The Best Things to Do in Corfu
Sunny Corfu is waiting for you. Here's what to do on one of Greece's most popular islands
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Leafy, architecturally ornate and incredibly popular, Corfu is a great choice of holiday destination. One of 227 of the inhabited Greek islands, this island has been home to the British, Venetians, and French as well as the Greek - a mix of cultures that has influenced its architecture, food, and more. Alongside beautiful towns, there’s gorgeous scenery and many of Greece’s famous beaches to enjoy. And, of course, plenty of our exclusive holiday homes to choose from. Here at Plum Guide, we know that accommodation can make or break a holiday, so we pride ourselves on providing only the very best for you (and the same can be said about our expert advice). So, here's our trustworthy opinion on the best things to do in Corfu.
Take a trip to Corfu Old Town
Visit the Museum of Asian Art
Head through the Channel of Love
Relax in Pontikonisi
Work on your tan at Paleokastritsa Beach
Let the kids loose at Aqualand Corfu
Enjoy a history lesson at the Folklore Museum of Acharavi
Take a trip to Corfu Old Town
A view over the brown rooftops of clustered buildings in Corfu Old Town, Greece
When something is a UNESCO world heritage site, you just know it’s worth seeing. And Corfu’s Old Town is no different, being one of the most gorgeously photogenic corners in the whole of Greece. This is where you’ll take the holiday snap that will make your friends jealous - trust us. What makes this place special is the jumbled influences you can see everywhere you look - Italian, French, British; it’s all here. You can expect to see wrought-iron balconies, windows with shutters, and terracotta rooftops. Town square The Spianada is straight out of England, and there’s even a cricket field (the only one in Greece, in case you brought your bat). A row of cute cafes along The Liston is a dead cert for Paris’ Rue de Rivoli, and colourful bougainvillaea draped over red rooftops screams Venice.
If you’re into the Italy-in-Greece vibe, our home Spa Heracles, not far from the Old Town, will give you that same feeling, like eating Italian gelato with Greek yogurt at the same time (plus it has every amenity you could possibly wish for). A large swimming pool, sauna and steam room, a massage and spa treatment room, a TV in every room and an outdoor sound system means that your vacation relaxation will occur very easily indeed.
Spa Heracles, Plum Guide home in Corfu
Visit the Museum of Asian Art
Corfu Museaum of Asian Art | Image by Dan Lundberg is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
If you're looking for culture on your list of Corfu activities, look no further. The only Asian art museum in Greece, Corfu's Museum of Asian Art is a fascinating and well kept institution founded in 1928 by two Greek Diplomats. Located in a former palace, it’s the perfect place to spend a morning if you simply can’t go on holiday without getting your daily culture fix. It has a vast collection of exhibits ranging from countries including China, Japan, Tibet, Eastern Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan, Cambodia, and Thailand. With more than 15,000 items of Asian art from private collections and individual donations, you’re sure to find something that will hold your attention. After all that culture, head back to the family-friendly villa Beach Daze. The sleek modern theme and decorations make it an incredibly relaxing place to stay. A games room, shaded terrace and pool make it an ideal spot to unwind with your family and finally get that lie in you’ve been dreaming of for months.
Beach Daze, Plum Guide home in Greece
Head through the Channel of Love
Stop sniggering at the back there, please. This isn’t an innuendo, but is in fact one of the most popular things to do in Corfu, especially if you're in Greece as a couple. Located between the villages of Sidari and Peroulades on the northern coast of the island, it’s comprised of a pair of naturally formed sea walls, created by the corrosive effects of the water and the sea air on the rocks. Legend has it that if you swim between the walls with your loved one, you will stay together forever. And that’s definitely worth a try, right There’s a small beach leading to the canal itself, but fair warning that it gets crowded during the day, as this is a very popular spot (there are lots of lonely souls looking for love in Corfu, it would seem). Sunset is our recommended time to go - you can’t possibly get more romantic than that.
