Useful INFO
Holiday Basics
Corfu is one of the most popular of Greece’s Ionian Islands. It’s steeped in history and traditional Greek culture, and has the reputation of being the greenest of the country’s islands. It’s a haven for tourists with lush vegetation, amazing hidden bays and coves, and picturesque whitewashed fishing villages dotted along the coast. It’s a perfect destination for those who enjoy mixing beach-life with discovering the local culture.
Where is Corfu?
The island is located in the Ionian Sea off the north west coast of Greece. From its northern coast there are fine views of the rugged terrain of Albania. Its cultural heritage reflects many years spent under Venetian, French and British rule before it was united with Greece in 1864. Corfu Town nestles between two Venetian fortresses, is packed with charming medieval lanes, a French-style arcade and the grand Palace of St. Michael and St. George.
How to get here
By Air – Many airlines fly from the UK to Corfu, including British Airways, Thomas Cook, Tui, Norwegian, Jet2, easyjet and Ryanair.
By Ferry – Regular ferries depart from Corfu Port to Igoumenitsa and Patras on the Greek mainland. Smaller local boats will transfer you to local destinations such as Paxi, Kefalonia and Albania. Superfast ferries depart also depart for Bari, Ancona and Venice.
Getting around the island
There are various buses operating around Corfu for practical transport around the area. There are also taxi services available.
Corfu City Buses
Suburban Green Buses
Taxis - As a rough guide a taxi ride from the the airport to Roda costs around 60 euros.
The Weather
The island enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, bright summers and mild winters.
Temperatures in Corfu are at their lowest in winter. The average temperature is around 11°C in December that lowers to 10°C in January. Highs reach up to 15°C in the afternoon, which is quite mild and enjoyable for sightseeing and other outdoor activities.
The hottest time of the year is between June and September but July and August are the warmest months. Corfu weather in the summer is around 25°C with scorching highs of 31°C. The sea is warm at 25°C, making it perfect for an afternoon swim.
Money
Just like the rest of Greece, the currency in Corfu is the Euro. You’ll find plenty of ATMs throughout the main towns on the island.
Consider taking pre-paid travel cards which can be used in shops, restaurants and cash points.
Language
The official language spoken in Corfu is Greek. You’ll find that a lot of people can speak basic English, especially in the popular tourist areas of the island.
Culture
An interesting feature of Corfu is the fact that you can still see the influence of Venetian rule in the palaces, fortresses and historic monuments in the Old Town.
Beaches
Corfu has an amazing selection of beaches to suit all tastes whether you are looking for the hustle and bustle of a big resort, or the seclusion of a cove off the beaten track.
TripAdvisor Top Beaches
Top Attractions
Corfu has scenery, history, shopping, cultural activities and of course a myriad of places to eat.
TripAdvisor Top Attractions
Eating Out
Choose from a variety of restaurants in Corfu where food from various countries is served to suit different tastes.
TripAdvisor Top Restaurants
Night Life
Corfu has a lively nightlife. You’ll find atmospheric clubs and bars in Roda, as well as Corfu Town, Gouvia, Kavos, Dassia and Ipsos.
Equally there is a wide selection of intimate and relaxing venues, perfect for idling time away waiting for the sun to set.
Adventure and Sports:
The island of Corfu is a great family holiday destination. Many of the resorts offer a wide variety of activities ranging from biking, diving, sailing and wind surfing.
Corfu is known for being one of the best places in Greece to scuba dive, with dive sites around Paleokastrítsa, Othoní, and the Paxí islets, and the north-east coast is well worth a visit too. Explore Paleokastrítsa and you’ll take in the scenic canyon, sea cave and schooling barracuda. Head to the dive site at Othoní to swim among the two wrecks and cave, while two more caves and a 40-metre wreck can be seen at Paxí. On the north-east coast, popular Agní Reef has another 40-metre deep wreck, soft coral and fireworms.
For families, there’s an excellent Aqualand waterpark located just 10 minutes from Roda.
If you’ve got sturdy lungs and love going for a good, long walk (and we really do mean long!), then the Corfu Trail is for you. Covering 136 miles from one end of the island to the other, this trail can take from eight to 10 days to complete.
TripAdvisor Top Activities
Emergencies, Health and Hygiene
The NHS offers help and guidance of health arrangements before you head to Corfu
Greek toilets – the pipework is small and out of date and prone to blocking, so it’s totally normal to put used toilet paper in the little bin provided. You may be charged a high fee if the toilets get blocked.
