Corfu Greece
5
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Five days in Corfu gives you the complete experience of the most beautiful island in the Ionian Sea, from the extraordinary UNESCO Venetian Old Town and the remarkable Achilleion Palace to the hidden mountain villages of the interior, the finest beaches from Paleokastritsa to Agios Georgios and the extraordinary northern tip at Canal d'Amour. This route covers the full Corfu experience: the UNESCO Old Town, both Venetian fortresses, the Achilleion Palace, the finest beaches on the island, the remarkable Byzantine monastery of Paleokastritsa, the extraordinary mountain villages of Lakones and Pagi, and the hidden olive groves of the south.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Corfu Airport (CFU) or ferry from Igoumenitsa (1.5 hours)
Getting Around
Car essential for the full island experience. Roads are good.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, driving and walking
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 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
MIDDAY
THE OLD FORTRESS AND BYZANTINE MUSEUM
The Old Fortress of Corfu is the most extraordinary Venetian fortification in the Ionian Sea, its double-peaked rock giving the finest views over the Albanian mountains. The remarkable Church of Antivouniotissa contains the finest collection of Byzantine icons in the Ionian islands, over 90 icons from the 15th to 17th centuries. Fortress entry approx 6 euros. Drive: Walk
AFTERNOON
NEW FORTRESS AND OLD TOWN EXPLORATION
The New Fortress of Corfu gives the finest views over the old town rooftops and the port from its remarkable hilltop position. The extraordinary covered market, the old town Jewish quarter and the remarkable Solomos Museum dedicated to the poet who wrote the Greek national anthem give the finest heritage afternoon in the Ionian islands. Entry approx 3 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Church of Antivouniotissa contains the finest Byzantine icon collection in the Ionian islands, its remarkable 15th-century 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. | Lunch: Taverna in Corfu Old Town Outstanding Corfiot lunch with local sofrito, pastitsada and excellent Ionian wine. | Dinner: Restaurant near the Old Fortress Outstanding dinner with views over the illuminated Old Fortress.
DAY 2
WEST COAST
MORNING
PALEOKASTRITSA MONASTERY
Paleokastritsa monastery is perched on a promontory above six extraordinary turquoise coves giving the finest coastal setting in the Ionian islands. The monastery museum contains remarkable Byzantine icons and an ancient olive press. The coves below give the finest swimming on the west coast. Monastery entry approx 2 euros. Drive: 30 min drive up
MIDDAY
LAKONES AND BELLA VISTA
Lakones is the most extraordinary hilltop village on Corfu, its remarkable cliff position 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 traditional stone village and extraordinary views over the west coast are the finest in the Ionian islands. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ANGELOKASTRO AND THE WEST COAST
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 northwest coast. The fortress never fell to any attacker in its history. Almost entirely unvisited. The remarkable west coast road back to Corfu Town is extraordinary. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Myrtiotissa beach below the monastery of the same name on the west coast is the finest hidden beach on Corfu, its remarkable position in a secluded cove with extraordinary turquoise water and complete natural surroundings making it the most beautiful beach in the Ionian islands. Accessible by rough path. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before west coast drive Early start for Paleokastritsa. Monastery and bay are extraordinary before 10am. | Lunch: Fish taverna at Paleokastritsa Outstanding fresh seafood at the finest bay on Corfu. Grilled Ionian fish. | Dinner: Restaurant in Corfu Old Town Outstanding Corfiot dinner in the extraordinary UNESCO old town.
DAY 3
ACHILLEION AND SOUTH
MORNING
ACHILLEION PALACE
The Achilleion Palace built by Empress Elisabeth of Austria in 1890 is the most extraordinary building on Corfu, its remarkable neoclassical architecture dedicated to the hero Achilles containing the famous Dying Achilles statue, extraordinary frescoes and remarkable hilltop gardens with the finest views over the south of Corfu and the Ionian Sea. Entry approx 10 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
BENITSES AND THE SOUTH COAST
Benitses is the most extraordinary traditional fishing village on the southeast coast of Corfu, its remarkable small harbour and the extraordinary Roman baths above the village giving the finest combination of heritage and coastal atmosphere on the south coast. The Roman baths, remains of a 3rd-century villa, are the finest ancient site in Corfu. Free to explore. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
AGIOS GEORGIOS SOUTH AND MARATHIAS BEACH
Agios Georgios in the southwest is the finest long beach on Corfu, its remarkable stretch of golden sand and shallow turquoise water giving the best swimming beach on the island away from the north coast crowds. The extraordinary Gardiki Castle, a 13th-century Angevin fortress in the olive groves above the beach, is the finest hidden medieval castle in south Corfu. Castle free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Gardiki Castle in the south of Corfu is the finest hidden medieval fortress on the island, its remarkable 13th-century Angevin walls standing almost intact in the extraordinary olive grove landscape of the Corfu interior. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. Free. 5 minutes from Agios Gordios beach.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Corfu Town before drive Early start for the Achilleion. The palace gardens in the morning light are extraordinary. | Lunch: Taverna in Benitses harbour Outstanding fresh fish lunch at the finest traditional fishing village on the south coast. | Dinner: Restaurant in Corfu Town Outstanding Corfiot dinner in the old town after the south coast day.
