When you think of Greek Islands, your mind immediately jumps to Santorini, Mykonos or maybe Zakynthos or Milos. And while Corfu is a popular destination in Europe, it’s definitely underrated when it comes to planning a Greek island vacation.
Located in the Ionian Sea, just a couple of miles from the coast of Albania, Corfu is one of the bigger Greek islands which means that despite its popularity, it doesn’t feel overwhelmingly busy!
With the stunning azure water typical of the Greek islands, a huge amount of Greek mythology and history surrounding the island, the most incredible food and wine, plus Corfu old town being a UNESCO World Heritage site, there is so much to see and do in Corfu.
We were lucky enough to visit later in the summer and miss the peak season crowds. Our trip was made even more special as we were hosted by the spectacular Grecotel Corfu Imperial.
Here’s everything you need to know about planning your trip, including where to stay in Corfu and the best places to visit in Corfu to discover this under-travelled Greek island.
***Some of the links in this post are affiliate links meaning we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. While we were hosted by Grecotel Corfu Imperial, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
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Where to Stay in Corfu: Grecotel Corfu Imperial
Our first time visiting Corfu and what an impression! Grecotel Corfu is the most stunning luxury beach resort in Corfu, located on the east coast of the island on the private Kommeno Peninsula with unrivalled beach access and coastal panoramic views in the most perfect location on Corfu.
Grecotel has seamlessly blended laidback Mediterranean style with contemporary Greek heritage. Offering accommodation options including rooms, suites, bungalows, villas and apartments with beautiful garden views, beach access and modern amenities will honestly make you feel like you don’t want to leave the hotel!
Twenty-four of the villas, bungalows and apartments come with private pools; however, there is also the Grand Pool, two freshwater pools and an indoor spa pool for all guests.
If you’re more of a beach person, the luxury hotel is surrounded by Blue Flag beaches which are all private beaches, secret coves and hidden bays with loungers and umbrellas, all just a short walk away. The lush Odysseus Garden is full of private corners, Greek statues and beautiful flowers, so there are plenty of places to explore on the peninsula and around the hotel – it honestly feels like you’re staying on your own private island.
This is the most beautiful and luxurious high-end property in Corfu, and we 100% recommend staying here on your trip to Corfu. They also have a great selection of experiences and excursions compared to other Corfu hotels.
They took us out on a private sunset boat trip on a gorgeous yacht and also set up the most romantic outdoor movie night with our own private screening at the top of the island which was beyond stunning. Also available are food tours, Jeep safari, mountain biking, private chefs, beach dining, horse riding and heritage tours.
We also had the chance to experience their in-villa service and dine at the Medusa Estate, which is a lovingly restored villa at the top of the peninsula. The villa is a traditional Corfiot palace decorated in a traditional, yet luxurious way.
The whole villa can be rented out for complete privacy, surrounded by olive groves and lush greenery with spectacular views of the peninsula. It can accommodate up to 12 people in elegant rooms and has its own private swimming pool. We tried some of the chef’s favourite Italian dishes paired with the perfect Greek chardonnay.
I highly recommend using their boat transfer service from the hotel to Corfu Old Town. All guests have access to this option and the convenient location of Grecotel Corfu on the peninsula means that it’s only a 10 minute transfer by boat to the scenic old town of Corfu but 30 minutes by road.
The hotel is a short drive from Corfu International Airport and luxury transfers are arranged for all guests between the hotel and airport. Grecotel Corfu makes it impossible not to relax and enjoy the private beach, stunning view and outstanding service.
Find out more about booking your perfect stay at Grecotel Corfu Imperial.
The Best Things to Do in Corfu
Visit Paradise Beach
This was by far our favourite boat trip in Corfu! I thought I’d seen the best water in Europe but the electric blue sea contrasted with the towering white cliffs here were unreal, and I think this might be one of the best beaches of my life!
We visited Paradise Beach (also known as Chomi Beach by locals) with Odysseus Boat Rentals who took us out on our boat day trip in Corfu. They are a family-run business who have grown up and lived in Corfu their whole lives, so they were able to take us to some of their favourite hidden spots that most tourists miss, including an incredible secret blue cave with so many fish.
Paradise Beach is located on the western side of Corfu Island close to the beautiful village of Liapades, but it’s only accessible by boat. The contrast between this side of the island and the east coast where Corfu Old Town and Grecotel Corfu are located is unbelievable. While the east side is covered in greenery, olive groves and vegetation, the west coast is home to dramatic white volcanic cliffs contrasting with the vibrant blue crystal clear waters.
The colour of the water and the clarity in Corfu are unmatched, and we spent the whole day diving off the boat, swimming in secluded coastal coves and enjoying the incredible nature around Corfu island.
