Corfu

Corfu sits in the northern Ionian Sea with an architecture shaped by four centuries of Venetian rule. You navigate the island through narrow alleyways called kantounia in the capital and winding coastal roads everywhere else. Local life centres on town squares and waterfront tavernas rather than resort strips. Expect steep terrain, clear water, and a distinct Italian influence on local cooking.

Corfiot cooking differs sharply from the rest of Greece. Four centuries of Venetian rule introduced garlic, wine reductions, and warm spice blends in place of oregano and charcoal grilling.Local dishes rely heavily on slow braising. You will encounter garlic, white wine, and vinegar sauces that reflect trade routes across the Adriatic Sea.Kumquats arrived from Asia in the 1800s and now grow almost exclusively on the island's northern plains. Local producers distill the fruit into a bright orange digestif served after dinner.

• Order Sofrito and Pastitsada

  Sofrito features thin veal rump steaks braised in white wine and garlic. Pastitsada pairs rooster or beef with a thick nutmeg-and-cinnamon tomato sauce served over tube pasta.

• Drink local Tsitsibira

  British rule left behind ginger beer, known locally as tsitsibira. It is brewed in small batches with real ginger, lemon juice, and sugar during summer months.

Corfu never fell to Ottoman rule. While the rest of Greece spent centuries under Ottoman control, Corfu remained a strategic outpost of the Republic of Venice from 1386 to 1797.This distinct history shaped everything from the neoclassical architecture of Corfu Town to the island's musical traditions and culinary roots.

1. 1386

   Venetian Republic takes control

   Corfu voluntarily submits to Venetian rule for protection, beginning four centuries of Italian architectural and cultural influence.

2. 1716

   The Great Siege defeated

   Field Marshal Schulenburg successfully defends the Old Fortress against 33,000 Ottoman troops, stopping west European expansion.

3. 1864

   Union with Greece

   Britain cedes the Ionian Islands to the Kingdom of Greece, ending 400 years of Western European administration.

Choose your base by your transit plans. If you do not rent a car, stay inside Corfu Town to access central bus connections and walk to restaurants. If you rent a car, book a coast resort or villa in the north or west to avoid town parking bottlenecks.

• First-time visitors without a carOld Town (Campiello) — Walkable access to sights, Blue Bus routes, ferry terminals, and evening dining.
• Swimmers and boatersKassiopi — Direct harbour access for boat rentals and walkable access to clean pebble coves.
• Families needing easy transitBenitses — Flat seafront walking paths, organized beaches, and frequent bus links to the capital.

Corfu uses two separate bus systems operating out of distinct hubs in Corfu Town. Blue Buses serve the capital and immediate suburbs. Green Buses serve long-distance routes across the island.

• Blue Buses depart from San Rocco Square to local spots like Kanoni, Benitses, and Dasia. Single tickets cost €1.20 to €1.70 when bought at kiosks.

• Green Buses leave from the central Green Bus Station near the port to reach Palaiokastritsa, Kassiopi, and Sidari. Fares range from €2.00 to €5.50.

• Bus drivers charge a surcharge if you buy tickets onboard. Purchase tickets at street kiosks or automated machines near main stops.

• Navigating rural roads requires confidence on tight turns. Parking inside Corfu Town Old Town is impossible; use the paid lot at Spianada Square instead.

Prices on Corfu peak during July and August. Outside those months, dining and accommodation rates drop up to 40 percent.

• Taverna meal for two: €35–€50

  Covers two main meat dishes, a shared salad, and house wine in Corfu Town or coastal villages.

• Freddo Espresso: €2.50–€4.00

  Standard price for iced espresso along the Liston promenade versus backstreet cafes.

• Small boat rental per day: €80–€140

  Self-drive 30hp motorboats available in Palaiokastritsa or Kassiopi. Fuel costs extra.

• Sunbed set rental: €10–€20

  Includes two sun loungers and one umbrella at organized beaches like Glyfada or Paleokastritsa.

• Siesta closures remain common

  Independent shops outside tourist zones close between 14:30 and 17:30 before reopening in the evening.

• Easter is the main holiday

  Corfu features unique Easter customs, including throwing clay pots (botides) off balconies on Holy Saturday morning.

• Card acceptance is widespread

  Credit cards are accepted nearly everywhere, but carry small cash notes for local buses and small village bakeries.

• Pebble beaches require water shoes

  Northern and eastern beaches feature smooth pebbles rather than sand. Pack sturdy sea shoes for entry into the water.

• Tap water quality

  Tap water in Corfu Town is safe but high in mineral content. Most locals prefer bottled water for taste.