Itineraries for Your Trip to Corfu
2 Days on Corfu for First Timers
When I fancy a quick beach break, Corfu is my usual go-to. It’s one of those Med destinations that’s easy to dismiss for being overly touristy, but which actually flips plenty of vacation switches. It’s big, but not overly so. It’s affordable and easy to get to. Plus, if you choose the right places, it offers that classic and irresistible Greek-island combo: friendly people, rich culture, scrumptious food, and often-uncommercialized beaches. And it crowns them all with one of Greece’s loveliest island capitals—Corfu Town. Even if you’re only on Corfu for two days, you’ll have time to savor many of these unique charms. Here are my recommendations for experiencing the best this often undervalued island offers.
If you only have time for one thing, slurp a tangy ginger beer at a café at Corfu Town’s Liston.
Corfu’s humid summers draw mosquitoes, especially just before sunset, so bring plenty of repellent.
Start by getting a snapshot of Corfu on a tour that spotlights some of the island’s best bits, from its beaches and history to its UNESCO–listed capital. Private half- or full-day excursions typically take in Paleokastritsa’s Instagram-worthy bays and 13th-century monastery, together with the Achilleion Palace—the 19th-century home of Austrian Empress Elisabeth or “Sissi”—before incorporating a guided walk around Corfu Town’s churches, fortresses, museums, and Liston arcade.
Now that you’ve acquainted yourself with Corfu on land, spend this afternoon enjoying its bay-scalloped coastline and luminous waters. Hire a cab to Corfu Town port for a private yacht cruise that glides by landmarks like the Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio) and Mouse Island, with swim stops along the way. Alternatively, be your own skipper by renting your own small motorboat and sailing along the island’s east coast to picture-perfect coves and islands.
Turn your attention to Corfu’s often underrated cuisine tonight with a guided Corfu Town stroll that uncovers the island’s most popular dishes. Swing by traditional cafés and food stops overlooking the buzzing Spianada (Esplanade), and savor a classic Corfiot dinner of favorites like pastitsada (cinnamon-spiced beef stew with pasta), Greek salad, and ouzo—all in between stops to admire the city’s illuminated sights.
Corfu is renowned for its olive groves and olive oil, so set off this morning on an olive oil–tasting and farm visit. One of the island’s celebrated olive producers is The Governor’s, a family-owned farm where you can wander the hillside groves and sample various oils alongside feta and home-made crackers. Wine-lovers might prefer a combined wine- and olive-oil outing, tasting organic wines and top-grade oils in the lush Ropa Valley.
Use this afternoon to pursue personal interests or enjoy Corfu’s beaches. If you’re still in explorer mode, delve further into Corfu Town’s attractions on a hop-on hop-off bus tour: You’ll cover more ground than independently and be free to roam each sight at your own speed. Otherwise, consider a tour that whisks you to the island’s Glyfada and Paleokastritsa beaches and spend the afternoon enjoying the sands and blue-green Ionian.
Spend your final night doing something different: delving into Corfu Town’s spooky side. Join a guided after-dark walk through the cobbled Old Town to discover its hidden legends, ghost tales, and folklore—you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the island’s checkered history and culture. Afterward, sit down for dinner at one of Corfu Town’s convivial tavernas: dining and drinking with the locals who eat and socialize till late.
