Best Things to Do on Corfu
The best things to do on Corfu include visiting Paleokastritsa, a day trip to Albania, seeing the Achilleion Palace and Corfu Town's Old Fort, and also the Archaeological, Byzantine and Asian Art Museums in Corfu Town. A walk around the Old Town of Corfu Town is another must, including a visit to the church of Ayios Spiridon, the island's patron saint.
To the south of Corfu Town is the beautiful view from Kanoni, and the villa of Mon Repos which now houses the Museum of Palaiopolis. In the north of the island is its highest point, Mount Pantokrator, and the drive up here is another of the best things to do on Corfu.
So here's our list of suggestions in alphabetical order of what's best about Corfu:
The Achilleion Palace
The Achilleion Palace
The Achilleion is an over-the-top palace that was built for the Empress Elizabeth of Austria in the 1890s. Over the years it's been a hospital, a casino, and starred in a James Bond movie. Today you can tour its rooms and gardens, with their many statues.
Albania Day Trip
Military Bunker in Albania Turned into a Work of Art
Photo by Mike Gerrard
Several companies do day trips and overnight visits to Albania. We went with Sipa Tours and had an amazing and fascinating time. Read about it here.
Archaeological Museum, Corfu Town
The Gorgon Frieze in the Archaeological Museum
Photo by Mike Gerrard
This isn't one of the biggest archaeological museums in Greece but it's worth visiting just to see the amazing Gorgon Frieze, a huge 6th-century BC pediment from a temple that is absolutely stunning when you enter the room and first see it.
Byzantine Museum, Corfu Town
The Byzantine Museum
This lovely little museum is in a 15th-century church and brings together some fine examples of Byzantine carvings, icons and other items, mainly from the 16th and 17th centuries but some as old as the 13th century. Corfu had a fine tradition of icon painting, as renowned artists from Crete would stay here on their way to work in Venice, and some of them settled or returned to Corfu.
Church of Ayios Spiridon, Corfu Town
The body of St Spiridon, the island's patron saint, is preserved here in a silver casket to the side of the altar. The 15th-century church is in the heart of the Old Town, its spire easily visible, and a visit here will reveal a constant queue of people waiting to pay homage to the saint by kissing the casket.
Corfu Old Town
The Roofs of Corfu Old Town Seen from the Old Fort
Photo by Mike Gerrard
The narrow streets of Corfu's Old Town are filled with everything from the kind of souvenir shops you find anywhere to craft workshops, wood carvers, food shops and cafes. It's easy to get lost in the narrow, winding streets, but it's worth getting lost and there'll always be someone to help you find your way out again. High on the list of the best things to do on Corfu.
Kanoni
Kanoni (Mouse Island)
The view of Mouse Island from Kanoni is one of the most recognisable scenes on the whole island, familiar from many photos. Of course the photos don't show you that the airport runway is just off to one side – but it's still a beautiful spot. See our full page all about Kanoni.
Mon Repos and Palaiopolis
Mon Repos
Photo by Mike Gerrard
Mon Repos is known to English people as the place where Queen Elizabeth II's husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, was born, and after years of wrangling with the former Greek royal family, the villa is now open to the public. It contains an enjoyable museum which tells the story of the island and of Corfu Town, and there are also some good walks in the grounds around. See our full page on Mon Repos.
Mount Pantokrator
The View from Mount Pantokrator
Dominating the northeast corner of the island, Mount Pantokrator is the highest point on Corfu at 906m (2972ft). You can drive all the way to the top, and visit the monastery there. Fabulous views, of course, and a lovely drive through rural Corfu. Definitely one of the best things to do on Corfu.
Museum of Asian Art, Corfu Town
In the Palace of St Michael and St George
Photo by Mike Gerrard
Sometimes called the Museum of Asiatic Art, a visit here also lets you see inside the Palace of St Michael and St George, which houses the museum. This contains over 10,000 items collected in the Far East by a Greek diplomat, and all we can say is that he had incredibly good taste. For us, this is one of the best Greek museums outside Athens.
