Corfu Itinerary: Explore the Charm of Corfu in 3 Days or More

“I dream of going to Greece someday”. A sentence I keep hearing from people of different nationalities, and mostly those who live far away from Eastern Europe.

But for Bulgarians the reality is different. Greece is usually among the first countries we get to visit, most probably on a summer holiday with our parents when we’re still children. It’s just… right there. You can easily get there by car. And for some Bulgarians, the Greek seaside is closer than our own Black Sea resort towns.

I am no exception to this rule. My first time setting foot in Greece was during my teenage years – I got to visit Lefkada with my family for a few days, and I remember it being incredibly beautiful.

A few years ago I went back to Greece and visited the second foot of Halkidiki, this time with a group of friends.

And as the saying goes, third time’s a charm. In 2022 I got to visit Greece once more, this time with my partner. The occasion was my birthday and the trip was planned literally at the very last minute. The dates were at the end of August and the destination was determined by the cheapest flight possible from Bulgaria to Greece – so Corfu it was.

We’ve all heard of Mykonos and Santorini, but how many people have actually considered visiting Corfu? Here’s my travel guide of all the amazing places you can visit here and showing you why it’s worth adding it to your bucket list!

Where to stay in Corfu

If you’re visiting Corfu for 3 days only, I recommend staying in one place and exploring the island by car.

We rented this apartment which was a last-minute find and it was a 15-20 minute walk outside the Old Town. We had to walk every day which was a hassle, as there were almost no sidewalks and it was quite scary knowing the cars might not see you coming. The plus side was that the apartment came with a parking spot.

If we were to visit Corfu again, we’d book this beautiful apartment which seems to have perfect reviews and a convenient location.

There are many different accommodation options – from AirBnb-style apartments for any budget, to boutique hotels in Corfu town and around the whole island, so you’ll surely find something suitable for you. If you’re travelling in the summer – start looking in advance!

How to get around Corfu

The Old Town is easily walking and we actually walked from the airport to our accommodation. But if you want to see as much as possible, I recommend renting a car for a day or two.

We got ours from Fair Deal – keep reading for the full story of how we managed to get a convertible Fiat 500 even though everything was sold out online.

I still recommend you to check Discover Cars in advance if you want to be sure you’ll get a car during your stay.

3-Day Corfu Itinerary

Day 1 in Corfu – Explore the Old Town Kerkyra and nearby

Start your trip by exploring the Old Town of Corfu – Kerkyra, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One day can be enough, but don’t stress if you don’t manage to visit every single place on this list. Choose the ones that seem the most interesting to you. We didn’t get to see all of them, but now we have a reason to come back!

Here are the main places to add to your Corfu Day 1 itinerary.

The Old Fortress

The Old Fortress was built by the Venetians in the 15th century and was used as a defensive structure against Ottoman attacks. It is situated on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge and features impressive fortifications, a church, and a lighthouse. Today, it’s one of the major landmarks of Corfu and it hosts cultural events and exhibitions.

The entrance is located just in front of the Liston and you need to pay a fee to enter. I strongly advise you to visit it either early in the morning or later in the afternoon (a couple of hours before it closes), as there’s nowhere to hide from the sun and the heat can be brutal!

You might also be interested in: Guided Walking Tour and Local Food Tastings in Corfu Town

The New Fortress

The New Fortress, also built by the Venetians in the 16th century, was constructed to strengthen Corfu’s defenses following the Ottoman invasion of the island. It is situated on a hill overlooking the town and the sea and features an impressive system of fortifications, barracks, and tunnels. Today, it is a popular spot for tourists to take in the stunning views of the town and surrounding area.

Liston

Liston is a picturesque promenade lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops. Grab a coffee or a drink and enjoy the view. You can even save it for your evening walk, as it’s quite beautiful at night as well.

Spilias Square

Spilias Square is a historic square located in the heart of Corfu town. It’s named after the fountain that stands in the middle of the square, which was built in the 18th century.

Statue of Georgios Theotokis

The Statue of Georgios Theotokis is a bronze statue located in the center of the square, dedicated to a prominent politician and statesman from Corfu who served as Prime Minister of Greece in the late 19th century.

St. Spyridon Church

Saint Spyridon Church is a Greek Orthodox church located in the old town of Corfu. It was built in the 16th century and is dedicated to Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of the island. The church is renowned for its impressive bell tower and beautiful interior adorned with frescoes and icons.

You might also be interested in: Olive Oil Experience – The Governor’s Olive Mill in Corfu

St. George’s Church

St. George’s Church is another Greek Orthodox church located in the old town of Corfu. It was built in the 1840s and is dedicated to Saint George, the patron saint of England. The church features an impressive neoclassical façade and beautiful interior decorations. It is also home to the Museum of Asian Art, which showcases a collection of art and artifacts from Asia.

