8 Unmissable Things to Do on Corfu Island, Greece
Set in the Ionian Sea, the Greek island of Corfu blends Venetian façades, sapphire coves and a food scene that’s far heartier than you might expect. If you’ve only heard whispers of a pastel-coloured Old Town, of sunsets that turn cliff faces gold, consider this your friendly primer. We’ll start at street level, then work our way to viewpoints, beaches and flavours.
Whether you’re planning a first visit or returning to see what you missed, this blog post eases you in step by step. You’ll wander narrow lanes without getting lost in the hype, learn which villages feel like film sets (in the best way), and see how a palace, a fortress and a handful of coves can anchor an unforgettable few days.
And because where you sleep shapes what you see, we’ll also suggest some well-placed hotels, each with a distinct vibe, so you can pick a base that fits your pace. Ready to explore Corfu with confidence? Let’s begin with eight unmissable things to do in Corfu that capture the island at its most authentic.
1) Wander Corfu Old Town
Start where Corfu’s story is easiest to read: between the shutters and shortcuts of the Old Town. A UNESCO-listed maze of pastel façades and shady arcades, it rewards slow steps and curious turns rather than a box-tick dash.
Begin at the Spianada (Esplanade) and the Liston arcades, where cafés spill onto the pavement. Drift into Campiello, the oldest quarter, and let the lanes narrow to washing lines, tiny shrines and hand-painted nameplates. Pop into St Spyridon Church (shoulders covered), then re-emerge into pocket-sized squares where elderly locals trade news and small boys chase a football.
When you need a breather, take a table for a Greek coffee or a ginger beer (a Corfiot quirk), and watch the ritual unfold—slow service, slower conversations, and the sun sliding across wrought-iron balconies. If you’re here early or late, the light turns honeyed and the crowds thin: perfect for photos and people-watching.
A gentle loop (60–90 mins)
- Spianada ➜ Liston arcades ➜ St Spyridon Church ➜ Campiello backstreets ➜ old merchants’ houses ➜ viewpoint towards the sea.
- Add a deli stop for pastitsada or a scoop of kumquat gelato if energy dips.
2) Village-Hopping
Leave the coast behind and climb into the hills, where time moves at a neighbourly pace and views stretch from olive groves to open sea. Corfu’s villages reward dawdling: a coffee here, a viewpoint there, a chat with a shopkeeper who insists you try something sweet.
Where to go (and why)
- Pelekas – Warm, lived-in hill village with lanes that fold into each other. Walk up to Kaiser’s Throne for a widescreen panorama, especially lovely near sunset.
- Lakones – Balcony over Paleokastritsa. Expect flower-boxed houses, stone steps and classic “Bella Vista” lookouts.
- Sokraki – Mountain-cool and quietly traditional; tiny squares, painted shutters, and a proper kafeneio for Greek coffee and spoon sweets.
- Agios Stefanos (north-west) – Laid-back seaside village with a long sweep of sand nearby; perfect for a slow lunch after a morning of winding lanes.
- Afionas – Whitewashed corners and cobalt doors perched above the twin bays of Porto Timoni; go for golden hour when roofs glow and the sea turns glassy.
How to make a day of it
Start late morning in Pelekas (wander + viewpoint) → continue to Lakones for lunch-with-a-view → drift over to Sokraki for a mid-afternoon coffee in the shade → finish in Afionas for the sunset show. If you’d rather stay coastal, swap Sokraki for Agios Stefanos and tack on a beach stop.
3) The Achilleion Palace
Built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi), the Achilleion is Corfu’s most romantic detour: a neoclassical mansion where marble colonnades open onto terraces of mythic statues (Achilles poised in drama) and gardens that fall away to glittering Ionian views. Inside, salons and staircases whisper turn-of-the-century grandeur; outside, the air smells of pine and citrus, and every path seems to end in a viewpoint.
Tip: Go early to dodge coach crowds and heat, wear comfortable shoes for steps and polished floors, and round things off with a gentle wander through nearby Gastouri. (Note: as of September 2025, interiors are closed for restoration and only the gardens are open. Make sure to check the official site for hours.) Photo-wise, frame the statues against the sea for that timeless palace-meets-island shot.
4) Beach-Hopping
Corfu’s coastline is wonderfully varied, so mix a couple of coves with a broad, sandy sweep and you’ll see why the island wins over both swimmers and loungers.
- Paleokastritsa – Glass-clear water and easy boat hire for scooting to pocket beaches.
- Canal d’Amour – Sandstone passages and sculpted swim spots made for exploring at calm seas.
- Agios Georgios (NW) – A long, gentle arc of sand with space to exhale, even in summer.
- Porto Timoni – A short hillside trail to a twin-bay viewpoint and two teal lagoons below.