DAY 4
NORTH CORFU
MORNING
CANAL D'AMOUR AND PEROULADES
The Canal d'Amour at Sidari is the most extraordinary natural rock formation on Corfu, its golden sandstone channels carved into tunnels and arches giving the most unusual swimming in the Ionian islands. The remarkable Peroulades beach on the northwest tip, below the clifftop taverna, gives the finest sunset view in the Ionian islands. Free. Drive: 40 min drive
MIDDAY
KASSIOPI VILLAGE AND CASTLE
Kassiopi is the most extraordinary village on the northeast coast, its remarkable Byzantine castle giving the finest views over the Albanian mountains. The extraordinary harbour with fishing boats and excellent tavernas gives the finest lunchtime setting in northeast Corfu. Emperor Nero performed here in 67 AD. The Byzantine castle ruins are extraordinary. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
AGIOS SPYRIDON BEACH AND AGIOS STEFANOS
Agios Spyridon on the northeast coast is the finest lagoon beach in Corfu, its remarkable shallow turquoise water separated from the sea by a sandbar giving the finest natural swimming pool in the Ionian islands. The extraordinary traditional village of Agios Stefanos nearby gives the finest fishing village atmosphere on the northeast coast. Free beach.
������ HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary deserted beach of Porto Timoni near Afionas on the northwest coast is the finest hidden double-bay beach in Corfu, its remarkable position on a headland between two coves accessible only by a 30-minute walk from Afionas village giving the finest unspoilt beach in the Ionian islands. No facilities. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before north coast drive Early start for the Canal d'Amour. The sandstone channels in morning light are extraordinary. | Lunch: Fish taverna in Kassiopi harbour Outstanding fresh fish at the finest harbour village on the northeast coast. | Dinner: Restaurant in Corfu Town Outstanding Corfiot dinner after the extraordinary north coast day.
DAY 5
CORFU INTERIOR
MORNING
PELEKAS VILLAGE AND KAISER'S THRONE
Pelekas is the most extraordinary village in the Corfu interior, its remarkable hilltop position above the west coast giving the finest panoramic sunset view on the island from the famous Kaiser's Throne viewpoint used by Kaiser Wilhelm II. The extraordinary traditional village architecture and the remarkable views over both coasts make Pelekas the finest inland village in the Ionian islands. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
SINARADES AND THE FOLKLORE MUSEUM
Sinarades is the most extraordinary traditional village in Corfu, its remarkable Folklore Museum of Central Corfu giving the finest insight into traditional Corfiot domestic life with extraordinary collections of traditional costumes, tools and household items in a remarkable restored village house. The village itself is the finest authentic traditional settlement in Corfu. Museum entry approx 2 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
AGIOS GORDIOS AND FINAL BEACH
Agios Gordios is the most extraordinary beach village on the southwest coast of Corfu, its remarkable long sandy beach backed by extraordinary green hills and dramatic sea stacks giving the finest natural beach landscape in the Ionian islands. The extraordinary Corfu Trail passes through the village. The finest farewell afternoon in Corfu. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Corfu Trail, a 220km waymarked walking route crossing the entire island from south to north, passes through the finest hidden villages and olive groves in Corfu entirely unknown to beach tourists. Even a single day section from Agios Gordios to Pelekas gives the finest rural walking on the island. Free. Maps available from the Corfu Trail website.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Village kafeneion in Pelekas Outstanding traditional Greek coffee and pastries in the finest hilltop village in Corfu. | Lunch: Taverna in Sinarades Outstanding traditional Corfiot lunch in the finest authentic village restaurant on the island. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Corfu Old Town Outstanding final dinner in the extraordinary UNESCO old town. Corfiot specialities and Ionian wine.
Where To Stay
Corfu Old Town, Nights 1 to 4 Best base for the full island. Boutique hotels from 80 to 200 euros. Book ahead for July and August. Paleokastritsa, alternative For a beach-focused trip. Hotels from 70 to 150 euros. 30 minutes from the Old Town. Budget option Guesthouses in Corfu Town from 40 euros. The old town is walkable from anywhere nearby.
Top Tips
1. Corfu Old Town is extraordinary before 9am. The Venetian alleyways are completely empty at sunrise and fill with cruise day-trippers 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 blue.
3. Porto Timoni double bay near Afionas is the finest hidden beach in Corfu. The 30-minute walk from the village is essential , no other access.
4. The Achilleion gardens contain the finest neoclassical statuary in the Ionian islands. The south terrace view is the finest from any building in Corfu.
5. Canal d'Amour is best before 9am. The extraordinary sandstone channels are almost empty before the tour boats arrive from the north coast resorts.
6. Corfiot cuisine: order sofrito (veal in garlic sauce), pastitsada (spiced pasta), bourdeto (spiced fish stew) and local Corfu kumquat liqueur.
Total Budget
80 to 150 euros/day