Corfu

Bus #15 or taxi from airport to Corfu Town(10 minutes)

Bus €1.70. Taxi €8-10. The airport is remarkably close to town

Hotel check-in in or near old town(45 minutes)

Siorra Vittoria Boutique Hotel (€100/night) or Bella Venezia (€80/night). Stay in old town for best walkability

Walk through Corfu Old Town (Kerkyra)(2 hours)

UNESCO-listed labyrinth of Venetian, French, and British architecture. Walk the Liston arcade (modeled on Paris's Rue de Rivoli), Spianada (Greece's largest square), and the narrow kantounia (alleys). Free to wander

Dinner at Rex Restaurant(1.5 hours)

Kapodistriou 66 on the Liston. Traditional Corfiot cuisine — sofrito (veal in garlic-wine sauce, €12), pastitsada (beef-tomato pasta, €11). Terrace overlooking Spianada

Old Fortress (Palaió Froúrio)(1.5 hours)

Entry €6. Venetian fortress on a promontory. Climb to the lighthouse for panoramic views. The Church of St. George inside is a neoclassical surprise

New Fortress (Néo Froúrio)(1 hour)

Entry €4. Less visited than the Old Fortress but better views of the old town rooftops. Built by the Venetians in 1577

Lunch at En Plo(1 hour)

Faliraki waterfront. Fresh seafood with fortress views. Grilled octopus €10, Greek salad €7. Casual and excellent

Bus to Kanoni (Mouse Island viewpoint)(20 minutes)

Bus #2 from San Rocco square. €1.70. The most photographed view in Corfu

Walk to Vlacherna Monastery(30 minutes)

Cross the causeway to the tiny whitewashed monastery. Free. Boat shuttle to Mouse Island (Pontikonisi) €3 round trip — tiny islet with a Byzantine church

Dinner at The Venetian Well(1.5 hours)

Plateia Kremasti in the old town. Romantic square setting around an actual Venetian well. Mediterranean-Greek fusion. Mains €14-22. Reserve ahead

Bus from Corfu Town to Paleokastritsa(40 minutes)

Green KTEL bus from San Rocco square. €3. Runs several times daily

Paleokastritsa Monastery(45 minutes)

13th-century monastery on the promontory above the bays. Free (donations appreciated). Small museum with Byzantine icons. Beautiful gardens with sea views. Dress modestly (cover shoulders/knees)

Boat trip to hidden grottoes(1 hour)

Small boats from Paleokastritsa harbor. €10-15/person. Visit sea caves with blue-green water, swimming stops at inaccessible coves. The Blue Eye cave is spectacular

Beach time at Paleokastritsa main beach(2 hours)

Beach lounger ~€8/day. Clear water, small pebble beach. Or walk to the quieter Alipa beach (10 min south)

Lunch at Akron Restaurant(1.5 hours)

Perched on the cliff above the bays. Fresh fish by weight (€40-50/kg), but the view is worth every euro. Cheaper options: moussaka €9, salad €6

Bus or taxi to Achilleion Palace (Gastouri)(20 minutes)

Bus #10 from San Rocco. €1.70. Or taxi €15

Achilleion Palace(1.5 hours)

Built in 1890 for Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Entry €10. The gardens with classical statues and the terrace view over the coast are the highlights. Dying Achilles statue is iconic

Continue to Benitses village(15 minutes)

Former fishing village on the southeast coast. Walk the harbor and Roman bathhouse ruins

Beach at Moraitika or Messonghi(2 hours)

Sandy beaches on the south coast. Organized with loungers (€8/day) or free sections. Warmer water than the west coast

Lunch at Tripas taverna in Kinopiastes(1.5 hours)

Inland village 15 min from Achilleion. Famous for traditional Corfiot meat dishes — sofrito, pastitsada, lamb kleftiko. Full meal €10-14. A locals' favorite

Sleep in and Greek coffee at a local kafeneio(1.5 hours)

Traditional Greek coffee house — order 'ellinikó glyko' (sweet). Sit, read, watch the world. €2-3

Kumquat tasting at Mavromatis distillery(30 minutes)

In the old town. Free tasting of kumquat liqueur, marmalade, and sweets. A bottle €8-12. Corfu is the only place in Greece that grows kumquats

Visit the Olive Museum(45 minutes)

Entry €4. Learn about Corfu's 4 million olive trees. The island's olive oil heritage dates back thousands of years

Walk through Campiello neighborhood(1 hour)

The oldest part of the old town — narrow alleys, hanging laundry, Venetian balconies, cats on windowsills. The furthest from the tourist path

Lunch at Bellissimo(1 hour)

Plateia Dimarcheio. Pizza and pasta in the Town Hall square. €8-14. Good for a lighter meal

Dinner at Pomo d'Oro(1.5 hours)

Guilford 13. Italian-Corfiot fusion. Their handmade pasta and local wines are excellent. Mains €12-18

