I can confidently say that Corfu is one of my favourite Greek Islands and is so different to the others I have visited. From it's colourful old town that reminded me of Spain, the secret swimming coves that dot the coastline, the numerous beach side restaurants, the friendly cats and stunning villages... Corfu quite literally has it all.
I feel like you don’t really need to have a 'plan' in Corfu, and that's saying a lot coming from me! (I am normally up at sunrise with my schedule for each day hehe). I’d obviously recommend picking a few places that you want to visit, however I found that the best way to experience Corfu was by sleeping in, grabbing breakfast, picking up some snacks and heading to a beach, going for a wander and then making my way home to freshen up, go to a restaurant and watch the sunset.
Best time to visit? – May through to October. I visited in September and the weather was warm and the oceans were calm.
How to get there? Corfu has an airport so the best way is to fly in. There are quite a few direct flights into Corfu!
How long should I spend there? I would recommend spending a minimum of 4 days in Corfu to ensure you get to experience the best of it.
How do I get around? – ATV, scooter or hire car. I recommend a car if you are planning on exploring a lot of the island.
Where to stay?
There is no 'good' or 'bad' area to stay on Corfu Island, so choosing where to stay will depend on what you like! For me personally, I prefer beautiful views, a quieter atmosphere and beaches so staying in areas like Palaiokastritsa, Ermones or Liapedes was what I looked at.
If you want a more 'city life' vibe and to be within walking distance to cafes, shops and bars then Corfu old town will be the perfect fit for you!
You won't struggle finding a great place to stay here. I spent hours searching on airbnb and booking.com and it was so hard to choose one. The prices all seemed very reasonable, too!
I had a lot of interest in the hotel I ended up staying in because it essentially looked like one big Barbie house. I will link my tiktok on it here. It was located in Ermones, had breakfast included, sunset views from our balcony, a ginormous pool and in a great area close to all of the beaches I wanted to see! The staff were so lovely and I really could not recommend it more. Book Hotel Elena Ermones here.
Where to eat?
Ambelonas - the most stunning vineyard location, peaceful atmosphere, wine tastings and amazing food. Go here for golden hour and sunset!
Vrachos - located in Palaokastritsa right on the water, this restaurant is a great spot for lunch overlooking the ocean.
Arcadion hotel - situated on a rooftop overlooking the views of old town, this restaurant is a MUST!
Monastre - another roof top restaurant with ocean views and on top of a cliff.
Mitsos Taverna - beautiful ocean front restaurant, a perfect spot for lunch!
What to do?
Rent a boat: You can rent a boat here without a license to explore some of the most incredible hidden coves and beaches. I found that the prices were actually quite cheap compared to other islands! I would recommend hiring your boat from around Palaiokastritsa as this is the side of the island that has Giali beach and Paradise beach! You can hire a boat when you get there or book ahead of time using Click & Boat.
Hike to Giali beach: If you would rather hike to Giali beach, there is a 20 minute walking trail to the viewpoint (the most incredible view I have seen in Greece) and then a further walk down some steep rocks with a rope. I wouldn't say that it is a hard walk, however I'd recommend wearing some comfortable shoes, bringing enough food and water as there aren't shops nearby and being sensible! There didn't seem to be any phone service there so just be safe if you are going.
Do a day trip to Paxos/Anti-Paxos: This was one of my favourite days that I had in Greece! You can get a 1 hour direct ferry to Paxos with Kerkyra Lines on the flying dolphin and spend the day there exploring beaches, eating and relaxing. The island of Paxos is very small so hire a scooter when you get there and take your time exploring the little towns, swimming spots and shops. We spent the day driving along the quiet roads, eating in the cute seaside village Loggos and swimming in the crystal clear blue waters of Erimitis beach (my new favourite beach!). Watch my tiktok on Erimitis beach here.
If you have time, you can get a 15 minute water taxi over to Anti Paxos which I didn't get to do, however I have heard that Anti-Paxos has some of the bluest water you will find in Greece. Bella Vista restaurant is a must if you visit! Just make sure you plan the times well to ensure that you get back to Paxos in time for your ferry.
Corfu Old Town: The old town of Corfu reminded me of Spain or Italy - so colourful and incredible architecture. You can't compare it to islands like Milos, Ios or Santorini as Corfu is in a league of its own and genuinely so different to any other Greek Island I have visited. Wandering the streets with a gelato in hand, patting friendly kitties sleeping in the sun, grabbing lunch at one of the many restaurants and shopping in stores that exclusively sell sea shells (heaven if you are a sucker for trinkets like I am), Corfu town is a great way to spend the afternoon.
La Grotta: A trip to Corfu isn't complete without spending an afternoon sipping cocktails and diving into the swimming cove at La Grotta bar (there literally is a diving board). It's situated in a natural cave that has been carved out of the rocks and cliff over time, so the walk up and down can be a bit tiring but so worth it! You can't make reservations so go early to get a good seat.
Go for a hike: There are numerous hikes that I know of in Corfu. I recommend looking up places like Porto Timoni and the Paradise beach lookout; the views look absolutely incredible.
Do some sightseeing: Corfu is home to some incredible historic sights to visit. I recommend looking up the Old Fortress, the Achilleion Museum, the Church of Saint Spiridon and the Vlacherna Monstary.
Best beaches:
There are an abundance of stunning beaches on Corfu; some pebbles and some sand. I did so much research on which beaches look the best before I went and these were the top contenders:
- Mirtiotissa - sand, cliffside views, easy to access
- Giali Beach - pictured above, easiest accessed via boat
- Paradise Beach - the most beautiful beach on the island, only accessible by boat
- Rovinia Beach - pebbles, easy access after a short walk
- Bataria Beach - one of my favourites, pebbles, easy access
- Porto Timoni - one of the most iconic spots on Corfu
