How to Spend One Day in Corfu, Greece
If you only have one day in Corfu, you can still experience the best of the beautiful island without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
This one-day Corfu itinerary is designed specifically for travelers arriving from cruises, boat trips from Albania, or by private boat who want to make the most of their time on the island.
It includes activities that are easy to access from the port without transportation, plus recommendations for private tours that provide transportation for you if you want to venture further from the port.
While you can’t see everything with just one day in Corfu, your day trip can still be packed with fun activities, delicious food, and stunning landscapes.
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1-Day Corfu Itinerary
This itinerary stays close to the port to ensure you maximize your day trip to Corfu and reduce time spent traveling between activities.
For more itineraries to other parts of the island, visit my 5-Day Corfu Itinerary or book a private tour!
Morning
Arrive in Corfu
Get Breakfast in Corfu Town
Explore Corfu Town
Afternoon
Have Lunch
Visit the Achilleion Palace
Swim at Faliraki Beach
Evening
Dinner in Corfu Town or Nearby
Arrive in Corfu
If you’re only spending one day in Corfu, it’s likely because you’re arriving by boat! Whether you’re doing a day trip from Albania or stopping for the day on a cruise, Corfu is a lovely island to spend a day on.
This means you’re first steps on the island will be on the east side in Corfu Town.
Arrive in Corfu as early as possible to make the most of your day trip! Some cruises arrive by 7 a.m., while others arrive by 9 a.m. Because of the range of arrival times, I’ve left off specific times for each itinerary item.
Rent a Car (Optional)
As mentioned, Corfu Sunrise Car Rental has an office has the cruise terminal, so you don’t have to travel anywhere to pick up your car for the day! They offer one-day rentals, where you pick up in the morning and drop off in the evening.
Paleokastritsa is one of the most beautiful parts of the island, with tons of sandy beaches and crystal clear water. This is on the west side of the island, about 20km from Corfu Town, and driving a car is the fastest and easiest way to get there.
If you’re happy to walk around Corfu Town and maybe take a taxi or bus to other nearby areas, then you don’t need to rent a car for just one day in Corfu.
Rent Snorkeling Gear (Optional)
You may already have access to snorkeling gear from your cruise company, but if not, Ocean - Diving & Spearfishing is the spot to rent your gear for the day.
We’ve rented from them during our trips and will do so again on future trips! They have quality gear for affordable prices, and they’re happy to show you all the best snorkeling spots on a map!
Renting snorkeling gear isn’t necessary, especially if you only have one day in Corfu, but it’s fun to have for easy swimming (flippers) and to see all the fishies in the clear waters (goggles/snorkel).
Breakfast at Favella
Your first stop after arrival will be for a delicious breakfast at Favella No. 17 in the heart of Old Town Corfu. Favella is one of my favorite places for breakfast/brunch, with a wide variety of menu items and tons of teas!
Their giant stacks of sweet pancakes and large waffles covered in Nutella and fruit are the most eye-catching items on their menu. They also have healthier options like omelets, savory pancakes, and sandwiches.
The outdoor seating is in a lovely courtyard surrounded by beautiful old buildings and, depending on the time of year, bougainvillea climbing up the side of the restaurant’s facade.
Explore Old Town Corfu
You cannot visit Corfu without exploring its UNESCO World Heritage Site: Old Town Corfu.
This old town is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways winding between the old buildings, built by the Venetians, with forts around the perimeter to protect it.
Corfu doesn’t have your “typical” white and blue buildings like Santorini and Mykonos in the Cyclades. Many of their buildings are warm-toned, often mustard yellow, terra cotta, and a warm beige.
Old Town is on the coast, though there aren’t many beaches in this area. Spend some time in Old Corfu Town exploring the historic buildings, charming streets, and local shops!
Old Fortress
One of the main attractions in Old Corfu Town is the Old Fortress. Set on an outcropping of land that juts out from the coast and into the sea, the Old Fortress has a more than 180º view of the sea and Albania just across the way.
Corfu has been ruled by multiple countries over the years, starting as early as the 6th century AD. That influence can be seen throughout the Old Fortress as repairs and modifications have been made by each ruler over the centuries.
Fun fact: The fortress was featured in the James Bond movie from 1981, For Your Eyes Only!
Tickets are required for entry, which can be purchased ahead of time or at the entrance.
New Fortress
The New Fortress was built by a Venetian architect, but the British built the current buildings within the fortress. You can easily walk along the base of this fortress, as it is located right in Corfu Old Town.
