Corfu is bigger and more varied than many first-time visitors expect. It takes well over an hour to drive from one end to the other, and the character of the island changes completely from region to region. Deciding where to stay in Corfu is one of the most important choices you will make when planning your trip, because it shapes everything from how you spend your days to how much time you spend in the car.
If you are starting to plan next year’s holiday, here is an area-by-area guide to help you choose.
Corfu Town
Best for: culture, food, short breaks, off-season visits and people without a car.
The island’s capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. Staying here puts you in the middle of the Venetian old town, the Liston, the fortresses, museums and some of the best restaurants on the island.
The downside is that there are no great beaches in the town itself, so you will need to travel to swim. But buses leave from here to most of the island, and it is the easiest base if you do not want to drive.
From the airport: around ten minutes.
Do you need a car? No, although one is useful for day trips.
The Northeast Coast
Best for: couples, families, walkers and people who love calm, clear water.
The coast from Barbati up to Kassiopi is one of the most beautiful parts of the island, with pebble coves, crystal-clear water and the mountains of Pantokrator rising behind. Villages like Nissaki, Kalami, Agni and Kassiopi are quiet, upmarket and perfect for relaxed holidays.
Closer to town, Dassia, Ipsos and Gouvia are busier, with more hotels, restaurants and nightlife.
From the airport: twenty minutes to Dassia, around forty-five to sixty minutes to Kassiopi.
Do you need a car? Very useful. The coast road is winding and some coves are only reached by steep lanes.
The North and Sidari
Best for: families, budget holidays and nightlife.
The north coast is flatter and more developed, with long sandy beaches and big resorts. Sidari is famous for the Canal d’Amour and has a lively resort atmosphere, while Roda and Acharavi are more family-friendly, with shallow water and plenty of facilities.
It is a good choice for families with young children who want easy beaches and plenty of entertainment, but it has less of the traditional charm of other areas.
From the airport: around forty-five minutes to an hour.
Do you need a car? Useful for exploring, but the resorts are fairly self-contained.
The West Coast Villages
Best for: couples, beach lovers, sunsets and people who want scenery.
The west coast has the island’s most dramatic landscapes: tall cliffs, long sandy beaches and some of the best sunsets in Greece. Paleokastritsa is the most famous spot, with its bays and hilltop monastery. Further south, Pelekas, Glyfada, Agios Gordios and the villages above them offer stunning views and long, sandy beaches.
The sea can be rougher here when the wind blows from the west, and the roads are steep and winding.
From the airport: around thirty to forty minutes.
Do you need a car? Yes, in most cases. Bus services are limited, and the best beaches and viewpoints are spread out.
The Quieter South
Best for: peace, nature, long beaches and value for money.
South of the airport, the island becomes flatter, greener and much quieter. The west coast has long sandy beaches such as Issos and Halikounas near Lake Korission, while the southeast has traditional villages like Boukari, Petriti and Lefkimmi. At the far southern tip, Kavos is a well-known party resort, busy in summer and very quiet the rest of the year.
This is the area for people who want to get away from it all, with unspoilt beaches, good fish tavernas and a slower pace of life.
From the airport: around thirty minutes to an hour, depending on the village.
Do you need a car? Yes. Public transport is limited, and the area is spread out.
Which Area Suits You?
- Families with young children: Roda, Acharavi, Sidari or the family-friendly beaches around Dassia and Gouvia.
- Couples: the northeast coast around Kalami, Agni and Kassiopi, or the west coast around Paleokastritsa and Pelekas.
- Walkers: the northeast, close to Mount Pantokrator and the Corfu Trail.
- Nightlife: Kavos, Sidari or Ipsos.
- Culture and food: Corfu Town.
- Peace and quiet: the south or the smaller villages of the northeast.
Splitting Your Stay
If you are staying for two weeks or more, consider splitting your holiday between two bases, such as a few nights in Corfu Town followed by a week on the northeast or west coast. It cuts down on long drives and lets you experience two very different sides of the island.
Getting There with Corfu Compass NSK
Wherever you choose to stay, Corfu Compass NSK can help you get there and get around. We offer airport transfers to every part of the island and car rental with delivery to your accommodation, as well as honest advice on which area suits you best.
Contact Corfu Compass NSK to book your airport transfer or car hire for next season.
