There are many great places to take an affordable holiday in Greece, both on the mainland or on one of the many islands connected to the culturally and historically significant country. One of the most popular is undoubtedly Corfu, with the most recent figures suggesting that more than 1.8 million people visited the island in 2023.
While you may not like the idea of dealing with lots of crowds, you will certainly get an unforgettable experience if you take the trip. To help you plan your trip to this stunning Greek island, we will look at 15 things to do in Corfu.
1. Gorgeous Pristine Beaches
If there is one thing we had to mention when discussing the best things to do in Corfu, it is that the island is home to some incredibly beautiful, pristine beaches. They are, of course, one of the main reasons why the island is so popular. Among the best beaches in Corfu are the double-sided beach of Porto Timoni, the long stretch in the northwest that is Agios Georgios, and the picture-perfect Agios Spiridon.
2. Affordable Accommodation
Another critical reason to consider the island is the affordability of many of the accommodations there. You may be looking at where to stay in Corfu and put off by the expensive high-end hotels, but if you keep searching, you will find many budget options suited to more frugal travel plans. Along with the affordable accommodation, plenty of dining options and activities will make a manageable dent in your holiday budget.
3. Explore Corfu Town
The island's capital, Corfu Town, is a place you will want to visit when you holiday there. It may even be the place you choose to stay. Regardless, many things to do in Corfu Town will make your holiday memorable. For instance, the Old and New Fortresses offer an insight into the island's history and the Greek Empire while providing some beautiful views of the town, the island, mainland Greece, and the Ionian Sea.
The Spianada is a large park that stretches between the Liston to the east of Corfu Town and the Old Fortress. This part of the town is curious as it was once a place the British used for cricket matches, and an intriguing Victorian bandstand is at its center.
4. Boat Adventures
If you are looking for adventurous things to do in Corfu, one of the best options is to head off the coast in a boat to explore the coastline. If you are interested, there are many options, including various water taxi services and boat tours. However, you can rent a boat here without a license if you prefer to do something independent.
The only downside is that renting a boat without a license means you can only rent a speed boat with a maximum of 30hp. Don’t worry, though; all rental companies provide training sessions before you set off.
5. Aqualand Corfu Water Park
Are you traveling as a family and looking for things to do in Corfu with kids? As this is a summer vacation destination, there are some great water parks. One of the biggest in Greece and the world is Aqualand Corfu, which is one of the best. Within this stunning and well-maintained complex, you will find a relaxing Jacuzzi pool when you just want to cool off, a wave pool for some splashy fun, a whopping 51 slides, and 15 separate pools. There is more than enough to do to warrant taking a whole day out of your travel itinerary to spend here.
6. Exciting Nightlife
Many people interested in dancing the night away are drawn to Greek islands like Corfu because they are known for vibrant nightlife. So, if you are looking for things to do in Corfu for young adults, this is one of the best reasons to go there. The club scene is phenomenal. Along with nightclubs, though, there are many other entertainment options: concert venues, theaters, and various fun things to do when the lights go down. Your older teens may want to spread their wings and break from the family unit.
7. Take a Ride in a Glass Bottom Boat
As Corfu is an island, it’s unsurprising that so many activities and fun things to see and do there revolve around the water. When you want to do something a little bit different and perhaps a little daring, one of the best things for families to do in Corfu is to ride in a glass-bottom boat. Various tours offer the chance to explore the depths of the waters around Corfu with a boat that you can use to gaze into the sea without getting very wet.
The fact that nothing is hidden enhances the boat trip and makes even a simple excursion along the coast more exhilarating. The Ionian Sea is teeming with marine and aquatic life, and one of these trips offers ample opportunity to get some fantastic photographs.
8. Corfu Aquarium
While the island is famed for its warm and sunny summers, there may be times when the weather doesn’t go your way, and you are forced to look for activities indoors. The impressive Corfu Aquarium is one of the best things to do in Corfu on a rainy day, especially if you have children or are just a lover of all things related to the natural world.
Inside this relatively large complex, you will find more than 70 species in over 50,000 liters of Greek seawater. Tours around the aquarium generally last around half an hour and often end with spending time up close and personal with the inhabitants, including various species of fish and other local Greek sea creatures, alongside international amphibians and reptiles.
Some of the noteworthy species that live in the aquarium include axolotls, basilisk lizards, giant bullfrogs, boa constrictors, caiman crocodiles, red-eared sliders, green iguanas, reticulated pythons, blue crabs, cuttlefish, European eel, lionfish, mullet, octopus, and red Mediterranean starfish.
