Lush inside, pristine shoreline, distinctive rock formations, and a romantic capital metropolis. All this and extra will be discovered on Corfu Island, a vacation spot that really delighted us throughout our journey to Greece. There are infinite issues to do in Corfu, you’ll by no means be bored.
The northernmost (and hottest) of the Ionian Island chain, Corfu is definitely very near mainland Greece, and the nations of Albania and Italy.
Attributable to its proximity and historical past with mainland Europe, Corfu Island was truly one of many first Greek Islands to expertise mass tourism.
Due to this, Corfu has quite a few lodging choices, many eating places and bars, and a extra cosmopolitan really feel than many different Greek islands.
Greece is without doubt one of the most inexpensive nations to journey to and in addition among the best nations for delicacies, so it’s no shock that Corfu has some nice worth and wonderful dishes to strive as properly.
We spent per week in Corfu (together with our 10 12 months anniversary) and had many distinctive experiences alongside the best way. This is without doubt one of the prime locations to go to in Greece for good motive!
Right here’s my record of the 15 finest sights, locations to go to, and issues to do in Corfu.
1. Hire a Boat Independently (some of the distinctive issues to do in Corfu)
Do you know that on lots of the islands in Greece, you possibly can rent a ship your self and rip across the shoreline? Even in the event you don’t have a ship license?!
For those who’re searching for issues to do in Corfu which are distinctive and enjoyable, renting a boat is unquestionably it.
We first heard about this once we had been on a tour with Luxurious Island Occasions on Zakynthos Island. This is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Zakynthos, and whereas we didn’t have an opportunity to hire one whereas we had been there, we knew we had to offer it a strive elsewhere in Greece.
For our 10 12 months anniversary, we did simply that.
We drove to the northeastern aspect of Corfu and met up with the rental firm. After a really informal signing of paperwork and a once-over of the boat, we had been set. The boat was 45 horsepower and will have match six folks, 4 comfortably.
Whizzing alongside the gorgeous shoreline, stopping off at seaside taverns for meals and drinks, and mooring up at secret coves to leap within the Ionian Sea, how enjoyable is that?!
Hiring a automotive is a should for getting across the island and seeing the inside, however hiring a ship is a superb strategy to discover the shoreline. That is undoubtedly among the best issues to do in Corfu. Be taught extra about being your individual captain for the day and renting a ship here.
- You’ll be able to guide your individual boat here
- We paid €80 for the boat within the offseason/shoulder season (could be €120 within the excessive season)
- Boat fuel for a day of driving value us €40.
- Be certain there are life jackets on board and you’ll need your individual meals and water.
Don’t Overlook Your Journey Insurance coverage For Corfu!
Ensure you have journey insurance coverage in your journey to Corfu. It’s the one factor it’s best to at all times pack. Safety Wing is a good choice for vacationers, adventurers, and distant employees.
2. Go to Corfu City
This UNESCO-listed city is totally lovely. Attributable to being beneath Venetian rule from the 14th century to the late 18th century, this gorgeous structure can nonetheless be discovered on this island — particularly within the capital of Corfu City.
With Venetian-style buildings, two fortresses, slender little lanes, and quite a few eating places, Corfu City is a spot you’ll wish to spend a while exploring.
We visited on two events, each instances round sundown when the temperature was a bit cooler.
Wander by pastel-colored properties with wrought-iron balconies and wood shutters. Make your approach by character-filled, cobbled streets — streets so slender that laundry will be held on a line strung between two adjoining homes.
The slender alleyways give strategy to open plazas crammed with tables from busy eating places spilling out onto the road.
I like to recommend visiting each throughout the day, and within the night to see the city in two totally different lights. It’s some of the romantic locations to go to in Corfu, and ingesting wine within the outdated city was a spotlight of our journey to Corfu.
Finest Strolling Excursions in Corfu City
There’s a extremely rated walking tour you possibly can be a part of to expertise extra of Corfu City. You’ll be able to be a part of within the morning or within the night. The tour contains an English-speaking information, visiting the necessary websites on the town, meals tastings, a drink, and a full meal as properly. Click here to be taught extra and guide your ticket.
An alternative choice is this walking tour with a information that features a glass of wine on the finish! This journey is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Corfu outdated city.
☞ SEE ALSO: Climate in Greece – When Is The Finest Time to Go to?
Notes About Visiting Corfu City
- Parking will be onerous to seek out in Corfu City. Park simply outdoors of the city itself, and stroll in.
- We extremely advocate consuming & ingesting at Salto Wine Bar. Greek wines are on provide right here (€20 / bottle, €5.50 / glass). Two appetizers & two mains value us €38. Meals, drinks and repair are wonderful.
