The Perfect 7 Days in Corfu: My Ultimate Must-See Itinerary!

Planning the perfect 7 days in Corfu? This emerald island is so much more than just a beach destination. It’s a landscape of ancient olive groves, a UNESCO-listed old town and hidden turquoise coves. This ultimate 7-day itinerary covers all my favourite must-see spots on the island.

Swimming at La Grotta Beach Bar in Palaiokastritsa, Corfu, Greece.
How to visit the Red Cathedral in Corfu. The Metropolitan Church of Our Lady Spelaiotissa and St Vlasios, Greece.

The Best Things to do in Corfu, Greece

In this 7 day Corfu itinerary I’ve put together all the experiences I believe are the very best things to do in Corfu, Greece, ranging from the expected (stunning beaches) to the unexpected (olive oil tasting was surprisingly fun!) while also allowing you to relax and enjoy your holiday.

Adapt this 1 week Corfu itinerary to your needs by moving the days around or cherry picking your preferred experiences. Arriving on Corfu I personally always want to get straight to the beaches in the north of the island, but you might want to explore Corfu Town first instead of at the end.

Read on for a 7 day plan of all of my favourite things to do on Corfu in a week:

Corfu: Quick Facts

Location: Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, to the west of Greece and Albania.
Currency: Euros (€).
When to visit?: The best time to visit Corfu is from late April to early October. The summer holidays (July/August) are busy and more expensive than the shoulder seasons (May/June & September).
What do I need?: Check out my Useful Travel Resources page for discounts on eSIMs, travel insurance and more!

7-Day Corfu Itinerary:

Day 1 | Porto Timoni (North Corfu)

A breathtaking viewpoint from the Afionas trail showing the two mirrored bays of Porto Timoni beach surrounded by lush green cliffs.
The best panoramic view of Porto Timoni’s double bay and the turquoise Ionian Sea from the Afionas hiking trail in Corfu.

Porto Timoni Beach & Viewpoint

If you only have time to do one thing on Corfu, let it be this! Porto Timoni is famous for its anchor-shaped double beaches, surrounded by crystal clear blue water. Bring a towel and spend all day relaxing and swimming here. Don’t miss the viewpoint on the way down, it’s absolutely stunning. You can walk to the Porto Timoni viewpoint along a winding hillside path from the village of Afionas.

There’s no facilities so come prepared. Read more detail about how to visit Porto Timoni beach and viewpoint: Porto Timoni Guide: How to Find Corfu’s Famous Double Beach.

A traditional Greek welcome charm hanging on a stone wall in the narrow, plant-lined streets of Afionas village, Corfu.
Vibrant pink bougainvillaea flowers climbing the traditional white stone houses in Afionas village, Corfu.

Afionas Village

It’s also worth spending some time exploring Afionas itself, a small hilltop village, one of the oldest on Corfu. I recommend having lunch here if you’re visiting Porto Timoni. The narrow, winding streets are full of plants and flowers, providing shade from the sun. This is the perfect spot to buy some gifts or enjoy some gyros.

Pantokrator Monastery, Agios Athanasios

Pantokrator Monastery at Agios Athanasios is an easy stop on the way to or from Afionas village if you’re driving around Corfu. What’s so great about a monastery? Well, it’s beautiful. The current building is 17th century, and has a vaulted ceiling with intricate artwork. It’s also the highest point of Corfu, so you get stunning views of the island and mainland Greece.

Dress modestly or bring a shawl to cover your shoulders.

Pantokrator Monastery is open daily from 9am - 2pm and again 5pm - sunset. Closed on Mondays.
Time needed: 20–30 minutes.
Entry is free of charge but donations are welcome.
Sunbathing on the rocks at La Grotta Beach Bar in Palaiokastritsa, Corfu, Greece.

Day 2 | Palaiokastrítsa (North-West Corfu)

Palaiokastrítsa

For your second day in Corfu I recommend heading to the charming resort town of Palaiokastrítsa (Παλαιοκαστρίτσα). From here you can get to loads of beautiful beaches so this is the perfect spot on the island for rest and relaxation.

Beaches I recommend near Palaiokastrítsa (with walking time from the central Green bus stop/big car park) are:

  • Agios Spiridon: The main beach with sunbeds and umbrellas. (2 minutes)
  • Agia Triada: Crystal clear water with stunning views. Gets quite busy. (22 minutes)
  • La Grotta: Famous for cliff jumping and snorkelling (see more detail below). (28 minutes)
  • Chomi: Hidden paradise beach, with white sand. (Access via boat taxi)

Palaiokastrítsa is also a good starting off point for group boat trips or even hiring your own boat on Corfu (if you walk through town you’ll find numerous boat rental shops, and you don’t need a licence to hire a boat in Greece if it’s 30HP or under).

Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary, Palaiokastrítsa

If you fancy a bit of culture and an escape from the hot sun, the Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary, Palaiokastrítsa is incredibly pretty. Built in 1225, it’s the oldest monastery in Corfu. It’s located at the top of the cliff with panoramic views over the Ionian sea. From the Green bus stop/big car park, walk to your right (if facing the sea) and up the hill (15 mins). Dress modestly. They provide shawls to cover your shoulders.

The lemon-coloured buildings are surrounded by trees and flowers, and inside there are beautiful frescos and a small museum with an old oil press, ancient books and Byzantine relics.

Open daily from 7am-1pm and 3pm-sunset.
Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Entry is free of charge but donations are welcome.
Diving off the rocks and swimming at La Grotta Beach Bar in Palaiokastritsa, Corfu, Greece.
Enjoying the sun and swimming at La Grotta Beach Bar in Palaiokastritsa, Corfu, Greece.

Relax at La Grotta Beach Bar, Palaiokastrítsa

La Grotta Beach bar is one of my favourite spots on Corfu. The bar is built right into the cliff, (you need to go down some steep stairs from the road to get to it) and people either sit in the bar seating area, hire a day bed (€15-20 per bed) or just perch for free all over the surrounding rocks. There’s music playing and you can watch people diving off the cliffs.

Bring a towel to sit on and your swimmers. I’d allow 1-2 hours at least, but you could spend the whole day here!

You can buy drinks and snacks at the La Grotta Beach Bar (menu on their website here), which also has toilet facilities for customers. 

Vibrant summer scene at Porto Timoni beach with rental boats and people swimming in the Ionian Sea.
A small boat taxi leaving Porto Timoni, providing a convenient link between the double beach and the town of Agios Georgios across the Ionian Sea.

Day 3 | Corfu Boat Trip

Island Boat Trip to to Paxos, Antipaxos & the Blue Caves

Take a a Paxos and Antipaxos boat trip across the Ionian Sea to the neighbouring islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, known for their pristine beaches and snorkelling. This is a must-do day trip from Corfu.

You’ll be taken to the green island of Paxos, which has amazing sea caves along the coastline known as the Blue Caves, which the boat will sail right into. If you’re really lucky you might spot a Mediterranean monk seal. Then you can wander through the pretty streets of Gaios, the main port and have lunch at a seaside restaurant.

Then on to Antipaxos, famous for white sand beaches and turquoise water. The island is tiny so you can explore on foot, or simply relax on the main beaches Mesovrika Beach and Voutomi Beach. You’ll also sail past the small islands of Panagia and Agios Nikolaos.

The easiest way to visit Paxos and Antipaxos is to book onto a Paxos and Antipaxos boat trip departing from Corfu Town. Tours cost around €35-45 and generally last around 7-12 hours, so allow for a full day.

Day 4 | West Corfu

Olive Oil Tasting

Olive oil tasting in Corfu was the activity that surprised me the most! To be honest I really didn’t know what to expect, but I tried it out anyway. The tasting took place inside a cool building at a beautiful family-run olive oil grove. 

We learned how to gently warm the oil by holding it in a glass in our hands, drinking it straight which was surprisingly good! We also tasted it with feta and tomatoes, and then with yoghurt and Greek honey!

You get to learn how to distinguish between high quality olive oils (high in polyphenols which has amazing health benefits) and how to spot fake or low quality oils.

1,500-year-old Historic Olive Tree

Olive trees are deeply rooted in Greek culture. Legend has it that the warrior goddess Athena planted the first one at the Acropolis. On Corfu, the tree Mitera, (Greek: Μητέρα, meaning “mother”) is an ancient olive tree thought to be 1,500 years old. That’s the same age as the Great Wall of China!. That makes this tree a living link to the Byzantine era.

Mitera is located near Agios Mathaios. You can visit either as part of a tour, or add it to your Corfu road trip itinerary.

Gardiki Castle

Gardiki Castle is a 5 minute drive from the Mitera Olive Tree. This 13th-century Byzantine castle is one of the oldest sites on Corfu. Drop by after your olive oil tasting trip for a walk around the castle fortress.

Hiring an ATV for a guided tour of the island’s west coast, starting from the Pink Palace in Agios Gordios, Corfu.
Exploring the island by quad bike: a popular and fun way to travel between Corfu beaches.

Day 5 | Agios Gordios (West Corfu)

ATV Tour From Agios Gordios

Exploring Corfu on an ATV (quadbike) is one of the best ways of seeing the island. You don’t need a licence, and you can join a guided ATV tour, so you can see all the sights without worrying about directions.

