Corfu was a huge surprise for me in almost every way – the island turned out to be one of the most stunning, surprising, sophisticated and original, with places and things I have never seen before around the globe (like butterfly bushes). Here is a real traveler’s guide to 25 things to do in Corfu, if you want to experience a real, authentic Greek vibe & taste.
CORFU is the greenest of all the Greek islands.
There are tens of monasteries, viewpoints, mountain villages and paradise beaches to visit on Corfu Island, but I made a selection of the most impressive and unforgettable spots to visit.
25 things to do in Corfu, Greece.
First, let me introduce you to Corfu Island. It’s a relatively small island – you can drive it in one day. The island has a completely different personality depending on where you go. Some places are breathtaking!
We drove around the whole island, exploring the inland, monasteries, beaches and even travelled to nearby islands – Paxos and Antipaxos – all was exceptional.
That’s exactly why I wouldn’t recommend spending your entire holiday on one beach – especially not in Corfu.
CORFU WEST COAST is famous for dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise waters and breathtaking sunset views.
NORTH is a mountainous region defined by dramatic cliffs and lovely bays.
CORFU EAST COAST – calm waters with Corfu the capital city.
CURRENCY: EURO €
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Reliable public transport, local blue city buses and long-distance green intercity buses.
CAR RENTAL: Highly recommended; easy to drive, allows you to visit remote places. I always go with a trusted: DiscoverCars.com.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: May, June, September or October to avoid crowds.
NEARBY ISLANDS: Paxos and paradise Antipaxos /Greek/ – day tours.
BOAT TRIPS: Ksamil – Albania.
CUISINE: Fresh, incredibly tasty. Gyros: 6 Euros, fish: 12 Euros.
Car rental in Corfu.
If you want to explore Corfu properly, renting a car is the right option.
Having your own car makes a huge difference when you’re trying to reach mountain villages, viewpoints, remote beaches and trailheads.
Where to stay in Corfu?
If you’re renting a car, I wouldn’t worry too much about staying directly beside the beach. A beautiful village 10–20 minutes inland can sometimes give you a much more memorable experience.
We stayed in Potamia – south-west of Corfu, which was exceptionally quiet and 5 minutes to the nearest beautiful beach. Better if you want a slower, less resort-heavy experience with a green view.
Corfu Town – busy but best for history, restaurants, nightlife and atmosphere.
Paleokastritsa – best for dramatic scenery, swimming and boat trips.
Agios Georgios Pagon – great for a quieter west-coast beach holiday.
Sidari – good for a lively resort atmosphere and access to the northern coast.
Kassiopi – excellent for the attractive northeast coast and smaller beaches.
1. La Grotta Bar.
If you want to see something exceptional, visit La Grotta – a unique cliffside beach bar. The place is unreal; the bar is located in a small bay surrounded by high cliffs and deep, crystal-clear emerald water, where you can swim, jump and sunbathe.
It is probably the most popular bar in Corfu, but it may be overcrowded in peak season. but still worth going.
You can park along the street; parking is free but spots are limited.
From the main road, walk down roughly 140 steep stone steps to enter the bar 😉
The bar serves tasty food and tropical cocktails; prices are very affordable for such a sophisticated place. Entrance is free; drinks ~ 10 Euros.
2. Lakones village & viewing point.
Lakones is one of those places people often rush through on their way to somewhere else.
Don’t. The village sits high above Paleokastritsa and offers spectacular views over the coastline. Lakones is a traditional mountain village and one of Europe’s best viewing spots.
Visiting the small, remote villages of the island is one of the most interesting things to do in Corfu, which leads to discovering authentic history, architecture and traditional tavernas.
Bella Vista Viewpoint (on Road 2229) is one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Mediterranean, with a view of the bays of Paleokastritsa and stunning beaches.
Top-rated recommended tour across Lakones highlights: Corfu: Palaiokastritsa, Lakones & Kratsalo with Shore Option
3. Agios Petros Beach.
Paleokastritsa region offers plenty of magnificent beaches, but the most famous ones, like Paleokastritsa Beach /huge, famous, crowded/ are definitely not among my favourites.
Let me guide you to some of the stunning beaches, which feel almost private.
Agios Petros Beach is one of them; it’s a quiet, small, gorgeous beach with shallow, crystal-clear waters and good facilities.
4. Ampelaki Beach - private paradise.
Another super alternative to Paleokastritsa beach – super clean, peaceful and an exceptional area for snorkelling!
We even saw an octopus 5 meters from the shore. It’s a stony beach, which guarantees incredible water visibility.
