Greece

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Corfu

Venetian castles, olive groves and Ionian beaches

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Corfu Plan a trip around Greece

Best time to visit: May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Currency: EUR
Time zone: UTC+2
Country: Greece

Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0

Corfu is a green Ionian island in northwest Greece, known for its UNESCO-listed old town, Venetian fortresses and a coastline of pebbly and sandy beaches. Visitors come for history, swimming, boat trips and a mild Mediterranean climate.

Largest cities

Athens
Thessaloniki
Patras
Heraklion
Larissa

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Greece
Capital: Athens
City population: 100,854
Population of Greece: 10.5M
Country area: 131,957 km²
Official language
Currency: Euro (EUR) · 1 USD ≈ 0.8926 EUR
Time zone: UTC+2
Calling code: +30
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 90 m
Plugs: C / F · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112 · 166 · 100 · 199
Best time to visit: May, Jun, Sep, Oct

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	13°	14°	15°	18°	22°	29°	33°	31°	26°	22°	18°	15°
Low	9°	9°	10°	12°	16°	21°	24°	24°	21°	17°	14°	10°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$49
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$118
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$290

Plan a trip to Corfu

Top things to do

Free
Corfu Old Town walk
Wander the UNESCO-listed lanes of the kastropolis between the Old and New Fortresses, with Venetian buildings, Liston arcades and café squares; go early or late to avoid cruise-ship crowds.
- Half day
- Corfu Town
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $7
Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio)
Climb the Venetian bastions on the eastern promontory for harbour views and the small Byzantine church of St George; there is little shade, so bring water and a hat.
- Half day
- Corfu Town
- Good for kids
≈ $12
Achilleion Palace
Tour the 19th-century villa built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, with neoclassical halls and gardens full of statues overlooking the coast; bus 10 from San Rocco Square runs about every two hours.
- Half day
- Corfu Town
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Paleokastritsa beaches and monastery
Swim in the clear coves below the 13th-century Theotokos monastery, then climb up for the view; boats run from the main bay to nearby sea caves in summer.
- Half day
- West Coast
- Good for kids
Free
Kassiopi harbour and bay
Relax on the stony beach beside the ruins of a Byzantine castle, then eat at the harbour in the evening; the water is calm and good for snorkelling.
- Half day
- North Corfu
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Old Perithia
Walk the stone lanes of this abandoned heritage village below Mount Pantokrator, with a few restored tavernas and churches; it is a good stop on a drive around the north.
- Half day
- North Corfu
- Good for kids
Free
Mount Pantokrator and northeast coast
Drive to the island's highest summit for panoramic views over Albania and the Ionian Sea, then descend to villages and beaches such as Kalami and Nymphes; a car is needed and the road is winding.
- Full day
- North Corfu
- Good for kids
≈ $25
Diapontia Islands day trip
Take a boat from Corfu Town or Sidari to Othonoi, Ereikoussa or Mathraki for quiet beaches and walking; check return times as services are limited outside summer.
- Full day
- Diapontia Islands
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Greece is in the Schengen area, so many visitors from the Gulf, India, Spain and Latin America can enter visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while others need a Schengen visa applied for in advance; check your nationality's rules before booking. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being introduced, and travellers may need to register fingerprints and a photo at the border, with no fee. Always confirm current requirements with the Greek embassy or consulate and the official EU travel site.

Official website

From the airport

Corfu International Airport (CFU) is about 3 km south of Corfu Town; bus 19 runs to town in roughly 10 minutes, and taxis take about the same. Ferries from Igoumenitsa, Patras and Italy dock at the New Port, a short taxi or bus ride from the centre.

Getting around

Blue buses cover Corfu Town and nearby villages from San Rocco Square, green buses serve the rest of the island from near the New Port, and renting a car or scooter is the easiest way to reach remote beaches.

Local tips

Cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries, and dress modestly in village squares.
Carry some cash for small tavernas, buses and beach kiosks; cards are widely accepted in hotels and larger restaurants.
Swim only at organised beaches and watch for sea urchins on rocky stretches; the island is generally safe for families.
July and August are hot and crowded, while November to March is very wet; late spring and early autumn are the most comfortable.