The best things to do in Corfu, Greece

The majestic Corfu is a welcoming island destination, often admired for its breathtaking shoreline and rocky mountain ranges. A historical gem, it also offers visitors the chance to explore its fascinating mythological past, as well as its more recent military history.

If you are on your way there this year, there are many splendid activities to keep you busy during the trip. Our Corfu travel guide is here to tell you all about the best things to do in the region. After you and your travel companions have booked your flights to Corfu, you can all sit back, relax and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime - our team will take care of the rest.

What to do in Corfu

Corfu is a Greek Island that offers an incredibly diverse range of activities for you and your fellow travellers to choose from. From indulging in the local wine and traditional cuisine to horse riding experiences and guided tours, you will not have to look very far to find something interesting. Expect inviting weather most of the year, coupled with long days spent on the most exquisite beaches.

Things to do in Corfu for kids

While children are often happy enough splashing about in your villa's pool, building sandcastles on the beach or paddling in the sea, on occasion you might prefer to plan something a little more adventurous to stimulate their curiosity. Fortunately, there are lots of activities on Corfu that children of all ages will love. Here are a few of our favourites.

If one catches your eye, please contact us - we would love to arrange a day trip out for you and your family.

Corfu water sports

Avlaki Beach is also one of the loveliest, situated on the north of the island. Its crystal clear, generally calm waters make it an excellent spot not only for a swim but also for learning to windsurf or sail a dinghy. A local school offers courses for all skill levels - so if you have any children aged 11 or older who would like to learn something new, this is the place.

Acqualand: The best waterpark in Corfu

If swishing down slides and through water tubes and general splashing around in the pool is considered the best of times for your kids, they’ll definitely appreciate a day out at Aqualand in Agios Ioannis, located due west of Corfu Town.

Corfu boat trips

Renting a little boat on Corfu is very easy to do. Children love setting off for the day to discover the bays and coast of Corfu with their parents at the helm. Doing so offers plenty of opportunities for swimming, as well as access to a variety of seafront tavernas that are perfect for a light lunch. It is worth organising a dinner from your in-villa cook for after you return home, as everyone is likely to be a bit tired after a long day of sunshine and sea foam.

Corfu yacht and boat charters

Exploring Corfu’s castles

Corfu's long history and strategic position has made it an easy target for invasion and fortification. As a result, there are numerous castles scattered around the island. Two of the most interesting ones are the Old and New Fortresses that dominate the harbours in Corfu Town. The former dates back to the Byzantine period and was significantly upgraded by the Venetians between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries. Kassiopi Castle, also built by the Byzantines, is well worth a visit, especially for the younger members of your group.

Spotting the Corfu marine life

To see the sea from a different vantage point, your children might like a trip on the Kalypso Star, a glass-bottomed boat that leaves Corfu Town harbour several times a day.

Thanks to the help of on-board divers working to attract fish and other marine life, you'll be able to get up close and personal with the Ionian Sea's diverse habitat. There may even be a special sea lion surprise at the end.

Vidos island

An easy 10-minute boat trip from Corfu Town allows you to explore the tiny unspoilt island of Vidos. Here, you and your children can spend a half or full day walking around, feeding the free-roaming rabbits, marvelling at the peacocks, swimming at the beach and tucking into a good lunch at a nearby taverna.

Corfu activities and attractions

After a few days spent on the beach, or lounging by the pool at one of our Corfu villas, you might be ready to get out and about to discover the island’s many other attractions. From charming villages to towering castles and unique museums, there’s plenty to see and do. Here are our top suggestions for a truly unique Corfu experience.

Angelokastro

If you or any of your family are fans of castles with tremendous views, we recommend a trip to Angelokastro, an impregnable fortress perched over 300m above sea level on Corfu’s northwest coast. Thought to date back to the thirteenth century, Angelokastro has never been taken by invaders and was once one of the island's most important defensive structures. For around 100 years, it was the capital of Corfu and the seat of the Ionian Islands’ Venetian governors. The panoramic, 360-degree views from the top are splendid and perfect for taking in vast swathes of Corfu and its surrounding seas.

Kalami Bay

Along with its lovely beach and laid-back atmosphere, Kalami Bay is where you will find the White House, the one-time seafront residence of Lawrence Durrell. Now a popular restaurant and bar, the White House is a lovely spot in which to relax with a cool drink and a book — perhaps even Prospero’s Cell, which Lawrence wrote while living there. James Bond fans might also be interested to know that Kalami Bay was one of the locations used in For Your Eyes Only.