There’s a restaurant and a supermarket on the way to Ampelaki Beach – my recommendation is to get a Greek salad or other takeaway food and enjoy a whole day on the beach.
Parking: Huge parking (5 Euros per day) near Agios Spiridon Beach.
5. Paleokastritsa Beach.
Paleokastritsa is the main beach near a huge parking lot. The main and largest beach is Agios Spiridon, which offers sunbeds, water sports and boats to explore the nearby sea caves.
From there, you can go directly to visit the Monastery.
Top-rated recommended tour: Paleokastritsa: Paradise, Yali Beach & Blue Caves Boat Tour
6. Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Paleokastritsa.
It is a beautiful 13th-century Byzantine monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The drive takes about 7 minutes from Paleokastritsa Beach.
Visiting monasteries is an integral part of things to do in Corfu. There are about 20 monasteries on the island, each presenting deep spiritual history and breathtaking panoramic views of the Ionian Sea!
Virgin Mary Monastery is easily accessible; the entrance is FREE and well worth visiting.
7. Metal Cross Viewpoint.
You cannot miss this viewpoint from things to do in Corfu – this is one of the most exceptional views of the islands. The walk takes about 5-7 minutes from the Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary.
8. Fairytail Petalia village.
Petalia is a beautiful, mountainous village that has to go on your list of top things to do in Corfu. It’s absolutely stunning and unique. There are almost no tourists. Take a walk along the narrow streets and visit the Petalia Sanctuary from 1887.
On the way to Petalia, we passed by a blooming bush, which immediately grabbed our attention… seeing hundreds of butterflies flying around. This was one of the most incredible moments of my travels – the whole picture felt unreal, like a fairy tale.
Later, we found out that Petalia is a popular hotspot for lepidoptera, where butterfly bushes (Buddleja davidii) are used in ornamental gardening.
These are the places you can only see when you travel on your own, by your own transport.
9. Angelokastro Byzantine Castle.
One of the most stunning places in Corfu with an incredible 13th-century Byzantine fortress and breathtaking 305-meter clifftop views.
There is a small free parking lot at the foot of the castle.
10. Cedar Forest & Dunes.
Cedar Forest is something different from most of the island’s attractions; thus, it is well worth visiting.
It is located in southern Corfu between Lake Korission and Issos Beach, which is a long sandy beach backed by impressive dunes. Cedar Forest is a protected natural ecosystem, accessible for a nice trek.
Issos Beach – not as attractive compared to the rest of the nearby beaches.
11. West coast - the best place to stay.
We stayed in Nikos & Vivi Studios, which I have to say was exceptional in every way – the location, facilities and the lady host – the nicest person on the island.
The view of the green hills and red sunsets from the terrace, the surrounding garden and the peaceful environment make the place ideal.
3 minutes’ drive from Nikos Studio, you’ll find one of the most delicious and authentic Greek restaurants: Maria’s Coffee Bar, with very affordable prices and the right place to taste authentic Greek food.
MUST-TRY:
- Pita Gyros – 6 Euros,
- Grilled vegetables with feta cheese
- Stifado – traditional Corfu beef cubes
- Tzatziki – greek sause
12. Chlomos Village.
My absolute no 1 is a small traditional village in southern Corfu with narrow lanes and old houses – Chlomos.
This is where I’d go when I wanted to see Corfu beyond the beach.
Just park your car in a random place and take a walk around and look for the little details: old doorways, stone walls, balconies, churches and views through the narrow streets.
The island has around 150 villages, and many still retain elements of their traditional architectural character.
13. Cape Drastis White Cliffs.
Cape Drastis should be at the top of your list of things to do in Corfu – wild and unspoiled, it is probably the most pure peace of nature in Corfu.
It’s a combination of white limestone cliffs and untouched turquoise waters at the northernmost tip of the island. You can get there by car, park and take a 15-20 minute walk toward the cliffs, or book a boat tour to bring you to the place.
14. Hike to Porto Timoni Beach.
For any adventurous traveler, the Cape Drastis area is going to be very fulfilling. There are a number of hiking trails leading to remote beaches via white cliffs.
Porto Timoni is famous for its unusual shape: two beaches separated by a narrow green ridge.
The hike down is part of the experience.
It’s not an enormous trek, but don’t make the mistake of treating it like a stroll to a beach bar. Wear proper shoes, take water and remember that whatever you walk downhill, you’ll eventually have to walk back up.
My advice: Go early. Make sure you are sun-protected- there is very little shade. Bring water.
Porto Timoni is at its most magical before the crowds arrive and the midday heat becomes intense.
15. Taverna Sunrise.
It is one of the most exceptional restaurants in Corfu, located on the northern side of the island near Karousades Town.