Mitropolis Square
This is a large square, as far as open areas in Old Town Corfu go. It’s a lovely square surrounded by restaurants.
What makes it worth visiting is the large, terra cotta-colored church with off-white trim and a wide staircase leading up to it. There’s also a beautiful sun design in the center!
This church, originally built in 1577, was later rebuilt in the 18th century in the Baroque architectural style you see today. Inside are Holy Relics of Saint Theodora, as well as paintings and extravagant decor.
It’s an active Greek Orthodox church where locals go to worship — be respectful when visiting.
Local Shops
Old Corfu Town has small, local shops throughout the streets. There are definitely some tourist trap stores, but you can find local gems too.
Corfu is known for its olive trees, so look for shops with local olive oils, items made from Corfu olive wood, and olive oil soap!
There are also clothing shops with dresses, hats, and swimwear if you want an outfit or accessories to take home with you.
Museums
Despite being small, Old Corfu Town has almost a dozen museums! They range from history and art museums to philharmonic and banknote museums.
Visiting museums is one of my favorite ways to learn about the art and history of a place!
Not all the museums here are historically relevant to Corfu, but there’s an interesting variety to choose from.
A few notable museums in Corfu:
Museum of Asian Art: This collection of art is held in a grand former palace right at the edge of town. They display their collection of 15,000 pieces of art from China, Japan, and India among the palatial rooms.
Casa Parlante Museum: A unique display of animatronic figures within a 19th-century mansion can be found in this museum. The decorated mansion and figures tell the story of “everyday life of the island’s 19th-century nobility.”
Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank: In this museum, you’ll find 180 years of Greek money history, including paper banknotes and coins.
Museum of the Corfu Philharmonic Society: Those with an interest in music can view musical artifacts in this museum. You’ll find instruments, musical scores, and paintings on display.
Lunch at Sagrado or Diporto
There are many restaurants in Corfu Town, but because this is a more touristy area, some restaurants cater to tourists, which typically means higher prices and less-tasty food.
Check reviews before getting drawn into a restaurant! Some of the most poorly reviewed restaurants have employees outside trying to entice passersby.
Two of my favorite restaurants in Old Town Corfu are Diporto and Sagrado.
Diporto has a nice, airy indoor/outdoor seating area inside the tiny restaurant, and it feels like eating at someone’s home! It has authentic, traditional Greek dishes all made with love and is family-run.
Sagrado serves unique tapas at affordable prices in a charming alleyway shared with other restaurants, all with outdoor seating and string lights. The owner/servers are friendly, and the service is fast.
Achilleion Palace
Note: The interior of the palace has been closed to visitors since 2023 for restorations and is still closed as of 2025, with no re-opening date. You can still visit the gardens with a ticket.
The Achilleion Palace is a grand palace with gardens on a hilltop overlooking the gorgeous Ionian Sea. It’s not walkable from Corfu Town, so you will need to drive, take a taxi, or ride the bus.
While the palace is under construction, the gardens are still open for tours. There is a beautiful courtyard with Greek statues standing in front of each of the columns that hold up the awning.
Stroll through the gardens out to the edge for incredible views of the sea and Corfu!
Faliraki Bathing Beach
A day trip to Corfu isn’t complete without a dip in the sea, in my opinion! One of my favorite things to do in Corfu is swimming in the sea and enjoying the beaches. They’re just the best!
As mentioned earlier, Corfu Town does not have many beaches. In fact, there are really only a few areas with a shore at all. Many of the places locals cool down are swimming holes — sea access areas without beaches.
Faliraki Beach is the most popular spot in Corfu Town for swimming in and lounging by the sea. Though it is called a beach, it’s more like a promenade of bars with beach chairs and stone tile areas where you can put your towel and relax.
Sitting in a beach chair may require you to purchase something from the bar, but you can sit on the large stone tile areas without paying.
There are man-made steps with rails down into the sea for easy access, a wooden deck area, and beautiful views of the Old Fortress.
Dinner
End your day in Corfu with an authentic, delicious dinner in Corfu Town, Anemomilos, or Sgombu.
Corfu Town can get crowded, especially when a cruise ship docks! To escape the crowds and busy restaurants, drive or take a taxi to nearby Anemomilos just south of Corfu town.
Just be sure to leave plenty of time to arrive back at the port if you decide to have dinner away from Corfu Town!
Anemomilos is where we stayed during our second trip to Corfu, and we loved the area! It has a windmill with a nice swimming hole, which is another option for a dip in the sea instead of Faliraki Beach.
There’s a lovely local park that runs along the coast with tables and chairs for the restaurants across the small street. All of these restaurants are delicious and far less crowded than Corfu Town restaurants!
