Welcome to our 3 day Corfu Itinerary and discover the best thing to do in Corfu, Greece.
Corfu (Kerkyra in Greek) is a stunning Greek island part of the Ionian Islands, located in the Ionian Sea, near the west coast of mainland Greece. Corfu offers a blend of historical sites, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant culture. In our Corfu itinerary, we will guide you through the best things to do in Corfu in just three days, ensuring you capture the essence of the island and experience its historical landmarks, picturesque views, stunning beaches, and even visit the neighboring islands of Paxos and Antipaxos.
Corfu has been inhabited since the Stone Age when it was part of the mainland and the sea that now separates it used to be a small lake. After the sea levels rose at the end of the Ice Age around 10000 BC, Corfu became an island. Due to its strategic location in the Ionian Sea, Corfu has been a valuable asset for various civilizations throughout history. From Roman rule to Venetian rule, which mostly influenced the island it is today, and later to French and English rules. Until 1864, when Corfu and all Ionian islands were united with Greece.
Corfu owes its Western name to the twin peaks of the old fortress of Corfu, known as “Coryphe” in Greek. The Greek name Kerkyra came from Greek mythology. Poseidon (God of the Sea) fell in love with the nymph Korkyra, the daughter of Asopos (God of the River), kidnapped her, brought her to the island, and named it after her. later Korkyra gradually evolved into Kerkyra. That’s it for the history. Now we will begin our 3 day Corfu Itinerary with some information on how to get to Corfu and when to visit this beautiful island. Just click on the table of contents on the part that interests you.
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How to get to Corfu Greece?
BY AIR – A flight to Corfu International Airport (CFU) in Corfu Town is the most convenient and fast way to get to Corfu Island. A flight from Athens takes just one hour and there are direct flights from several European countries.
BY SEA – Ferry is another way to get to Corfu, especially if you are exploring the western part of Greece, as it takes 1.5 hours to get from Igoumenitsa. International ferries connect Italy and Albania, however, they take many hours to get to Corfu.
When to Visit Corfu Greece?
Greece has a Mediterranean climate, with mild wet winters and hot dry summers.
TEMPERATURE – As you can see in the chart below, the summer months in Corfu can get pretty hot from June until September with temperatures ranging from 32°C (90°F) to 18°C (64°F). The winter months are quite mild with temperatures ranging from 17C (62°F) to 5°C (41°F).
RAINFALL – In the chart below, you can see the precipitation in Corfu throughout the year. June and July are the driest months with the lowest rainfall averages and November and December are the wettest months.
WATER TEMPERATURE – Corfu is a beach destination, therefore, you might be interested to know the water temperatures throughout the months. As you can see in the chart below, from the end of June until the beginning of October the water temperature is the warmest, ranging between 23°C (73°F) to 25°C (77°F).
Overall, you can visit Corfu throughout the year, however, if you would like to include swimming in the crystal clear waters we recommend visiting during the summer months, between July and September. We visited at the end of June and the weather was perfect, sunny and warm without any rain but the water temperature was a bit on the colder side for us.
3 Day Corfu Itinerary – Best Things to Do in Corfu
Now let’s begin our 3 day Corfu Itinerary with the best things to do in Corfu. In the map on the right, you can see how we divided the 3 days. The first will be dedicated to Corfu Town, most of which can be explored on foot. On the second day of our Corfu itinerary, we will explore the northern part of Corfu by car. And finally, on the last day, we will explore the neighboring islands of Paxos and Antipaxos by boat.
Corfu Itinerary - Day 1: Corfu Town
On the first day out of our 3 day Corfu itinerary we will be visiting Corfu town. It is not only the capital of the island of Corfu but also the capital of the entire Ionian Islands. The Old Town of Corfu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 8th century. It has maintained a high level of integrity and authenticity preserving its historical character and tradition.
Walking through the cobblestone streets of the old town of Corfu gives a strong medieval feel, with Byzantine and especially Venetian influences evident in its architecture. It mainly consists of pastel-colored neoclassical housing, some from the Venetian period and some constructed later in the 19th century.
You can do a self-guided tour in Corfu Town like we did, or opt for a guided tour:
Old Fortress of Corfu
The Old Fortress of Corfu is a must-visit in Corfu and it is one of the best things to do in Corfu! The old Venetian fortress is one of the most recognizable symbols of the island and it holds great historical significance. It was originally built by the Venetians in the 15th century as a strategic defense against invaders. The fortress successfully repulsed all three major Ottoman sieges in 1537, 1571 and 1716. On the grounds of the fortress, you will find various historical buildings and robust fortifications, including massive stone walls, gates, and bastions. Don’t miss the museum which exhibits an impressive collection of religious artifacts, ancient weapons, and floor mosaic art.
