17 Best Things To Do in Corfu, Greece
Published Jan. 2024 | Updated Feb. 2026
Find the best things to do in Corfu based on my trips to the island, ranging from relaxing beach days to adventurous hikes and boat tours.
Whether you’re visiting Corfu for one day or a full week, it’s easy to pack your days with fun activities and beautiful beaches.
Corfu is best explored by rental car, which makes it a breeze to explore all the various regions of the island.
We were able to see and do almost everything during our first 10-day trip, even visiting a few areas multiple times. On a second trip, we spent five days in Corfu visiting our favorite spots and exploring new areas.
I’ve compiled all of our favorite activities from our trips into this list of the best things to do in Corfu for you!
Like most Greek islands, Corfu's activities are exceedingly seasonal. Many places shut down in the off-season (typically November through March). Many of the best things to do in Corfu are only open or available during the high season.
Corfu also has a wet, tropical climate and gets more rain than most other Greek islands. You can expect summers to be hot and rain-free, but spring, fall, and especially winter will likely have manyrainy days.
No matter which activities you do during your trip, you will have an incredible time because you’ll be in Corfu, one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Best Things To Do in Corfu
I discovered new things to do in Corfu each day I spent there on my two trips, and I’ve explored most of the island at this point. With more than two weeks spent in Corfu, it’s my favorite place to visit for rich history, stunning beaches, and incredible food.
Walk Around Corfu Old Town
Corfu Old Town is also known as just “Corfu Town” or “the city of Corfu.” You will also often see it called Kerkyra, which is the Greek spelling of Corfu.
There are tons of things to do in Corfu Old Town! The streets are like a maze, and it’s not difficult to get lost as you wander around. It’s an ideal area to stay, especially for first-time visitors, since it’s central to many activities, close to the airport, and enjoyable to explore.
Corfu Old Town was built by the Venetians, with many similarities to Venice, Italy, like warm-colored buildings and cobblestone streets.
Walk to the main area of town where most of the shops and restaurants are, bustling with both locals and tourists out shopping or enjoying lunch. The more touristy souvenir shops can be found near the coast, close to the cruise ship port.
Recommended: Take a guided walking tour of Corfu Town or listen to live Jazz music at a secret spot in the Old Fortress!
Tour the Fortresses of Corfu
Two of the main things to do in Corfu Old Town are to tour the Old Fortress and the New Fortress, both Venetian fortresses.
Old Fortress of Corfu: Construction on the site of the Old Fortress was believed to have started as early as the 6th century AD.
It now houses the Public Library of Corfu in the British barracks, but you can also get tickets to visit the fortress itself. This fortress juts out into the sea, with sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea and Corfu’s coastline.
New Fortress of Corfu: The New Fortress was built by a Venetian architect, but the British built the current buildings within the fortress walls. You can walk along the exterior of this fortress, as it is located right in Corfu Old Town.
Relax on the Beaches
Corfu has some of the best beaches, and spending my days on them is one of my favorite things to do in Corfu! There are dozens of beaches around the island, some sandy and some rocky, all with crystal clear turquoise waters.
The west side has more sandy beaches than the east side, though they tend to be more crowded. Most beaches I’ve been to in Corfu have been ideal for lounging in the sunshine and swimming in the sea.
Tip: Bring water shoes! Many beaches are rocky and painful to walk on barefoot. There are also some sea urchins in the shallows on many of the beaches.
A few of the best beaches in Corfu:
Rovinia Beach in Liapades
Agios Spiridon Beach in Paleokastritsa
Porto Timoni in Afionas
Sail on a Pirate Ship
A pirate ship called the Black Rose sails along the coast of Corfu Town every two hours from 10am to 8pm with a costume-adorned crew, black sails, and a Jolly Roger flag.
If you’re looking for a unique thing to do in Corfu, this is it. You get to see all the sights along Corfu’s east coast, including the Old Venetian Fortress, the Vlacherna Monastery, and Mouse Island.
The tour is an hour and fifteen minutes long and is suitable for all ages. Kids are even given pirate hats and swords to play with (I’m sure adults could get them too if they asked).
Choose from a day cruise, sunset cruise, or special Saturday evening 3-hour party cruise with a DJ. No matter which one you choose, you’re sure to have a swashbuckling time (had to get some pirate lingo in there!).
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Swim Next to the Anemomilos Windmill
The Anemomilos Windmill is the only standing windmill in Corfu. The original windmill fell into disrepair, and the one you see today is a rebuilt replica of it.
It sits at the end of a long stretch of road along the water with a concrete pier that juts off to the side, where you can sit and enjoy the sunshine.
A few areas along the pier have steps leading into the water for swimmers. On a hot summer day, a dip in the sea is one of the best things to do in Corfu — it was very much needed the first time we went.
If you time your visit right, the Black Rose Pirate Ship will sail right past the windmill while you swim in the sea. We timed it right by accident, and it was a fun surprise to see the pirate ship pass by.
