The best things to do in Corfu, from beaches to vistas to traditional villages

Visiting one of the largest islands in Greece means there is plenty to discover aside from beaches (though you should also make time for its beaches). Your Corfu itinerary can include everything from turquoise bays like Agios Georgios, hilltop viewpoints like Angelokastro, traditional villages like Afionas, and monasteries like Vlacherna. I spent about 5 days exploring, and I curated this list of all the best things to do in Corfu below.

Fun facts about Corfu

• Corfu is the 7th largest Greek island, and belongs to the Ionian Greek island group.
• Corfu has lots of green scenery on top of beautiful beaches, earning its reputation as one of the most beautiful Greek islands.
• Don’t expect Cycladic-style architecture with white-washed buildings and blue domes like in Santorini: Corfu was once used by Venetians to defend against the Ottoman Empire, and this is reflected in the buildings (think more orange rooftops and colourful buildings).
• Corfu has a large Venetian influence, hence you might see plenty of pasta dishes on the menu at restaurants.
• Corfu’s climate tends to be more humid than the Cyclades islands, and you will need to protect yourself against mosquitoes and other bugs.
• If you’re in the north and north east of Corfu, you will be quite close to Albania, which isn’t part of the EU. Your cellphone might pick up Albania’s network rather than Greece’s (something to keep in mind for roaming charges). This also means that due to the one-hour time difference between Albania and Greece, your phone might be showing the wrong time (meaning your alarm clock will also go off at the wrong time). We were staying at a beautiful, locally-owned hotel by the beach in the north of Corfu, right across from Albania, and this happened to me, but surprisingly not to my husband’s phone.
• It’s best to rent a car to see all that Corfu has to offer, but you can also rent scooters, quad bikes, or take the public buses. We used this link to find the best car rental prices.

The best things to do in Corfu

1. Get a tan on Corfu’s turquoise beaches 

Corfu is part of the Ionian islands, known for their beautiful turquoise waters and pebbly and sandy beaches. Hence, it makes sense why many people flock to Corfu for beach holidays, although there are plenty of opportunities for historical and cultural activities as well. 

Some of the most popular beaches in Corfu are:

• Avlaki beach (gorgeous, clear blue water, but with pebbles instead of sand)
• Paralia mpataria and Paralia pipitos: both are small-ish beaches with clear turquoise water and pebbles
• Saint Gordios Beach
• Agios Georgios
• Gyali (the path down to the beach can be dangerous)
• Stelari (reachable only by boat)
• Loggas Beach (steep hill to climb up and down, can only go when the tide is low)
• Kastelli Beach (can only be reached by boat)
• Chomi Beach and Stelari Beach (only accessible by boat)
• Rovinia Beach (bit of a walk to reach it, and the road near the beach entrance is unpaved)
• St. Gordios beach (more of a wavy beach rather than a calm turquoise lagoon, and might not be worth the drive)
• Porto Timoni twin beach (requires 30min hiking, make sure to bring water and food)
• Spiros Beach Paleokastritsa (beautiful bay)
• Agios Spyridon (small and pebbly but lively beach with restaurants and bars)

2. Hike (or drive) to gorgeous viewpoints

There are diverse hiking and trekking options in Corfu, for all levels, and most with vistas over the Ionian Sea. Popular hiking trails include Paleokastritsa to Angelokastro, Nisaki-Kassiopi, and Monastery Vlacherna to Achilleion.

If you don’t feel like hiking, you can drive to viewpoints like Helidoni viewpoint, Bella Vista, or Kanoni.

3. Embrace the history of Corfu’s Old Town

Also known as Kerkyra, Corfu’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to three forts that were built to defend against the Ottoman Empire. Dating back to the 8th century BCE, the Old Town has been subject to various influences, from the French to the British to the Venetians. This is reflected in Corfu’s architecture, with the most impactful influence being Venice.

In Corfu’s Old Town, you can walk through the historical Spianada Square, visit the Old Fortress, stop by Vlacherna Monastery, and go up to Kanoni for views. 

4. Seek out Greek culture at traditional villages

For a real feel of Corfu, venture off the popular town area and visit traditional villages like Kassiopi, Afionas, Agios Gordios, Ano Korakiana, Benitses, Gouvia, Lakones, and Lefkimmi. While some of them might seem underwhelming (I’ll be honest, I felt this way in Lefkimmi), it was fun to drive around and get a feel of the more authentic side of Corfu. 

5. Visit monasteries and historical sites

Given its historical significance, Corfu is home to various historical sites, including monasteries like Paleokastritsa Monastery and Vlacherna Monastery. Aside from these religious sites, you can also visit castles like Anghelokastro, the Gardiki fortress, and ruins like the Temple of Artemis. 

