Kalimera from Corfu! I visited this beautiful Greek island in May and quickly fell in love with its unique atmosphere and stunning landscapes. Located in the Ionian Sea, Corfu is one of the most diverse and visually striking islands in Greece. It is known for its lush green landscapes, turquoise water, Venetian architecture, and charming traditional villages. From wandering through the old streets of Corfu Town to discovering quiet beaches and scenic coastal roads, every part of the island offers something for everyone.
In this guide, you’ll find 15 of the best things to do in Corfu based on a 5-day itinerary split between 2 days in Kerkyra (Corfu Town) and the west coast around Palaiokastritsa. It’s a perfect mix of culture, beaches, scenic drives, hiking trails, and slow travel moments.
Your trip is coming soon and you still haven’t booked anything? I got you covered! Here my top picks of hotels, tours, activities, etc!
– Best Tours and Experiences in Corfu:
・Day trip to Paxos and Antipaxos islands
・Boat tour from Palaiokastritsa
・Rent a self-drive boat
・Olive tour with olive oil tasting and mezze
– Best Places to Stay in Corfu:
・⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa (most iconic hotel in Corfu)
・⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bella Venezia (great hotel in Corfu town)
・Travellers Corfu Town (great budget options in Corfu town)
・Domus Napoleon (great budget options in Palaiokastritsa)
Days 1 & 2: Kerkyra (Corfu Town)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kerkyra is one of the most beautiful old towns in Greece. Unlike the whitewashed villages often associated with the Greek islands, Corfu Town feels like Italy, due to more than 400 years of Venetian rule. You’ll find pastel-colored buildings, elegant squares, narrow alleyways called kantounia, and impressive fortifications overlooking the sea.
Many don’t realize that Corfu was once part of the vast network of Venetian fortresses that protected the Republic of Venice across the Mediterranean. The island’s Old Fort played a key role in protecting Venice’s maritime trade routes. If you’ve read my guide to the Venetian Fortresses of Italy, you’ll immediately recognize many of the same architectural influences here.
Today, Kerkyra is the perfect place to slow down, wander without a plan and soak up its unique blend of Greek, Venetian, French and British influences. We spent two days exploring the old town, packed of some of the best things to do in Corfu.
1. Garden of the People
One of the most peaceful green spaces and one of my favorite things to do in Corfu town. Located just next to the Old Fort, it is the perfect place to enjoy both sunrise and sunset, when the light becomes soft and golden over the sea and historic walls. The Municipal Gallery of Corfu overlooks a part of the garden and makes for the perfect photo spot.
2. Church of the Virgin Mary Spilaiotissa
Located near the old port, this church is one of the most charming religious buildings in Corfu Town. Its pastel exterior and peaceful location make it a beautiful stop while exploring the old town.
3. St Spyridon Church
Dedicated to the patron saint of Corfu, this church is one of the most important religious sites on the island. Its red bell tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Kerkyra.
4. Plakada t’Agiou Spiridona Square
A small and atmospheric square that feels especially magical early in the morning, before the crowds arrive. It is a great place to slow down and observe daily life in the old town.
5. Old town
One of the best ways to experience Kerkyra is simply to get lost in its narrow streets. Guilford Street (my favorite) and the surrounding alleys are filled with pastel façades, laundry hanging between buildings, small cafés, and hidden courtyards.
6. Old Fortress of Corfu
The Old Fortress is one of the most iconic landmarks in Corfu Town. Built and expanded during the Venetian period, it offers panoramic views over the old town and the Ionian Sea.
Tip: Opens daily from 8am to 8pm – 10€. If you can, try to catch the sunset or the golden hour from the top of the fortress, the views over the city glowing are priceless!
Days 3 to 5: Palaiokastritsa & North-West Corfu
After two days wandering the charming streets of Kerkyra, we headed to the west coast to discover a completely different side of Corfu. Here Venetian architecture gives way to dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, turquoise water and some of the island’s most spectacular viewpoints.
Palaiokastritsa makes the perfect base for exploring this part of the island. From scenic coastal hikes and traditional villages to secluded beaches and unforgettable sunsets, the west coast is home to many of Corfu’s most beautiful landscapes. We spent three days road-tripping around the area and could easily have stayed longer.
7. Palaiokastritsa Monastery
Perched above the sea, this historic monastery is by far one of the best things to do in Corfu. Dating back to the 13th century, it is still an active monastery today, home to a small community of monks. The courtyard is one of the most photogenic places in Corfu and the flower garden is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen. It also offers beautiful panoramic views over the coastline.
Tip: Opens daily 6:30am-1pm and 3pm-7pm. Free to visit but as a religious site, visitors are expected to dress respectfully with shoulders and knees covered. Scarf is provided at the entrance if needed.
8. Rovinia & Liapades beaches
Rovinia beach is a stunning white pebble beach tucked in a little cove with no facilities. It’s often described as a hidden gem, but it’s actually more accessible than it looks. Liapades beach is a beautiful beach right outside the village. From there, a scenic coastal path leads to Rovinia Beach, passing through forests and offering beautiful views along the way.
Tip: You can park at one of the Rovinia carpark indicated on Google Maps (which we used), but a better option is to park directly in the village of Liapades and walk from there.
