If you only have a week, these are the places to visit in Corfu that we send our own friends to first: the Venetian Old Town, the bays of Paleokastritsa, the heights of Mount Pantokrator, the cliffs of Sidari and the view over Mouse Island at Kanoni. Together they give you the island’s history, its sea and its mountains. Below is what to expect at each one, when to go and how to get there, with links to our detailed guides when you want to go deeper.
1. Corfu Town (Kerkyra)
The historic centre of Corfu Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the obvious place to start. It is a maze of narrow lanes (kantounia), tall Venetian houses, two fortresses and the arcaded Liston, modelled on the arcades of Paris. Climb the Old Fortress for views over the roofs and the sea, wander the oldest quarter of Campiello, and step into the church of the island’s patron saint.
- Go deeper: our guide to Venetian architecture in Corfu Old Town and our visit to the relics in Saint Spyridon Church.
- When: mornings and evenings in summer. Midday in July and August is hot on the stone streets.
- Getting there: parking is hard in season. Our Corfu Town day or night trip takes you in from the resorts and back again.
2. Paleokastritsa
Paleokastritsa, on the northwest coast, is the island’s best-known beauty spot. Its green headlands fold around a cluster of turquoise bays. Small boats run from the main beach to the sea caves, and on the headland above stands the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, traditionally dated to the 13th century. Higher still is the Bella Vista viewpoint at Lakones, and to the north the ruined castle of Angelokastro.
- Go deeper: Paleokastritsa sea caves, bays and Bella Vista and visiting Angelokastro.
- When: early morning, before the coaches arrive and while the sea is calmest for the cave boats.
- Getting there: the west coast road is winding and parking by the main bay fills up fast. The Paleokastritsa and Bella Vista tour runs from the north of the island.
3. Mount Pantokrator and Old Perithia
At 906 metres, Pantokrator is the highest point on Corfu. On a clear day the view from the summit takes in Albania and the Greek mainland. On its northern slopes lies Old Perithia, a stone village abandoned by its residents and now a protected heritage site, with a handful of tavernas in the restored houses.
- Go deeper: the ghost village of Old Perithia, on the slopes below the summit.
- When: clear days in late spring and early autumn give the best visibility. It is cooler up there than on the coast, so take a layer.
- Getting there: the road to the top is steep with tight bends. Our Old Perithia and Pantokrator sunset tour handles the driving and ends with sunset at a taverna.
4. Sidari and the Canal d’Amour
On the north coast, the soft sandstone and clay cliffs at Sidari have been carved by the sea into channels, coves and ledges. The most famous is the Canal d’Amour. Local legend says that couples who swim through it together will stay together. The water is shallow and warm, and in the evening the resort is lively. West of Sidari, the white cliffs of Cape Drastis are quieter and spectacular at sunset.
- When: early morning for photos without the crowds, or late afternoon for the light on the cliffs.
- Getting there: try the Sidari day or night trip, or walk out to Cape Drastis for sunset.
5. Kanoni and Mouse Island (Pontikonisi)
Kanoni, just south of Corfu Town, is the classic Corfu postcard. Below the viewpoint, the white Vlacherna Monastery sits on a causeway, with tiny, cypress-covered Mouse Island beyond it. The airport runway is right next to the lagoon, so you can also watch planes coming in low over the water.
- Go deeper: our guide to Kanoni, Vlacherna and Pontikonisi. The Mon Repos estate is a short walk away.
- When: late afternoon and evening, for softer light and cooler air.
- Getting there: blue town buses run to Kanoni. Kanoni is also a stop on our Venetian Corfu heritage tour and the Corfu Grand Tour.
Beyond the Top Five
Once you have seen the big five, these are the days our guests rate most highly:
- Paxos and Antipaxos by boat: sea caves, clear water and a harbour town. See our Paxos and Antipaxos day trip guide.
- Albania for a day: the ruins of Butrint and the seafront at Saranda. See our Corfu to Albania day trip guide.
- Achilleion Palace: Empress Sisi’s villa and mythological gardens (only the gardens are open while restoration is planned). See our Achilleion Palace guide.
- The northeast coast: pebble coves and fishing villages around Kalami, Agni and Kassiopi.
How to Fit These Places to Visit in Corfu Into One Week
You can see all five places in a week without rushing. Spend one day on the town and Kanoni, one on Paleokastritsa, one on the mountain, and an afternoon at Sidari, then leave room for the beach and a boat day. Keep the boat day for calm weather, and swap days around the forecast. If you want to do it yourself, a hire car for the middle of your stay makes the mountain and the north coast much easier.
Short on time? The Corfu Grand Tour covers Corfu Old Town, Kanoni, Paleokastritsa and Bella Vista in one guided day, with pickup from your hotel or the cruise port.
Practical Tips
- Cover shoulders and knees for monasteries and churches.
- Carry some cash. Small tavernas, boatmen and kiosks may not take cards.
- Distances look short on the map, but the roads are slow, so allow extra time.
- June and September are the sweet spot: warm sea, long days and fewer crowds than in August.
See all our Corfu coach trips and pick the guided day that suits your week.
