Best Things to Do in Corfu

Corfu pairs one of Europe's grandest UNESCO-listed historic port cities with dramatic coastal hikes, Byzantine cliff castles and Ionian island hopping. Here are the ten experiences that define a visit.

1. Wander the pastel Venetian kantounia alleys and the Liston in UNESCO-listed Corfu Old Town. Sip coffee under the 1807 French arcades overlooking the Spianada cricket green, visit the 1589 Church of St Spyridon and explore the laundry-draped lanes of Campiello.
2. Climb to the lighthouse summit of the 1546 Old Venetian Fortress (Palaio Frourio). Cross the sea moat (Contrafossa) to stand atop the twin rocky peaks that saved Europe from the 1537 and 1716 Ottoman sieges.
3. Swim and boat through the six emerald bays of Paleokastritsa and Angelokastro. Board a wooden boat into the Blue Eye sea caves, visit the 1228 hilltop monastery, and look down from the 305-metre Byzantine cliff castle of Angelokastro.
4. Hike down from Afionas village to the twin-bay isthmus of Porto Timoni. Stand above two back-to-back turquoise coves separated by a narrow strip of pebbles and olive trees.

5. Walk across the water to Vlacherna Monastery and take a boat to Mouse Island (Pontikonisi). Pair Corfu's most famous viewpoint at Kanoni with a shaded walk through the 1831 royal gardens and ancient temples of Mon Repos Palace.
6. Take a full-day boat cruise to Paxos, Antipaxos (Voutoumi Beach) and the Blue Caves. Swim in the Caribbean-like neon-blue water of Antipaxos and lunch in pastel Gaios or Lakka harbour.
7. Marvel at the white sandstone cliffs of Cape Drastis, Loggas and Canal d'Amour. Watch sunset from the sheer vertical clay cliffs of Peroulades in the far north-west.
8. Visit Empress Sisi's 1890 Achilleion Palace Gardens in Gastouri. Admire the marble statues of the Dying Achilles and panoramic views back toward Corfu Town.

9. Explore the 14th-century ghost village of Old Perithia below Mount Pantokrator. Dine on slow-cooked rooster and wild greens among 130 Venetian stone houses at 450 metres elevation, or swim at Kalami and Kassiopi.
10. Feast on Venetian-Corfiot pastitsada, sofrito and kumquat liqueur. Experience the unique spice-and-wine gastronomy of the Ionian Islands.