9. Afionas Village
Now, this is THE best things to do in Corfu! At least my favorite! Afionas is one of the most beautiful traditional villages on the island. With its stone houses and narrow alleys, it is very photogenic with incredible views over the sea. It is also the starting point for the hike to Porto Timoni.
Tip: We were there around 12pm in May and the upper carpark was empty when we arrived but absolutely full when we left around 4:30-5pm. So in summer, I highly recommend to go there early, like before 10am.
10. Porto Timoni beach + viewpoint
Porto Timoni is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Corfu, and one of the reasons why I loved Afionas so much. This natural wonder is a double beach, with two turquoise bays separated by a narrow strip of land, surrounded by lush green hills and rocky cliffs. The contrast between the deep blue sea and the wild landscape gives it a almost tropical feel.
It is not directly accessible by road. You can either hike from Afionas village or arrive by boat from Agios Georgios. From Afionas, the trail starts just a few minutes from the village center, where a wooden sign indicates the direction to both the beach and the viewpoint.
I recommend first walking to the viewpoint (about 5 minutes uphill from the sign), as it offers the most impressive view over both bays. From there, return to the sign and continue down the main trail to the beach, which takes around 20–25 minutes on a steep and rocky path.
Tip: – Wear proper shoes, not flip-flops. The rocky path can be quite steep down to the beach.
– There is no facilities on the beach so bring enough water and snacks.
– It can get really hot during the day (38°C in summer), so it’s best to do this hike in the morning.
11. Canal d’Amour (Sidari)
Known for its unique sandstone formations and sea caves, Canal d’Amour is another beautiful beach, surrounded by a lovely legend. According to local myth, couples who swim through the narrow channel will stay together forever.
12. Loggas beach
A dramatic cliffside beach known for its sunset views over the Ionian Sea. The cliffs create a stunning natural viewpoint for golden hour.
13. Achilleion Palace Gardens
A historic palace built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, featuring neoclassical architecture and landscaped gardens. It is one of the most famous cultural sites on the island, although we didn’t make time to visit it.
14. Boat trip to Paxos & Antipaxos
One of the best day trips from Corfu is a boat tour to Paxos and Antipaxos. Expect crystal-clear water, hidden caves, cute towns (especially Gaios in Paxos) and some of the most beautiful swimming spots in the Ionan Sea.
15. Cape Drastis
Last but not least, Cape Drastis is one of the most unique landscapes in Corfu, with dramatic white cliffs and striking rock formations overlooking the Ionian Sea. It’s especially beautiful at sunset, when the light turns soft and golden over the coastline. The best viewpoint is slightly before the end of the road, where you can park (only a few spots available) and walk a short distance for panoramic views.
Tip: – If you want to see the sunset from there, I recommend arriving an hour early so you can park.
– In my opinion, it’s not worth hiking all the way up to the end of the cape: the path becomes very rough and steep in places, with dense bushes and thorns, and the final viewpoint is definitely not as impressive as the first one.
Where to eat in Corfu
Corfu has a unique local food culture influenced by both Greek and Venetian traditions. From the courgette balls / zucchini fritters, spicy roasted aubergine with feta cheese to saganaki (a fried Greek cheese) and classics like Greek salad and grilled fish, there is so much good food to try in Corfu!
These were some of my favorite spots in Kerkyra:
– To Tsipouradiko
– Diporto
– Sagrado Corfu
– Favela n°17
– Loretto Gelato
The west coast also offers some incredible local dining experiences. My favorite spots were:
– Corner Snack Beach Bar in Palaiokastritsa
– Anafoufou in Afionas
– Kafenes Allou in Gardelades (by far my favorite restaurant in all Corfu)
– Gran Aladino in Palaiokastritsa (with vegan Greek food)
– Nausica Tavern in Palaiokastritsa
Where to stay in Corfu
For this itinerary, we split our stay between Corfu Town and Palaiokastritsa to experience both the cultural and natural sides of the island.
Corfu Town offers plenty of places to stay at, but keep in mind that the historic center can be noisy, especially in summer. We chose Travellers Corfu Town, located within a short walking distance of the old town (10min), but away from the busiest streets. It still had a bit of city noise but felt much quieter than staying right in the heart of Kerkyra, making it a great base for exploring the city.
For exploring the west coast, we stayed at Domus Napoleon in Palaiokastritsa. Its location made it easy to visit the area’s best beaches, viewpoints, and villages while enjoying a quieter atmosphere than Corfu Town.
How to get there & how to get around
Corfu is one of the easiest Greek islands to reach thanks to its international airport. During the summer months, there are direct flights from many European cities, while year-round connections are available via Athens.
If you’re already traveling in Greece, you can also reach Corfu by ferry from Igoumenitsa on the mainland. The crossing takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the ferry.
While Corfu does have a public bus network, renting a car is by far the best way to explore the island, especially if you want to visit places like Porto Timoni, Cape Drastis, Loggas Beach, or the smaller villages scattered along the west coast. If you’re visiting during the busy summer season, I recommend booking your rental car in advance.
Corfu is an island full of contrasts. From Venetian old town to wild cliffs and turquoise bays, every corner feels different. It’s not just a beach destination, but a place where culture, history and nature blend beautifully. A few days are enough to fall in love with Corfu, but not quite enough to see it all. I hope this guide will help you plan your best trip on this beautiful Greek island!
With love,
Marina
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