The Anemomilos Windmill

The Anemomilos Windmill in Corfu is an 18th-century windmill located on the eastern coast of the island. Its beautiful cylindrical shape and traditional Greek architecture make it a popular attraction for tourists, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding village and sea.

We also found a lot of people bathing in the water around the windmill, so the area served also as a “beach” to some extent.

Now that we’ve covered the area of the old town, here are a few places that are outside of the old town, but relatively nearby and still worth visiting!

Airport Landing Strip View – take a photo with a plane above your head

The airport landing strip view is a popular spot in Corfu where visitors can watch planes take off and land from a viewing area near the end of the runway. The view is particularly stunning at sunset when the sky is painted in orange and pink hues.

If you look at some photos taken there, it literally looks like one can almost touch the plane – that’s how close it is!

You just need to have the patience to wait for the right moment when a plane passes.

You might also be interested in: From Corfu Island: Antipaxos & Paxos Blue Caves Boat Cruise

Vlacherna Monastery

​​The Vlacherna Monastery is a small 17th-century monastery located on a tiny islet in the shallow waters of the Ionian Sea, just off the coast of Corfu. It’s really close to the airport landing strip view, so be sure to visit both places when you’re here.

This is one of the most iconic landmarks of the island, known for its picturesque setting and beautiful white-washed church with a red-tiled roof.

Royal Achilleion Palace

The Achilleion Palace is a beautiful neoclassical palace built by Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the 19th century. It’s surrounded by gardens and offers stunning views of the sea, making it one of the most popular places on the island.

This was one of the places we couldn’t visit due to the fact that it was closed when we were in Corfu (August 2022). Be sure to check in advance if the palace is open before visiting! The palace is also outside of the Old Town, so you’d either need a car or go by bus.

Restaurants in the Old Town of Corfu

Stergiou Paradosiako Kafeneio-Oyzeri

A bit outside the Old Town, but very close to where we were staying, we found this restaurant which we literally visited three times while we were there.
The food was delicious, the portions were generous, the staff – super kind, and they gave us unlimited water for free! Absolutely recommend.

Click to find Stergiou Paradosiako Kafeneio-Oyzeri on Google Maps

Tesoro Mio

Another random find, but we got so lucky with this one! If I could, I’d come here once a week to eat some pasta. I think this was the best pasta I’ve ever had! And the atmosphere was unbeatable – next to the sea with fairy lights all over… You must visit this restaurant!

Click to find Tesoro Mio on Google Maps

Salto Wine Bar

My boyfriend Sammy found this place to take me to on my birthday, as this was the occasion for this trip. This is a sophisticated and modern restaurant where all dishes are relatively small and you get to share everything. You’ll get to try some unique combinations and everything was really well made!

Click to find Salto оn Google Maps

Day 2 in Corfu – Visit the Northern and Western part of Corfu

Day 2 is the time to move away from the Old Town and explore the rest of Corfu! We decided to rent a car for our second day – let me share some more about our experience.

We first wanted to book a car online, but sadly the platforms showed that there were no cars left to rent in Kerkyra. We still wanted to check the car dealers before taking the bus, so the evening before we went on a car hunt. There’s this street in Kerkyra where you can find quite a few rental companies in one place.

We literally went door to door, asking for their available cars and what their price was. It turned out that there were quite a few options with prices ranging from 60 to 100+ euros for a small car for one day. We finally went with the car that excited us the most and was the second cheapest option – a convertible Fiat 500! The rental company we used was Fair Deal.

If you want to be on the safe side, I still advise you to check the options and book your car through Discover Cars.

We had our car and we were ready to set off to the northern part of Corfu!

Check prices and reviews for car rental here.

Sidari

We drove about 50 minutes to Sidari, which is located on the northern coast, and is one of the most popular towns in Corfu. The place is known for its sandy beach and breathtaking cliffs, and if you have more time in Corfu, you can even spend a night here.

The reason we drove to Sidari was to visit the main attractions nearby – Cape Drastis and Canal d’Amour.

Canal d’Amour

One of the must-see attractions in Sidari is the Canal d’Amour, a unique rock formation that has been shaped by the sea over time. This picturesque spot features narrow channels of water and small coves that are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. According to local legend, couples who swim together through the narrow channel will stay together forever!

The canal is located just 5 minutes away from Sidari by car. The sad thing is that it’s become so popular that it’s absolutely overcrowded, which put us off from staying on this “beach” (more like cliffs). There were so many people and absolutely no shade, that we just took some photos and left.

Cape Drastis

Another stunning spot near Sidari is Cape Drastis, a rocky promontory on the northwest coast of Corfu. Here, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding landscape. It’s the perfect spot for hiking, taking photos, or just soaking up the natural beauty of the area.

