Lush inside, pristine shoreline, distinctive rock formations, and a romantic capital metropolis. All this and extra may be discovered on Corfu Island, a vacation spot that actually delighted us throughout our journey to Greece. There are limitless 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 international locations of Albania and Italy.
As a consequence of 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 among the most reasonably priced international locations to journey to and in addition one of many finest international locations for delicacies, so it’s no shock that Corfu has some nice worth and superb dishes to strive as effectively.
We spent every week in Corfu (together with our 10 yr anniversary) and had many distinctive experiences alongside the way in which. This is among the prime locations to go to in Greece for good cause!
Right here’s my checklist of the 15 finest sights, locations to go to, and issues to do in Corfu.
1. Hire a Boat Independently (one of the crucial distinctive issues to do in Corfu)
Do you know that on lots of the islands in Greece, you may rent a ship your self and rip across the shoreline? Even if you happen to don’t have a ship license?!
For those who’re in search of issues to do in Corfu which might be distinctive and enjoyable, renting a ship is certainly it.
We first heard about this once we had been on a tour with Luxurious Island Occasions on Zakynthos Island. This is among the finest issues to do in Zakynthos, and whereas we didn’t have an opportunity to lease one whereas we had been there, we knew we had to provide it a strive some place else in Greece.
For our 10 yr anniversary, we did simply that.
We drove to the northeastern facet 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 individuals, 4 comfortably.
Whizzing alongside the attractive 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 automobile is a should for getting across the island and seeing the inside, however hiring a ship is a superb method to discover the shoreline. That is positively the most effective issues to do in Corfu. Be taught extra about being your personal captain for the day and renting a ship right here.
- You possibly can e-book your personal boat right here
- We paid €80 for the boat within the offseason/shoulder season (can be €120 within the excessive season)
- Boat fuel for a day of driving price us €40.
- Be certain there are life jackets on board and you’ll need your personal meals and water.
Don’t Overlook Your Journey Insurance coverage For Corfu!
Be sure you have journey insurance coverage in your journey to Corfu. It’s the one factor you must all the time pack. Security Wing is a good choice for vacationers, adventurers, and distant employees.
2. Go to Corfu City
This UNESCO-listed city is totally lovely. As a consequence of being below 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 need to spend a while exploring.
We visited on two events, each occasions 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 way of character-filled, cobbled streets — streets so slender that laundry may be held on a line strung between two adjoining homes.
The slender alleyways give method to open plazas stuffed with tables from busy eating places spilling out onto the road.
I like to recommend visiting each through the day, and within the night to see the city in two completely different lights. It’s one of the crucial romantic locations to go to in Corfu, and consuming wine within the previous city was a spotlight of our journey to Corfu.
Greatest Strolling Excursions in Corfu City
There’s a extremely rated strolling tour you may be part of to expertise extra of Corfu City. You possibly can be part of within the morning or within the night. The tour contains an English-speaking information, visiting the essential websites on the town, meals tastings, a drink, and a full meal as effectively. Click on right here to study extra and e-book your ticket.
An alternative choice is this strolling tour with a information that features a glass of wine on the finish! This journey is among the finest issues to do in Corfu previous city.
☞ SEE ALSO: Climate in Greece – When Is The Greatest Time to Go to?
Notes About Visiting Corfu City
- Parking may be arduous to seek out in Corfu City. Park simply outdoors of the city itself, and stroll in.
- We extremely suggest consuming & consuming at Salto Wine Bar. Greek wines are on supply right here (€20 / bottle, €5.50 / glass). Two appetizers & two mains price 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 among the finest issues to do in Corfu city for certain.
- 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 out there on Corfu. We stayed in two lovely properties and might suggest 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 recent 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 really 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 occasions — 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 workers listed here are extremely useful and pleasant. It was the right place to deal with ourselves for our 10 yr 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 suggest it.
With simply 4 flooring, this low-rise lodge has an intimate really feel. We had been staying on the 4th ground within the Superior Design Suite, which was completely gorgeous. The rooms are spacious, brilliant and the fashionable decor is beautiful.
The lodge presents a fitness center 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 just some steps away. The workers listed here are pleasant and the supervisor, Spyros, will make you’re feeling very welcome!
