Corfu is the second largest Greek island in the Ionian sea. It is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece, and a great place to visit! The island is full of ancient history and Greek mythology, so history fans will have lots to explore! But also nature-lovers will find lots of great things to do in Corfu!
So what are the best things to do in Corfu? For fans of boat tours and watersport activities, there are many great sea-related things to do in Corfu! But there is lots more to explore on the island. In our list, you can choose whatever you prefer for your next day trips in Corfu!
The best things to do in Corfu are:
1. Stroll through Corfu town
Corfu Town is a beautiful traditional village and a great place to spend a day strolling through the narrow streets. The old Venetian architecture is impressive and unique, and makes for some great photos! It has two forts you can explore – the New Fortress in the west and the Old Fortress from the 15th century in the east!
One of the most beautiful places in Corfu town is the Spianada square. It was built during the Venetian rule in Corfu. Today, it’s one of the main tourist attractions of Corfu town and a beautiful place to just sit and enjoy the sun.
2. Boat tour to explore the Ionian sea
The Ionian Sea around the island is beautiful and blessed with crystal-clear water. And what better way to explore it than with a boat tour? In Corfu, you can choose from many different boat tours. Did you know that the Albanian coast is not very far away and that you can go on a boottocht to visit it?
Make sure you book one of the boat tours in Corfu to explore the Ionian Sea and the impressive coast! Just outside of Corfu, there are the islands Paxos en Antipaxos, which are definitely worth a visit too!
3. Admire the Achillion Palace
The famous Achillion Palace is a Palace in Gastouri, not far away from Corfu Town. It was built in the 19th century for the Empress Elisabeth (Kaiserin Sissi) from Austria. It was built one year after the loss of her son as a summer residency. The impressive architecture and sheer beauty of the Achillion Palace also attracted Hollywood – a scene of the James Bond Movie “For Your Eyes Only” was shot at the amazing Achillion Palace!
4. Boat tour to the famous Blue Lagoon
Talking about Hollywood in Crete – another famous place in Kreta is the incredible Blue Lagoon! The name says it all! The water at this natural cave is so crystal-clear and blue, it will take your breath away.
Visiting the Blue Lagoon is definitely one of the best things to do in Corfu. And the best way to visit the place is on a boottocht! The warm water at the Blue Lagoon also invites to do some snorkeling to explore the fascinating underwater world of Corfu!
5. Mountain bike in Corfu
For all you sporty travellers out there, a Mountain bike tour in Corfu is one of the most fun things to do in Corfu! The mountains of Corfu are a perfect destination for day trips to escape the busy coastal towns of Corfu. The west coast of Corfu is especially great to go mountain biking.
There are plenty of trails in Corfu to go mountain biking, for all levels of experience. So if you’re looking for a fun activity in Corfu, mountain biking is a great option. And if you do a mountain bike tour in Corfu to the beach, you can refresh yourselves in the Ionian Sea afterwards! Sounds good, right?
6. Enjoy the local cuisine in traditional villages
Greek food is famous all over the world for its delicious tastes and of course the wine! The traditional food of Corfu includes lots of lamb, fresh seafood and local honey, amongst some other delicious treats.
Have you heard of Sykomaitha for example? If you haven’t make sure to try it during your holidays on the Greek island! It’s a delicious Greek fig cake wrapped in fig leaves. It’s truly delicious, so make sure you don’t miss out on it!
7. Visit Paleokastritsa Monastery
Make sure you visit Paleokastritsa Monastery during your holidays in Corfu! What’s so special about the Paleokastritsa Monastery you ask? Well, besides the impressive architecture from the 13th century, you have one of the best views of the island from here! The Paleokastritsa Monastery is located in the north-western part of Corfu on a hill.
Leaving Corfu without visiting this historical jewel of Corfu would be a big mistake. So make sure to head up to the Paleokastritsa Monastery. Since it’s still in use as a monastery today, please respect the dress code of the monastery. Women should have their shoulders covered. Also, please avoid using the flash to take photos inside the monastery.
8. Visit Mon Repos
Mon Repos is a beautiful little palace from the 19th century in a lush green landscape. It’s beautiful colonial architecture and the region surrounding it has made it a popular destination for tourists to visit in Corfu. The British high commissioner Frederic Adams had it built in the 19th century for his wife.
Today, it is a main tourist attraction in Corfu. It hosts a museum with a lot of Ionian artefacts and is a great destination for a day trip to the region around Kanoni. Mon Repos is located on Analipsis hill, providing a great view of the beautiful landscape of the island.
9. Visit the Church of Saint Spyridon
The patron saint of Corfu is Saint Spyridon, so the Spyridon church is one of the most important churches of the island. St. Spyridon is said to have saved Corfu in the 18th century, during the war between the Turkish and Venetian fleets.
Today, the church of Saint Spyridon located in the centre of the old town is one of the big tourist attractions. You don’t have to be religious to be amazed by the impressive architecture of this church. It was built in the 16th century and has the highest bell tower of the Ionian islands. Make sure to visit it during your holidays in Corfu!
10. Admire Mouse Island
The famous Mouse island is a tiny island just outside of the Corfu coast is the first thing people see when they fly in to the nearby airport of Corfu. It’s a paradisical little island, and there are many theories where it got its name from.
While some say it’s called mouse island because it looks like a mouse from above, there is also a very mythological story around the island. It is said to be the boat that Odysseus used to get back to his home island. The gods were not happy about it and turned the boat into a green rock to prevent the return of Odysseus.
Whatever the origin of that small island is, it is a famous tourist attraction in Corfu. It is simply beautiful, and from the Byzantine Church that is located on the top of the island, you have an amazing view over the island.
Corfu has a lot to offer, but we hope we could help you find the best things to do in Corfu! If you have any questions or need any help, just send us an email. We hope you have a great time during your stay in Corfu!
