The 19 best things to do in Corfu
There's more to Corfu than its comely beaches. Dig deeper and you will uncover many centuries of history in and around the cobblestoned old town capital, dating from antiquity to the present day.
One of Greece's most lush islands, this Ionian jewel is made for hiking enthusiasts and there are marked trails everywhere you look. On the western and northern coasts strikingly sculpted cliffs, some bare and others verdant, plunge down to cerulean seas. Visit a functioning hilltop monastery that enjoys beautiful sea views and see age-old olive groves and learn how to identify high-quality extra virgin olive oil in an isolated inland village.
Find things to do by type:
Best for history
Old Fortress, Corfu Town
Built by the Venetians in the 14th century and expanded by the British, the Old Fortress is strategically situated on a peninsula with twin craggy peaks at the mouth of the Adriatic Sea. Not only does it represent notable military engineering, but the views of the surrounding sea and Old Town from the taller of its two towers are spectacular.
Insider tip:When the weather is warm, join locals taking a dip at tiny Limanaki Beach at the foot of the monument. Afterwards, enjoy a cool beer or juice at the nearby Corfu Sailing Club and admire the sailboats moored at Mandraki port.
Website: odysseus.culture.gr
Price:£
Head to the Old Fortress for mesmerising views of the Old Town and the glittering Adriatic Sea - DaLiu/Getty Images
Palaiopolis-Mon Repos Museum
British Lord High Commissioner Sir Frederick Adam built a palace, later named Mon Repos, in 1831 as a summer residence for his Corfiot wife, Diamantina Palatianou. Today, the neoclassical villa functions as a museum comprising 14 halls, the key attraction of which is a bounty of rare finds from the 8th century BC city of Paleopolis. Look for remnants of the city throughout the densely vegetated estate.
Insider tip:With tall trees for shade, this is the perfect spot for a picnic on a hot summer's day. Don't miss the Doric temple of Kardaki, one of Corfu's best-preserved ancient sites, and seek out the eponymous hidden beach nearby.
Website: archaeologicalmuseums.gr
Price:£
Mon Repos was built as a summer residence by a 19th-century British governor, and now houses an exquisite collection of ancient artefacts - Anyarnia/Getty Images
Old Perithia
Get an idea of what Corfu would have been like in days gone by in this ancient village (some say it's the island's oldest) that dates back to medieval times. Straddled across the forest-furred slopes of mighty Mount Pantokrator, the village is now a protected heritage site and was more or less abandoned until Anglo-Dutch couple Mark and Saskia fell in love with it a few decades ago. They started renovating the old houses to create an atmospheric cluster of restaurants and accommodation. Old Perithia's five tavernas and kafeneions are among the best places to eat in Corfu for good reasons:: the home-cooked fare is delicious and prices tend to be lower than tourist traps down on the coast.
Website: old-perithia.com
Price:Free
The abandoned village of Perithia is getting a new lease of life thanks to a slew of recently opened tavernas - Nemo1963/Getty Images
Achilleion Palace
Built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sissi, the Achilleion Palace served as a refuge for the liberal-minded royal, who faced tragedy throughout her life. She decorated it with works of art inspired by Greek mythology. Following Sissi's unfortunate death in 1898, Kaiser William II of Germany acquired the building, however, a war of his own bidding prevented him from residing in the palace. Restoration works at the palace have revealed neo-Pompeian style decorative elements. It remains closed to the public but the Imperial Gardens are open daily from 8am to 4pm. Before you arrive, take a virtual tour of the palace online for a look inside.
Website: achillion-corfu.gr
Price:£
Empress Sissi's home is filled with works of art inspired by Greek mythology - ppart/Getty Images
Best for culture
Corfu's Old Town
Four centuries of Venetian rule mostly shaped the Old Town of Corfu into the Unesco World Heritage-listed stunner it is today. Lose yourself in the alleyways of the atmospheric Campiello neighbourhood, where laundry hangs between pastel-coloured dwellings; pay your respects to the isle's patron saint at Agios Spyridon church; and linger in the shade of trees at a café in the elegant Liston Arcade.
Insider tip:Go for a sunset stroll along the coastal road from the old port past the Mouragia area and see neoclassical buildings bathed in golden light. Conclude your walk at sprawling Spianada Square, which comes alive with youthful laughter every evening.
Price:Free
Corfu's picturesque Old Town was largely influenced by centuries of Venetian rule - Aleh Varanishcha/Getty Images
Paleokastritsa monastery
Wherever you stay in Corfu, the leafy resort town of Paleokastritsa is a must-see. Visit its hilltop monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which was built in the 13th century. From there, take in jaw-dropping views of sweeping bays, coves and fertile bluffs that rise up from a turquoise Ionian Sea. There is a museum displaying rare Byzantine icons and relics, and a shop on-site too.
