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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 on CorfuThe 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 AlbaniaMilitary 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 in Corfu TownThe 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 in Corfu TownThe 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.

Some Cool Corfu Souvenirs

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Paleokastritsa Luggage Tag

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Corfu Cypresses Capri Leggings

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Corfu T-shirt

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Corfu Tote Bag

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 FortThe 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) on CorfuKanoni (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 on CorfuMon 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 on CorfuThe 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

Palace of St Michael and St George in Corfu TownIn 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 in Corfu TownThe 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 on CorfuPaleokastritsa

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

  • 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.

    Paleokastritsa, Corfu

    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.

  • There are two sides to every Greek island, the tourist and the traditional, and this drive from Corfu Town through northern Corfu shows the two faces of Corfu.

    Northern Corfu Drive

    There are two sides to every Greek island, the tourist and the traditional, and this drive from Corfu Town through northern Corfu shows the two faces of Corfu.

  • 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.

    Corfu Wildlife

    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.

  • 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 Town

    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 olives are an important part of this Greek island's economy, with an estimated 3-4 million trees producing olive oil of exceptional quality.

    Corfu Olives

    Corfu olives are an important part of this Greek island's economy, with an estimated 3-4 million trees producing olive oil of exceptional quality.

  • There are three islands off the northwest coast of Corfu, Erikouusa, Othoni and Mathraki, popular with day-trippers from resorts like Sidari.

    Corfu Offshore Islands

    There are three islands off the northwest coast of Corfu, Erikouusa, Othoni and Mathraki, popular with day-trippers from resorts like Sidari.

  •  Information for travelers on Corfu Food and Drink including restaurants and tavernas, Corfiot specialties, desserts, wine and other Greek drinks like ouzo.

    Corfu Food and Drink

    Information for travelers on Corfu Food and Drink including restaurants and tavernas, Corfiot specialties, desserts, wine and other Greek drinks like ouzo.

  • Information for travellers to Greece on Corfu festivals and events including Easter, the Feast of St Spiridhon, Carnival and Name Days.

    Corfu Festivals and Events

    Information for travellers to Greece on Corfu festivals and events including Easter, the Feast of St Spiridhon, Carnival and Name Days.

  • The First Corfu Beer Festival took place in Arillas in North West Corfu and celebrated the beer of Bavaria and of Corfu, in the Ionian islands of Greece.

    Corfu Beer Festival

    The First Corfu Beer Festival took place in Arillas in North West Corfu and celebrated the beer of Bavaria and of Corfu, in the Ionian islands of Greece.

  • This Lawrence Durrell walk takes you from Kaminaki Beach in northern Corfu to the White House in Kalami where the writer Lawrence Durrell lived for four year.

    A Lawrence Durrell Walk

    This Lawrence Durrell walk takes you from Kaminaki Beach in northern Corfu to the White House in Kalami where the writer Lawrence Durrell lived for four year.

  • Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Corfu, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Corfu

    Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Corfu, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • The Corfu Climate page describes the hours of sun, the rain, the winds, to help you plan the best time to visit this Ionian island.

    Corfu Climate: Sun, Rain, Winds

    The Corfu Climate page describes the hours of sun, the rain, the winds, to help you plan the best time to visit this Ionian island.

  • Greece Travel Secrets’ pick of where to stay in southern Corfu including hotels in Moraïtika, Paramonas, Messonghi, Agios Georgios, and near Benitses.

    Where to Stay in Southern Corfu

    Greece Travel Secrets’ pick of where to stay in southern Corfu including hotels in Moraïtika, Paramonas, Messonghi, Agios Georgios, and near Benitses.

  • Greece Travel Secrets picks where to stay in northern Corfu with budget and luxury hotels in Sidari, Daphnila Bay, Kontokali, Ipsos, Barbati and more.

    Where to Stay in Northern Corfu

    Greece Travel Secrets picks where to stay in northern Corfu with budget and luxury hotels in Sidari, Daphnila Bay, Kontokali, Ipsos, Barbati and more.

  • Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in north-west and central Corfu including luxury mansions, inexpensive rooms, and resort hotels.

    Where to Stay in North-West and Central Corfu

    Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in north-west and central Corfu including luxury mansions, inexpensive rooms, and resort hotels.

  • This is the Greece Travel Secrets selection of where to eat in northern Corfu, from classy restaurants and traditional tavernas to beachside fish tavernas.

    Where to Eat in Northern Corfu

    This is the Greece Travel Secrets selection of where to eat in northern Corfu, from classy restaurants and traditional tavernas to beachside fish tavernas.

  • Greece Travel Secrets has its list of favourite places where you can eat in north-west Corfu, including in Paleokastritsa, Pelekas, and Ayios Stefanos.

    Where to Eat in North-West Corfu

    Greece Travel Secrets has its list of favourite places where you can eat in north-west Corfu, including in Paleokastritsa, Pelekas, and Ayios Stefanos.

  • Donna Dailey of Greece Travel Secrets visits Albania by boat from Corfu Town, staying overnight and seeing archaeological sites with Sipa Tours.

    Visiting Albania from Corfu

    Donna Dailey of Greece Travel Secrets visits Albania by boat from Corfu Town, staying overnight and seeing archaeological sites with Sipa Tours.

  • The main two Corfu saints are Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu who saved the island four times from disaster, and Saint Theodora Augusta.

    Two Corfu Saints

    The main two Corfu saints are Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu who saved the island four times from disaster, and Saint Theodora Augusta.

  • From Nero to Nicolas Cage, the invasion of Corfu goes back to Roman times and through to Hollywood today!

    The Invasion of Corfu

    From Nero to Nicolas Cage, the invasion of Corfu goes back to Roman times and through to Hollywood today!

  • The Corfu Trail runs from the southernmost point of Corfu at Cape Asprokavos and winds for 220km (137 miles) to the northernmost point near Andinioti Lagoon.

    The Corfu Trail

    The Corfu Trail runs from the southernmost point of Corfu at Cape Asprokavos and winds for 220km (137 miles) to the northernmost point near Andinioti Lagoon.

  • Southern Corfu has busy beach resorts like Benitses, historical buildings like the Achilleion Palace and Gardiki Castle, and wildlife at the Korision Lagoon.

    Southern Corfu

    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.

    Southern Corfu Drive

    This Southern Corfu drive starts and ends in Moraïtika, taking in hill villages, secluded beaches, lovely views, and a visit to Gardiki Castle.

  • 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.

    Southern Corfu Beaches and Villages

    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.

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