Corfu is one of the most beautiful islands in the Ionian Sea, making it one of the top destinations for tourists looking for sun, sea and culture. It has a rich history, magnificent landscape, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and amazing beaches with crystal clear waters. There’s an ancient saying that states, ‘if you haven’t visited Corfu, you haven’t seen Greece.’ And for this reason, I present to you a list of the 10 Best and Fun Things to Do on Corfu Island you shouldn’t miss. Read on!
Things To Do In Corfu Island
1. Corfu Town
The capital city of the island is a fantastic place to spend some time. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a fascinating history that can be seen throughout its cobbled streets and buildings that are centuries old.
The town itself is lively and vibrant, brimming with cafes, restaurants, shops, bars and more. There are tons of places to eat around town, serving up all kinds of food for every palette. There are also tons of winding streets to explore either by foot or car. But many visitors just wander around admiring the architecture or stopping into shops that line the road.
Also, you will get to see two old Fortresses built by the Venetians in the 16th century to protect the town from attacks. And if you love museums, you can check out the Archaeological Museum of Corfu, which has a truly vast collection from all eras of Greek history.
In addition to exploring Corfu Town itself, I suggest you can take a short trip away from the city to see some of its smaller villages. They are all beautiful and well worth a visit, as is exploring some of the town’s scenic areas. And because this town is one of the top attractions on Corfu Island, I highly recommend spending at least 1 to 2 nights here.
Read More: 10 Best Things to Do in Corfu Town
2. Glyfada Beach
One of the most popular things to do on Corfu Island is relaxing on the beautiful beach of Glyfada, which is listed among Europe’s top beaches. It is a large stretch of beach that has been awarded Blue Flag status multiple times.
This beach features clear blue waters with lots of space to sunbathe or swim. There are also plenty of sun Loungers and parasols available for hire, perfect for setting-up your place to relax. There are lifeguards all along the beach, as well as beach bars and cafes to offer food, drink or even ice cream. You can also rent watersports equipment for your convenience. There are plenty of activities along the beach to keep you occupied as well.
So if you want to relax by the seaside and enjoy the beautiful vistas of the Ionian Sea, then Glyfada could be a place you’d like to check out. And because this beach is located near an area popular with tourists, there are plenty of lodging options close by for you to relax after a day at the beach.
3. Angelokastro
Angelokastro fortress is another of the most spectacular attractions on Corfu Island, standing at 300 meters above sea level. This impressive ruined castle was built in the 13th century by the Byzantines and then later used as a fortress by Venetians to defend the region from pirates and other enemies.
This beautiful site consists of high walls with strategically placed towers. There are also the remains of houses and churches within its walls, which you can explore to get a feel for how life would have been back then.
You will have an amazing experience walking through the castle, imagining what it would have been like to live here. From the moment you begin walking through the entrance, there is a sense of respect and solemnity about this place that will make you feel humbled.
The view from the Castle over Corfu Island is also incredible, with a 360-degree panorama stretching as far as your eyes can see. This makes it one of the best Corfu Island attractions because it’s a piece of history that anyone visiting Corfu Island shouldn’t miss.
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4. Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa
Housed in a beautiful 15th century Church of Virgin Mary Antivouniotissa, this museum has a substantial collection of Byzantine art dating from the 15th to the 19th century. This includes many exhibits of sculptures, ceramics, icons, wall frescoes, liturgical objects, the clothes of priests, and more.
As much as I love traditional museums, this one is a bit different and unique because of its architecture and interior design. The building itself is aisleless with characteristic Corfiot architecture. So even if you aren’t particularly interested in this kind of art, the building is worth a visit alone for its historical value and to see something else besides your traditional museum.
So I highly recommend coming here if you want a glimpse into the history and culture that surrounds the Orthodox Church. And if the museum looks interesting to you, check it out, as it is also one of the top tourist attractions on Corfu Island.
5. Mount Pantocrator
If you are looking for fun things to do on Corfu Island, why not try hiking up Mount Pantocrator? This is one of Corfu Island’s impressive and famous landmarks, which is also the highest mountain at 906 meters above sea level.
There are long walking trails winding around the mountain that takes in the island’s beautiful scenery, with plenty of views over coastal villages and picturesque beaches. And once at the top, you will get a spectacular view of Corfu Town all the way out to sea on a clear day. And not only can you enjoy the serenity and beauty of this mountain, but you also get to see Pantokrator Monastery, which dates back to the 14th century.
