Corfu Greece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Corfu reveals the most elegant and historically rich island in the Ionian Sea, its extraordinary UNESCO-listed Old Town of Venetian campaniles, French arcades and British neoclassical buildings giving the most layered architectural heritage in the Greek islands alongside remarkable beaches and an extraordinary green interior. This route covers the essential Corfu experience: the extraordinary Venetian Old Town with its two fortresses, the remarkable Achilleion Palace built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the finest beaches from Paleokastritsa to Canal d'Amour and the hidden villages of the extraordinary Corfu interior.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Corfu Airport (CFU) or ferry from Igoumenitsa or Patras
Getting Around
Car or scooter essential for beaches and interior villages.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking and driving
DAY 1
CORFU OLD TOWN
MORNING
CORFU OLD TOWN , UNESCO HERITAGE WALK
Corfu Old Town is the most extraordinary Venetian heritage town in Greece, its remarkable UNESCO-listed ensemble of Venetian campaniles, French arcades and British neoclassical buildings giving the most layered architectural streetscape in the Greek islands. The extraordinary Liston arcade, built by the French in 1807, is the finest promenade in the Ionian Sea. Free to explore. Drive: Walk to fortress
MIDDAY
THE OLD FORTRESS OF CORFU
The Old Fortress of Corfu is the most extraordinary Venetian fortification in the Ionian Sea, its remarkable double-peaked rock connected to the old town by a moat giving the finest views over the Albanian mountains and the Ionian Sea. The extraordinary Church of St George inside the fortress, built by the British in 1840 in the style of a Doric temple, is the finest neoclassical church in Greece. Entry approx 6 euros. Drive: Walk through old town
AFTERNOON
THE NEW FORTRESS AND OLD TOWN EXPLORATION
The New Fortress of Corfu, built by the Venetians in 1576, gives the finest views over the old town rooftops and the port from its remarkable hilltop position. The extraordinary covered market of the old town, the remarkable Byzantine Museum in the Church of Antivouniotissa and the old town Jewish quarter give the most layered heritage afternoon in the Ionian islands. Entry approx 3 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Church of Antivouniotissa contains the finest collection of Byzantine icons in the Ionian islands, its remarkable 15th-century single-nave basilica housing over 90 icons from the 15th to 17th centuries including works by the Cretan school. Almost entirely overlooked by tourists visiting the fortresses. Entry approx 3 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe at the Liston arcade Outstanding Greek coffee under the finest arcade in the Ionian Sea. The most atmospheric breakfast in Corfu. | Lunch: Taverna in the Corfu Old Town Outstanding Corfiot lunch with local sofrito, pastitsada and excellent Ionian white wine. | Dinner: Restaurant near the Old Fortress Outstanding dinner with extraordinary views over the illuminated Old Fortress at night.
DAY 2
PALEOKASTRITSA AND ACHILLEION
MORNING
PALEOKASTRITSA MONASTERY AND BEACHES
Paleokastritsa is the most extraordinary bay on Corfu, its remarkable Byzantine monastery perched on a promontory above six turquoise coves giving the finest coastal setting in the Ionian islands. The extraordinary monastery museum contains remarkable Byzantine icons and a giant olive press. The coves below give the finest swimming on the west coast. Monastery entry approx 2 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LAKONES VILLAGE AND THE BELLA VISTA
Lakones is the most extraordinary hilltop village on Corfu, its remarkable position on the cliff above Paleokastritsa giving the finest panoramic view of the extraordinary bay from above. The Bella Vista cafe terrace gives the most photographed view in Corfu. The remarkable traditional stone village architecture and the extraordinary views over the west coast are the finest in the Ionian islands. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
ACHILLEION PALACE
The Achilleion Palace is the most extraordinary building on Corfu, built by Empress Elisabeth of Austria in 1890 as a retreat dedicated to the hero Achilles. The remarkable neoclassical palace contains extraordinary frescoes, the famous Dying Achilles statue and the triumphant Achilles bronze, and gives the finest views over the south of Corfu from its remarkable hilltop gardens. Entry approx 10 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Angelokastro castle on the headland north of Paleokastritsa is the finest Byzantine castle in the Ionian islands, its remarkable 13th-century ruins on a sheer sea cliff giving extraordinary views over the entire northwest coast. The fortress never fell to any attacker. Almost entirely unvisited. Free. Rough path from the road.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before west coast drive Early start for Paleokastritsa. The monastery and bay are extraordinary before 10am. | Lunch: Fish taverna at Paleokastritsa Outstanding fresh seafood at the finest bay on Corfu. Grilled fish caught in the Ionian Sea. | Dinner: Restaurant in Corfu Old Town Outstanding Corfiot dinner back in the extraordinary UNESCO old town.