Rent a car for the day(30 minutes)

From €25-40/day. Pick up in Corfu Town. Or take KTEL green bus to Sidari (€5, 1.5 hrs — less flexible)

Canal d'Amour at Sidari(1.5 hours)

Unusual sandstone channels and coves on the north coast. Legend: couples who swim through will stay together forever. Free. Can be crowded — arrive early

Drive to Kassiopi(30 minutes)

Along the north coast road with Albanian views

Kassiopi village and harbor(1.5 hours)

Charming harbor town with a Byzantine fortress ruins. Walk the harbor, swim at Bataria Beach (small, pebbly, crystal water). Less touristed than Paleokastritsa

Lunch at Tavernaki in Kassiopi(1.5 hours)

Harbor-side. Excellent grilled fish and mezze. €8-14. One of the north coast's best tavernas

Stop at Barbati Beach on return(1 hour)

Long pebble beach on the northeast coast. Clear water, organized section with bar

Morning walk through waking old town(1 hour)

The kantounia before the shops open. Cats, church bells, morning light on Venetian facades

Last Greek coffee at a Liston café(45 minutes)

Sit under the French arcade one last time. Greek coffee €2.50, freddo espresso €3

Bus #15 or taxi to airport(10 minutes)

€1.70 bus or €8 taxi. Allow 2 hours before flight

Drive or bus to Afionas village(1 hour)

KTEL bus or rental car. Afionas is a tiny clifftop village on the west coast

Walk through Afionas village(30 minutes)

Pretty stone houses, a couple of tavernas with stunning sunset views. The trail to Porto Timoni starts at the far end

Hike down to Porto Timoni(20 minutes)

Steep downhill trail. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen — no facilities at the beach. Good shoes essential

Porto Timoni double beach(3 hours)

Twin beaches on a narrow peninsula — swim on both sides in crystal water. Free. The hike back up is steep in the heat. Best in May-June or September

Lunch at Panayotis taverna in Afionas(1.5 hours)

Terrace with panoramic views. Greek salad, grilled souvlaki. €8-12. Watch the sunset if timing works

Drive to the Governor's Olive Mill (Gouverneto)(30 minutes)

Near Agia Deka village. Working olive press museum. Free tasting of oils. €5 entry

Drive through mountain villages(1.5 hours)

Pelekas, Lakones (the 'balcony of the gods' viewpoint over Paleokastritsa), and Doukades. Stone houses, olive groves, and almost no tourists

Cooking class at a village home(3 hours)

Several families offer cooking experiences. Learn pastitsada, sofrito, and moussaka in a traditional kitchen. From €40/person including lunch. Book ahead — try Corfu Cooking Class

Sunset at Kaiser's Throne viewpoint (Pelekas)(1 hour)

Kaiser Wilhelm II's favorite sunset spot. Free. Panoramic views over the entire west coast. Arrive 30 min before sunset

Day cruise from Corfu to Paxos(2 hours)

Several operators from Corfu New Port. From €30-45/person. Departs ~9AM, returns ~6PM. Includes Gaios harbor stop, Blue Caves, and Antipaxos beach

Swim at Voutoumi Beach (Antipaxos)(1.5 hours)

Caribbean-clear turquoise water. Consistently rated one of Europe's best beaches. Small, white pebble. No facilities — bring water

Visit Gaios harbor on Paxos(1.5 hours)

Charming Venetian harbor village. Walk the waterfront, browse shops, sit at a café. Much quieter than Corfu Town

Blue Caves boat passage(30 minutes)

The boat passes through dramatic coastal caves on Paxos' western coast. The blue-green water inside the caves is mesmerizing

Morning at Mon Repos Beach(2 hours)

Near the Mon Repos estate (birthplace of Prince Philip). Quiet, tree-shaded, 10 min walk from old town

Visit Mon Repos estate(1 hour)

Free. Neoclassical villa in a garden. Archaeological museum inside. The gardens have ancient ruins — Temple of Hera

Lunch at Rouvas taverna(1 hour)

S. Desillas 13 in old town. Local favorite since 1947. Daily specials €7-10. No English menu — point at what looks good

Drive or bus to Glyfada Beach(30 minutes)

Large sandy beach on the west coast. Organized with loungers (€8/day). Good waves, beach bar. Popular but not overcrowded

Walk to Myrtiotissa Beach(15 minutes)

From the Glyfada area. Unofficially clothing-optional. Dramatic cliff setting, wild and beautiful. Access via steep path — no facilities. Lawrence Durrell called it 'perhaps the loveliest beach in the world'

Lunch at Glyfada Beach Bar(1 hour)

Beachside. Souvlaki wrap €5, Greek salad €6. Feet in the sand

Sunset from Pelekas or Loggas Beach(1.5 hours)

Either Kaiser's Throne viewpoint or Loggas Beach (dramatic sunset cliffs, bar on top)