The beautiful Church of St. George is located within the grounds of the Old Fortress of Corfu. It was built in 1840 during the English rule to meet the religious needs of English soldiers. After the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece, the Anglican church converted to Orthodox. Another interesting and sad fact is that a prison on the grounds of the fortress was used in 1944 by the Nazis who imprisoned about 2000 Corfiot native Jews, before being transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Only 187 Holocaust survivors remained, with about 50 of them returning to Corfu.
One of the highlights of visiting the Old Fortress is the opportunity to climb up the lighthouse. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with stunning scenery and 360° panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and Corfu Town. As climbing up includes many steps, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Also, some steps are uneven and slippery, so be careful.
The fortress is connected to the mainland by a bridge where the ticket office is located, and is it surrounded by the sea. The entrance fee is 6€, no pre-booking is needed, you can just pay at the entrance. There might be some queues at the ticket office, especially when cruise ships arrive in Corfu. We recommend visiting as early as possible, it opens at 8:00. There are toilets and a cafe on site.
Spianada Square (The Esplanade)
The Spianada Square, also known as The Esplanade, is a bustling baroque-style square that happens to be the largest in the entire Balkans. The square boasts a beautiful garden with lush greenery, ancient trees, and a Venetian fountain. The architectural gems surrounding the square add to its unique atmosphere. There are plenty of benches to sit and relax after visiting the old fortress, before heading to our next attraction of the best things to do in Corfu – the Liston.
The Liston
The Liston Promenade is a popular pedestrian street loved by both locals and visitors, and it is the heart of the Old Town of Corfu. It was built by the French engineer Mathieu de Lesseps during French rule in the 19th century. The architectural inspiration was Rue Rivoli in Paris, with monumental arches on the ground floor of the building, topped with original Venetian lanterns and white marble pavement. The Liston offers a great variety of cafes and restaurants.
The tiny streets behind Liston are lined with numerous shops and traditional taverns, and the area comes alive at night as the dozens of bars and clubs open.
Faliraki
Faliraki Beach and Square is a charming spot with beautiful views of the Old Fortress and the sea. It is a great place to relax, soak in the coastal ambiance, and swim while enjoying the lovely views of the Old Fortress of Corfu. Additionally, there are two restaurants and a bar located in the area.
Dimokratias Avenue
Dimokratias Avenue (Leoforos Dimokratias) is a long coast-side avenue with amazing views of the Old Fortress of Corfu.
Kanoni Neighborhood
Kanoni Neighborhood is located a bit away from the Old Town of Corfu so you will need to get there by car, but it is definitely worth visiting. The Holy Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna is a picturesque white monastery located on an island connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge. From there, you can take a boat trip to Mouse Island, called Pontikonisi, which is a small, lush islet with a charming chapel.
This spot is even more unique because the airport is located nearby and the airplanes are landing right above your head while standing on the Kanoni – Perama Bridge, great for planespotting lovers like us.
Corfu Itinerary - Day 2: Northern Part of Corfu Island
On our second day of this 3 day Corfu Itinerary, we will explore the northern part of Corfu by car (check out which car rental company we chose below). The route is 130 km long and will take around 4 hours of driving time (without traffic). Therefore, it will be a long day, and we recommend starting early to make the most of it.
If you decide not to rent a car in Corfu, in order to visit this day’s itinerary, consider the next private customizable tour:
Kaiser William II Observatory
We will begin this day with the first stop, one of the best things to do in Corfu, the Kaiser William II Observatory. It was built in 1907 and named after a German Emperor, Kaiser William II, who loved Corfu and that specific spot where he found peace in the beautiful landscapes.
It is located on a rock at the highest point of the village of Pelekas. The viewpoint, also known as the Kaiser’s Throne, offers phenomenal 360° views of the entire island including mainland Greece and the neighboring country Albania. There is a small car park just outside, with about a minute until you reach the 2 viewing platforms.
Paleokastritsa Beaches
Paleokastritsa has some of the best beaches in Corfu! Even if you are not planning to take a swim, it is worth having a view of that beautiful scenery.
Agios Spiridon Beach – A very popular pebble beach surrounded by greenery and dramatic cliffs with calm greenish-blue crystal-clear waters. You can take a short boat trip from the dock to explore the caves and the surrounding beaches. There is a large paid parking near the beach and there are a few free parking spaces right next to the beach but they are usually taken.