DAY 3
NORTH CORFU
MORNING
CANAL D'AMOUR AT SIDARI
The Canal d'Amour at Sidari is the most extraordinary natural rock formation on Corfu, its remarkable golden sandstone channels carved by the sea into tunnels and arches giving the most unusual swimming experience in the Ionian islands. Legend holds that couples who swim through the canal together will marry. The extraordinary sandstone cliffs at sunset are the finest natural spectacle in northwest Corfu. Free. Drive: 40 min drive
MIDDAY
KASSIOPI VILLAGE AND CASTLE
Kassiopi is the most extraordinary village on the northeast coast of Corfu, its remarkable Byzantine castle above the harbour giving the finest views over the Albanian mountains across the Ionian Strait. The extraordinary harbour with its fishing boats and excellent tavernas gives the finest lunchtime setting in northeast Corfu. The Byzantine castle ruins are free to explore. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
NISSAKI AND THE NORTHEAST COAST
Nissaki is the most extraordinary beach on the northeast coast of Corfu, its remarkable sheltered pebble cove of extraordinary turquoise water flanked by olive trees giving the finest natural beach setting on the island. The extraordinary drive along the northeast coast from Kassiopi to Corfu Town gives the finest coastal road in the Ionian islands with views over the Albanian coast. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Peroulades beach on the northwest tip of Corfu, below the clifftop taverna, gives the finest sunset view in the Ionian islands. Accessible by steps down the cliff. The clifftop taverna serves drinks at the most extraordinary sunset viewpoint in the Ionian islands. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before north coast drive Early start for Sidari. The Canal d'Amour is extraordinary in the morning before the boats arrive. | Lunch: Fish taverna in Kassiopi harbour Outstanding fresh fish lunch at the finest harbour village on the northeast coast of Corfu. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Corfu Old Town Outstanding final dinner in the extraordinary UNESCO old town. Corfiot cuisine and Ionian wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Corfu Old Town, Nights 1 to 2 The finest base. Boutique hotels inside the UNESCO town from 80 to 200 euros. Walking distance from everything. Paleokastritsa, alternative For a beach-focused trip. Hotels from 70 to 150 euros. 30 minutes by car from the Old Town. Budget option Guesthouses in Corfu Town from 40 euros. The old town is small and walkable from anywhere nearby.
Top Tips
1. Corfu Old Town is best before 9am and after 7pm. The UNESCO alleyways fill completely with day-trippers from cruise ships by 10am.
2. The Bella Vista terrace above Paleokastritsa is the finest view in Corfu. Go at midday when the extraordinary turquoise bay is at its most vivid.
3. The Achilleion Palace gardens contain the finest collection of neoclassical statuary in the Ionian islands. The view south from the terrace is extraordinary.
4. Kassiopi harbour is the finest lunch stop on the northeast coast. Order fresh fish caught that morning in the Ionian Strait.
5. Canal d'Amour at Sidari is best early morning before the tour boats arrive. The extraordinary sandstone channels are almost empty before 9am.
6. Corfiot cuisine is distinct from mainland Greek food. Order sofrito (veal in garlic sauce), pastitsada (spiced meat pasta) and local Robola wine.
Total Budget
80 to 150 euros/day