Now this is a place where we spent over an hour just to take photos, fly the drone and enjoy the view. There’s also the option to walk all the way down where you’ll find a picturesque beach.

Porto Timoni

After spending more than enough time at Cape Drastis, we made our way to another must-see place in Corfu, namely the Porto Timoni beach.

Located on the northwest coast of Corfu, Porto Timoni is a hidden gem that’s worth the trek. To get there, you’ll need to hike for about 30-40 minutes along a scenic path through olive groves and rocky cliffs. Once you arrive, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of two secluded coves separated by a narrow strip of land. The turquoise waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and the peaceful atmosphere is perfect for relaxing.

Paleokastritsa

After Porto Timoni, we drove to Paleokastritsa which was another 45 minutes on the road to get there.

Paleokastritsa is one of those unique destinations you have to feel with your heart. This picturesque village is located on the west coast of Corfu and is famous for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters. The main beach in Paleokastritsa is surrounded by cliffs and offers great swimming and sunbathing opportunities. There are also several other beaches in the area, including Agios Spyridon, which is located at the end of a scenic drive through the countryside. While you’re in Paleokastritsa, be sure to visit the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, which offers breathtaking views of the coastline.

Right at the beach in Paleokastritsa you can take a guided boat trip around the rock formations in this area. It lasts around 45 minutes to 1 hour and a local guide takes you to see some caves and other rock formations while telling you about the history of the place. We paid 10 EUR per person and it was lovely!

This was our final stop for the day, and we used the remaining hours to swim with our snorkels and enjoy the beautiful water at one of the small beaches.

Where to go for food and drinks

Nikos Restaurant

Right after we finished enjoying the beach at Paleokastritsa, we sat down at Nikos Restaurant for dinner. It’s right next to the beach and it offers a beautiful view of the sea and the rocks. The food was also quite nice!

Click to find Nikos Restaurant on Google Maps

Sweet and Crispy

This place is located up north, in Sidari, and we had some lunch there. It was affordable and super delicious – I’d definitely go back again!

Click to find Sweet and Crispy on Google Maps

Acapulco Bar

Acapulco is a bar on the coast that was recommended to us by another Bulgarian couple we met during our trip. It’s a place where you can chill all day long with a cocktail in your hand, admiring the beautiful Ionian sea.

Click to find Acapulco Bar on Google Maps

Later in the evening we drove back to Kerkyra and returned the car we had rented for the day. Alternatively, you can sleep on the west coast or even change the program and do this on your last day. It all depends on your preferences and the time you have on the island.
Let’s move on to our final day in Corfu, which we spent doing the famous boat trip to Paxos and Antipaxos.

Day 3 in Corfu – Take a boat day trip to Paxos and Antipaxos

Day trip to Paxos and Antipaxos

We had saved our last day for one of the most recommended experiences on Corfu – taking a day trip to the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos. We booked this boat tour with a visit to the town of Gaios, and it was pretty much a last-minute booking. It turned out that it’s better to book in advance, as we almost didn’t get a spot.

Check availability and prices for this boat trip

The Paxos and Antipaxos islands offer breathtaking views of crystal-clear waters and stunning landscapes. However, it’s important to note that this trip is a very popular tourist attraction, and the crowds can be overwhelming.

We were on a boat with around 100 other people, and there were several other boats leaving Corfu at the same time that day. At the snorkeling spot near Antipaxos all boats were parked, and the ropes of the boats created a restricted area for each group to stay in, making the experience less authentic, in my opinion. I really hoped we’d be let in open water with no one else around so we could snorkel freely, but sadly that wasn’t the case. However, the scenery was still beautiful.

We also visited the town of Gaios for a couple of hours, which seemed enough at first, but there were so many tourists that it was difficult to find a table at a restaurant for lunch. We had to wait around 15 minutes for a table, which made the experience stressful as we had to rush to catch the boat. The town itself is really charming, and it was great to explore the local shops and restaurants.

On the way back we sat on the upper deck right at the front of the boat. This was when some waves came out, which was absolutely fun but also a little bit scary!

The boat was splashing the waves and the water could reach all the way to the top of the boat, turning all of us soaking wet. If you decide to do this day trip, I strongly advise you to bring a waterproof backpack for your belongings!

In retrospect, the trip was really enjoyable, even though my expectations were slightly different. I mean, you can’t always have a small private tour and a private chef on board, like we did in the Seychelles, can you!? Don’t forget to bring some snacks and water with you.

P.S. Check out these Greece-inspired gifts you can get for your friends and loved ones.

Final thoughts

This concludes our 3-day Corfu itinerary where we literally tried to make every minute count and see as many places as possible. Corfu is stunning and worth spending even more days there, but you can experience quite a bit even in a short amount of time.

I hope this travel itinerary was helpful and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below – I always check and try to be helpful when I can!

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