About Corfu
Corfu - A Popular Holiday Island
Corfu is the most well-known of the Ionian Islands. It is located just off the north-west coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea.
It’s easy to see why Corfu holidays are so popular - the island is famous for its picture-perfect scenery, pristine beaches and endearing people. Many say that Corfu is the most beautiful of all the Greek islands.
Every town and village on Corfu has something unique to offer visitors and there is a wide range of accommodation to choose from. Be sure to look at our Corfu Hotels - Specials if you are looking for a place to stay.
Corfu’s rural and natural environments have co-existed for centuries and in that time very little has changed. A visit to any of the rural villages on Corfu is a step back in time. Much of the lifestyle and farming techniques have remained the same for hundreds of years. You will see traditional houses in narrow streets with thousands of wildflowers and tall cypresses throughout the countryside. Corfu is also famous for its olive trees.
The coastline of Corfu varies from long sandy beaches to small pebbly coves. The weather, with mild winters and warm summers, is always perfect for a day at the beach.
Some of Europe’s most influential people owned homes on Corfu, including Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi) and the former Greek royal family. Many members of Europe’s royalty vacationed on Corfu, and their impressive homes are now a feature of the island.
In modern Corfu the royalty share the island with the rich and famous. Roman Abramovits, Eddie Murphy, Bruce Springsteen, Nicolas Cage, Madonna, and Richard Gere are just a few of the celebrities who visit the island.
The old world charm of Corfu doesn’t suffer from the influx of tourists. It's the village atmosphere of Corfu that draws visitors to the island.
Corfu Town
The capital of Corfu, Corfu Town (Kerkyra in Greek), has a healthy mix of modern conveniences and old world charm. The historical centre is the cultural lifeblood of the town and its Venetian architecture of tall apartment buildings, gates and walls, archways, broad stairways and the imposing Venetian Fortresses has influenced the design of the more modern Corfu Town.
But Corfu Town’s unique cityscape has been influenced by many cultures through the centuries, such as the impressive Liston, built by the French, with its upmarket coffee shops and restaurants. You will also see the British influence in many of Corfu Town’s important buildings.
Corfu Highlights
- Corfu Town – Corfu Town has some interesting architecture, and a stroll down the beautiful narrow streets can reveal some amazing sights. Must sees are the Old and New Fortresses, the Esplanade and St. Spyridon church. Have a look at our page on Corfu Town for details on what to see and do.
- Walks on Corfu Island – Corfu covers about 600 km² with 214 kilometres of coastline. There are many trails and beaches to explore. The Corfu Trail offers a scenic walking route through charming villages, beautiful countryside and along coastal paths with fabulous views.
- Corfu Beaches – For crystal clear water and golden beaches you can’t go past Corfu's western coast. Have a look at our Best Beaches for more details.
- Corfu Cuisine – Fresh produce is readily available from local farms, and from the sea, and is featured on the menus of many restaurants and tavernas. Don't leave without trying the local ginger beer, the Kumquat liqueur or so many other Corfiot specialities. Have a look at our Corfu Food and Wine page for suggestions on what to order.
Getting To and Around Corfu
Corfu is 18 nautical miles from the Port of Igoumenitsa and 132 nautical miles from the Port of Patras. Both these ports are on mainland Greece and have regular ferry services to Corfu Island.
Corfu has an international airport, and there are four to six daily flights from Athens. If you want to do a driving tour of the island, then daily ferries cross from the Italian ports of Brindisi (7 hrs), Bari (8 hrs), Ancona (14 hours), Venice (24 hrs), and Trieste (26 hrs).
Corfu makes for a great driving holiday, but be warned that in some towns they have roads closed off to vehicles. Some streets, particularly in the historic areas, are very narrow.
The north-east of Corfu island is the most popular for driving tours, with the road winding around the coast up to Mount Pantokrator. There are beautiful coves for you to explore on the way. The road flattens to the south and the landscape is littered with farms and olive groves. To the west and north are sandy beaches that are a perfect finish to a driving tour of the island.
