Key Takeaways
- Corfu Island is a diverse destination that attracts travelers from around the world due to its dense vegetation, rich history, and valuable cultural heritage spanning over 3,000 years.
- The island offers a range of activities, such as swimming in shimmering waters, walking on sandy beaches, hiking up green hills, strolling through picturesque alleys, and indulging in local dishes.
- Corfu has been influenced by various occupying powers, including the Venetians, French, and English, which is evident in its architecture, cultural attractions, and gastronomy.
- There are several options for exploring Corfu, including a tour around the island, a private food walking tour, a full-day tour to notable sites such as Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa, a semi-private sailing trip, a night tour with a traditional meze dinner, and an olive oil tasting experience combined with a visit to the Corfu Old Town.
The diverse destination of Corfu, the Ionian island off Greece’s northwest coast, captures the hearts of travelers from all over the world.
Perhaps the Greek island with the densest vegetation, Corfu, has a rich history and valuable cultural heritage that goes back more than 3,000 years.
Here, you can swim in the shimmering waters, walk on sandy beaches, hike up the green hills, stroll through the picturesque alleys, and indulge in scrumptious local dishes.
The Venetians, French, and English have left their mark on the island, following their occupations, with their influences manifesting themselves in Corfu’s architecture, cultural attractions, and, of course, gastronomy.
Although Corfu is large, even if you only have a limited amount of time to spend on the island, finding yourself there during one of your cruise’s layovers, we can make sure you get to experience the best of what Corfu has to offer.
Here, we present you with ideas for shore excursions in Corfu to make your short stay on the island an unforgettable adventure!
Find your way around Corfu's port
As soon as you disembark from your cruise ship in the port of Corfu, you'll have a free shuttle bus provided by the port that will take you to the terminal.
The walk to Corfu's city center takes approximately 20-25 min; however, if you're not up for the long walk under the blazing sun, you can find public buses right outside the terminal that will take you to your desired destination.
Alternatively, you can get a taxi, which will set you back approximately 10 euros.
If, however, you’re eager to discover the beauties of Corfu island and you want to do so comfortably and effortlessly, we highly suggest you indulge in a tour around Corfu, where you'll get to sit back and relax while we make sure you get to see the best of the island.
Our skilled driver will wait for you right outside the terminal, where you will embark on a fun adventure!
Don't worry; we promise to have you back in time to go through the boarding pass control with plenty of time to spare before you continue your cruising around Greece's islands.
Private Corfu Food Walking Tour
The best way to uncover the secrets of an island is by walking through it, getting to feel, smell and touch your way around it, as well as getting to taste its local offerings. Let the historic city of Corfu sweep you off your feet on a walking food tour around the town.
Explore Greek gastronomy thoroughly and let yourself live and eat like a local, even if it is just for a short while. The scenic, narrow streets of Corfu -or ‘kaldounia’- will transform the whole experience into an out-of-this-world fairytale.
Along with your knowledgeable expert guide introducing you to Corfu’s culture and landscape, get ready to discover the city’s hidden gems while tasting some of its most delectable delicacies, including local cheeses, bougatsa, loukoumades, sofrito, and pastitsada, washed down with ginger beer, ouzo, and the traditional Kumquat liqueur!
If it floats your boat, check out more info here.
Corfu in a day: Achillion Palace, Paleokastritsa & Old Town
Corfu doesn’t lack in see-sighting opportunities. To fit as many cultural stimuli as possible in only a few hours, you can join us on a full-day private tour of Corfu, and let us show you the essence of Corfu in a day!
Seated comfortably in a luxurious vehicle, you will start your day by visiting the monumental palace of Achillion, built by the famous Empress of Austria Elizabeth, more widely known as Princess Sissi.
Following your visit to the palace, you will explore one of the most breathtakingly beautiful regions of the island, the Old Town of Corfu, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
Your day will come to an end on a high note as you will stroll through the coastal area of Paleokastritsa, appreciating its magnificent sea view, where land and sea melt to one another, awarding the visitors with dream-like sunsets.