However, please bear in mind that going up the mountain, there are lots of steep steps to climb. So, if you have breathing problems or any other physical conditions that might be problematic for you, it’s a good idea to avoid going up here.
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6. The Achilleion
Another of the top attractions on Corfu Island is The Achilleion Palace. This regal Palace was built in the 19th century by the Empress Elizabeth of Austria, and it has gone down in history as one of the most opulent buildings ever built. It sits at one end of a vast garden that offers gorgeous views over the coastline.
The building has been described as a ‘fairy tale castle’ because of its long corridors, ornately painted ceilings and beautiful marble statues. The Empress decided to build the Palace after traveling around Greece looking for a suitable location. But then, she fell in love with this area of Corfu Island and decided to build her Palace here.
Today, you can visit the Palace, walk through the ornate rooms, and visit the surrounding gardens. In addition, watching the sunset from here is an unforgettable experience, one that I would highly recommend trying to catch.
7. Paleokastritsa Beaches
Paleokastritsa is one of the most popular beaches in all of Greece, and it’s easy to see why. For one thing, this long beach has some truly spectacular watercolors. The waters are clear and beautifully bright aquamarine blue. You can explore any part of this vast stretch of sand, so find your favorite spot and settle in for a day of swimming, sunbathing or just enjoying some time on the beach. There are some nice cafes and restaurants on this part of the island as well if you want some drinks or snacks.
Also, there is a great range of watersports to take advantage of, such as windsurfing, scuba diving and much more. And if you like history, you can visit the old monastery built on top of a hill overlooking the beach. Or venture up through the mountains to the fishing village, which has been a settlement since at least 1400 BC.
8. Canal d’Amour
If you’re looking for a unique attraction, look no further than the Canal d’Amour. This is probably one of the most interesting places you can visit on this island, and certainly one of the top attractions on Corfu Island.
The Canal d’Amour is a natural landmark known for its series of narrow inlets created by sandstone cliffs that connect a small beach into the Ionian Sea. Each inlet offers something unique, and you can enjoy all of them by swimming and snorkeling through the tunnels. The cliffs around this area protect the inlets from wind, making it very calm and safe for swimming.
The beautiful scenery is gorgeous and looks very romantic. By the way, you will find many romantic spots around the area to sit, relax and enjoy the serene environment. This makes it a must-see attraction on Corfu Island, especially if you are in love.
9. La Grotta
One of the best things about Corfu Island is that there are many wonderful beaches to explore. But one of them, in particular La Grotta Beach, is a truly fascinating place for divers and non-divers alike. This beautiful part of the island is made of spectacular rock formations, so don’t expect a pristine sandy shoreline.
This beach stands out for its clear blue water that makes visibility for divers great. In addition, it is a fantastic spot to discover impressive corals and tons of colorful fish all around the coast. And as an added bonus, this specific beach is has a diving board and a jump rock that you can use to dive into the sea. This is great fun for anyone, especially those who are more adventurous.
La Grotta Beach is one of those places on Corfu Island that you need to visit if you want your holiday to be truly unforgettable. The best part is that you don’t even need to be a trained diver to explore this beautiful landmark.
Read More: 22 Best Beaches in Greece
10. Corfu Kassiopi Tower
A visit to the Kassiopi tower is definitely one of the top things to do on Corfu Island. It’s a rather large tower that stands on top of a hill and is reached by climbing up some steps. The Venetians built it in the mid-12th century to protect the coastal area from pirates’ raids.
Today, there’s a small museum inside it that hosts some artifacts from the history of the tower and how it has been used through the centuries. And while here, you can climb to the topmost floor of this impressive structure. From up there, it is possible to enjoy magnificent views of Corfu Town and its beautiful beaches. Of course, if you look out towards the island sea, you will get incredible sights of some wonderful little islands too.
In summary
These are some of the best tourist attractions on Corfu Island that shouldn’t be missing from your bucket list. So you should plan to spend at least a little time here and give yourself the chance to experience everything this beautiful island has to offer. And because both Greek and foreign tourists visit this island, there are also plenty of nice accommodations to book so you can enjoy your stay.