Corfu tours and tickets
Corfu Town is compact, and most sights are bought at the gate. The things to arrange ahead in summer are boat trips, the crossing to Paxos or Albania, and a car for the west coast. The Old Fortress, the Achilleion and the museums sell tickets on the spot. Day trips by coach are common on cruise days.
Book these first
- Boat trips, and ferries to Paxos or Albania
- 1 to 2 weeks ahead in summer. Seats on the popular days sell out, and outside the main season the schedules thin out.
- A rental car for the villages and the west coast
- 2 to 4 weeks ahead from June to September. Cars run short at the airport in summer, and the roads outside the town are narrow.
- Dinner at a fine dining restaurant
- a week or more ahead from June to September. The few tasting-menu places have small dining rooms and fill fast.
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Monuments and landmarks
Old Fortress
A Venetian fortress on a rock at the east end of the town, with sea views from the top and a lighthouse. Entry is by ticket at the gate.
Which to pick. Go early, before cruise groups arrive. Wear shoes with grip, since the paths are uneven.
Not needed, buy at the gateVisitor guideTours and tickets on ViatorNew Fortress
A 16th century Venetian fort above the port, with tunnels and a rooftop view over the harbor. It is smaller and quieter than the Old Fortress.
Which to pick. Add it if you have time. It is easy to see in under an hour.
Not neededVisitor guideTours and tickets on ViatorAchilleion Palace
A late 19th century palace built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria in Gastouri, about 10 km south. Gardens, statues and a sea view come with the ticket.
Which to pick. Go early or late to avoid the coach groups. Tours stop here, but a taxi works too.
A few days ahead in summer for toursVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
Museum of Asian Art
A museum in the old palace on the Spianada, with Chinese, Japanese and Indian works in a calm set of rooms. A garden lies behind.
Which to pick. Go for a quiet hour out of the midday sun, and see the garden behind. Buy at the door.
Not needed, buy at the doorOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorArchaeological Museum of Corfu
Best known for the 6th century BC Gorgon pediment from the temple of Artemis. It sits south of the Old Town, a short taxi ride away.
Which to pick. Take a taxi and give it an hour. The pediment is the reason to go.
Not neededTours and tickets on Viator
On the water
Boat trip from Corfu port
Day boats sail along the coast to coves and sea caves, with swim stops and lunch. Some run to Paxos and Antipaxos instead.
Which to pick. Choose a smaller boat for a quieter day. Check the stops and what lunch includes.
1 to 2 weeks ahead in summerTours and tickets on ViatorPaxos and Antipaxos
Boats leave Corfu port for the two small islands to the south, with beach stops and blue water. The crossing varies by operator and season.
Which to pick. Check the timetable, since sailings thin out outside July and August. Book a trip that gives enough time on Antipaxos.
1 to 2 weeks ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Paleokastritsa
A bay with coves, a monastery and boat trips to sea caves, about 25 km north west and 40 minutes by car. Go early, because the road and the beach fill by late morning.
Which to pick. Take a rental car or a taxi, and go early before the road fills. Boats to the caves leave from the beach.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorAlbania and Butrint
Passenger boats connect Corfu port with Saranda, and from there a tour goes to the ruins of Butrint. Take your passport and check entry rules before you go.
Which to pick. Book the whole thing as one tour, so the ferry and the guide are linked. Check the time of the last boat back.
1 to 2 weeks ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Experiences and nights out
Corfu Town food walk
A guided walk through the lanes and markets, with tastes of local cheese, sweets, kumquat liqueur and olive oil. It lasts about three hours.
Which to pick. Go on your first day to learn where to eat for the rest of the trip. Check the group size and the stops.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on ViatorCooking class
A hands-on class in local dishes such as pastitsada, often with a market visit and a meal at the end. Some are in villages outside the town.
Which to pick. Choose a class near the town if you have no car, and confirm the pickup point and the end time before you book.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Booking tours and tickets in Corfu
Do I need a car in Corfu?
Not for the town, which is walkable. For the west coast and the villages a car helps. Book it two to four weeks ahead from June to September.
Is the Albania trip easy?
Yes, as an organized day. Take your passport, check entry rules for your nationality and keep the time of the last return boat in mind.
Do cruise passengers need to book?
Not for the town. For Paleokastritsa or the Achilleion, a ship excursion or a taxi is simplest. Keep a buffer before departure.
Are the fortresses free?
No. Both sell tickets at the gate, and opening days change by season, so check the official listing before you go.
What if the sea is rough?
Boat trips can be delayed or canceled. Check the cancellation terms and leave a spare day for Paxos and Albania.
What can I leave until I arrive?
Fortresses, museums, food walks and the Achilleion can be done on the day. Book boat trips and the Albania crossing before you travel.