Mikri Garitsa is our favorite one, but we also love Mesogeios. These restaurants all have similar menus, serving authentic, family-cooked Corfu cuisine.
Another alternative to Corfu Town is Lucciola Garden in Sgombou. You can drive or take a taxi here to dine in their charming outdoor patio surrounded by trees and plants.
The fresh, homemade dishes served in a courtyard surrounded by nature make a meal at Lucciola Garden a calming and enjoyable experience.
Tips For Spending One Day in Corfu
Start early: Arrive in Corfu as early as you can to get a jump-start on your day! There’s a lot to see, and the sooner you arrive on the island, the more you can accomplish.
Plan your itinerary: With just one day, have your itinerary planned out to avoid spending time trying to decide what to do next. Stick to sights and activities near the port to maximize your time, or book a private tour.
Pack a day bag: With museums, beaches, restaurants, and more, you may need more than just the clothes you’re wearing. I recommend packing a swimsuit, a Turkish towel, and a change of clothes for your day trip. My anti-theft backpack is my go-to choice for a day trip bag.
Check opening days/times: Corfu, like many smaller Greek islands, has an off-season when many restaurants, shops, and tour operators close for winter. If you’re visiting between November and March/April, many things may be closed.
Budget time wisely: If you have to be back at the port by a certain time, get there well in advance — traffic can get bad in Corfu Town. It’s better to miss an activity than to miss your ship or boat departure.
Book a private tour: This itinerary skips the beaches since many of them are further from the port. If you want to visit the beaches or explore beyond Old Town Corfu, the best way to do that is by booking a private tour (see Private Tours section below).
How To Get Around Corfu in One Day
Corfu may be a tiny island, but it’s long and cannot be explored solely on foot. You will need some sort of transportation to get you between different towns on the island, if you want to explore further than just Corfu Town.
This specific itinerary focuses on Corfu Town and the nearby areas, reducing the need for a car, taxi, or public bus.
However, some of the best areas on the island, covered in my other Corfu guides, would require a mode of transportation other than walking to reach them.
If you want to travel around the island outside of Old Town Corfu, I recommend visiting my 5-Day Corfu Itinerary and following the itinerary from one of those days for your day trip!
Car Rental
The best way to explore Corfu, especially when you only have one day, is by car.
There are taxis and buses, but taking taxis everywhere would cost more than a rental car, and buses can cost precious time since they take much longer. A small, one-day car rental can range from 60–80€, depending on the type of car and season.
We always rent a car when visiting Corfu and enjoy the freedom of traveling the island on our own timeline. Corfu Sunrise Car Rental is one of the best car rental companies on the island.
If you are arriving at the cruise terminal/boat port, they have an office nearby, so you won’t need to walk far to pick up your car. If you’re arriving by plane, Sunrise Car Rental’s main office is at the airport.
Tip: I recommend exploring Corfu Town before picking up your car rental or after dropping it off, depending on when you plan to explore the town. That way, you don’t have to worry about finding parking in Corfu Town, which can be difficult.
Private Tours
Spending only one day in Corfu can make it difficult to see the best of the island in a short amount of time. Luckily, there are private tours that cater specifically to day trippers who are coming from the cruises.
These tours pick you up at the cruise terminal, drive you to all the activities on the itinerary, and then drop you off at the cruise terminal.
Most of them let you fully customize it to your preferences and time constraints!
Below are a few of the top-rated day trip and half-day trip tours:
Taxis
If you don’t rent a car, taxis are a good option for getting around. They can be expensive, especially if you’re taking multiple trips in one day or going longer distances.
In Corfu Town, there is a taxi stand where the taxis will line up waiting for customers. When you arrive, you’ll likely be directed or called to a specific taxi.
You can also book a taxi ahead of time through Corfu Exclusive Taxi Services. This company offers excursions, so you can book a driver for the day, for longer distances, or a specific tour.
Public Buses
Many tourists opt to take the public buses to get around the island. The buses take much longer than cars to get around and can be packed like sardines during the busier months.
We’ve seen packed full buses drive by bus stops with people waiting because there wasn’t room for any more people on the bus. This may not be the usual, but it’s something to note!
I’ve not personally taken any buses in Corfu, so I cannot give specific advice for using them as transportation on the island. I prefer renting a car to maximize my time in Corfu — waiting at bus stops and taking long routes with multiple stops isn’t ideal.
If you are set on taking the bus during your day trip to Corfu, you can look at the bus timetables for the Corfu City buses.
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