Is Corfu Worth Visiting? 9 Reasons to Visit Corfu, Greece

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Corfu is a popular summer tourist destination, but is there more to Corfu than tourist resorts and all-inclusive hotels? Is Corfu worth visiting, or is it just another tacky tourist island?

I have holidayed in Corfu 8 times over the last 10 years, and one of the most common questions I get asked is why go back to the same place? Why is Corfu so special? What’s so great about it? People are usually surprised to hear that I go to the same place time and time again, especially as I love to explore different destinations. But Corfu is one of the only places in the world that I have returned to several times.

In this post, I’ll explain whether Corfu is worth visiting for a week or more, but I’ll also give you some tips on the areas of Corfu to avoid, and the reasons why I love this Greek island.

If you’re planning a trip to Corfu, check out my Corfu travel guide.

Is Corfu Worth Visiting?

The short answer is yes, but there are caveats to that and things to consider. Corfu is a beautiful Greek island, unrivalled in scenery, with stunning beaches, incredible hiking trails, rustic towns and villages and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In my opinion, Corfu is one of the most beautiful European islands and one of my favourite places.

No matter your holiday preferences or interests, there is something for everyone, whether you’re an adventurous traveller, an avid hiker, a beachgoer, or a history lover, whether you prefer buzzing resorts with plenty of entertainment or tranquil villages oozing with rustic charm. If you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or with a group of friends, there’s a resort for everyone.

But finding the right resort for you is essential as this will either make or break your experience.

Where to Stay in Corfu

When planning your trip to Corfu, it’s important to research the various towns, villages and resorts. Here’s a quick guide to the best resorts for each type of traveller, or interest:

The best resort for scenic beauty is Paleokastritsa. Easily the most beautiful location on the island, we choose to stay in Paleokastritsa every time. Paleokastritsa is also a great location for couples.

Ipsos, Dassia and Messonghi are fairly large resorts which are great for families with children with plenty of all-inclusive hotels and long, beautiful beaches. If you’re after a quieter resort, Agios Georgios on the north-west side of Corfu has plenty of hotels and restaurants and a beautiful beach but enjoys a more chilled vibe than some of the larger resorts.

Partygoers looking to dance and drink all night should head to Kavos or Sidari where you’ll find clubs, beach bars and lots of entertainment. These resorts are not the places to go if you’re after culture and tranquility!

If you’re after a quiet, cultural experience away from the tourists, you could choose to stay in one of the many mountain villages. My personal favourites are Doukades and Lakones and Pelekas.

9 Reasons to Visit Corfu

Here are 9 reasons to visit Corfu, Greece or if you need some photographic evidence, check out these 30 stunning photos to see how beautiful Corfu really is.

1. Stunning Green Landscapes

Many Greek islands are fairly arid because they receive such little rain, but due to its more northern position, Corfu gets a lot of rain in the winter, causing the island to blossom with lush greenery.

With epic cliff faces and luscious green landscapes tumbling into unbelievably clear, azure waters, Corfu is very different to the other Greek islands. Paleokastritsa is the best resort on the island for breath-taking scenery, with dozens of coves, stunning beaches and a gorgeous coastline to go with it. Many people only visit Paleokastritsa on a day trip, but we stay in Paleokastritsa every time we visit for the amazing views, great tavernas and restaurants, and laidback vibe.

Further inland, you’ll find rolling hills, rustic olive groves, pine forests and incredible views when you least expect them.

2. Friendly and Welcoming Locals

The people of Corfu are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. I know tourism is their livelihood, so it pays to be nice to tourists, but I’ve been to other islands where tourism is just as important and have not met people even half as friendly as those you’ll meet in Corfu.

I love talking to locals and getting a feel for the island through their eyes, getting tips on the best hidden gems that only locals know about and building those relationships, which means you get extra special service.

3. Greek Food is Delicious

Food can totally make or break a trip for me. And a large part of loving Corfu comes with the delicious, yet budget-friendly cuisine. Avoid large beach resorts or all-inclusive hotels. Instead, opt for the tiny, family-run tavernas in rustic villages – tavernas that have been handed down through the generations of a family, with traditional recipes passed on through the years.