New Fort and Old Fort, Corfu Town
The Old Fort
The two forts both provide nice views over the rooftops of Corfu Town, and out to sea. The New Fort dates from the 16th/17th centuries and is only called the New Fort because the Old Fort already existed when it was built. The Old Fort complex contains a small museum and a church built by the British, while the New Fort just has a small cafe.
Paleokastritsa
Paleokastritsa
If you have to single one resort out on Corfu then it has to be Paleokastritsa. It is incredibly beautiful, with high cliffs and several indented coves, a lovely monastery to visit, and even if you don't stay there it is worth a day's visit, at least, just to see it. See our Paleokastritsa page for more information.
So there you have our personal choice of the Best Things to Do on Corfu.
Other Corfu pages
These Corfu shopping tips include advice on buying souvenirs like ceramics, jewelry, gold, silver, wood carvings, and food and drink, with tips on haggling.
These fun facts about Corfu include how the island got its name, who wrote the Greek National Anthem, and the eccentric Englishman, the Earl of Guilford.
Corfu Town is the capital of Corfu and of the Ionian Islands and has museums, two forts, several museums, churches, and many other attractions.
Corfu or Kerkyra is the main island in the Greek Ionian islands with Corfu Town being one of the most attractive of Greek island capitals.
If you want to tour northern Corfu in three days you can see busy resorts, quiet fishing villages, Mount Pantokrator, and the Andinioti Lagoon.
Corfu writers and artists inspired by the island include both residents and visitors, like Gerald and Lawrence Durrell, Edward Lear, and Henry Miller.
Corfu’s wildlife includes rare and colourful birds, snakes, lizards, fireflies, and insects, with plenty of places to watch the wildlife like lakes and lagoons.
The Korission Lagoon on the west coast of Corfu is also called Lake Korission and has abundant wildlife, especially birds, and one of the best beaches on Corfu.
Northern Corfu is the most diverse part of the island, with Corfu's highest point, Mt Pantokrator, and beach resorts like Sidari and Palaiokastritsa.
From Nero to Nicolas Cage, the invasion of Corfu goes back to Roman times and through to Hollywood today!
There are three islands off the northwest coast of Corfu, Erikouusa, Othoni and Mathraki, popular with day-trippers from resorts like Sidari.
Kassiopi is a popular tourist resort on the northeast coast of Corfu with a sandy beach, Byzantine fortress, old church, and lots of places to stay and to eat.
Paleokastritsa is on the west coast of Corfu and is one of the most popular holiday spots. This page gives information on beaches, boat trips, weather and map.
Corfu Town’s Old Fortress is the town’s most striking landmark, standing east of the Old Town on top of a rocky promontory.
Greece Travel Secrets’ pick of where to stay in southern Corfu including hotels in Moraïtika, Paramonas, Messonghi, Agios Georgios, and near Benitses.
Southern Corfu has busy beach resorts like Benitses, historical buildings like the Achilleion Palace and Gardiki Castle, and wildlife at the Korision Lagoon.
This Southern Corfu drive starts and ends in Moraïtika, taking in hill villages, secluded beaches, lovely views, and a visit to Gardiki Castle.
Benitses is a popular resort town south of Corfu Town with its own marina, remains of a Roman Baths, an old town, and plenty of walks inland.
Angelokastro is a 13th-century hilltop fortress with breath-taking views near Paleokastritsa on the Greek island of Corfu in the Ionian Islands.
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in north-west and central Corfu including luxury mansions, inexpensive rooms, and resort hotels.
Greece Travel Secrets picks where to stay in northern Corfu with budget and luxury hotels in Sidari, Daphnila Bay, Kontokali, Ipsos, Barbati and more.
This guide to southern Corfu’s beaches and villages includes busy resorts, quiet beach, hill villages and the southernmost tip of Corfu at Cape Asprókavos.
North-West Corfu’s beaches and villages include busy resorts, quiet beaches, hill villages, and places ideal for watching the sunset,
Northern Corfu’s beaches and villages include busy resorts and secluded beaches, with several hill and mountain villages well worth visiting.
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