Insider tip:Morning mass, open to the public, is held 7am-8.30am and offers a moment for quiet contemplation before the cruise crowds show up. Wait until the monastery closes at 1pm to access the two main viewpoints, reached by a dirt path.
Contact:00 30 26610 39912
Price:Free
The monastery at Paleokastritsa provides a space for quiet contemplation - Nick Brundle Photography/Getty Images
The Durrells filming tour
The Durrells devotees shouldn't miss the opportunity to visit the filming locations of the much-loved series. From the Kanoni peninsula, The Corfu Experience's private tour stops at the 17th-century Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island. Visualise Countess Mavrodaki strolling around Mon Repos Palace and a young Gerry examining the plant and bird species of Antiniotissa Lake. Lunch (included) is on the water at the White House in Kalami, where Lawrence Durrell and his wife Nancy resided in the 1930s. Peruse the faded photographs and treasured memorabilia gracing the elegant restaurant's indoor section.
Website: thecorfuexperience.com
Price:£££
Follow in the footsteps of the Durrells on a day-long private tour of the island
Corfu Museum of Asian Art
Not what you might expect in Corfu, this fascinating museum was established in 1928 thanks to Gregorios Manos' generous donation of his Sino-Japanese collection to the Greek state. Housed in the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George, the Corfu Museum of Asian Art has since expanded, with donations now totalling more than 15,000 works. Keep an eye out for occasional temporary exhibitions, featuring pieces ranging from Korean landscape paintings depicting the country's rugged mountains to the intricately weaved 19th-century saddle bags of Central Asia's Baluch nomads.
Website: matk.gr
Price:£
The Corfu Museum of Asian Art is housed in the impressive Palace of St Michael and St George - Rawf8/Getty Images
Best for food
Old Town food tours
For an in-depth exploration of Corfu's Venetian-influenced culinary heritage, look to island-born and -raised siblings Ariti and Nausica Katsarou, who run engaging small group and private food tours of the Old Town. Down tiny backstreets you'll meet gastronomic vanguards who explain how delicacies like cold-cut nouboulo, a nod to Italian prosciutto, are produced. Reserve room for tasty meze and sweet delights from an old-school dairy.
Insider tip:If you visit during Easter, the Katsarou sisters will go into detail on the traditions involved in the island's colourful celebrations, such as pot-smashing. While you're there, pick up fogatsa or kolombina , two types of local brioche made for the annual holiday.
Website: corfuwalkingtours.com
Price:££
Olive oil tasting
Brothers Spyros and George Dafnis have single-handedly put Corfu and its Lianolia olive variety on the extra virgin olive oil map. Book a tasting tour of their estate, The Governor, and see how the third-generation producers have married tradition and technology to create premium EVOO. You'll visit olive groves, see a 15th-century mill and sample the exquisite golden elixir. After learning how to recognise great olive oil, you can buy a limited edition early harvest oil, also available from The Olive House in Corfu Town, certified for its health-enhancing properties.
Website: thegovernor.gr
Price:££
You can book a tour of The Governor olive oil estate to learn more about the harvesting, processing and tasting of extra virgin olive oil
Ambelonas Estate
Owner and chef Vasiliki Karounou welcomes guests into her home and shares the intriguing history of Ambelonas estate and vineyard, where vines and olives have been cultivated for four centuries. Pore over pre-industrial equipment used to produce olive oil and wine, then pay a visit to the onsite restaurant and sample seasonal farm-to-table fare, such as Corfiot-style prosciutto, known as nouboulo , and Jerusalem artichoke tart.
Insider tip:Learn about the principles and techniques of Corfiot cuisine in a hands-on cooking class using local ingredients such as wild fig, olives and goat cheese. If you prefer to simply eat, you're welcome to join the fun, at a discounted rate.
Website: ambelonas-corfu.gr
Price:££-£££
Best outdoor adventures
San Stefano Boats
No visit to Corfu is complete without hiring a motorboat to explore the coastline at your own pace – San Stefano Boats is one pick among many. The northeastern coast in particular is blessed with endless sheltered beaches, bays and coves, some of which are – gloriously – only accessible by sea. Find a tranquil location where you can dive into emerald waters before heading for lunch at a waterfront taverna.
Insider tip:Head north to the little-visited, thickly forested Erimitis headland, an area of outstanding natural beauty. There you'll come across a sextet of serene beaches and three small lakes. Keep an eye out for the Kaparelli lighthouse, built on a rocky islet.