Paleokastritsa Monastery

Situated just a few kilometres south of Angelokastro, the Paleokastritsa Monastery hosts spectacular views. While it was founded at the beginning of the thirteenth century, most of what you see today dates back to the mid-eighteenth century. Visitors are welcome to look around certain areas and spend a bit of time in the ecclesiastical museum, which houses some beautiful art and other religious artefacts. It is best visited in the early morning or late afternoon.

Kassiopi

Sitting in an idyllic position wrapped around a bay on the northeast coast of Corfu, Kassiopi offers something for everyone. It is particularly popular in the summer thanks to its revered selection of shops, its seafront tavernas and bars, its buzzing nightlife scene, some delightful beaches and the ruins of a Byzantine fortress overlooking the town.

Achilleion Palace

A summer residence fit for an Austrian Empress and a German Kaiser, the Achilleion Palace has a fascinating and diverse history and is well worth a visit while you’re in Corfu. Designed by the Italian architect Raffaele Caritto for Sisi, the wife of Emperor Franz Josef of Austria, the palace is an homage to Achilles and is filled to the brim with tributes to the great Greek hero. The well tended gardens cover nearly 50 acres and offer beautiful views over southern Corfu and the island’s capital city.

Inland Corfu

A trip or two into Corfu’s interior will give you insight into island life that you won’t get on the coast. Expect dozens of characterful, agricultural villages that remain virtually untouched by tourism. Each offers a mix of views, tranquillity, homely tavernas and gentle charm. A few of our favourites are:

• Agios Matheo - About 5km north of Lake Korission in the southwest

• Pelekas and Vatos - About 10km west of Corfu Town)

• Ano Korakiana and Skripero - About 15km northwest of Corfu Town

• Strinilas - On the northwestern flanks of Mount Pantokrator

• Lakones and Liapades - Just inland from Paleokastritsa in the northwest

Corfu boat hire and yacht charters

Hiring a boat or chartering a yacht is the perfect way to get the most out of your Corfu experience. Here are some options for you to consider while planning your upcoming holiday.

Boats from Corfu to Paxos

The journey from Corfu to Paxos takes between 1 hour and 1 hour 15 minutes. On this trip, you will be shown the main sights of the picturesque island of Paxos, before heading to its tiny sister Antipaxos, where there will be plenty of time to stop for a swim in the transparent waters of its coastline. Do not be shy about asking us to tailor the trip to suit your preferences, whether it be a longer lunch in one of Paxos’ idyllic seafront tavernas or just carving out more time to take a relaxing swim in the azure sea. We are here to make sure your experience is bespoke and beautiful - just like a holiday to Corfu should be.

Erikoussa and Mathraki

These two pocket-sized islands are situated off the northwest coast of Corfu and are notoriously difficult to reach from Kassiopi by other means other than boat. Your skipper will take you along the beautiful north coast of Corfu before crossing over to the islands, where you can spend the day swimming, exploring coves, admiring the islands’ rich flora and fauna, relaxing on their sandy beaches and, of course, stopping for lunch at one of the friendly tavernas.

Boat trips through Corfu’s northwest coast and Agios Georgios

On this trip, you will discover the north coast of Corfu, stopping at the famous Canal d’Amour near Sidari for a leisurely swim, before continuing around the northwest side of the island to Agios Georgios. Here, you will see a side to Corfu that few tourists get to experience. The rugged scenery of the long, sweeping bay is markedly different to the rest of the region, and you can stop for lunch at a hidden tavern (which serves mainly fish and seafood dishes) that is largely inaccessible other than by sea.

Corfu to mainland Greece

Sagiada is a quaint fishing village on the mainland, directly opposite Corfu Town. The village is famed throughout the local area for its fresh and reasonably priced fish and seafood and is a short, 45-minute boat trip away from Corfu. The itinerary for this trip can be entirely tailored to your wishes, especially if you want more time to stop off for swims in the crystalline waters. Please let a member of our team know how we can alter this boat trip to match your every desire.

Boukari

Boukari is a hidden gem on the southeast coast of Corfu, highly appreciated by the locals for its delicious, fresh and cheap fish and seafood. On the way there, you can stop off at the Palace of Mon Repos (birthplace of the Duke of Edinburgh) and the famous Mouse Island. This tiny island, which is home to the thirteenth-century monastery of Pantokrator, got its name from the white stone staircase of the monastery, which - from a distance - resembles a giant mouse tail laid across the island.

Boat from Kassiopi to Corfu Town

This trip is the perfect way to zip across to Corfu Town for shopping, an aperitif or dinner in the late afternoon and evening. The experience sets off from Kassiopi at around 5pm, arriving at Corfu Town just 30 minutes later. The boat moors at the Old Port, which is the ideal spot to walk into the Old Town and esplanade, an elegant promenade that features bars, cafés, restaurants and boutiques.