Tip: After visiting the windmill, head to lunch or dinner in town. We’ve stayed in Anemomilos at a lovely apartment with views of the windmill from the deck and enjoyed spending time in this peaceful, local area.
Explore the Achilleion Palace
Note: The palace has been closed to visitors since 2023 for restorations and is still closed as of 2026 with no re-opening date. You can still visit the gardens, but you must purchase a ticket.
The Achilleion Palace is a grand palace with gardens on a hilltop overlooking the gorgeous Ionian Sea.
When it’s fully open, you can walk through the palace where Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Kaiser William II of Germany once lived. The interior has beautiful, intricate designs throughout the walls, ceiling, and floors, along with grand statues and furniture.
A beautiful courtyard boasts Greek statues in front of each column that hold up the awning. Stroll through the gardens out to the perimeter for incredible views of the sea and Corfu.
If you drive here, park in the large parking lot at the bottom and walk up the staircase to the palace. At the top of the stairs, you’ll find the ticket booth where you can purchase your entry tickets.
Shop For Gifts at Tsami Ceramics
Near the Achilleion Palace is a small pottery shop with lovely handmade pottery. I bought a couple of small cups on my first trip and successfully brought them home to California in one piece.
This is a perfect spot to get local souvenirs and gifts that your friends and family will actually use and love. There is also a small studio in the back where you can watch the artist at work.
I love looking at local pottery shops on my trips, and finding this gem was so fun. If you’re visiting the Achilleion Palace, this ceramics shop/studio is within walking distance and worth a stop.
Go Snorkeling
Corfu has wonderful snorkeling spots all around the island, and it is one of the best things to do in Corfu if you enjoy looking at all the fish underwater. I recommend renting some snorkeling gear at the beginning of your trip and taking it with you to all the beaches you visit.
We rented from Ocean - Diving & Spearfishing Shop in Corfu Town and received excellent service, in-depth advice about snorkeling spots and boat rentals, as well as quality snorkel gear.
Some of the top beaches recommended by the shop owner for the best snorkeling in Corfu:
Erimitus Beach
Arillas Beach
Porto Timoni Beach
Paleokastritsa Beach
Ermones Beach
Panorama
Prasoudi
The stretch between Chalikounas Beach and Issos Beach
If you’re not comfortable going snorkeling on your own, consider booking a boat tour that includes snorkeling.
Rent a Boat in Nisaki
Renting a boat is one of the top things to do in Corfu! You can rent a boat without a boating license and drive it yourself in Corfu. This, of course, comes with risks, and I don’t recommend it if you’re not comfortable with driving a boat.
If you prefer having an experienced boat captain to take you around the coast, consider booking a private boat tour!
The best place to rent a boat in Corfu is Nissaki Rent a Boat (Danny’s Boats). Danny has reliable boats and really takes the time to explain everything to you before you head out for the day. He came highly recommended by the owner at Ocean when we were renting our snorkel gear.
There are different types of boats to choose from, though we arrived in the afternoon and only the largest boat was available. It was more expensive, but we loved having a bigger boat!
It is recommended to book online in advance to ensure there will be a boat available.
The earlier in the morning, the better, as you’re more likely to have calm seas and no wind.
Don’t have a car and staying in Corfu Town? You can rent a boat through Corfu Surf Club to explore the east coast, starting in Corfu Town. Their boat rentals also include snorkeling gear!
Note: Nissaki Rent A Boat only serves the northeast area of Corfu. If you want to explore the northwest area, you’ll need to rent a boat on that side of the island.
Visit the Vlacherna Monastery
At the end of a narrow pier, with a small island in the background, you’ll find Vlacherna Monastery. It’s a picturesque, tiny white building that stands out against the blue sea surrounding it.
Vlacherna Monastery, also known as the Holy Monastery of Vlacherna, was built in the 17th century. It’s located right next to Corfu Airport, and depending on the time of day you visit, planes can be seen landing and taking off.
Along the pier to the monastery, you can rent a boat to visit the small island, known as Mouse Island or Pontikonisi, just behind the monastery.
Mouse Island houses the Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior. It’s incredibly famous, believed to be the island where Poseidon turns the Phaiákian Cutter to stone in The Odyssey.
Recommended: Take a sunset cruise around Corfu and Mouse Island (Pontikonisi) with drinks and snacks.
Get Coffee at Coffee Lovers
Our favorite coffee place in Corfu is Coffee Lovers. It is run by two cousins, Maria and Fiorella, who serve delicious coffee, tea, cakes, and meals in Barbati.
We’ve been to Coffee Lovers about a dozen times during our trips to Corfu to get brunch, end an evening with some tea, or just to grab dessert. Their food is incredible and reminiscent of classic Californian brunch dishes.
They’re located in Barbati, not far from the beach. If you’re in the area, stop in for a coffee or a treat — they make delicious baked goods each day.
Eat at the Best Restaurants
The restaurants in Corfu are some of the best I have ever experienced. The food is fresh, affordable, and incredibly high quality.
While most places have traditional Greek food, many restaurants have a mix of Greek and Italian dishes thanks to the Venetian influence throughout the entire island.