9. Sunset Cruise
We are back on the crystalline waters that surround the island for one of the best things to do in Corfu for couples. By taking a private cruise, you can take in the beautiful visual feast of the sea and the dramatic and beautiful coastline of the island. While it is a great experience during daylight hours, a scenic cruise transforms into an almost spiritual experience for you both after dark. Why not plan to head onto the water and time your trip with the sunset?
Many companies offer a cruise with authentic Greek food and a glass of something nice, making it one of the most romantic things to do in Corfu. As the sun disappears and the moon rises, the color changes against the glistening, almost glittering Ionian Sea, which is breathtaking.
Key landmarks like the Old and New Fortresses can be experienced differently as they light at night.
10. Explore the Mainland
If you have never been to this spellbinding part of the world before, you may be interested in getting the most out of your experience. While it is not a quick and easy journey, you can take an Athens to Corfu ferry. Corfu Ferries operates a service that runs every three hours and takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to get you from Corfu to Athens and vice versa.
Although the journey may seem long, it is an excellent experience in its own right and offers a chance to soak in the views of Corfu, Greece, and the other islands in the vicinity.
11. Follow One or More of the Main Hiking Trails Around the Island
For anyone who is very outdoorsy and loves hiking, you will enjoy your time on Corfu immensely. Thanks to its landscape comprising many incredible hills and mountains, one of the fun things to do in Corfu, Greece, is walking or hiking. One of the essential routes you should follow is the exceptional 220km/136m long Corfu Trail. This trail stretches along the length of Corfu and is one of the best ways to take in many of the island's natural delights.
Along the way, you will see up close many areas of the island that are virtually untouched by the tourism industry, which has overrun much of the island.
The trail starts in the south and takes you to Agios Spiridon in north Corfu. You should remember, though, that this multi-day hike takes most people around ten days to complete, and you should only consider it if you have a good fitness level.
If you find the idea a little too much, don’t worry. You can pick and choose the parts of the trail you want to tackle, as it is conveniently divided into ten unique sections.
12. Try Some Authentic Greek Food
There is no point going to Greece if you are not going to sample some of the delicious and often very healthy food on offer there. One of the best things to do in Corfu, no matter who you are traveling with, is to visit some of the great eateries around the island. At these places, you can try popular staples of Greek cuisine like the humble but flavorsome Greek Salad, tzatziki (more than just a dip), souvlaki, and gyros.
If you want to try something a bit fancy, then Sofrito is a dish that is famous for its corfu. This consists of veal slices cooked perfectly in a garlic and white wine sauce, served with mashed potato or fries. Another dish that utilizes veal is pastitsada, a casserole consisting of beef, rooster, or veal in a deep tomato sauce with various spices and onions. This is served with pasta and makes for a very filling and comforting meal.
13. Explore the Fascinating Old Town
Kerkyra, as locals know it, is the heart of Corfu Town and an officially designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town is one of the most interesting things to do in Corfu Town, offering a visual and atmospheric treat for anyone looking to learn more about the history of the island and to gasp at the wonderful and spectacular architecture of the buildings there.
Within the Old Town, you will find a labyrinth of cobblestone streets where pastel-colored buildings in the Neoclassical style sit. Many of these buildings were constructed during Venetian rule, which lasted for more than 400 years. Others, though, were only built in the 19th century.
In addition to the aforementioned Old and New Fortresses, you will also find unique museums, including the rather special Museum of Asian Art.
14. Great Day Trips
The island is well-located on the Ionian Sea, which means one of the best things to do in Corfu is to explore some of the neighboring islands. You can rent a boat, take a guided tour, check out places like Antipaxos, or even visit Albania, as the coastal resort town of Sarande can be accessed easily from Corfu Town by ferry.
15. Explore the Traditional Quaint Villages
While much of the focus on a visit to Corfu is the area that surrounds the capital, there is much more to see and do outside of its boundaries. For a truly memorable experience and authentic Greek holiday, one of the best things to do in Corfu is explore some of the small and quaint villages around the island. Villages like Lakones will make you feel like you are entering the past.
Final Thoughts
As you can see from our guide, whether you go for a short weekend or a more extended spell, a trip to Corfu will always be rewarding. There are many great things to do in Corfu, many of which are suitable for those looking to have a frugal holiday. The island is sometimes overrun with tourists, but it is still worth the effort. Besides, you may find a quieter location there for a holiday during the off-peak season when the climate and weather are still moderately warm.
I’m Steve. I’m an English Teacher, traveler, and an avid outdoorsman. If you’d like to comment, ask a question, or simply say hi, leave me a message here, on Twitter (@thefrugalexpat1). Many of my posts have been written to help those in their journey to financial independence. I am on my journey, and as I learn more I hope to share more. And as always, thanks for reading The Frugal Expat.