Take full advantage of the island’s diversity and marvel at its history, art, culture, and natural beauty; this tour is just right for Corfu’s first-time visitors!
If it ruffles your truffles, check out more info here.
Corfu explored: Full-day Semi-private Sailing Trip
If you’re a sea-lover who wants to dive into the deep-blue waters of the Ionian Sea without having to deal with crowded beaches, you can elevate your short stay at Corfu with a luxurious sailing trip on a traditional wooden boat, designed to offer you an unmatched experience!
Seize the day by having an early start to your adventure; your sailing trip will start from the port of Corfu.
From the sea, you will have a clear view of the beautiful shore of Corfu. You will pass through its imposing fortresses, standing tall through centuries, moving along to isolated beaches, hidden from the visitors’ curious eyes; you will even get to set foot on uninhabited islands of striking beauty and fascinating history.
As true Greeks, we wouldn’t dare to leave you hungry!
Therefore, at lunchtime, you will get to taste luscious local dishes at Agios Stefanos, paired with deliciously aromatic local wine. At the end of the day, with a full belly, salty hair, a heart full of wonder, and a mind full of memories, you will return to the town of Corfu.
Whether alone, with a group of friends, with your family, or with your other half, don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience Corfu in such an unconventional and luxurious way!
Corfu by night with Traditional Meze Dinner
As John Milton, the famous English poet, once wondered, “What hath night to do with sleep?” The answer for Greeks is always ‘nothing,’ nothing at all.
Night in Greece is not for sleeping but for marveling at its beauty. Explore Corfu at night, when the lights and warmth of the locals bring it to life, on a half-day evening tour.
Visit the neighborhood of Kanoni, from where you can gaze at the arresting of ‘Pontikonisi’- which translates to ‘the island of mice’- and the little monastery of Vlahernon.
Then, take the opportunity to see the enticing old town of Corfu lit up; a sight not to be missed! After your night wanderings, you will conclude your evening adventure by enjoying a delicious meze dinner in one of the picturesque narrow streets of the old town.
A perfect close to a perfect day!
Corfu Old Town Tour with Olive Oil Tasting
The whole world praises the riches of the Greek land, providing its people with fresh, nutritious products that keep them healthy and strong. Corfu is no exception, with its land offering an array of local products the residents of Corfu incorporate into their daily cooking.
The brightest example? The pure, rich Greek olive oil our country is known for.
If you’re a foodie enthusiast who wants to taste the top-quality olive oil of Corfu, you’re in for a treat! Set about a half-day experience that will introduce you to the intense flavor of the Greek extra virgin olive oil that has derived from local ancient olive groves.
Indulge in an olive oil tasting, during which you’ll get to walk through hundreds-years-old olive trees, experiencing the land of Corfu with all your senses and educating yourself on basic olive-oil knowledge, including the way to distinguish the different grades of olive oil and pair them with the appropriate local flavors.
Keeping the best for last, the tour could not omit a visit to the UNESCO-protected Corfu Old Town, where you will bid goodbye to the awe-inspiring Greek island with a sated body and soul!
If it flies your kite, check out more info here.
There is something for everyone, as we consciously try to satisfy all tastes and needs. However, if you know what you want and you’re determined to have it, we can design a tailor-made tour just for you!
Final Thoughts
When there is a will, there's a way. No matter your time restrictions, you can experience the magical island of Corfu adequately and efficiently if you make the right choices. It takes brains, not brawn, and in this case, it takes the Greeking.me team to make your trip to Corfu an unforgettable experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top attractions to visit during a short stay on Corfu Island?
How can I make the most of my limited time on Corfu during a cruise layover?
What are the best options for exploring Corfu's natural beauty, such as beaches, hills, or sailing trips?
How can I get around Corfu from the port to different attractions or excursion points?
Can you suggest a shore excursion that covers the highlights of Corfu, including historical sites and scenic spots?