- La Grotta – Cliff-side platforms for dips and a post-swim drink with dramatic views.
Aim for early starts for parking and calmer water, pack water shoes for rocky entries, and stick to signed paths and swim zones. Cliff jumps look tempting, but safety first.
5) Eat Corfiot Classics
Corfu’s kitchen is hearty, garlicky and proudly local. It consists of slow-cooked sauces, seaside staples and citrus-bright finishes that pair beautifully with an unhurried lunch.
- Kritharoto – Orzo cooked like risotto, often with prawns or cuttlefish; savoury and comforting.
- Sofrito – Veal in a garlicky wine sauce; silky, with parsley and vinegar for lift.
- Pastitsada – Sunday special: beef or rooster in spiced tomato over thick pasta.
- Kumquat treats – From spoon sweets to liqueur on ice for a tart, sunny finish.
Seek out family-run tavernas, ask for the day’s specials, and share a spread with house wine or a local ginger beer. Portions are generous, the pace unhurried, and that’s exactly the point.
6) Climb the Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio)
Part citadel, part open-air lookout, the Old Fortress wraps Corfu Town in centuries of story: bastions and battlements, the Doric Church of St George (1840), a lighthouse and those sweeping views back over pastel roofs to the sea. Cross the causeway, wander the ramparts and let the harbour breeze do its thing—the panorama alone is worth the (modest) entry.
Tip: Go early or late for gentler light, bring water and a hat, and watch your footing on polished stone and uneven steps.
7) Sunset at Loggas Beach (Peroulades)
On the island’s far west, vertical cliffs meet a wide horizon and the sky does its nightly theatre. Whether you check the beach, if access is officially open or stay up on the marked viewpoints, Loggas is where time slows and colours linger, turning from gold to tangerine to deep blue.
Tip: Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset to settle in, keep clear of cliff edges, and follow signed paths, as erosion can change access after storms.
8) The View from Kanoni
For the postcard moment, head to Kanoni. From here you gaze down to the chalk-white monastery of Vlacherna, the emerald dot of Pontikonisi (Mouse Island) and, in the distance, the runway where planes sweep past like moving backdrops. It’s calm at first light and cinematic at golden hour; either way, it’s the Corfu scene you’ll remember.
Tip: Dress modestly if you pop into the monastery, and use the causeway viewpoints for photos, which are safe, spacious and perfectly framed.
Where to Stay in Corfu
Where you base yourself will shape your days as much as any sight. Corfu Town puts cafés, museums and the fortress on your doorstep, while the west coast leans into coves and sunset views. Kommeno brings polished, resort-style comforts, and the south feels slower and more spacious. To make choosing simple, here are four well-placed hotels, each with a distinct vibe and location, so you can match your stay to your plans.
Mon Repos Palace - Adults Only — A seafront, adult-only hotel in Corfu with an easy promenade stroll (about 1 km) into the Old Town. Expect a petite freshwater pool for cooling dips, sea-view rooms, and mellow live-music evenings that make a nightcap feel inevitable. Polished yet relaxed, it’s a walkable base for couples who want town access without the bustle right outside the door.
Akrotiri Beach Resort Hotel - Adult Friendly — Perched high on a peninsula above emerald coves, this adults-friendly hotel is all about views and water time: boat out to pocket beaches, swim off platforms, or wander to La Grotta for a cliff-side dip and a drink. Rooms come with wide balconies, and the vibe is low-key holiday, with sunset gazing, occasional live music, and easy access to Paleokastritsa’s best swims.
Corfu Imperial, A Grecotel Resort to Live — A luxe headland family-friendly resort with manicured grounds, coves of clear water and a polished, old-school feel. Families and couples get an array of facilities, such as multiple restaurants and pools, a kids’ club, water transfers between Grecotel resorts, and a complimentary shuttle into Corfu Town, so you can dip between hideaway calm and city buzz as you please.
Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu - Adults Only — Low-rise and grown-up, this adults-only retreat stretches along the shore beneath century-old olive trees, with suites that feel steps from the Ionian. Days drift between pools, the calm waterfront and design-led dining; evenings are for lingering on terraces as the water turns glassy. A serene south-coast base when you want style without scene.
Conclusion
From Old Town rambles and fortress views to west-coast sunsets and village cafés, Corfu rewards every kind of traveller. After exploring our 8 unmissable things to do on Corfu island, it’s time to think about where you’ll rest your head, so skip the guesswork and build a stay around what matters to you.
Explore Travelmyth and our 60 hotel categories, from beachfront and family-friendly to adults-only, boutique-style, spa, historic, infinity-pool and more, to locate a truly tailor-made accommodation in Corfu and beyond. Set your dates, tick your must-haves, compare on the map, and shortlist your favourites in minutes.
Don't forget to follow us on social media!
Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | LinkedIn | Pinterest
