Alexandre RobertWelcome to the island of Corfu, an enchanting destination in Greece that combines history, culture, natural beauty and gastronomy. Nestled in the Ionian Sea, Corfu offers a unique experience for travelers eager for history and culture. With Venetian, French and British influences, discover its hidden treasures for an unforgettable vacation in Greece.
Getting to Corfu: the guide
1. Why go there?
Mixing different influences and cultures, Corfu surprises by its green and mountainous side. The island is classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site for its “exceptional” character.
And in fact, even though the Greek island is very touristy, it is still an incredible place to visit.
2. When to leave?
To help you decide on the best time to go to Corfu, here is the yearly weather forecast:
| Month | Average temperature (°C) | Max temperature (°C) | Average temperature (°C) | Sea temperature (°C) | Sunshine rate (hours per day) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 4 | 138 |
| February | 6 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 5 | 121 |
| March | 7 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 86 |
| April | 10 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 8 | 58 |
| May | 14 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 10 | 34 |
| June | 18 | 29 | 24 | 23 | 12 | 18 |
| July | 21 | 32 | 27 | 25 | 12 | 9 |
| August | 21 | 32 | 27 | 26 | 11 | 15 |
| September | 17 | 28 | 23 | 25 | 9 | 54 |
| October | 13 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 7 | 118 |
| November | 9 | 19 | 14 | 19 | 5 | 179 |
| December | 7 | 15 | 11 | 17 | 4 | 171 |
Please note that this data is based on historical averages and may vary from year to year.
3. How to get to Corfu?
Here are the flights from France to Corfu:
| Airport | Airline companies | Direct or indirect flights |
|---|---|---|
| Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | Air France, Aegean Airlines, easyJet | Direct |
| Paris Orly (ORY) | Transavia, Aegean Airlines | Direct |
| Bordeaux (BOD) | Volotea, Ryanair | Indirect |
| Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS) | Aegean Airlines, Transavia, easyJet | Indirect |
| Marseille-Provence (MRS) | Ryanair, Aegean Airlines | Indirect |
| Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE) | easyJet, Aegean Airlines | Indirect |
| Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS) | Volotea, Aegean Airlines | Indirect |
Where to sleep in Corfu?
What are the best places to stay in Corfu? The best cities to stay in Corfu for us are :
- The city of Corfu: the cultural heart of the island.
- Dassia, another seaside resort where you will stay in Corfu between Gouvia and Ipsos.
- Gouvia, an ideal base where you can stay in Corfu to visit the island.
- Ipsos, between seaside resorts and mountain villages.
To find a hotel in one of these locations (or elsewhere) try this step on the Booking map below:
Booking.comOur favorite : Hotel Marbella Corfou 5* (Corfu)
Where should I stay in Corfu with children? Excellent question!
If you dream of a family stay, with a magnificent view of the Ionian Sea, I invite you to choose the MarBella Corfu hotel. The beautiful gardens and the rather private beach make it a real little paradise.
Rent a villa
The Greek islands are often the perfect places to enjoy a great pleasure: staying in a vacation house with a swimming pool and a sea view. For a villa rental in Corfu, we invite you to visit our page below:
What to do in Corfu in 2023? 11 activities to do!
1. Explore the old town of Corfu
The old town of Corfu is a beautiful place to explore on foot. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, charming squares and historic buildings.
Stroll through the narrow streets, visit the Venetian fortress, admire the churches and palaces and enjoy the lively atmosphere. If you wish, you can also hire the services of a guide to discover the secrets of the city:
2. Relax on the sandy beaches
In total, the island of Corfu has an area of 583km². A relatively large Mediterranean island, which gives the opportunity both to the inhabitants and to the tourists, to bathe in magnificent beaches, bathing in the Ionian Sea.
Our top 7 most beautiful beaches in Corfu
- Beaches of Paleokastritsa. Located about 25 kilometers from the capital Corfu.
- Beach of Glyfada.
- Beach of Messonghi.
- Beach of Perama.
- Vido Beach
- Beach of Barbati.
- Beaches of Halikounas.
3. Discover the traditional villages
Corfu is an island full of charm and authenticity. The traditional villages of the island are beautiful places to discover. Stroll through the narrow streets, admire the stone houses, churches and shady squares and discover the local life. Among the most beautiful villages of the island are Pelekas, Kassiopi, Lakones and Agios Mattheos.
4. Visit the Sissi Palace
The Achilleion Palace is a magnificent historical building located only a few kilometers from the town of Corfu. It was built by Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sissi, in honor of her deceased son. The palace is famous for its architecture, its lush gardens and its breathtaking view of the sea.
Visit it with a private guide! To do so, book your tickets online here :
5. Take a cruise around the island
To discover the beauty of Corfu from another angle, nothing better than a cruise around the island. You can admire the wild coasts, hidden bays, sea caves and small islands nearby. You can also go scuba diving, fishing and snorkeling and enjoy a traditional lunch on board.
If you plan to spend your vacations in Corfu, leave nothing to chance and book your day at sea here :
6. Taste the local cuisine
The cuisine of Corfu is delicious and varied. It is influenced by Greek, Italian and Turkish cuisine and is famous for its fish and raw food dishes.
And then, we will not hide it, to leave on vacation in Greece is a little like leaving in Italy: we go there gladly to eat too! The gastronomy is so tasty, you will have to taste souvlaki, Greek salads and other Fassoulada.
To have a perfect overview of the local cuisine, we have selected for you these “food tours” in Corfu:
7. Take a nature hike
Corfu is a green and mountainous island with a wild and preserved nature. For hiking enthusiasts, there are many trails to explore. The mountains of Pantokrator and Oros are popular places for hiking. You can discover beautiful landscapes, traditional villages and panoramic views.
And to discover other secret places of the island of Corfu, with a private guide, book your hike here :
8. Bathing in the waterfalls of Nymphs
The Nymphs Waterfalls are a secret and beautiful place hidden in the mountains of Corfu. To get there, you have to walk a little in the nature. You will discover a series of crystal clear waterfalls, natural pools, stone bridges and century old trees. It is a great place to swim, relax and connect with nature.
9. Visit the archaeological museum of Corfu
The Archaeological Museum of Corfu is a must for history and culture lovers. It is located in the center of Corfu town and houses a fascinating collection of archaeological objects from the island. You can discover pottery, sculptures, jewelry, mosaics and coins from prehistoric times to Roman times.
10. Attend a traditional dance performance
The traditional dance of Corfu, called the “sirtaki”, is a fascinating spectacle not to be missed. You can attend performances in the villages of the island or in local taverns. The dance is accompanied by traditional music and is an ideal way to discover the culture and friendliness of Corfu.
11. Visit the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia
From Corfu, which unlike many other islands of the Greek archipelago is located in the Ionian Sea and not in the Aegean Sea, it is possible to visit many other islands.
Starting with Zakynthos and Kefalonia, also beautiful and located south of Corfu, in western Greece. Two islands of great beauty, accessible from Corfu, including the famous Bay of the Shipwreck of Zakynthos, a beach out of category and one of the places that we see the most on social networks every year!
How to get around Corfu?
Transportation
Getting around the island of Corfu is quite classic:
- To discover the whole island and to be able to get away from the tourist attractions, we strongly recommend that you rent a vehicle when you arrive on the island.
- Otherwise, for a more economical solution, the bus service on the island is quite efficient.
Where to rent a car?
Car and van rental in Corfu is made easy with Europcar. Whether you want to rent a car for business or pleasure, whether you need a car or a minibus, Europcar helps you. The most convenient way to get around Corfu is by rental car, as it will allow you to visit the most remote parts of the island.