Take a Boat Trip
I highly recommend taking the boat trip we did with Odysseus Boat Rentals to Paradise Beach, but we also did a sunset boat tour with Corfu Yachts which Grecotel Corfu helped us to organise.
This was such a magical evening with one of the most gorgeous sunsets I’ve seen in Europe, and we got to enjoy it from our own private luxury yacht. We had wine and mezze onboard before the crew took us to an epic spot in the bay where we could watch flights coming in as the sun set.
Explore Corfu Old Town
Corfu Old Town is one of the most well-preserved towns in Greece and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007. Most of its architecture and influences date back to the Venetian period and as early as the 8th century.
Most of the preserved buildings there now date back to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries but it has been a strategic fortification town for centuries. The old fortress of Corfu and the new fortress are both UNESCO protected monuments and date back to the Byzantine period. The extensive history and Greek culture in the Old Town is hard to grasp, and there are plenty of museums and tours available to learn about the history of Corfu.
I highly recommend spending some time wandering around the cobbled streets and narrow colourful alleys. It’s a popular stop for cruise ships so it can get really busy during the middle of the day in the summer months, try to explore earlier in the morning or after 4pm.
Some of the top things to do in Corfu Old Town include:
- Old Fortress of Corfu
- New Venetian Fortress of Corfu
- Church of Saint Spyridon
- Anemomilos Windmill
- Corfu Museum of Asian Art
The warm colours, traditional architecture, charming cafes, souvenir shops, boutiques and restaurants mean you could easily spend the day exploring Corfu town. Or escape the main town and head out to explore the picturesque villages along the Corfu coast. If you have a car, this is the perfect way to see more beyond the Old Town of Corfu.
Visit Corfu Vineyards
There are dozens of vineyards and wineries in Corfu thanks to its favourable wine-growing climate. Some of these are traditional wineries where you can experience them stamping on grapes to make wine.
We experienced this when we visited Danilia Mountain Village, but there are so many exceptional vineyards in Corfu to visit including:
- Theotoky Estate
- Ambelonas Corfu
- Pontiglio Winery
Experience Dining at Danilia Village
The food culture in Corfu is globally recognised and some of the best in Greece. Thanks to the mild climate, rainfall and position of the island, the fertile land means agricultural products in Corfu are exceptionally high quality.
Because of this, I highly recommend making time for a gastronomy experience, whether that’s a tasting, a food tour or a visit to the stunning Danilia Village.
There are so many charming mountainside villages in Corfu, and Danilia is one of them. Once left to fall into ruin, Grecotel Corfu has purchased and restored it to its former glory and turned it into a must-do foodie experience in Corfu.
This 1930s replica village is now a fine dining venue, events space and open-air museum with picturesque stone streets, charming squares and colourful buildings. There are two dining options here. You can dine there daily from May to October at a cafe that is open all day and a restaurant that is open for dinner. You will need to make reservations for dinner though.
It felt like we had stepped back in time, wandering among vines growing in the fields and through stone archways and cobbled streets strung with fairy lights and lovingly restored – so much so that it’s been used as a filming location for a James Bond movie and the TV show, The Durrells.
We had the most unreal stuffed Mediterranean vegetables and traditional local cuisine while soaking in the atmosphere at the taverna – the perfect place to spend the rest of the evening.
Enjoy the Greek Food
Corfu is famous for its olives, olive oil, wine, honey and grains. The climate and position close to the sea means the nutrient-dense soil produces amazing local produce which is used in traditional Corfiot dishes such as Pastitsada or Tsigareli.
There are said to be millions of olive trees on the island and many of them are centuries old.
From local tavernas and restaurants to agritourism tours, there are so many ways to experience the local food culture in Corfu.
Grecotel Corfu also offers food tours, tastings and private chef experiences for guests to book.
Visit Corfu Beaches
Corfu is home to some amazing beaches like the one I’ve already mentioned, but a coastal boat tour or beach day road trip is the perfect way to see some of the smaller seaside villages around the rest of the island and get off the beaten path to some of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
Beaches in Corfu are a mix of pebbly beaches and sandy beaches and the clear water colour is unmatched.
Here are some of the best beaches in Corfu to visit:
- Paradise Beach
- Canal d’Amour
- Sidari beach
- Kolias Beach
- Glyko beach
- Nissaki Beach
- Paralia Mirtiotissa
- Arillas Beach
Instead of going to the popular Greek islands, the island of Corfu is just as stunning but gets you off the mainstream beaten path to discover more history, local culture, unbelievable beaches and traditional Greek gastronomy, plus one of the best hotels in Europe we’ve ever stayed in.
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