- Wander across the lanes and get misplaced. Go to the sights, however spend time simply meandering round, this is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Corfu city for positive.
- Entrance to the Outdated Fortress prices €6. Put on sturdy sneakers and observe that there’s not a lot shade.
3. Sleep in Stunning Lodging
It’s a bit bizarre to have lodging as a spotlight of an island, however there are some beautiful choices accessible on Corfu. We stayed in two lovely properties and might advocate them each, for various causes.
Find out about the place to remain in Corfu in our full information.
MarBella Corfu is a correct 5 star, luxurious resort, full with all-inclusive menu plans, 4 a la carte eating places, 4 bars, and a buffet-style restaurant serving up contemporary meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Set simply steps from the Agios Ioannis Peristeron seaside, close to the south finish of Corfu, this is a perfect location for exploring this half of the island.
MarBella Corfu actually is an expensive lodging and if a resort vacation is what you’re after, then that is the place for you. We spent 4 nights right here, however solely dined on the restaurant two instances — there have been too many native eating places that we wished to take a look at!
The welcome drink and complimentary wine & fruit are a pleasant contact, the constructing itself is fashionable, and the employees listed below are extremely useful and pleasant. It was the right place to deal with ourselves for our 10 12 months anniversary.
On the northern finish of the island, we stayed for 2 nights at TRYP by Wyndham Corfu Dassia (previously Corfu Palma Boutique Resort), and extremely advocate it.
With simply 4 flooring, this low-rise resort has an intimate really feel. We had been staying on the 4th flooring within the Superior Design Suite, which was completely gorgeous. The rooms are spacious, vibrant and the trendy decor is beautiful.
The resort provides a gymnasium and a spa, in addition to a big out of doors pool. The one draw back is that it’s not situated instantly on the seaside, however only a few steps away. The employees listed below are pleasant and the supervisor, Spyros, will make you are feeling very welcome!
We totally loved our keep at this boutique resort, and advocate it based mostly on the trendy room itself, the beautiful employees, the scrumptious meals, and the facilities on provide.
Since there are such a lot of issues to do in Corfu, and for the reason that island is fairly massive, I recommend splitting your time between the north and the south, in the event you can.
That approach, you need to use your base within the north to discover close by websites, then change to your resort within the south and take a look at that space of the island. In any other case, you might end up driving rather a lot. The 2 resorts I listed above labored out properly for us to do exactly that.
For those who’re involved in staying in a small residence or guesthouse (moderately than a resort or resort) throughout your journey to Corfu Island, click here to match costs and search by quite a few choices on Reserving.com.
4. Be part of an Olive Oil Tasting & Tour
There are over 4 million olive bushes on Corfu Island, 95% of that are lianolia selection. There are a number of merchandise that Greek folks have been utilizing all through the ages, and olive oil is one in all them. It has at all times been a giant a part of their weight loss program, traditions, and historical past.
Olive groves present jobs and meals for the folks and so they have for a few years. Studying concerning the manufacturing of olive oil is without doubt one of the most necessary issues to do in Corfu, and Greece as a complete.
We spent a lazy afternoon indulging in some olive oil and bits of meals and loved the corporate of the house owners of The Governor. A visit right here is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Corfu when it rains.
The Governor is a fifth technology, family-run institution on the island of Corfu. It’s some of the awarded premium olive oils on the market. Not solely does the olive oil style scrumptious, nevertheless it has unimaginable well being advantages as properly.
This lovely video was proven to us on the Governor’s Mill, and though it was filmed on the island of Crete, the traditions and values positioned on the olive tree are the identical in Corfu and the remainder of Greece.
Happening an olive oil tour is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Corfu! The fervour these two brothers have for his or her household firm is inspiring.
You’ll be able to both book your tour online, or do one thing slightly extra thrilling and join a scooter trip of the island, which features a cease right here at The Governor, plus wineries, viewpoints, and lunch. That is journey is without doubt one of the extra adventurous issues to do in Corfu. Discover out extra here.
The flavour of the olive oil is outstanding and the well being advantages are unimaginable! We actually loved assembly the Dafnis household, studying concerning the product, and naturally, tasting it.
5. Be taught About Bees and Honey Manufacturing
One other Greek product that has been used for hundreds of years is honey, each for enjoyment in addition to curing illnesses.
Hippocrates said that this Nectar of the Gods “cleans sores and ulcers, softens onerous ulcers of the lips, heals carbuncles and operating sores”. Aristotle believed that honey extended life.
We had heard about “Mr. Honey” (whose actual identify is Panagiotis Vasilakis) from Spyros, the supervisor at Corfu Palma Resort.
Arriving on the workplace of Mr. Honey, we met a soft-spoken, chilled-out man who instructed us his story of how he left a high-stress profession in Athens for beekeeping in Corfu — a commerce he knew nothing about earlier than arriving right here!
