Corfu is the Ionian anchor: a UNESCO-listed old town built by Venetians, not whitewashed cubes. It suits travelers who want architecture and food alongside beaches, and it works as a first or last stop since flights land here directly.
- Main port
- Corfu New Port
- Recommended nights
- 3–4
- Best time to visit
- May, Jun, Sep, Oct
- Wind & disruption risk
- Low
Known for
- Old Fortress
- Paleokastritsa
- Achilleion Palace
- Kanoni and Vlacherna
- Liston arcades
Getting there
Corfu New Port sits about 2 km from the old town, an easy taxi or walk once you are clear of the terminal. The island has its own airport with direct flights from the UK and elsewhere in Europe, so it does not depend on the Athens connection the way most Ionian islands do. Drivers arriving overland cross from Igoumenitsa on the mainland, a short and frequent ferry hop rather than a long sail.
When to go
The reliable window is May, June, September, and October, when the heat is manageable and the countryside is still green rather than scorched. July and August bring the most consistent sunshine and warmest sea, but also the most tourists and the highest prices in town. Spring here means real rain some years, so pack for both, and expect a lusher landscape than the Cyclades ever offers.
Where to stay
Corfu Town puts you inside the old fortress walls, arcaded streets, and the best restaurants, with beaches a short bus ride away. Paleokastritsa, on the west coast, trades that urban texture for cliffs, coves, and a slower pace, better suited to travelers who plan to rent a car. Both areas book up in August, so shoulder-season visitors have far more choice.
Good to know
A car opens up the west coast and the Achilleion area, though Corfu Town itself is fully walkable and best explored on foot. The old town wears its Venetian history openly, so expect narrow lanes, shuttered churches, and cricket pitches, a leftover from British rule, rather than cubic Cycladic architecture. Cash still helps in smaller tavernas and beach kiosks outside the main tourist strip, even where cards are accepted in town.
Related itineraries
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Athens to Corfu?
Corfu New Port sits about 2 km from the old town, an easy taxi or walk once you are clear of the terminal. The island has its own airport with direct flights from the UK and elsewhere in Europe, so it does not depend on the Athens connection the way most Ionian islands do. Drivers arriving overland cross from Igoumenitsa on the mainland, a short and frequent ferry hop rather than a long sail.
Recommended nights — Corfu?
Corfu earns 3 to 4 nights and works as a hub rather than a dead end, since it is the only Ionian island with a direct ferry to Paxos and the long run down to Kefalonia. Do not assume onward connections to Lefkada or Zakynthos exist without a mainland transfer.
When to go — Corfu?
The reliable window is May, June, September, and October, when the heat is manageable and the countryside is still green rather than scorched. July and August bring the most consistent sunshine and warmest sea, but also the most tourists and the highest prices in town. Spring here means real rain some years, so pack for both, and expect a lusher landscape than the Cyclades ever offers.
Times, prices and frequencies are indicative and change by season and operator. Always confirm the live timetable before you book.