Corfu holiday guide – from maps and weather to the best attractions and restaurants – here’s what you need to know
At a glance
Corfu holidays are great for…
- Dancing and drinking to some pounding bass in a Kavos super clubs
- Chilling on a beautiful beach (there’s about a zillion to choose from)
- Discovering some natural island beauty and ancient history
Introducing Corfu
Holidays to Corfu are rich in history, with evidence of ancient times in its architecture and a huge range of museums that are great for getting up close to relics from the past.
But if your Corfu holiday style is more sun, sea, sand and celebrating, there are plenty of opportunities to relax and let your hair down.
With over 120 gorgeous beaches at your disposal plus the nightclub mecca that is crazy Kavos, this Greek island packs a punch.
Getting Around Corfu
Many visitors to Corfu love relaxing and enjoying the beaches and night-life in their resort, without needing to travel around much. If you do want to explore, hiring a car is easy from Corfu airport.
There are local hire companies but it’s usually more cost-effective to pre-book with one of the airport companies before you arrive.
Roads in more remote areas can be full of potholes so take care. Motor bike and bicycle hire are also popular.
If you’d rather just head out for the occasional day trip to explore other beach options, then you probably won’t need to hire a car.
Corfu has a good bus network, serving the whole island. The buses in Corfu Town are blue, while those travelling around the rest of the island are green.
Departures are regular, frequent and affordable. Head to your nearest bus station to buy tickets and get timetable details.
In Corfu Town, most bus stops also have maps and ticket machines. The airport bus into Corfu Town takes just 10 minutes and costs just €1.10.
From here, you can catch a bus to pretty much anywhere on the island.
Taxis in Corfu are usually fine. Do check for a rate card, which licensed taxis must display in their window, to avoid being overcharged.
There are some water taxis to take visitors between different beaches along the coast and this can be a much nicer way to travel than by road.
Things to do in Corfu
Fun in the sun
Sun-seekers stand to attention. Corfu’s extensive coastline means the island offers everything from sleepy harbours and hidden bays to long sandy curves.
Kavos Beach is number one for British tourists looking to play all day and party into the night, and the 2km stretch is in fact one of the longest beaches on the island.
Agni, Agios Stefanos and Paleokastritsa are all to the north east of the island and offer small secluded bays ideal for swimming, picnicking and everything in between.
For a unique experience head to Sidari Beach with its Channel of Love where, legend has it, those who swim from one side to the other will soon find the love of their lives. Move aside, Cilla Black.
Prepare to be awed
Corfu’s beautiful surroundings offer holidaymakers one spectacular view after the next.
The sights from Kanóni should not be missed and climbers of Corfu’s second highest peak, Ágii Déka, will be treated to panoramic views over the town of Corfu and beyond. Those steep climbs are worth the views when you get to the top.
Aside from impressive natural visuals, Corfu has enough museums and sites to keep the history buffs pleased too.
The History and Folklore Museum of Central Corfu, the Theotókou Monastery beyond Paleokastrítsa’s coves and Corfu Town’s Old Fortress are all popular picks.
Where the wild things are
For every historical site on the island, Kavos has a bar to balance it out.
This is where the young and the young at heart come to let off steam, whether that’s on a banana boat, Jet-ski or among hundreds of other party animals in one of the many clubs.
After a day of water sports and tanning, popular choices on the Kavos party trail include the Super Paint Party, where clubbers are doused in 2,000 litres of UV paint.
For something more low key Sidari offers an interesting beach, fantastic restaurants and comes alive with bars and clubs at night.
Ipsos is home to Olea Cocktail Bar where you can try some crazy concoctions, as well as Hideaway Pub where you can enjoy a game of pool and a drink or two, before heading to Montechristo to party the night away on the dance floor.
Attractions in Corfu
Family-friendly…
Aqualand Water Park, Agios Ioannis
From the more extreme Hydrotube and double riders to the Crazy River, wave pool and family rafting, Aqualand Water Park is a great option for those looking to tire out energetic kids.
For those just wanting to relax there are parasols and sunbeds, as well as a swim-up bar, massage facilities, four restaurants to choose from and of course the inevitable ice cream shop.
Kalypso Star
A great way to explore the incredible underwater world of Corfu holidays without having to get wet, the Kalypso Star is a glass-bottomed boat trip with friendly staff and a BBQ meal option.
This hour long trip will have you seeing lobsters up close and personal, octopus, and some amazing, colourful fish.
Corfu Aquarium, Paleokastritsa
A good option for when the skies cloud over, the aquarium is small but friendly with snake and lizard handling a real highlight.
Best for adults…
Listón Square, Corfu Town
Listón’s tall arcades set the scene for relaxing drinks in the quaint cafés, where you can watch the world go by.
Get there early as the square is a popular spot and gets busy quickly.
Church of Saint Spiridon, Corfu Old Town
This 300-year old medieval church is home to artefacts and relics all set against a beautiful backdrop.
Saint Spiridon is the patron saint of Corfu, so its importance on the island is huge.
Achillion Palace, Gastouri
Learn more about how the other half live with a visit to this grand palace.
There are lavish paintings and sculptures to discover, and the picturesque gardens are a great place to relax.
Book yourself onto a tour and find yourself enthralled by fascinating historic tales and myths dating back years.
Kaiser’s Throne
A great way to witness the magic landscape of Corfu, head here in the evening for stunning sunsets.
It’s worth braving the seemingly endless winding roads to get there.
Barrakud Festival
Running for a week at the end of July, this eclectic music festival travels along the coast of Corfu, giving festival goers a travelling party scene.
With the festival moving to a new beach every day and accommodation arrangements and costs included in the ticket price, you can swim, sun and sand all day to the relaxed beats floating across the beach before getting involved in the party atmosphere at night.
Stay for the boat party on the last day for a day of sailing around tiny islands, with offshore swimming and live music to really rock the boat.
Angelokastro Castle
For beautiful views over the jagged rock faces and sparkling sea, packed with history, Angelokastro Castle is well worth a visit.
Built on the coastline’s highest peak, this stunning castle is one of the best viewpoints on the island.
Eating Out
Budget
Orchard Restaurant, Sidari – A quaint garden restaurant serving delicious traditional food in a beautiful garden, amongst colourful lanterns, flowers and orange trees.
This family-run restaurant offers a warm welcome and authentic Greek treats like stuffed vine leaves, moussaka and baklava.
A lovely place for children to play while parents relax in the sun. Prices are cheap, with most dishes coming in at under a tenner.
Mid-range
Roussos Restaurant, Kavos – Stunning sea views, delicious modern Greek food, and friendly service – what’s not to love!
This popular restaurant boasts a spectacular beachfront location, with views across the waves to mainland Greece.
Choose from dishes like oven baked feta wrapped in crisp filo pastry served with caramelised onions, grilled swordfish marinated in oregano, lemon and olive oil, or juicy fillet steak with hand-cut chunky chips and salad. Mains are in the region of €9-18.
Treat yourself
The Venetian Wall, Corfu Town – Located next to the beautiful Kremasti Square, this classy spot serves gourmet food in atmospheric surroundings.
The outside dining area has amazing views of the old town, and the interior is upmarket and in keeping with the historic buildings.
The menu changes according to the season and there is often a cheaper daily set menu.
Dishes are gourmet Mediterranean, from scallops with lobster, to chicken with foie gras. A great choice for a candlelit romantic night with that special someone.