We met his bees, discovered concerning the technique of gathering the honey, and had been proven lots of the pure merchandise he makes.
This is without doubt one of the extra distinctive locations to go to in Corfu, and one of many prime issues to do in Corfu for households. Don’t miss a day with Mr. Honey.
Panagiotis is keen about beekeeping and is eager to share his data about bees and honey with you. Excursions listed below are free, together with samples of honey.
A go to right here is without doubt one of the extra distinctive issues to do in Corfu. The store is named MKV – Melissokomiki Kerkyras Vasilakis, which is located here.
6. Go to an Historic Monastery
There are over 250 church buildings and monasteries on Corfu Island! A few the standouts are The Vlacherna Monastery and the Monastery of Paleokastritsa.
When driving south from the airport, it might be onerous to overlook the Vlacherna Monastery, which sits out on the water, on an island of its personal. The island is definitely linked to the mainland by a stone bridge that crosses the bay.
The chapel was inbuilt 1685 and really, this was as soon as a nunnery monastery. As of late, Vlacherna Monastery is a quiet place with cypress bushes surrounding it, and canines and cats roaming round.
Enjoyable reality, the For Your Eyes Only James Bond movie had a scene set right here. The monastery is without doubt one of the finest locations to see in Corfu.
The second must-see monastery is Paleokastritsa.
The placement of this spiritual web site is gorgeous. Set on a lush hill above the seaside with the identical identify, and surrounded by sheer cliffs and fairly bays, a go to to this monastery (which is devoted to the Virgin Mary) is a should.
Paleokastritsa continues to be working as a monastery immediately, and you might even see a monk or two cross by throughout your go to. It’s necessary to decorate appropriately and respectfully when getting into the advanced.
This is without doubt one of the common locations to see in Corfu, there’ll most likely be group excursions right here. However no matter crowds, it’s price a go to. Click here to open the GoogleMaps location of Paleokastritsa. Click here for Vlacherna Monastery.
7. Chill Out Beachside at Paleokastritsa
When you’re within the space visiting the monastery, ensure to take a look at the seashores and city of Paleokastritsa. There are 6 gorgeous bays right here, that are surrounded by olive and cypress bushes.
That is the right spot for spending the afternoon swimming, or simply lazing on the seaside. You’ll discover quite a few tavernas and eating places right here as properly, together with close by Akron Beach Bar, which has a fantastic setting for a meal or drink.
You’re in Greece, so it’s no shock that enjoyable on a phenomenal seaside is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Corfu. In truth, the primary seaside of Paleokastritsa itself is understood for being among the best seashores in Greece.
8. Sip on Sundown Cocktails
Positioned on the very northwestern tip of Corfu Island, you’ll discover seventh Heaven restaurant. With expansive views from atop a cliff out to the Ionian Sea, that is the final word spot to look at the solar go down.
It’s largely identified for being a spot to seize a drink with sundown, however additionally they have meals accessible. Cocktails go from round €7 and in the event you don’t have your individual wheels, a taxi from Sidari to right here is round €9.
The drinks is probably not the most affordable, however you’re paying for the setting. Click here to see the Google Maps location of the restaurant.
9. Swim on the Canal d’Amour in Sidari
When you’re on the northern finish of the island, ensure to go to the Canal d’Amour, or Love Canal. The rock formations round this space are vibrant, crumbly, and really distinctive.
You’ll discover folks laying on the seaside, or leaping off of the cliffs into the clear water. This is without doubt one of the prime sights in Corfu by far.
There’s a canal right here, which leads beneath the cliff. It’s mentioned that in the event you swim by, you’ll get married quickly. Whether or not or not that’s true, it’s nonetheless some of the common issues to do in Corfu.
You received’t be absolutely submerged in water and can be capable of breathe the entire time, so don’t fear! Plus, the canal isn’t very lengthy.
On a windy day, the waves is usually a bit tough right here in the event you’re planning to take a ship across the coast, however being on the seaside is okay.
You’ll discover quite a few resorts, eating places, and tavernas within the city of Sidari, making this the right spot to spend the afternoon, or longer.
10. Go Mountain Biking Round Corfu
Attempt to peel your self away from the gorgeous seashores and romantic cities to get some train. Renting a mountain bike to discover both independently, or on a tour is a superb strategy to see the off-track inside of the island.
No matter whether or not you’re a newbie or extra superior, there’s a route for you. Try the fellows at The Corfu Mountain Bike Shop to hire a GIANT bike, or guide a enjoyable day tour here.
11. Take pleasure in a Decadent Meal
For those who’re searching for a effective eating expertise, ensure to go to Etrusco Restaurant within the city of Dassia — which is listed as one of many world’s 50 best.