Ferry from Corfu to Saranda(30 minutes)

Finikas Lines or Ionian Seaways. From €19/person each way. Departs Corfu New Port at 9AM. Bring passport — Albania is not in the EU but visa-free for most nationalities

Taxi to Butrint Archaeological Site(20 minutes)

€10 taxi from Saranda. UNESCO World Heritage. Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins on a stunning peninsula. Entry ~€9. Allow 2 hours

Lunch on Saranda waterfront(1.5 hours)

Fresh seafood for a fraction of Greek prices. Full meal with wine €8-12/person. Try Haxhi or any waterfront restaurant

Walk Saranda promenade(1 hour)

The Albanian Riviera town has a pleasant waterfront, pebbly beach, and a different vibe from Greece

Morning at Corfu Town market(1 hour)

Near the New Fortress. Fresh produce, fish, spices, olive oil. Buy souvenirs — olive oil soap, kumquat products, local honey

Final old town walk(1.5 hours)

Your route. Say goodbye to your favorite kantounia, your favorite cat, your favorite church doorway

Farewell dinner at Etrusco(2 hours)

Kato Korakiana village (15 min from town). Michelin-quality Corfiot-Italian. Tasting menu €55. Or stay in town at Rex for a classic final meal

Apartment check-in near old town(45 minutes)

Apartment with kitchen from €50/night

Day cruise to Paxos/Antipaxos (from €30-45)(8 hours)

Voutoumi Beach, Gaios harbor, Blue Caves

Ferry from Corfu to Kefalonia (Sami)(4 hours)

Levante Ferries. From €15/person. Or fly via Athens (connects through Corfu Airport). The ferry route passes Paxos and the Lefkada coast

Pick up rental car at Sami port(30 minutes)

Essential on Kefalonia — no reliable public transport. From €25/day

Melissani Cave(1 hour)

Underground lake inside a cave where the roof collapsed, creating a skylight. Boat trip through the turquoise water. €7. Arrive before 11AM when sunlight enters the cave and the water glows

Drogarati Cave(30 minutes)

€5. Stalagmite-filled cave with excellent acoustics — concerts are held here

Dinner at Casa Grec in Argostoli(1.5 hours)

Waterfront. Fresh fish and Kefalonian meat pies (kreatopita). €10-16

Drive to Myrtos Beach viewpoint(45 minutes)

The viewpoint from the cliff above is one of Greece's most iconic images — white marble pebbles, turquoise water, dramatic cliffs. The beach is steep to access (drive down the switchback road)

Myrtos Beach swim(2 hours)

Bring everything — shade, water, food. No facilities. The water is cold (deep bay, no warming) but the color is unreal. Strong undertow — swim cautiously

Walk through Fiskardo village(1.5 hours)

The only village that survived the devastating 1953 earthquake. Venetian pastel houses, yacht harbor, clear swimming water right in the harbor. Charming and upscale

Lunch at Tassia in Fiskardo(1.5 hours)

Waterfront institution run by chef/author Tassia Dendrinou. Kefalonian seafood. €14-22. Reserve ahead

Swim at Emblisi Beach (near Fiskardo)(1 hour)

White pebble, crystal water, pine-shaded. Less crowded than Myrtos

Walk Assos village and fortress(1.5 hours)

Tiny peninsula village with pastel houses. Walk up to the Venetian fortress for views. Swim in the harbor — the water is impossibly clear

Lunch at Platanos in Assos(1 hour)

Under the plane tree on the square. Simple, fresh, €8-12

Visit the White House (Lawrence Durrell's home)(30 minutes)

Now a taverna. Durrell wrote 'Prospero's Cell' here in the 1930s. The terrace has views over the bay toward Albania

Swim at Kalami Bay(1.5 hours)

Clear, calm water in a sheltered bay. Small pebble beach. Hire a pedal boat (€10/hr) to reach quieter coves

Walk to Kouloura harbor(20 minutes)

Possibly the most photogenic tiny harbor in Greece. Horseshoe-shaped inlet with a single taverna

Lunch at Kouloura taverna(1.5 hours)

Right on the tiny harbor. Fresh fish by weight. The setting is the star. €12-18

Continue to Agni Bay(10 minutes)

Three excellent tavernas on a small beach. More upscale than Kouloura. Try Nikolas Taverna for grilled prawns

Walk a section of the Corfu Trail(3 hours)

The full trail is 220 km but individual sections are beautiful day hikes. The Pantokrator section (north) has mountain views; the Ropa Valley section is through olive groves. Ask at the tourist office for current trail conditions

Visit Theotoky Estate winery(1.5 hours)

Near Ropa Valley. Corfu's best winery. Tasting of local Kakotrygis and Petrokoritho grape varieties. €10/person for tasting. Call ahead

Farewell dinner at Etrusco(2 hours)

Kato Korakiana. Tasting menu €55