Corfu is the greenest island in Greece. Centuries of Venetian rule left behind not only a UNESCO-listed old town of extraordinary beauty, but an agricultural legacy of four million olive trees that cover the island's hills in a permanent silver-green haze. Combined with a coastline of dramatic variety and a cuisine that reflects its complex history, Corfu is one of the most rewarding destinations in Greece.

The Island

Corfu (Kerkyra) sits in the Ionian Sea off the northwest coast of Greece, close to Albania and just 60 kilometres from the Italian coast. It is the second largest Ionian island and the most visited — but large enough that its quieter corners remain genuinely peaceful.

Corfu Town (Kerkyra) is the island's heart and its greatest treasure — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Venetian palaces, French arcades, British cricket pitches and Byzantine churches, all compressed into a small peninsula between two Venetian fortresses. It is one of the finest towns in Greece.

Sights and Attractions

The Old Fortress and New Fortress bookend the old town and offer fine views across the Ionian. The Liston — a French-built arcade modelled on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris — is the social heart of the town. The Church of St Spyridon, housing the island's patron saint, is the most visited religious site. Achilleion Palace, built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, is kitsch and fascinating in equal measure. The Corfu Trail — a 220km walking route across the island — is one of the finest long-distance walks in Greece.

Beaches

Corfu's beaches range from the famous to the secret. Paleokastritsa in the northwest — a series of coves beneath a monastery-topped headland — is the island's most celebrated. Glyfada is the best sandy beach on the west coast. Agios Gordios is dramatic and less crowded. Canal d'Amour near Sidari has extraordinary rock formations. In the north, Kassiopi and Kalami (where Lawrence Durrell lived and wrote) are quieter and more characterful.

Food and Drink

Corfu's cuisine reflects its Venetian heritage more than any other Greek island. Sofrito (veal in white wine and garlic), pastitsada (spiced meat stew), bourdeto (spicy fish stew) and mandolato (nougat) are the island's signatures. The local ginger beer — a legacy of British rule — is unique in Greece. Etrusco near Kato Korakiana is one of the finest restaurants in the Ionian. The tavernas of Kalami and Agni Bay are outstanding for fresh fish.

Weather

The Ionian is the wettest part of Greece — which explains the extraordinary greenness. Summers are hot and sunny (July–August peak at 30–32°C) with very little rain. Spring is beautiful — lush, warm and uncrowded. The sea is swimmable from May through October.

How to Get There

Corfu has its own international airport with direct flights from the UK and most European cities — one of the most connected airports in Greece. By ferry from Igoumenitsa on the mainland (1.5 hours) or from Patras (7 hours). There are also connections to Italy (Brindisi, Bari, Venice).

Best For

Corfu suits families who want variety and good infrastructure, couples who want beauty and culture in equal measure, history lovers drawn to the old town, walkers who want to explore the interior, and first-time visitors to the Ionian who want a comprehensive introduction to what the western islands do best.

---

Thinking about Corfu? Talk to us — we can combine it with Paxos, Lefkada or a sailing itinerary through the Ionian for a holiday of extraordinary variety.