Gateway to Heaven, Plum Guide home in Corfu, Greece
Relax in Pontikonisi
A close up view of green plants with the sea in the background, Pontikonisi, Corfu, Greece
Do you ever wish you could just shut out the rest of the world? Do you get too many emails from Karen in HR? Does the incessant bleeping of your kid’s iPad drive you mad? It’s time that you visited Pontikonisi. A tiny islet at the southern tip of the island near Kanoni, the name translates to ‘mouse island’ in Greek. On it, you’ll find the seventeenth-century Venetian Monastery of Vlacherna, a small monastery, and a chapel, exuding all the calm energy you need but are currently lacking in your life. It’s an iconic spot, and one of the top things to do in Corfu - you might even recognise it from postcards. If you fancy visiting the island itself, you can take a small boat across from the beach below Kanoni. The church is open to the public all year round, although no monks live here any more. The island itself is a green oasis and an ideal spot to relax in nature for a few hours.
If it’s privacy you’re after, our impressively well-appointed house Kerkyra Skies is very peacefully located while still being only ten minutes from the buzz of town life. You’ll have no neighbours and no-one to overlook you, so if you want to swim naked in the outdoor pool, feel free to live your truth. Tennis courts, a gym, and a sleekly designed sense of indoor/outdoor living means you’ll struggle to get on the plane back home.
Kerkyra Skies, Plum Guide home in Corfu, Greece
Work on your tan at Paleokastritsa Beach
We’ve touched on it slightly in previous sections, but a day at one of Corfu’s renowned beaches is simply a must. There’s an endless amount of sandy strips to choose from, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a more scenic stretch than Paleokastritsa Beach, one of the most beautiful parts of Corfu. Looking out to the Ionian Sea between two towering cliffs, the colours on display will have friends and family back home thinking your photos are fake - don’t worry, we believe you. Take a dip in the blue, crystalline water to wash away all the stresses of work that hitched a ride on your shoulders, sheltered by the surrounding olive tree forests. Hop aboard a small boat and drift around on the gentle water, or swim out to the nearby coves for an adventurous pastime. Paleokastritsa may not be the largest beach in Corfu, but its colours and serenity unquestionably make it one of the finest. Plus, it’s perfectly safe for all the family - that’s your day sorted, then.
Let the kids loose at Aqualand Corfu
A bird's eye view of a small child playing with a ball in a swimming pool at a waterpark
Speaking of family friendly activities, it’s time to venture out to a waterpark - who doesn’t love a day out speeding down the slides? Aqualand Corfu is arguably the most acclaimed waterpark in the entirety of this famous Greek isle, and with the entertainment on offer for kids and adults alike, it isn’t hard to see why. The park has 51 different slides for you to try out (challenge: can you ride them all?), as well as a number of pools and a lazy river for a more relaxing day out - you’ll even find a wave pool, so don’t let that catch you out. You can spend an entire day here as a family, with food and drink provided, and sun beds dotted around the park to recharge your batteries. It's immaculately clean, excellently maintained, and centrally located, so there’s no trouble getting here from just about anywhere in Corfu. Pack your swimming costume, your sunglasses, and your sense of adventure, and head down here for a day of aquatic thrill - your kids will definitely thank you.
Enjoy a history lesson at the Folklore Museum of Acharavi
For those of you more interested in discovering Corfu’s story, rather than its exhilarating supply of water slides, you’ll want to take a trip to the Folklore Museum of Acharavi. There’s a huge amount to do in Corfu, but it’s our job to give you the ultimate itinerary, so that's exactly what we've done. This historic museum expertly depicts the numerous strands of local history, with artefacts, paintings, and fascinating depictions of life way back when. It's a family-run institution, so the swathes of tourists may finally leave you alone for this one - let them crowd themselves out at some of the more commonly visited museums on the island. The Folklore Museum of Acharavi is also located opposite the traditional Roman Baths which makes for a picturesque setting, and offers a memorable break from soaking up the sun. If you manage to leave Corfu with a tan, a camera full of pictures, and an improved knowledge of the island’s history and intriguing culture, then we’d say you’ve definitely done Corfu right.