Website: sanstefanoboats.com
Price:££
A motorboat excursion is among the most pleasant ways to explore Corfu's coastline - David C Tomlinson
Corfu Trail
Hilary Paipeti is something of a local legend. In 2001, she established the Corfu Trail, the island's 137-mile (220km) waymarked route, after years spent exploring and discovering the diversity of the island's countryside and coastline. The trail, painstakingly documented in a book , extends from Arkoudilas in the south to Cape Agia Ekaterini in the north. Expert guides Alexandros Gogas and Dimitris Ionas, of Corfu Sea Land Activities, offer varied hiking experiences for all fitness levels. They'll lead you through olive groves, past chapels, beneath mighty Mount Pantokrator and along cobbled footpaths. Spring is ideal hiking season.
Website: corfuactivities.com
Price:£
Bring your hiking boots for a multi-day walk along the island's most famous path - Westend61/Getty Images
X Adventure Club
Take a break from driving the island's winding roads and let Yiannis and Sakis, the guides at X Adventure Club, show you around the Corfu they know and love on a six-hour jeep tour. Pick the north-west option, which takes in the villages of Lakones and Afionas, views of Paleokastritsa and Porto Timoni's twin beaches, along with the dramatic spires of Cape Drastis. You'll make a brief stop at Kavourolimni (Crab Lake), little known even among Corfiots. Surrounded by tall oak trees, this watering hole for local wildlife is home to freshwater crabs. In spring the lake's shores are ablaze with wildflowers.
Website: jeepsafaricorfu.com
Price:£££
Cape Drastis
A 12-minute drive west of Sidari is Cape Drastis, a striking, untouched landscape of sheer sandstone cliffs shaped by the wind and aquamarine waters. It's more impressive than the tourist-clogged Canal d'Amour and fewer people know of it or make the trek. Park your car and walk down a rough road to capture this incredible location, which is particularly worth viewing at sunset.
Insider tip:At the end of the road is minuscule Grava Cove, from where you can dive into cool, translucent waters from flat rocks. Alternatively, book a private boat tour with Sidari-based Fortuna Sea Tours , involving swim stops at Cape Drastis and Grava.
Website: fortunaseatours.com
Price:£
The striking rock formations of Cape Drastis are still off the tourist radar - Aleh Varanishcha/Getty Images
Diving trips
Corfu offers some of Greece's most spectacular scuba diving. Newbie and experienced divers will enjoy inspecting various dive sites with operators such as Achilleon Diving, particularly on the western coast, offering visibility of up to almost 100ft (30 metres). Expect vibrant reefs, soft corals, caverns, caves, canyons, arches, steep drops, shipwrecks and narrow passages. You're likely to encounter barracuda, moray eels, octopus, shrimp, grouper, crayfish and sea bream.
Insider tip:Don't miss out on Colovri islet with its two remarkable outer reefs teeming with marine life such as tuna, jacks, anthia and nudibranch. There is a precipitous drop, a swim-through and a coral-covered plateau at a depth of 40m.
Website: diving-corfu.com
Price:Varies between dive centres
The reefs surrounding Corfu provide some of the very best dive sites in Greece - diving-corfu.com
Chartered sailing trips
With its protected anchorages and calm waters, the Ionian Sea has long been a magnet for sailing enthusiasts. Schedule a day charter or week-long skippered sailing trip aboard 50ft Icarus with Celebration Charters, run by Scottish couple Robert and Veronica Queen, and see what it's like to cast across the big blue, powered by Aeolus.
Insider tip:The diminutive, lesser-known Diapontia islets of Erikoussa, Othoni and Mathraki, which lie north of Corfu, are a dream sailing destination. Sandy umbrella-free beaches, sleepy villages, herb-scented hills and an exotic aquamarine playground await.
Website: facebook.com/celebrationcharter
Price:£££
Best for families
Corfu Donkey Rescue Centre
Founded in 2004 by the late Judy Quinn, the Corfu Donkey Rescue Centre has taken in and provided care and a home for over 500 unwanted or abandoned donkeys. Situated amid olive trees, it's open year-round to visitors, strictly between 10am and 4pm. Come give the donkeys a cuddle and a brush-down. Donations to cover daily needs and medication are welcome.
Insider tip:If you're particularly smitten and willing to put in some serious physical work for the cause, including quite a bit of time collecting poo, the rescue centre accepts volunteer applications. Alternatively, show your support by "adopting" a donkey for £76 per year.
Website: corfu-donkeys.com
Price:Free
You can cuddle sweet-tempered donkeys at the Corfu Donkey Rescue Centre - corfu-donkeys.com
Horseback riding
Based near Perithia village, Ilias Siriotis of North Corfu Horses lovingly maintains a 25-strong herd, many of them rescues. His team offers rides of between 10 minutes for young children and a full day, as well as longer holiday packages. Routes wind through olive groves, cypress, oak and pine forests and traditional villages down to beaches with sapphire waters. Choose from trail and beach rides, lessons and even swimming with horses, which have names like Hercules and Iro.
Website: instagram.com/north_corfu_horses
Price:£-££
Discover the island on horseback with North Corfu Horses - Nicole Baumgartner / North Corfu Horses
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
