Visiting Greece is popular for international travelers and for good reason. It has friendly locals, amazing food, and beautiful islands. In fact, it’s estimated that Greece has up to 6,000 islands, making it difficult to decide which to visit. 

However, with its pristine beaches, stunning landscapes, and rich history, Corfu is definitely worth adding to your list. Still need convincing? Check out our list below.

Key Takeaways

• Corfu has beaches and mountains, making it a beautiful place to visit.
• Corfu was previously occupied by the Byzantines and Venetians. As a result, the island has an interesting history with sites you can visit.
• The food in Corfu is amazing, with a mix of local seafood and traditional Greek cuisine.

1. Beautiful Beaches 

The beaches in Corfu are stunning.  With clear blue water and beautiful white sand, you can’t miss these while on the island. One of our favorite beaches, Glyko Beach, is located in Liapedes and offers beautiful views and a serene location for swimming.

If you are looking for a unique beach, Corfu is also the right place for you! Due to years of erosion from the waves, Canal d’Amour has interesting rock formations, including a cave you can swim through! Legend has it that if you swim through this canal with your lover, you will be together forever.

View from Glyko Beach

2. Rich History 

Corfu has a long history of being occupied by various countries, including the Venetians and Byzantines. This influence can be seen throughout the island, especially in Corfu Town. You can visit both the Old Fortress and New Fortress to learn more about the history of the island. Plus, the Old Fortress has incredible views of the city!

The Old Fortress in Corfu Town

3. Mountains & Hiking

Corfu has mountains and hills, giving it a unique landscape when compared to other popular Greek islands such as Rhodes and Corfu. If you are into hiking, there are numerous trails you can explore, including:

• Corfu Trail: This hike can last several days and stretches across 200 kilometers
• Mount Pantokrator Loop: If you are looking to reach Corfu’s highest peak, this is the right trail for you
• Paleokastritsa to Angelokastro: This hike offers views of the coastline, leading to the Angelokastro fortress. It stretches about 8 miles in length.

4. Beautiful Sunsets

Corfu has stunning sunsets, which you can enjoy from one of their fabulous beaches. We recommend booking a boat and exploring the water as the sun goes down for maximum views.

5. UNESCO World Heritage Site

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee has dubbed Corfu Town a UNESCO World heritage site, showcasing its global and cultural significance.

6. Afforable

If you are looking to travel cheaply around Europe, Corfu is perfect. Many budget airlines fly here directly, making it easy to reach from other major European cities. They also have a bus system that connects the island, so you can avoid renting a car (The bus may however not always be on time). 

While Corfu Town is comparable to other European cities in terms of dining, we found many of the smaller towns (for example Liapedes) extremely affordable in terms of food and lodging.

7. Delicious Food

Greek cuisine is delicious and Corfu is no exception. Below are some local specialities to try (Please note: I am a vegetarian, so I did not sample all of these):

• Tzatziki: This isn’t specific to Corfu, but is a delicious Greek dish, made of yogurt and dill. It’s a sauce and it can go on almost anything!
• Olive oil: Corfu has plenty of olive trees and as a result is well known for both their olives and olive oils
• Fish: The Greek islands often have fresh seafood. Popular fish dishes include: Stakofisi and Bourdeto.
• Pastitsada: This local dish usually uses rooster or beef as a base. The meat is simmered in tomato and is seved alongside a starch such as potatoes or pasta.
• Greek yougurt: Greek yogurt tastes better in Greece and I had the best Greek yogurt of my life in Corfu. It’s a great desert or snack, particularly on a note day.

8. Friendly Locals 

The Greeks are extremely hospitable and friendly. They are happy to offer tips and suggestions on what to see.

9. Convenient Airport

Corfu offers an international airport. While this may not fly to the United States, you can easily access Corfu from other European cities. The airport is also within walking distance of Corfu Town (about 15 minutes), so you can easily make your way downtown without needed a rental car.

10. Access to Other Islands 

While in Corfu, you can access the other nearby islands, which are not always accessible via airplane. 

Paxi and Antipaxi are south of Corfu and are not as touristy as some of the other islands, but also feature great beaches.

Final Thoughts

Have you been to Corfu? Anything we missed in our list? Leave them in the comments below. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some tips for Corfu Island? 

In terms of our tips for visiting Corfu Island, we recommend checking out Canal d’Amour, Liapedes, and exploring the Old Fortress in Corfu Town.

How long should you spend in Corfu?

We recommend spending 3-5 days if you are coming from Europe. If coming from the US, we recommend at least 5 days, with time to explore other nearby islands and Athens.

How do you get from Athens to Corfu? 

The easiest way to get from Athens to Corfu is via plane. There is no direct ferry from Athens to Corfu.

Why is Corfu so famous for tourists?

Corfu is famous due to its mix of historical sites and stunning beaches.

Relevant Posts

Corfu

About Greece

Other Greek Islands

Fun Things to Do in Paros: Tips & Attractions