We totally loved our keep at this boutique lodge, and suggest it based mostly on the fashionable room itself, the beautiful workers, the scrumptious meals, and the facilities on supply.
Since there are such a lot of issues to do in Corfu, and because the island is fairly massive, I counsel splitting your time between the north and the south, if you happen to can.
That approach, you should utilize your base within the north to discover close by websites, then swap to your lodge within the south and take a look at that space of the island. In any other case, chances are you’ll end up driving quite a bit. The 2 resorts I listed above labored out effectively for us to do exactly that.
For those who’re considering staying in a small condominium or guesthouse (relatively than a lodge or resort) throughout your journey to Corfu Island, click on right here to check costs and search by way of quite a few choices on Reserving.com.
4. Be part of an Olive Oil Tasting & Tour
There are over 4 million olive timber on Corfu Island, 95% of that are lianolia selection. There are a couple of merchandise that Greek individuals have been utilizing all through the ages, and olive oil is certainly one of them. It has all the time been a giant a part of their weight loss program, traditions, and historical past.
Olive groves present jobs and meals for the individuals they usually have for a few years. Studying in regards to the manufacturing of olive oil is among the most essential 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 homeowners of The Governor. A visit right here is among 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 one of the crucial awarded premium olive oils on the market. Not solely does the olive oil style scrumptious, but it surely has unimaginable well being advantages as effectively.
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.
Occurring an olive oil tour is among the finest issues to do in Corfu! The fervour these two brothers have for his or her household firm is inspiring.
You possibly can both e-book your tour on-line, or do one thing slightly extra thrilling and be part of a scooter journey of the island, which features a cease right here at The Governor, plus wineries, viewpoints, and lunch. That is journey is among the extra adventurous issues to do in Corfu. Discover out extra right here.
The flavour of the olive oil is phenomenal and the well being advantages are unimaginable! We actually loved assembly the Dafnis household, studying in regards to 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 mentioned that this Nectar of the Gods “cleans sores and ulcers, softens arduous ulcers of the lips, heals carbuncles and working sores”. Aristotle believed that honey extended life.
We had heard about “Mr. Honey” (whose actual title 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 advised 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 in regards to the means of gathering the honey, and had been proven lots of the pure merchandise he makes.
This is among 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 captivated with beekeeping and is eager to share his information about bees and honey with you. Excursions listed here are free, together with samples of honey.
A go to right here is among the extra distinctive issues to do in Corfu. The store is known as MKV – Melissokomiki Kerkyras Vasilakis, which is situated right here.
6. Go to an Historical 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 arduous to overlook the Vlacherna Monastery, which sits out on the water, on an island of its personal. The island is definitely related to the mainland by a stone bridge that crosses the bay.
The chapel was inbuilt 1685 and truly, this was as soon as a nunnery monastery. Nowadays, Vlacherna Monastery is a quiet place with cypress timber surrounding it, and canine and cats roaming round.
Enjoyable truth, the For Your Eyes Solely James Bond movie had a scene set right here. The monastery is among the finest locations to see in Corfu.
The second must-see monastery is Paleokastritsa.
The placement of this non secular website is gorgeous. Set on a lush hill above the seaside with the identical title, 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 remains to be working as a monastery as we speak, and you may even see a monk or two move by throughout your go to. It’s essential to decorate appropriately and respectfully when getting into the complicated.
This is among the widespread locations to see in Corfu, there’ll in all probability be group excursions right here. However no matter crowds, it’s price a go to. Click on right here to open the GoogleMaps location of Paleokastritsa. Click on right here for Vlacherna Monastery.
7. Chill Out Beachside at Paleokastritsa
Whilst you’re within the space visiting the monastery, be sure 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 timber.
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 effectively, together with close by Akron Seashore Bar, which has a terrific setting for a meal or drink.
You’re in Greece, so it’s no shock that enjoyable on a fantastic seaside is among the prime issues to do in Corfu. In truth, the principle seaside of Paleokastritsa itself is understood for being one of many finest seashores in Greece.