6. Take a day trip to Paxos or Albania

With Albania right across the sea, and other Ionian islands like Paxos nearby, one of the best things to do in Corfu is to take a day trip to other islands, or even to the south of Albania. Paxos is a cute paradisiac island and one of the most popular day trips from Corfu. We tried to book the ferries on our own, but the schedule wasn’t working out, and in the end, it made more sense to book an organised day trip to Paxos.  

What we skipped in Corfu and why

• Achilleion Palace (it’s a small, somewhat ordinary garden and the palace has been under renovation for years)
• Paleokastritsa and Vlacherna Monastery (we were heading to Meteroa and Athens right after to visit monasteries and ancient ruins, so we felt comfortable skipping these ones in Corfu)
• Kaiser throne for views (not worth the long drive and steep roads)
• Angelokastro viewpoint hilltop (out of the way)
• Beaches
  • Gyali (dangerous path down)
  • Stelari, Kastelli, and Chomi because they are reachable only by boat, and I don’t like being on boats
  • Loggas Beach (steep hill to climb up and down)
  • Rovinia Beach (didn’t have time, as it’s a bit of a walk to reach)
  • St. Gordios beach (it was out of the way)
  • Porto Timoni twin beach (requires 30 minutes hiking, and we weren’t equipped for hiking)
  • Spiros Beach Paleokastritsa, and Agios Spyridon (small and pebbly beaches)

The ideal Corfu itinerary: 5 days of exploring 

Day 1: Discover the north of Corfu

• Old Peritheia (heritage village with medieval stone houses in ruins)
• Avlaki beach (clear blue water, but no sand and there are pebbles instead)
• Lunch and chill time at the beaches of Kassiopi: Paralia Mpataria and Paralia Pipitos. There’s a restaurant with parking right in front of Paralia Pipitos beach, and you can get direct views of the beaches
• Kanali tou Erota for views
• Cape Drastis: best at sunset with the glow of the sun

Day 2: Historical day: Corfu Town and surroundings

• Walk through Spianada Square in Corfu’s Old Town
• Old fortress (this is a typical square with restaurants and tourist shops)
• Kanoni for views over Vlacherna Monastery
• Vlacherna Monastery
• Kaiser’s Throne for views
• Danilia Village: this is a reconstructed village to show how people used to live, and from Tuesday to Sunday, you can enjoy a traditional Greek dinner in the village square 

Day 3: Visit traditional villages and viewpoints in West Corfu

• Afionas: a traditional village with a viewpoint of Porto Timoni
  • Insider tip: the parking is €10-15 (depending on the season), and it’s a challenging hike to reach the viewpoint. Wear proper hiking gear. You can reach the beach below, but it’s a small beach, and you’ll have to hike back up.
• Drive by Paralia Agios Georgios beach
• Helidoni viewpoint over Agios Georgios bay 
• Bella Vista Viewpoint

Day 4: Day trip to Paxos or Albania

• Spend the day in beautiful Paxos. If you book an organised tour, you can also visit Antipaxos. The boat trip is 1 hour and 50 minutes from Corfu town, or 50 minutes from Lefkimmi
• Another day trip option is to take a boat trip to discover the south of Albania 

Day 5: Relax with a beach day

• After loads of driving and exploring, the last day in Corfu is best spent relaxing on the beach. If you’re visiting off-season and the beach isn’t really an option, maybe a short hike would be a good idea.

Where to stay in Corfu?

Here’s a list of the most sustainable and eco-friendly hotels in Corfu

• Alkyona Lifestyle Beach Resort: an adults-only, elegant resort with direct access to the beach 
• Grecotel Eva Palace: a beachfront resort with a private beach area and panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and Corfu Town. 
• San Antonio Corfu Resort: an adults-only resort overlooking Kalami Beach.
• Kontokali Bay Resort and Spa: a beachfront resort located within a few minutes’ drive to the airport, every room at Kontokali has a balcony or terrace with views. 
• Mon Repos Palace: an adults-only hotel in Garitsa Bay, close to Corfu Old Town. 
• Aeolos Beach Resort: best for those who want to be close to the main attractions in Corfu Old Town. 
• Elea Beach Hotel: located in Dassia, Elea Beach Hotel has a private beach and is not far from the Old Town and the airport.

Best things to do in Corfu: FAQs

• How many days do you need in Corfu?

To properly explore Corfu at a somewhat relaxing pace, spend about 4-5 days. 

• What are the best beaches in Corfu?

The most notable beaches in Corfu with clear blue water are Avlaki beach, Paralia Mpataria, and Paralia Pipitos, all located in the north of Corfu.

• Is Corfu expensive?

Despite being a popular Greek island, Corfu is more affordable than the more popular Santorini island, of the Cyclades group. However, prices at restaurants vary based on location. We’ve seen gyro going for €19 at a popular tourist spot (Kanoni in Old Town), but we’ve also seen the price drop to around €10-13 at other restaurants.