Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Corfu?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Corfu?
Most people spend at least 5 or as many as 7 days in Corfu during their visit. The natural island offers amazing highlights such as the beaches, the hiking, the cuisine, and the gorgeous scenery.
Corfu is famous for its stunning natural beauty and impressive sandy beaches that are set against the turquoise blue Mediterranean waters. It's the most northern of the Ionian Islands and it has rolling green hills to the south and striking limestone rock formations to the north. The island also has very lush Mediterranean vegetation. The island is diverse enough that there's really something for everyone - family-friendly hotels, adventure water sports, an active nightlife scene, and romantic resorts that make for the perfect honeymoon.
Do you have one or two days to visit Corfu? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Corfu?
Corfu, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself rushing through the island's activities such as the beaches, the hiking, and the cuisine. To really see what this island boasts, you'll more likely need at least 5 or as many as 7 days. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit, including Canal d'Amour.
How to spend a day in Corfu
The beautiful beaches await you in Corfu, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The island is known for its stunning beaches which offer a diversity of settings ranging from family-friendly to natural or party-focused. The most famous beach resort area is Paleokastritsa but other nice places include Pelekas, Agios Gordis, and Glyfada. On the western side of the island you'll find mostly long sandy beaches and on the eastern side you'll find more pebble beaches.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Tour of Corfu Beaches Paleokastritsa and Glyfada ($165)
- Private Shore Excursion: Corfu Beaches Paleokastritsa and Glyfada ($165)
- Full Day Cruise from Corfu in Classic Wooden Vessel, Swim & BBQ ($112)
The delicious food of Corfu is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this island's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. The island's local dishes are heavily influenced by the surrounding areas. You'll find similarities to Greek and Venetian dishes as well France and Mediterranean flavors. Common ingredients include wine, garlic, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice and several traditional dishes that you should try include pastitsado (red wine stew), sofrito (garlic seasoned beef), and veal fricando (roasted veal).
A few tour suggestions include:
- The Governor Olive Mill Tour with Olive Oil Tasting ($75)
- Winery tour with Wine and Olive tasting in Corfu ($24)
- Royalty Winery tour with tasting at Theotoky Estate in Corfu ($25)
Corfu is a very walkable city. With only a day in the island, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. It's easy to walk around Corfu Town, and if you plan to spend most of your time at the beach there's really no need for a car.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Corfu?
With only a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to explore the island. After all, Corfu, a small island brimming with sights and attractions, holds immense popularity among tourists. To fully embrace Corfu, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to schedule about five to seven days to experience the beaches, the hiking, the cuisine, and the gorgeous scenery. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.
Corfu, Greece
How to spend 2 days in Corfu
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Corfu will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.
Known for it's hiking, Corfu sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The stunning natural beauty of the island means you'll find some of the most breathtaking hikes in the Greek Isles. From the lush green rolling hills to the striking blue waters, there are many places to soak up this island's idyllic setting. The island is also rich in plant life and you'll find more than 30 species of orchids here. Popular hiking trails include Vlacherna Trail (good for beginners and families), Mount Pantokrator Trail (the most challenging on the island), and Old Town Hiking Trail which takes you through the history of the area.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Corfu from Above: Hiking at the Highest Peak of Corfu ($49)
Corfu is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The island is known for its natural beauty. There are idyllic rolling green hills on the southern side and dramatic limestone rocks towards the north.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Motor Boat Hire in Corfu Italmar 17,asso 5.10. No license needed ($176)
- Shadows of the Past: Corfu Town Dark History Walking Tour ($29)
- Corfu: Sunset Cruise on a Wooden Vessel with Cocktails & Bites ($53)
Public transit in Corfu is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the island quite easily. There's a decent public bus system on the island. The blue buses stay near Corfu Town while the green buses go further around the island.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Corfu, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.