I’d never driven an ATV before visiting Corfu, but it was really easy to get the hang of. They let you do a couple of laps around the car park before you set off, so you can get used to how it works.

The ATV tours depart from The Pink Palace, which is where I was staying in Corfu. It’s sociable and one of the most affordable places on the island.

Remember to get travel insurance for your trip. Call of the World readers get a 5% discount off Heymondo travel insurance here.

Saint Gordios Beach

Saint Gordios Beach is an expansive golden sand beach near Agios Gordios. The section of the beach nearest town is full of sunbeds and umbrellas to rent.

I recommend walking along the beach to the right (when facing the sea), past the Black Rocks Seaside Restaurant, until you get to Black Rocks Beach. This is a beautiful, secluded beach backed with towering green cliffs covered in olive trees. 

Street views in Corfu Old town, Greece.
A cat asleep on a cafe chair in Corfu Old Town, Greece.

Day 6 | Corfu Town (Kerkyra)

Explore Corfu Old Town

Slightly confusingly, Corfu Island’s capital is also called Corfu, or Kerkyra in Greek. It’s the hub of the island, and a charming town with cobblestone streets and tall pretty buildings. The old town centre is full of souvenir shops and cute cafes. It comes alive in the evening, when the restaurants are full of people sitting outside and scents of flowers mingle in the air.

Intricate facade of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Panagia Spilaiotissa, also known as the Holy Metropolitan Church of Corfu.
How to visit the Red Cathedral in Corfu. The Metropolitan Church of Our Lady Spelaiotissa and St Vlasios, Greece.

Corfu Old Town Red Cathedral

The Holy Metropolitan Church of the Virgin Mary Spilaiotissa (yes it’s a bit of a mouthful!) is a beautiful cathedral right in the centre of Corfu Old Town. Personally I visited first thing in the morning before it opened, so that I could see it without any crowds.

Read my detailed guide on how to visit: The Red Cathedral of Corfu: An Architectural Icon in the Old Town.

A cafe table in Corfu Old Town, Greece.
Swimming at Faliraki Bathing Beach near Imabari in Corfu​ Old Town (What do do in Corfu Itinerary).

Faliraki Bathing Beach/Imabari Corfu

Make sure to save this spot if you’re visiting Corfu Town: Faliraki Bathing Beach/Imabari Corfu. Enjoy the the Greek summer at this secret urban swimming spot, where you can sunbathe on the pier and enjoy the views over the sea from sunrise to sunset.

We visited for breakfast (sip your morning coffee overlooking the sea view!) and ended up staying almost all day. 

Old Fortress

You can’t really miss the Old Fortress in Corfu Town as it’s situated on a promontory that juts out into the sea, giving the fortress an imposing feel. This Venetian fortress dates back to the time when the Republic of Venice controlled Corfu (from the early 15th century until 1797).

Open daily from 8am to 8pm (last entry 7:30pm).
Tickets for the Old Fortress in Corfu cost €6.

Old Town Walking Tour

Out of all the Greek islands, Corfu is unique because for centuries Corfu actually belonged to the Republic of Venice. Wandering through the streets of Corfu old town, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Italy. Instead of the typical Greek white and blue houses, Corfu is full of pastel coloured Venetian-style architecture.

I personally always really enjoy doing group walking tours to learn about the history of the places I visit. If you join this small group Corfu Old Town Guided Walking Tour, you’ll be guided through the city sights, including the Statue of Count Von Der Schulenburg, Spianada Square, Dimarchiou Square, St. Spyridon Church, Faliraki, and more.

Views over the Greek and Roman theatre in Butrint National Archaeological Park near Sarande in Albania. Day trip from Corfu.

Day 7 | Day Trip to Albania

Day Trip to Butrint National Park, Albania

Did you know that you can take a day trip from Corfu to Butrint National Park, in Albania? You can see beautifully preserved Greek and Roman ruins, including an amphitheatre. Or, explore the famous Albanian Riviera with stunning beaches and clear water.

The ferry only takes 40 minutes, so it’s easy to get there and back in a day.

Read my guide to the Corfu to Albania ferry here: Corfu to Saranda Ferry Guide: The Perfect Albania Day Trip.

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Roman bust at Butrint National Archaeological Park near Sarande in Albania. Day trip from Corfu.
Swimming in the Blue Eye, in Saranda (Sarandë), Albania.

Plan Your Trip to Corfu: Useful Travel Resources

Visit my favourite travel resources page where I share all the apps and tools I use to make sure all my trips go smoothly, from the best currency exchange apps to travel insurance, my preferred eSIMs and the walking tours I use to explore new cities and meet other travellers and everything in between…

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