Corfu yacht and boat charters

Guided tours of Albania

The Channel of Corfu, which separates the island from Albania, is just 2km wide at its narrowest point. Such proximity makes it eminently feasible for anyone staying on Corfu to visit one of southern Albania's most artistic, archaeological and natural wonders.

Butrint National Park and archaeological site

Situated directly across the water from northern Corfu — and clearly visible from many of our villas — are the green hills and mountains of Butrint National Park. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprises almost 55km² of richly bio-diverse countryside, a freshwater lake, coastal wetlands and the remarkable archaeological site of ancient Bouthroton. This latter, situated on a hill above the Vivari Channel linking the lake to the sea, has a remarkable history that dates back to at least the eighth century BC.

A guided tour of the area offers the opportunity to admire a well-preserved Greek theatre and remains of the sanctuary of Asclepius, the walls, the Roman baths, the sixth-century Paleo-Christian baptistery (with some wonderful mosaic floors) and basilica, a Venetian fortress and much more. Tours depart at 9am from Corfu New Port and it takes roughly one hour to reach the Port of Saranda. The experience involves a lot of walking, so you will need shoes, a hat, sun block and water during the hotter months.

Erimitis Nature Reserve ride

This ride is aimed at beginners and takes place entirely at walking pace. You will explore the tracks and trails of the Erimites Nature Reserve, which is well known for its beauty and rich variety of flora and fauna. The gentle pace allows ample opportunity for admiring the stunning sea views.

Enjoy a ride down to a secluded beach that affords the perfect setting for a few holiday snaps. Safety is paramount on this excursion: the ride is fully supervised at all times, avoids all roads and younger children and nervous riders will be escorted. The excursion lasts about 70 minutes and runs daily.

Island hopping from Corfu

Should you wish to do a little island hopping while staying on Corfu, a short hydrofoil ride or boat trip will take you to petite Paxos and its unspoilt pocket-sized sister, Antipaxos.

Corfu to Paxos

There are multiple ways to hop from Corfu to Paxos. The Flying Dolphin company operates a hydrofoil service, the Iliad, which transports foot passengers from Corfu New Port to Gaios, the main harbour on Paxos. The journey should only take about an hour.

The Despina fast boat foot passenger service runs between the two islands as well, and takes around 90 minutes. Alternatively, if you would like to arrive in style and travel according to your own timetable, you could take a private sea taxi. This is a good option for groups of up to eight people travelling together, but needs to be booked well in advance. Please reach out if you would like us to sort out your excursion from Corfu to Paxos for you.

Corfu to Antipaxos boat trip

The key to getting to Antipaxos is to travel to Paxos first via one of the ways we mentioned above. From there, you can take one of the sea taxis (which runs frequently during peak tourist season), departing from Gaios port on Paxos and arriving at Antipaxos just 15 minutes later. It is a good idea to double check when the last boat(s) back to Paxos and Corfu are, so you don’t end up getting stuck on one of the islands and missing out on a night in your gorgeous villa.

Corfu water sports

Corfu's transparent, calm and warm waters lend themselves to water sports of all kinds. The island is blessed with a lot of options to choose from. The following are our favourites on the northwest coast, and are all within easy reach of our villas.

Corfu sailing, windsurfing and power boat courses

The Corfu Sailing Centre has offered a variety of three-day sailing and windsurfing courses in English on beautiful Avlaki Bay for many years. The Corfu Sea School, based in and operating out of Corfu Marina in Gouvia, offers courses in sailing and powerboat driving. A two- or three-day course from the latter will allow you to get your RYA Level two certificate, meaning you will be able to rent and take a powerboat out to sea on your own should you wish.

Scuba diving in Corfu

Waterhoppers is based in Ipsos, although they coordinate dives from Krouzeri Beach, just South from Agni. Their team provides open water scuba diving certifications through in-person courses that last between three to five days. They also offer junior open water certificates. Once you are qualified, we recommend participating in their 45-minute dives to experience the best of what the island’s marine life has to offer.

Waterskiing in Corfu

SAKIS Watersports, based in Kalami, has been operating for many years and is well-known for their quality tuition in waterskiing and wakeboarding. They also offer a range of fun rides that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. We are happy to tell you about their packages before you arrive and facilitate bookings, as they are essential during some of the busier months on the island.

Experience all Corfu has to offer

There is more than enough to do on the island no matter whether you’re just enjoying a short break or are planning to stay for a couple of weeks. Our collection of villas on Corfu - including the brand new Barbanichos - offer the opportunity for a truly unique stay just a stone’s throw away from some of the best activities in the area.

Find out more about how to elevate your trip with our unique Think Experiences by getting in touch. We would love to help you create the holiday of your dreams, from offering ideas to booking excursions.