The food, service and the views are wonderful, fresh and flavourful. The seafood is caught locally and I can tell from the taste of the dish.
16. Drive through Corfu's northeast coast.
The northeast is where I’d go when I want a completely different atmosphere from the West Coast.
The coastline is dotted with small bays, green hills and villages, and the sea often looks incredibly calm.
That’s one of the best reasons to have a car in Corfu. You don’t need to follow a perfectly organised itinerary.
17. Visit Mount Pantokrator.
You can either drive to the top of the mountain or take a hike.
The mountain is 917 meters high and is home to the historic Pantokrator Monastery. The views on a clear day are breathtaking. There is a lovely restaurant and cute souvenir shops.
18. Corfu's Old Town.
Corfu’s Old Town deserves a separate post – it’s one of the most stunning architectures I’ve seen, felt like stepping back in time.
You’ll find Venetian architecture, French-influenced squares, British-era buildings, small churches, cafés, balconies overflowing with plants and laundry hanging above the streets.
The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Come early in the morning when the streets are relatively quiet.
19. Experience Local Life in Corfu Town’s Markets.
Corfu Town. Sample fresh produce, taste local delicacies, and shop for unique souvenirs crafted by local artisans.
Olive wood workshops are very popular on the island. Authentic olive wood must air-dry for at least three years before carving.
Top-rated recommended tour: Corfu Town: Full-Day Cruise with Lunch, Drinks & Swim Stops
20. Climb the Old Fortress in Corfu town.
Gosh.. it was extremely difficult to park in Corfu Town.
The Old Fortress is built in a strategic position overlooking the sea, providing panoramic 360-degree views and impressive architecture. Climb to the old lighthouse and visit the Church of St. George, an early 19th-century British-built church.
21. Walk across Spianada.
Spianada is the enormous open square beside the Old Town and one of the best places to simply sit down and watch Corfu life happen.
On one side is the elegant Liston arcade, lined with cafés and restaurants. The architecture feels surprisingly French, and it is easy to forget you’re on a Greek island.
In Corfu you don’t always need an activity. Sometimes the best travel experience is sitting somewhere beautiful for an hour with absolutely nowhere else to be.
22. The Achilleion Palace - the Sisi Residence.
Achilleion Palace at first seemed to be another historical site but turned out to be quite interesting. It was built in 1892 as a summer refuge for the melancholic Empress Elisabeth of Austria, famously known as “Sisi”.
While the main building is going under renovation, you can access the beautiful gardens and enjoy the surrounding views.
23. Take a Day Trip to Albania
I was traveling across Albania last year and I have to say it is simply stunning! Still unspoiled; however, the amount of construction work tells me it will change completely in 2-3 years.
Going on a day trip to Albania is one of the finest things to do in Corfu. It requires a bit more preparation, as Albania is not in the European Union, so you need a passport, as there is border control.
Book a ferry ticket in advance.
It is a 30-to-50-minute ferry ride from the main Port of Corfu to Saranda, Albania.
Saranda and Ksamil are the most breathtaking spots in Albania when it comes to beaches.
24. Visit Gaios Port in Paxos Island.
Take a boat to Gaios Port on Paxos Island. This is a stunning, naturally sheltered harbour with an incredible old town.
Gaios gets very busy in the summer with yachts, fishing boats, and ferries.
It will take a good few hours to explore the lively waterfront promenade with narrow, winding streets.
25. Take a boat tour to Antipaxos Island - the true paradise.
For a unique adventure, take a full-day boat trip to nearby islands- Paxos and Antipaxos /I recommend these two together/.
Antipaxos island has no infrastructure, no major towns, no cars, and zero large hotels. There are fewer than 50 residents and land prices are enormous!
Antipaxos is the best-kept secret of Greece. This unspoiled Greek island welcomes you with true paradise, unreal Caribbean-like turquoise waters and world-class sandy beaches.
How to get to Antipaxos:
- Boat tour from Corfu
- Boat from Paxos
- 15-minute sea-taxi from Paxos.
This is the tour we booked from Corfu: the boat was very comfortable, with great service and all facilities in place: From Corfu Island: Antipaxos & Paxos Blue Caves Boat Cruise
There were many stops for swimming and snorkeling – one of the best things to do in Corfu. We even entered the famous Blue Caves of Paxos and admired the white cliffs of Erimitis!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which are at absolutely no cost to you – I can earn a small commission on sales generated through this website and thanks to that I can share travel guides and inspirations that may help you reach your dream destinations and discover our unique world. I only recommend sites I actually use and have traveled to. Thank you for your support!