I didn’t expect eating to top my list of favorite things to do in Corfu, but the food is just that good!
A few of the best restaurants in Corfu:
Sagrado in Corfu Town
Castello in Dassia
Terra Corfiata in Nisaki
Lucciola Garden in Sgombou Area (inland from Dassia)
Flavor in Paleokastritsa
Tip: The best restaurants are in the least touristy areas. Some of our favorite restaurants are in Dassia, a quieter area of the island that isn’t as frequented by tourists. It’s also my favorite area to stay in Corfu!
Jump Off a Diving Board Into the Sea
At La Grotta Beach Bar, you can get a drink with sea views, sunbathe on the rocks, and jump off a diving board into the sea. Visiting La Grotta is one of the most popular things to do in Corfu, and it can get crowded.
We arrived around 10am on our first visit, and it started getting busy until around 11am. When we visited again on a subsequent trip, it was early morning before the bar opened, raining, and completely empty.
The beach bar at the top has plenty of seating overlooking the gorgeous sea and rocks that surround the area. Lounge chairs with umbrellas are also available if you just want to relax at the top and take in the views.
If you head down the stairs to sea level, there are rocks to sit on, a diving board that launches you directly into the sea, an outdoor shower, and a dock with water taxis (though it was not there when we visited during stormy weather in September).
The water is clear and warm on a hot day, which makes it easy to spend hours here! Bring a Turkish towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a full water bottle, and a hat or sunglasses, and you’ll be set for the day.
Hike to Porto Timoni
One of the more strenuous hikes in Corfu, with an incredible payoff, is to Porto Timoni. Although hiking might not be at the top of your “things to do in Corfu” list, this one ends with gorgeous dual bays that make the tough hike worth it.
On a hot day, get out to do the hike as early as possible, ideally before 9am, and earlier if you plan to spend more than an hour or two at the beaches.
The hike can be steep in some areas and narrow with drop-offs in others. I wouldn’t recommend it if you have young kids with you or if you are not able-bodied, though we did see many people trudging down with their kids and beach gear.
Wear closed-toed shoes that have some tread, like my favorite trail shoes, which will make this hike much easier.
Once you get to the bottom, you can go left for Porto Timoni or right to Pirate Beach. The Porto Timoni side is more teal-colored, while Pirate Beach is more aqua. Both beaches are lovely, and Porto Timoni has some decent snorkeling.
Tip: If you don’t want to hike down, take a water taxi from Agios Georgios Pagon directly to Porto Timoni.
Tour an Olive Grove
The Governor’s Olive Mill produces some of the finest olive oil in the world. It has won many awards and has even been used in clinical studies examining the positive health effects of olive oil with a high polyphenol content.
They offer two tours: a shorter tour (90 minutes) or a longer one (210 minutes). We chose the shorter one, but would have loved to do the longer one, which includes transportation to the mill if booked through Viator.
On the Governor’s Mill tour, we learned about how olives were harvested throughout history, toured the inside of the production area, and, of course, got to try their different olive oils while learning how to correctly taste and buy quality olive oil.
Want to try the Governor’s Olive Oil without traveling to the mill? They also offer olive oil tastings in Corfu Town!
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Take in the Views at Cape Drastis
One of the most stunning views in Corfu is Cape Drastis in the northwest. It’s one of the few things to do in Corfu that didn’t make it on our itinerary on either trip, but is top of the list for future visits.
Cape Drastis has become famous for its unusually shaped white, sand-like cliffs that offer dramatic views from above. The beaches are not accessible on foot and are only accessible by boat when sea conditions are calm enough.
You can rent a boat in Sidari to explore Cape Drastis, Canal d’Amour, and Mermaid Island.
Photo by Ákos Sánta on Unsplash
Swim Through Canal d’Amour
Another popular spot near Cape Drastis in Sidari is Canal d’Amour. This canal has a tiny beach that is often packed with people, and a long canal you can swim through to reach the open sea.
Swimming through the canal is one of the more popular things to do in Corfu, especially for couples. The legend of this canal varies, but it’s always along the lines that couples who swim through the canal will be in love forever or will be married soon if they are not already.
The water is warm, yet refreshing, making it easy to hop right in. On the right of the canal, there’s a neat cave called Dionysus Cave that you can swim or wade through.
Tip: If the canal is a bit too busy when you go, try the beach between Canal d’Amour and D’Amour Beach. It was less crowded, and there’s a rock you can swim out to and climb on.
Take a Day Trip to Albania
Corfu is incredibly close to the west coast of Albania. So close, that we were told in no uncertain terms when renting the boat that we could not take it too far away from Corfu’s coast, or we would be in Albanian waters.
Bottom line, it’s really easy to take a day trip to Albania from Corfu! There are a few ferries that operate services from Corfu to Albania and back. The fastest ferry is just a 30-minute trip from coast to coast, and the longest is an hour and 10 minutes.
Although there are so many things to do in Corfu, if you want to explore another country during your trip, it’s just a short ferry ride to reach Albania.
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