Must-Do Activities for an Unforgettable Corfu Holiday
Katerina- May 8, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 1, 2024
Dear Traveller, Hello and thank you for beeing here! As you may have already realised, we like plans and to-do lists. We understand that having a plan in hand can be helpful even when you are on holiday.
We've noticed that during the Covid era and after, many travellers are eager to make the most of their holiday time! And we deeply respect and understand that!
That's why we've updated and evolved our sightseeing map and added preprogrammed routes to complement your Vespa scooter rental.
But we have also noticed that many of our beloved Vespa travellers needed more information like what to eat and drink in Corfu! That's why we have created our blog "Corfu Routes"!
In this post, you will find inspiration on what to do / must - do in Corfu to make the most of your holiday time!
Easily navigate to your favorite activity - experince using the index list below, or preferably, enjoy reading the entire post!
CORFU HOLIDAY MUST-DO ACTIVITIES LIST
Take some time to relax and unwind
Old Town of Corfu
Discover Corfu's charming historic old town and wander through its picturesque alleyways. Experience the city's unique ambience during the day and at night.
Marvel at the remnants of past architecture and appreciate its beauty. Take the chance to climb the Old Fortress and enjoy the stunning panoramic view.
Find below the exact locations of must-see attractions in Corfu town! Tap on the location names for directions:
Visit traditional local villages
Walk around and follow the narrow alleys, observing the traditional local architecture of the village. Take note of the signs of abandonment the way locals interact with each other, and how they greet one another. Savour the lovely scent of blooming jasmine and admire the vivid colours of the bougainvillaeas. Enjoy a Greek coffee or a refreshing drink at a 'Kafeneion' (coffee shop), or visit the village bakery to buy 'Koulouria' - traditional Greek biscuits flavoured with vanilla, orange, lemon, anise, raisins, almonds, or cocoa - or try some phyllo pastry pies! Slow down, remain present and cherish every moment!
There are numerous small local traditional villages to explore! If we had to choose just five of them, we were going to choose the following ones:
Tap on the location names above and find directions from your location to each village.
Find below a four-minute (4-minute) informative video about the old Perithia, the oldest village in Corfu!
Learn about the local olive oil production and taste some.
In Corfu island, numerous small, family-owned olive oil factories produce high-quality olive oil from their olive groves. Many of these establishments provide opportunities for olive-tasting sessions and tours of their facility.
Some of them are:
Please tap on the location names for directions.
Planespotting & Vlaherna Monastery
Visit Kanoni Harbour (near Corfu town) and watch the aeroplanes landing! You can watch the aeroplanes from the Kanoni harbour (plenty of parking space available) or one of the cafes above the harbour.
You can also visit Vlaherna, a tiny monastery and the Corfu emblem (it used to be advertised in every travel brochure). You will walk on a small pedestrian street to the middle of a small bay, where the small church is located.
Achilleion Palace
Achilleion Palace was built by the Empress of Austria Elisabeth, also known as Sisi, in 1890. It is one of the most iconic landmarks on the island and features a unique combination of art nouveau and neo-classical architecture. Its terrace offers stunning views over the Ionian Sea and it is home to several Greek-inspired sculptures, including the famous statue of Achilles. Unfortunately, the palace is under renovation. Click here to check if it is open (Google Maps) to visitors or check at the Museums' official website here. (Please be aware that they may have only opened the garden to visitors.).
Listen to the sound of birds singing or go birdwatching!
If you love birdwatching, we highly recommend you visit the following locations which are ideal for birding in Corfu :
Chalikiopoulos Lake (where the airport is located)
Please tap on the location names above for directions. Please note that you will need binoculars.
Learn a few Greek words or Phrases
This will make your interactions with locals even more pleasant or adventurous, and it might remind you that it is ok to make mistakes; no one is perfect (the Greek language will help you soak that in..)
Must taste local products and food.
(olive oil, olives, honey, wine, liquor, spoon sweets and local cuisine delicacies) In our previous posts, you can read more about what to eat in Corfu and what to drink.
Swim in the sea and have a siesta by the sea
Wear a hat, stay protected under shade, and wear sunscreen and sunglasses.
Rent a boat, a sea pedal boat, a canoe or a SUP board
You can rent a sea pedal boat, a canoe or a SUP board in various locations in Corfu. Please tap on the location names for directions. Dasia , Palaioakstritsa - many boat rental companies located here, Agios Spyridon, Kalami Watersports: Waterski & Wakeboard, Agios Gordios, Sidari, Asprokavos watersports (Kavos area) and Glyfada are some locations where you can rent them. Usually the rental fee is per hour or per activity session.
DIY Clay face or whole body mask!
Did you know that Corfu has many places with clay cliffs? It's perfect for those who want to have a DIY clay mud spa experience! Some of the Corfiot beaches, where you can find clay cliffs are Arillas, Sidari, Logas, Arkoudilas, and Kondoyalos.
Find directions from your location to each location by clicking on the location names above.
Watch at least one sunset.
The sunset is beautiful to watch from many locations! If we had to choose just two of them, we were going to choose:
Kaiser's Throne is located in central west Corfu
Logas Beach is located in northwest Corfu
Watch at least one sunrise.
In our humble opinion, the sunrise is spectacular to watch anywhere from the eastern parts of Corfu or any high pick. Starting from Corfu town (port - Faliraki - Windmill - Old Fortress) to Banitses, Messonghi, Moraitika, and Alykes Lefkimmis.
Walk at least once barefoot at the beach at night and watch the moon and the starry sky! (preferably choose a sandy beach)
The reason that you should choose a sandy beach is to guarantee that you have a smooth walk. Ideally, choose a beach that you have also visited during the daytime, so you know what to expect.
Swim at least once at sea during nighttime.
(preferably choose a sandy beach)
Ideally, choose a beach that you have also visited during the daytime, so you know what to expect!
Listen to the sound of the waves.
Explore the countryside - Find a trail and walk, smell the Corfiot flora aromas and admire the colourful canvas of mother nature! Notice the sage green and silver colour of the olive groves, and listen to the cicadas' song.
The Corfu Trail is a unique long-distance footpath, stretching approximately 190 km. If you don't have the energy or time to walk the entire route, you can opt for shorter walks along sections of it
Experience a local traditional festival.
At these festivals, expect to enjoy live Corfiot music, traditional dancing by locals, and delicious food!
Our comprehensive list of Corfu's traditional festivals includes directions to each location via Google Maps. Check out our "Corfu Traditional Festivals" blog post for the festival's dates and locations.
Take a boat trip.
Visit Paxos and Antipaxos Islands if you have the time. If not, leave it for a future visit. You can also take a boat trip around the island and admire the coastline from the sea.
From Papaiokastritsa, you can take a boat taxi and visit the caves and the paradise-secluded beaches nearby! There is a boat taxi service also in Ipsos.
Relax, unwind & enjoy!
Taking a break and allowing yourself to relax is crucial. Don't fear boredom, as it can lead to creative inspiration.
Our must-do list might have a slightly different approach than you expected, but we hope you will find some ideas on how to make the most of your holiday time in Corfu.
"If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present…Gratefully. "
– Maya Angelou
Have a lovely holiday time in Corfu!
Yours sincerely,
Katerina
PS. Before leaving, take a moment to explore our post 'What to Do in Corfu with Kids.' We've included some additional experiences that are not only kid-friendly but also perfect for adults, giving you even more reasons to love your time spent here, in Corfu!