Near Agios Spiridon Beach, you will find the Monastery of Paleokastritsa which is located high on a rock and offers trails to amazing viewpoints. Unfortunately, we did not visit as there was a long traffic jam heading up to the monastery, because only one car could get through the road both ways, so we gave it up.
Paleokastritsa Beach – A nice little beach and not crowded, however, it is rocky and not very well maintained. It is accessible by stairs.
La Grotta Beach – The views from above the beach are amazing and you can see how clear the water is. To access the beach, you will need to go down many steps. There beach has no sand, just rocks and a jetty, from where you can enter the water. It is a great spot for snorkeling, and the brave ones can jump from a rock straight to the crystal-clear water. You can grab some snacks and drinks in the seafront bar, La Grotta Bar, which is built into the rock. It is a lively busy place with good music and a nice relaxing atmosphere. Keep in mind that parking might be limited.
Don’t miss the Paleokastritsa area, even if you are not planning to rent a car, at least take one of the many day trips from Corfu Town that include a stop at Paleokastritsa:
Bella Vista Viewpoint
The Bella Vista Viewpoint offers picturesque panoramic views of all the Paleokastritsa beaches we’ve just visited, the Ionian Sea, and the surrounding lush green landscapes. There is a parking right at the viewpoint.
Nice View Point in Google – There is another viewpoint, on the way to Bella Vista Viewpoint just before Lakones, but it is not named. In Google, it is marked “Nice View Point”, you will find it with the coordinates: 39.679131758975124, 19.712683470205143. You will get an amazing view of the turquoise waters of Paleokastritsa Beach. There is a small place to park the car on the side of the road.
Helidoni Viewpoint
Helidoni viewpoint will give you some nice views over Agios Georgios Beach and Porto Timoni. The viewpoint is conveniently located right by the road.
Porto Timoni
Porto Timoni is the highlight of Corfu Island and it’s not for nothing that it is the cover of this guide to the best things to do in Corfu. However, it is not easily reached and you will need to hike a rocky trail to reach the Porto Timoni Viewpoint and the twin beaches. As the trail is not easy, bring comfortable shoes, and do not go with flip-flops!
The trail is considered of moderate difficulty with some scrambling parts, also be careful stepping on loose rocks. It is an out-and-back 1.7 km long trail with 125 meters of elevation gain to reach Porto Timoni Viewpoint. But if you want to get down to the twin beaches it will make this trail 2 km long with 138 meters of elevation gain.
We decided to just reach the viewpoint, as we had a long day planned already. The Porto Timoni Viewpoint itself is basically a small rock with breathtaking views of the twin beaches of Porto Timoni, so you might find a queue there waiting for a photo opportunity. Along the trail, you will find great views of Agios Georgios Beach.
It took us about an hour and 10 minutes to complete. We parked at the nearby parking lot for €5, named ‘Parking Porton Timoni Afiona’ in Afionas. However, they have mixed reviews as not being the nicest people, and some got scratches on their cars. But it is the closest parking to Porto Timoni Trail. We would just suggest you not to agree on leaving the car keys with them and park only if there is a normal parking spot.
If you are not renting a car, consider taking a private beach day trip to Porto Timoni, which includes our next beautiful stop, Canal D’Amour and more.
Canal d'Amour
Canal d’Amour is a very popular beach in Corfu, so be prepared for a crowd. There are beautiful unique rock formations with the water entering them forming a natural fjord-like canal. The name Canal d’Amour comes from an ancient legend that says couples who swim through the canal will stay in love forever. The beach itself is quite small and very busy. For the adventurous ones, there is an option to jump from the high cliffs and also visit the Dionysus Cave. We recommend doing this only when the sea is calm.
You can walk towards the right side of the canal for amazing views of the sea and more rock formations. There is a parking right nearby, named ‘Canal D’Amour Central Parking’, which costs €5.
He had lunch in Kantina Grill, which is close to the Canal d’Amour with free parking along the road. We had delicious gyros there and the staff was very friendly. So, we highly recommend it.
Cape Drastis
Cape Drastis is a breathtaking natural rock formation that marks the northwesternmost point of Corfu Island. There is a small free car park, but if it is full, you can just park a bit further along the side of the road. After a short walk on the unpaved road, you’ll reach the Cape Drastis Viewpoint.
Further along, some homeless people have settled at the edge of the mountain, and there’s a lot of garbage in the area, so it’s not recommended to go there. On the other side, there’s a beach called Gravas Cove (note that it is not Cape Drastis Beach), with signs that indicate you can drive down there. However, the beach itself is not very interesting, and the road leading there is a bumpy gravel road.