Michelin Starred chef, Ettore Botrini is an Italian Corfiat, with three eating places in Greece — Corfu, Rhodes, and Athens.
This extremely acclaimed chef is aware of presentation!
Each dish we had got here out completely manicured, with a narrative behind every plate. The out of doors eating space is surrounded by bushes and fairly pink bougainvillea flowers.
Plus, the kitchen is behind a big window, so you possibly can watch the entire motion unfold when you wait in your meals.
You’ll be able to order a la carte, or select from one in all two set menus: My Origins or Akron Aoton.
Each have the choice of together with a wine pairing and go for round €130 for 7 – 12 programs, so it’s extra of a “special day” sort of place and we loved our meal for our anniversary.
Click here to seek out Etrusco Restaurant on GoogleMaps, and click here to make a reservation and see the menus on provide.
12. Go Crusing (among the best day journeys from Corfu)
With Corfu’s location, it’s no shock that there are some wonderful crusing and boat day journeys you are able to do! Cruise over the crystal-clear water in your strategy to close by Antipaxos & Paxos, or sail on over to the Sivota Islands.
The day is spent gawking on the surroundings, swimming within the pristine water, and visiting small villages. Getting out on the water and visiting these islands and hidden coves is unquestionably among the best day journeys from Corfu.
There are fairly a number of excursions you possibly can be a part of, however this one to Anitpaxos and Paxos may be very extremely rated and at round $45, it’s a steal. For those who’d moderately take a look at the Sivota Islands and the outdated city of Parga, this trip can also be very extremely rated and is round $45 as properly.
Lastly, in the event you’d prefer to have a sailboat to your self and luxuriate in a non-public day on the water, this trip is a should. The day is absolutely customizable and is ideal for a household or group of pals. Snacks, beer, wine, and water are all included as properly. You actually can’t go flawed. Click here for extra particulars.
13. Volunteer With Donkeys
If in case you have extra time on the island, why not spend a while giving again?
Among the best issues to do in Corfu with animals is to volunteer to care for deserted, abused, outdated, or injured donkeys. Give them some love, groom them, and even take the donkeys for a stroll.
Surrounded by olive bushes and the gorgeous Corfu mountains, the setting of this sanctuary for donkeys is beautiful. Click here to be taught extra about visiting the shelter — one of many extra rewarding and distinctive issues to do in Corfu.
14. Be part of a Meals Tour
Foodies, this one is for you! Spend the day strolling round lovely Corfu Outdated City, whereas studying concerning the historical past of the island, and sampling a number of the native delicacies.
On this fun tour, you’ll meet up with an English-speaking information and wander across the outdated city. The highlights and stops embody the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, hidden corners and squares, the outdated metropolis partitions, fountains, the Church of St. Spyridon, and extra.
All through the 3-hour journey, you’ll cease to eat a few instances. The tour features a native breakfast and a sit-down lunch on the finish of the strolling tour. Discover out extra and guide your spot here.
15. Hire a Scooter
Renting a ship is a should in Corfu to see the shoreline, however for exploring the island itself, I like to recommend renting a scooter. Do because the locals do and benefit from the day on two wheels.
There are a few choices for renting a Vespa scooter in Corfu. You’ll be able to both rent one for your self privately and see the entire finest locations to go to in Corfu by yourself or, you possibly can be a part of a non-public day tour so that you don’t get misplaced!
The unbiased Vespa rental is round $35 and you’ve got the scooter for a full day. Be taught extra here. The personal tour takes you to totally different villages with an knowledgeable information and features a non-alcoholic drink. The tour is about 3 hours lengthy and prices round $55. Be taught extra here.
Now You Know What To Do in Corfu
With so many islands accessible to go to in Greece, it may be onerous to determine which one to decide on. For those who’re involved in lovely seashores, wonderful eating places, spiritual websites, tradition & historical past, and gorgeous lodging, then Corfu Island is for you.
And, since Corfu is so near mainland Europe, getting right here is straightforward.
You’ll be able to take a fast flight from wherever in Europe, with a brief layover in Athens, or in the event you’re flying from North America, you’ll have to cease over in Europe earlier than persevering with on to Corfu.
Try Aegean Airlines for flights, or serps reminiscent of Expedia.com, Kayak.com and Google Flights.
For those who’re close by, you possibly can additionally take a ship to Corfu Island! Jump over by boat from Albania or Italy.
Try our Journey Movies from Corfu
Have you ever travelled to this Greek island? What had been a few of your favorite issues to do in Corfu? Did we miss any of the highlights within the article? Share with us within the feedback!
Thanks to Uncover Greece for aiding us with our journey to Greece. As at all times, all ideas and opinions stay our personal. Among the photos on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.
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