10 Best Things to Do
Corfu combines Venetian fortresses and arcaded squares with olive-covered hills, sandy beaches and small coastal villages. Corfu Town’s lanes lead between the Old Fortress, the Liston and the Palace of St Michael and St George. Beyond town, Paleokastritsa has rocky bays and a hilltop monastery, while Old Perithia preserves a mountain village setting. The west coast’s Glyfada beach and the eastern resort areas offer different bases; allow for winding roads when travelling across the island.
Walk Corfu Old Town
Corfu Town, Greece
Corfu’s old town rewards a walk that makes room for detours. Begin among Campiello’s narrow lanes, where tall buildings and small squares create an intimate scale, then emerge into the open space of Spianada and the arcades of Liston. The changing architecture reflects the island’s layered history without requiring a museum ticket. Give yourself time to pause for coffee, look above the shopfronts and return to a favourite lane once the light has changed.
Architecture and everyday island life
Explore the Old Fortress
Corfu Town, Greece
Crossing the sea moat into the Old Fortress feels like leaving the town for a separate world of stone walls and military architecture. Venetian defences, later barracks and the church of Saint George reveal successive chapters of Corfu’s history. The climb to the highest point adds a clear view of the relationship between town and sea. Allow time for both the structures and the outlook, with sturdy shoes for the uneven surfaces and an unhurried ascent.
Defensive history and panoramic views
Visit the Museum of Asian Art
Corfu Town, Greece
The Museum of Asian Art offers an unexpected change of perspective in the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George. Collections range across Chinese and Japanese art, Central Asia and the cultures of South and Southeast Asia, while the palace contributes its own architectural interest. Choose a few areas to explore closely rather than treating the rooms as a checklist. It is particularly rewarding when you have already spent time walking outside and want a quieter, more concentrated cultural visit.
Asian collections in a historic palace
Visit the Archaeological Museum of Corfu
Corfu Town, Greece
The Archaeological Museum reaches further back than Corfu Town’s familiar Venetian streets. Its collections trace the island from prehistory through the Roman period, with the monumental Gorgon pediment from the sanctuary of Artemis providing a powerful centrepiece. Smaller finds and other sculptures add context to that dramatic encounter. Make it a focused visit before exploring the ancient sites around the Kanoni peninsula, or use it as an indoor counterpoint to a day spent among the town’s squares and fortifications.
Understanding ancient Corfu
Explore Mon Repos and the Palaiopolis Museum
Kanoni peninsula, Greece
Mon Repos combines a neoclassical mansion, an archaeological museum and a green estate south of central Corfu Town. Inside, displays connect the building’s British-period residents with discoveries from ancient Palaiopolis, giving the visit two distinct historical layers. Outside, the park invites a slower walk among trees and traces of earlier monuments. Plan time for both elements and check museum access independently of the grounds, especially if the exhibition is the main reason for your visit.
A museum visit with a park walk
Climb to Angelokastro
Krini, Greece
Angelokastro occupies a commanding cliff above Corfu’s northwest coast, making the approach part of the experience. The surviving castle and small churches reveal a defensive site shaped by its steep natural setting. Once at the top, the outlook across the western coastline explains why the position mattered. Visit with time to climb steadily and explore the remains, rather than rushing up for a photograph, and choose a cooler part of the day when conditions allow.
A dramatic Byzantine lookout
Visit Paleokastritsa Monastery
Paleokastritsa, Greece
The Monastery of the Theotokos stands above Paleokastritsa’s bay, giving a visit both a spiritual focus and a remarkable coastal setting. Its small museum holds icons and religious objects that reward attention beyond the view. Approach it as a place of worship, allowing quiet time in the church and courtyard before looking out over the water. It pairs naturally with time along this part of the coast, while offering a more reflective experience than a beach stop alone.
Sacred art and coastal scenery
Wander through Old Perithia
Old Perithia, Greece
Old Perithia offers a different view of Corfu, high beneath Mount Pantokrator rather than beside the sea. Stone houses, churches and lanes show a village in varying stages of restoration, with tavernas and local activity giving it a continuing life. Walk slowly and pay attention to architectural details before settling down for lunch. The appeal lies in spending time within the settlement, so leave room for a pause and respect the homes and buildings that remain private.
Mountain village architecture
Walk beside Korission Lagoon
Chalikounas and Issos, Greece
Korission Lagoon and the neighbouring dunes offer a quieter encounter with Corfu’s southwest coast. Sea, sand and wetland sit close together, with paths linking the landscape around Chalikounas and Issos. Bring binoculars if you enjoy watching birds, but regard sightings as a possibility rather than a promise. A gentle walk here works best with water, sun protection and time to stop, while keeping to established routes and giving the protected vegetation and wildlife plenty of space.
Dunes, wetlands and birdlife
See Vlacherna from Kanoni
Kanoni, Greece
Kanoni brings together one of Corfu’s most recognisable coastal views: the small Vlacherna monastery below the viewpoint and Pontikonisi beyond it. Walk down towards the water to appreciate the changing perspective, then pause rather than rushing through the scene. The nearby airport adds an unusual note as aircraft pass close to the shore. A boat crossing to Pontikonisi can extend the visit when operating, but the shore and viewpoint are worthwhile in their own right.
A classic Corfu coastal view