Near the small parking, there is a possibility to go up to see impressive views of the cliffs (the photo on the right). However, many signs are warning that going up there is dangerous, as the cliff’s edge is not protected and is disintegrating. So, if you decide to go up, be sure to stay away from the edge for your safety.
Monastery of Pantokrator
Monastery of Pantokrator is located on the highest point on Corfu Island, Mount Pantokrator, at 906 meters. The name Pantokrator means ‘The Almighty’ in Greek. It was originally built in the 14th century but was destroyed in the 16th century, and later rebuilt in the 17th century. The monastery is a fantastic piece of history to see, but it is worth visiting for the breathtaking views of the entire island, the mainland, and Albania from its elevated position.
You will find free parking just along the road leading to the monastery. There is a small café at the entrance. We recommend visiting the monastery on a clear day, as clouds at this altitude may obstruct the panoramic views.
Without a car, the Monastery of Pantokrator can be visited on a day trip from Corfu Town.
Viewpoint from Spartilas
As we made our way down the slopes of Pantοkrator mоuntаin towards the center of Corfu. We drove through a charming village, Spartilаs, and found a picturesquе viewpoint near Agnadio Restaurant (coordinates: 39.71783297570344, 19.84494689416535).
Glyfada Beach
We finished the second day of our 3 day Corfu itinerary with a swim at Glyfada Beach, located near our hotel Domes of Corfu (scroll down to read more about it). The scenery at the beach is beautiful, with high cliffs on both sides and calm clear waters. The sandy beach is clean and quite wide, so it never feels crowded. Additionally, there are several bars and restaurants on the beach and free parking nearby.
Even if you are not staying on Glyfada Beach, we recommend visiting on a day trip from Corfu Town, and you can even combine it with Paleokastritsa Beaches:
Corfu Itinerary - Day 3: Day Trip from Corfu to Paxos and Antipaxos
The neighboring islands Paxos and Antipaxos are small beautiful islands, located just 15 km from the southern tip of Corfu and MUST be included in your Corfu itinerary. On this day trip you will visit charming Greek villages, sail around the islands admiring the geology and the unique rock formations, explore deep caves, and swim and snorkel in the clearest waters on amazing beaches.
We have created a comprehensive guide on Paxos and Antipaxos where we share all the information about the amazing day trip we had, but here’s a brief overview. The boat trip we took with Trident Speedboat Cruises departed from Lefkimmi Port, and it took us 1.5 hours (50 km) to get there from our hotel in Glyfada.
Since Lefkimmi Port is quite far from Corfu Town, there is a boat trip to Paxos and Antipaxos that departs from Corfu Port.
Paxos Island is the larger of the two and more populated. It is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, charming scenic villages, crystal-clear waters, high cliffs, and deep blue caves. Much of its hilly landscape is covered by olive groves and vineyards, while the west coast is dominated by steep, chalky cliffs that have eroded over time creating caves, including the famous blue caves.
The tiny island of Antipaxos lies just 2 kilometers south of Paxos (Anti means opposite). It is famous for its pristine beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, white sand, and vibrant underwater world. It offers an idyllic escape from the crowds as there are no hotels, shops, or even normal roads on the island, and it is visited mainly for its beautiful secluded beaches.
Well, this beautiful day seals our 3 day Corfu Itinerary and the best things to do in Corfu. Now we will tell you about the beautiful luxury hotel we stayed in Corfu and the rental company we chose.
Luxury Hotel in Corfu Greece
We stayed at the luxurious Domes of Corfu, Autograph Collection and we absolutely loved it! It is a fully refurbished, big 5-star hotel located on Glyfada Beach. We stayed in a Tropical Retreat Guest Room which had a small balcony with a mountain view, and we loved the beautiful design and the gorgeous bathroom. The pool is huge with amazing views of Glyfada Beach and surrounding cliffs. We had a half-board stay, both breakfast and dinner were tasty and abundant, with an omelet station for breakfast.
Car Rental in Corfu Greece
We rented a car from Cars2go and had a great experience with them. The rental process was easy and the car was conveniently delivered to our hotel. As we always do, we opted for a Full Damage Waiver (which offers zero excess) and we added wheels and tires insurance for complete peace of mind. Cars2go were among the few companies that offered this important option, which contributed to our decision to choose them. We chose a big family automatic car (such as Opel Astra) and received a new Skoda Fabia which was perfect.
Well, this is it! We hope our 3 day Corfu Itinerary to the best things to do in Corfu will ease your travel planning 😊
