stop after Porto Timoni.
EXPLORE CORFU
CANAL D’AMOUR BEACH
Located in northern Corfu, Canal D’Amour Beach is a stunning stretch of coast riddled with natural bays, canals and mini sea caves. Join the sunbathers and lay out on the picturesque beach, or climb the rocks with the adventurers who use the smooth stone shelves for cliff jumping.
CORFU OLD TOWN
If a stay in Old Town isn’t an option, then make the historic heart of the island a destination during your visit. It’s a captivating place to explore on foot, and it’s particularly vibrant in the early evening. Get lost in the colorful labyrinth of alleys; admire the Venetian influence of Old Town; dine outside at one of the vibrant restaurants; visit the Old Fortress; and shop the little boutiques that line the charming pedestrian corridors.
DANILIA VILLAGE
This private little village in the center of the island is just 9km from Corfu Town. It is a completely picturesque gem, home to two charming cobbled squares filled with wooden taverna tables, colorful facades, a church and a cafe. It’s actually a replica of a 1930s village, now a venue for events, a filming location for movies and a tourist site.
FALIRAKI BEACH
This gorgeous stretch of calm water sits at the base of the walls of Old Town. It’s beautiful to visit midday when the water sparkles shades of turquoise, as well as sunset when the water absorbs cotton candy colors from the sky.
NAUTICAL CLUB
Spend an afternoon sunbathing in the calm water surrounding the Nautical Club, an idyllic spot to relax located at the base of Old Town’s city walls. It’s not quite as manicured as Faliraki Beach, but there’s a little beach, sunbathing rocks and ocean swim ladders, all with sweeping views of the Old Fortress.
OLD FORTRESS
The spectacular Venetian fortress sits next to Old Town on the island’s wet coast. The Old Fortress is most stunning from afar, but the fortification can also be explored in a couple hours. The beautiful Church of St. George is the highlight.
LA GROTTA
An outdoor beach bar that overlooks the island’s most stunning cove, La Grotta is probably my favorite place on Corfu. That said, it’s no hidden gem. Plenty of people know about it, and it gets busy. If you want to experience it both with and without people, I suggest arriving right when the bar opens in the morning. Chances are you’ll have the place to yourself for a couple of hours. Use the time to take photos, cliff jump, hang on the diving board and swim in the sparkling cove before the afternoon crowds start trickling in. Then, grab a drink and soak in the good vibes.
OLD TOWN TOURIST MARKET
The narrow alleyways of the the Old Town Tourist Market are filled with leather goods, soaps, natural sponges, wood crafts, jewelry and more.
PARADISE BEACH
The crystal clear water and soaring moonlike cliffs of Paradise Beach are only accessible by boat. This stretch of coast is pristine, and completely serene thanks to the lack of land access. Boat rental highly recommended – more details below.
PLATEIA DIMARCHEIOU SQUARE
One of the main square in Corfu Town that is lined with restaurants, cafes, little shops, bougainvilleas and more. It’s vibe in the late afternoon and early evening.
PORTO TIMONI
It’s a bit of a hike to reach beautiful Porto Timoni, but the coastal trek is scenic and relatively mild. You reach this hidden gem from Afionas. Park for free in the village, or pay a small fee to park at the hotel lot located at the trailhead. It’s a 15-minute hike to reach the beach. Porto Timoni is two mirrored bays separated by back-to-back beaches, and the views from above are stunning. The beaches don’t have much shade, and there are no facilities. Pack plenty of water, as well as snacks and a picnic if you plan to stay more than a couple of hours.
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. The somewhat remote beach can be accessed via a steep 15 minute hike, or by boat.
WEST COAST (BY PRIVATE BOAT)
One of my favorite adventures on Corfu is renting a private boat for the day to explore the secluded coves, sea caves and soaring cliffs on the island’s west coast – the moonlike rocks of Paradise Beach are a particularly epic stop. Boat rentals are available at agencies up and down the west coast – with or without a captain (no boat license required for the small boats in Greece).
Heroes of Cypriot Struggle Square.
CORFU HOTELS
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 one one of the best five-star luxury options on Corfu, and it’s 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 complete 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.
Porto Timoni is home to two mirrored bays – the one facing south is my favorite.
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 12 islands 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
Islands included in the map: Corfu, Crete, Ios, Kastellorizo, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros + Antiparos, Paxos + Antipaxos, Santorini
My 400 Google Map pins from the Greek islands are available here.
CORFU RESTAURANTS
AVLI
Avli is a beautiful restaurant setting on Garitsa Bay that serves up a fresh selection of seafood, and classic Greek cuisine.
DA ROBERTO E FEI
Delicious homemade pizza and pastas at this local favorite.
IMABARI CORFU
This place is a vibe! Imabari is a dreamy little bar located on the water at the base of the city walls. The water here is perfectly calm for swimming, and the stretch of coast outfitted with sun chairs, umbrellas and tables for dining. Lovely to visit during the day for a dip, or at sunset.
LA FAMIGLIA
Pasta is a must while in Corfu. La Famiglia sits tucked away in a charming Old Town alley, and offers a delicious selection of homemade pastas, bruscetta and lasagna.
MARGHERITA PIZZA ARTIGIANALE
Small pizza joint located in the heart of Old Town. The pies are wood-fired, thin crust and absolutely delicious. Margherita Pizza Artigianale also serves a variety of pasta dishes.
ROSMARINO
The restaurant sits on one of the main squares in Old Town – a great spot for people watching over dinner. Menu offerings include fresh fish, pastas and salads.
SAN GEORGE
Delicious place to stop in Agios Georgios after hiking to and from Porto Timoni. San George has a full menu of food options, but it’s their smoothies and fresh juices that are particularly delicious.
Mornings in Old Town.
CORFU GELATO SHOPS
- Emeral
- Loretto
- Mona Lisa L’Atelier Gelato
- Papagiorgis
- Scoop & Cone Gelato Lab
- Solo Gelato
My perfect day in the Greek islands is sunbathing and swimming 24/7.
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 parking along the water or on the streets surrounding Old Town.
The west coast of the island is full of treasures.
GET TO CORFU
- FLIGHTS – The international airport connects Corfu 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 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.