If you’re looking for great restaurants and tavernas, check out my guide for the best places to eat in Corfu.

To sample some of Corfu’s great culinary delights, check out these food tours:

Corfu Town: Guided Walking Tour and Local Food Tastings – guided walking tour with a seated lunch at a cosy restaurant in the beautiful Corfu Town.

Olive Tour with Olive Oil Tasting and Meze – olive trees are everywhere in Corfu, so why not delve into Corfu’s culture with an olive tour and tasting?

Greek Cooking Class and Olive Oil Tasting – cook a meal at a Greek family home and enjoy some olive oil tasting too.

Greek Meze Tasting – a 1-hour Greek Meze tasting near Corfu Town.

Some particular favourite meals of mine are Sofrito, Stifado, Souvlaki, Baked Feta, Bekri Meze, Pastitsada, Greek Salad and the deliciously sweet Baklava.

Don’t forget the endless amounts of bread for the table, homemade olive oil, homemade carafes of wine and the delicious and sickly sweet liqueur made from the local fruit, kumquat.

4. It’s an Underrated Destination

While Corfu isn’t exactly a secret, it is totally flying under the radar. As an underrated destination, you can find relative peace in areas you’d normally expect to be heaving with people. But the masses flock to Santorini and Zante, all because they’ve become Instagram famous.

Of course, it gets much busier during the peak season months of July and August, but if you visit off-season or in the shoulder season months of June and September, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds.

Again, I’m not saying Corfu is undiscovered. It’s a popular and busy tourist destination. But it has somehow managed to avoid the hype of places such as Santorini.

5. Paradisaic Beaches

You don’t need to travel to the Caribbean to find stunningly beautiful beaches and clear, turquoise water – you can find them right here in Europe! There’s something about green landscapes meeting blue water that just seems so perfect! Not only are the beaches in Corfu absolutely gorgeous, but they are also framed by epic cliffs and jaw-dropping coastline.

And the great thing about Corfu is that there are so many beaches, you can easily find the perfect one for you.

I’ve tried and tested dozens of beaches in Corfu, and these are the best beaches to visit.

6. Fantastic Weather

Out of 7 trips to Corfu, we’ve only ever had bad weather once. Due to its location, Corfu experiences a high level of rainfall from mid-late October onwards. Visiting Corfu out of season isn’t a great idea if you’re after some winter sun (a mistake we made when we visited in October a few years ago). However, each time we have visited in June and September, we’ve enjoyed fantastic weather, clear sunny skies and temperatures upwards of 28 degrees.

If you prefer cooler temperatures and don’t mind risking cloud and some rain, May and October could be a good time to visit, although some resorts may be just opening in May or starting to close in October. The months of May and October are also great for hiking due to cooler temperatures.

7. History and Culture

There’s more to Corfu than lying on the beach. If you prefer exploring history and culture to all-inclusive hotels and beach bars, there are plenty of historic attractions to keep you busy. From the majestic Byzantine castle, Angelokastro, perched on a cliff just outside Paleokastritsa, to the old Venetian fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Corfu Town.

Everywhere you go, you’ll see evidence of the history of Corfu, which only adds to its magical charm. I love to daydream about what places were like in former times, imagining what it was like to live and work there in days gone by. I also love historic architecture and culture, of which there is plenty in Corfu.

8. Plenty of Things To Do Other Than Lying on the Beach

I love lying in the sun, reading a book and listening to the waves lap the shoreline, but after a couple of days, I get itchy feet and want to explore. If you’re the same, there are enough things to do in Corfu to keep you busy for weeks, whether you’re into history, food, wine, nightlife, hiking, snorkelling, museums or watersports.

9. Greek Culture

The lively Greek culture is just one of the many reasons to visit Corfu. Get away from the resorts and drive into the mountains and hills, where you’ll find traditional villages frozen in time. One of my favourite villages is Doukades, just outside of Paleokastritsa. Take a seat at one of the three family-run tavernas and simply soak up the atmosphere, chat to the friendly locals and enjoy traditional home-cooked food.

Frequently Asked Questions

I hope these 10 reasons to visit Corfu have helped you decide whether Corfu is worth visiting. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via the contact form or email.