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Guide to Corfu

Discover Corfu’s timeless elegance: Venetian architecture, pine-framed bays, and crystal-clear waters.

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Why Visit Corfu?

Beach in Corfu

Corfu is a cultural crossroads. Venetian fortresses guard the old town, French arcades line the Liston, and British touches linger in cricket pitches and neoclassical façades. The island’s UNESCO-listed Corfu Town is a living museum, yet it hums with modern life, whether its cafés spilling onto squares, or boutique shops tucked into campiello alleys.

Beyond the town, Corfu’s landscapes are lush and layered: cypress-studded hills, olive groves silvering in the breeze, and a coastline that flips from sandy sweeps to pebble coves. The northeast coast, home to all of our villas, is the island’s most coveted stretch: calm waters, chic harbours, and villages like Kalamaki and Agni, Kerasia, St Stephano, and Kassiopi, where life moves at a gentle rhythm.

Best Time to Visit to Corfu 

Corfu truly comes alive in midsummer. July and August bring guaranteed sunshine, crystal-clear waters at their warmest, and a vibrant island atmosphere that’s second to none. From lively beach days to unforgettable evenings under starlit skies, this is the season for those who want it all. If you value warmth, space and a gentler pace, the shoulder months are especially rewarding. Late spring brings soft light, wildflowers and comfortably warm days; early autumn keeps the sea inviting while the island settles back into an easy rhythm. Leading travel planners highlight these windows for balancing sunshine with calmer beaches and quieter roads, Trailfinders points to April - June for mild weather and bloom, and September - October for warm seas without peak‑season bustle.

Getting to Corfu

Car parked on the coast

Corfu is easily accessible from the UK and Europe, with direct fights to Corfu International Airport. Ferries also connect the island to mainland Greece and other Ionian islands.

Car Hire

A car hire offers freedom to explore inland villages and mountain roads. For inland drives or a seamless arrival, we can arrange car hire and transfers before you travel. This ensures your holiday begins the moment you land, with everything tailored to your itinerary.

Boat Hire

The northeast coast is particularly suited to small-boat days. You can rent a vessel to skipper yourself or choose a captained option if you prefer guidance. If you're interested in arranging boat hire, contact one of our villa specialists.

Culture & History in Corfu

View of Corfu Old Town

Corfu’s past reveals itself as you travel through the island, bell towers above tiled roofs, the hush of a monastery courtyard, a Venetian arch caught by afternoon sun. The island’s layered history, with its ancient Greek roots, centuries of Venetian rule, and later French and British periods, has left a quiet elegance in its towns and villages.

Corfu Town's UNESCO‑listed old quarter brings together the Old and New Fortresses, the broad Spianada and the arcaded Liston with cafés under the arches and an easy evening promenade. It is as much a place to sit and watch the island pass by as it is to sightsee.

For days with a little more exploring:

  • Angelokastro
    High above Paleokastritsa, this Byzantine stronghold offers vast west‑coast views and a small rock‑hewn chapel with gentle frescoes. Late afternoon rewards with soft light and deep, layered blues.

  • Old Perithia
    Tucked below Mount Pantokrator, Old Perithia is a preserved mountain village of stone houses and tiny squares—some restored, some softened by moss and time. Lunch here, then continue up the mountain for the island’s grandest inland views.

  • Achilleion Palace
    South of town, Achilleion reflects Corfu’s 19th‑century fascination: Empress Elisabeth of Austria’s neoclassical villa, statuary in the gardens and terraces that look straight to the Ionian. Visit early, then return along the coast for a waterside lunch.

Corfiot Beaches Worth Your Time

  • Kaminaki & Angi – For long lunches and lazy swims.

  • Kalami – Calm waters and a literary legacy.

  • Avlaki – Breezy and spacious; great for paddleboarding.

  • Paleokastritsa – Iconic turquoise coves (worth the drive west).

  • Porto Timoni – Twin bays after a rewarding hike - pack water and sturdy shoes.

Food & Drink in Corfu

Corfiot seafood platter

Corfu’s food scene is a rarity in Greece, a culinary culture that blends European influences with time-honoured traditions. The feta salads, mezes, and souvlaki dishes of the mainland are still popular here, but Corfu adds its own twist with Venetian-inspired recipes and Italian flavours.

Signature dishes include:

  • Pastitsada – A slow-cooked beef or rooster dish with pasta and a paprika-rich tomato sauce.

  • Sofrito – Tender veal in white wine and garlic, a dish that speaks to Corfu’s Venetian roots.

Corfiot seafood is exceptional, whether its grilled octopus, lobster pasta, and freshly caught fish served at waterside tavernas. Agni only has three tavernas, but two are island-famous for their home-style cooking and unbeatable views. St Stephano and Kassiopi also boast excellent dining spots, while Corfu Town offers a mix of casual eateries and high-end restaurants.

Start or end your meal with a shot of kumquat liqueur, Corfu’s signature spirit. This neon-orange delicacy is an enduring island ritual, served as a welcome drink, aperitif, or the perfect accompaniment to a dreamy sunset.

Where to Stay: Our Villas in Corfu

Kalokairi Beach House, CV Villas

Our Corfu villa portfolio is thoughtfully placed across the northeast, close to calm coves, small harbours and boat jetties, so the best of the island folds naturally into each day. 

Here are a few suggestions to inspire your search

  • Kalokairi Beach House - Set within easy walking distance of sandy Kalamaki Beach, Kalokairi Beach House is a superb coastal property for a group of friends or a family gathering.

  • Gallini -  In a wonderful waterside setting, with a pool that feels like the prow of a ship, and rock bathing to the left, this is an unpretentious family villa in Corfu, an easy walk from a choice of beaches.

  • Mimosa House - Nestled amid silvered olive groves on a peaceful coastal hillside, this excellent luxury villa boasts sea views from the exceptional swimming pool, all in a quiet setting.

To find out more about Corfu, make sure to speak with one of our Villa Specialists or make an enquiry today.