8. Sip on Sundown Cocktails
Situated 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 out there. Cocktails go from round €7 and if you happen to don’t have your personal wheels, a taxi from Sidari to right here is round €9.
The drinks might not be the most affordable, however you’re paying for the setting. Click on right here to see the Google Maps location of the restaurant.
9. Swim on the Canal d’Amour in Sidari
Whilst you’re on the northern finish of the island, be sure 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 individuals laying on the seaside, or leaping off of the cliffs into the clear water. This is among the prime sights in Corfu by far.
There’s a canal right here, which leads below the cliff. It’s mentioned that if you happen to swim by way of, you’ll get married quickly. Whether or not or not that’s true, it’s nonetheless one of the crucial widespread issues to do in Corfu.
You received’t be totally 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 could be a bit tough right here if you happen to’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 attractive seashores and romantic cities to get some train. Renting a mountain bike to discover both independently, or on a tour is a superb method 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. Take a look at the fellows at The Corfu Mountain Bike Store to lease a GIANT bike, or e-book a enjoyable day tour right here.
11. Take pleasure in a Decadent Meal
For those who’re in search of a tremendous eating expertise, be sure to go to Etrusco Restaurant within the city of Dassia — which is listed as one of many world’s 50 finest.
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 timber and fairly pink bougainvillea flowers.
Plus, the kitchen is behind a big window, so you may watch all the motion unfold whilst you wait in your meals.
You possibly can order a la carte, or select from certainly one of 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” type of place and we loved our meal for our anniversary.
Click on right here to seek out Etrusco Restaurant on GoogleMaps, and click on right here to make a reservation and see the menus on supply.
12. Go Crusing (the most effective day journeys from Corfu)
With Corfu’s location, it’s no shock that there are some superb crusing and boat day journeys you are able to do! Cruise over the crystal-clear water in your method 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 certainly the most effective day journeys from Corfu.
There are fairly a couple of excursions you may be part of, however this one to Anitpaxos and Paxos could be very extremely rated and at round $45, it’s a steal. For those who’d relatively take a look at the Sivota Islands and the previous city of Parga, this journey can be very extremely rated and is round $45 as effectively.
Lastly, if you happen to’d wish to have a sailboat to your self and luxuriate in a non-public day on the water, this journey is a should. The day is totally customizable and is ideal for a household or group of buddies. Snacks, beer, wine, and water are all included as effectively. You actually can’t go mistaken. Click on right 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?
The most effective issues to do in Corfu with animals is to volunteer to handle deserted, abused, previous, or injured donkeys. Give them some love, groom them, and even take the donkeys for a stroll.
Surrounded by olive timber and the attractive Corfu mountains, the setting of this sanctuary for donkeys is beautiful. Click on right here to study 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 in regards to the historical past of the island, and sampling among the native delicacies.
On this enjoyable tour, you’ll meet up with an English-speaking information and wander across the previous city. The highlights and stops embrace the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, hidden corners and squares, the previous metropolis partitions, fountains, the Church of St. Spyridon, and extra.
All through the 3-hour journey, you’ll cease to eat a few occasions. The tour features a native breakfast and a sit-down lunch on the finish of the strolling tour. Discover out extra and e-book your spot right 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 possibly can both rent one for your self privately and see all the finest locations to go to in Corfu by yourself or, you may be 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 right here. The non-public tour takes you to completely different villages with an professional information and features a non-alcoholic drink. The tour is about 3 hours lengthy and prices round $55. Be taught extra right here.
Now You Know What To Do in Corfu
With so many islands out there to go to in Greece, it may be arduous to determine which one to decide on. For those who’re considering lovely seashores, wonderful eating places, non secular 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 simple.
You possibly can take a fast flight from wherever in Europe, with a brief layover in Athens, or if you happen to’re flying from North America, you’ll have to cease over in Europe earlier than persevering with on to Corfu.
Take a look at Aegean Airways for flights, or search engines like google and yahoo equivalent to Expedia.com, Kayak.com and Google Flights.
For those who’re close by, you can additionally take a ship to Corfu Island! Jump over by boat from Albania or Italy.
Take a look at 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 helping us with our journey to Greece. As all the time, all ideas and opinions stay our personal. A number of the photographs on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.
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