The Perfect Corfu Road trip Itinerary for 7 Days

Greece Blog › The Perfect Corfu Road trip Itinerary for 7 Days

You are planning a Corfu road trip and are looking for the best itinerary? Then book a hire car and follow my itinerary for spending 7 days to 10 days on the Greek island. The car will give you flexibility and allow you to explore the ancient sites, idyllic villages and impressive coastal landscapes at your own pace. I have a few tips for your tour, along with a route suggestion.

Corfu is one of my favorite Greek islands. The large, lush, island is part of the Ionian island group, located west of mainland Greece. Corfu is an island that has everything you need: a UNESCO-protected old town, beaches for every preference, traditional villages, local products such as olive oil and wine, and activities that showcase the island’s beautiful landscape and the Ionian Sea.

I highly recommend renting a car to get around Corfu, the island is huge with tons to see, a lot of the best spots are a bit more remote, which limits you if you’re relying on public transport!

I rented a car on my most recent trip and compiled an epic road trip around mid & northern Corfu (where many of the islands highlights are) Keep reading below for my top stops on a Corfu road trip. I’d recommend dedicating at least two days to hit all these spots, and a day or two more if you want to see more. I’ve put my 2, 3 and 4 day itineraries at the end of this article!

Table of Contents

Corfu Road Trip Highlights

You can enjoy this one week tour of Corfu in its entirety or in part, tailoring the stops to your interests and time schedule. Here you will find all the highlights of the island, including the old town and the best beaches and villages.

• Corfu Town
• Coastal Roads
• Achilleion Palace
• Kavos
• Agios Gordios
• Paleokastritsa
• The Beach villages of Arillas, Barbati & Agni
• Hike to the Nymfes Waterfalls
• Kassiopi

Just keep in mind that it gets very crowded in the peak summer months, so we have focused on Corfu holidays in early or late summer (May-June or September-October). We also have suggestions on how to escape the crowds in July and August if you decide to visit during these months. However, spring and autumn are also ideal times to visit.

Getting to Corfu

Corfu is mainly accessible via plane. Flights from Athens to Corfu run daily and only take one hour. If you wish to rather reach Corfu by ferry you’ll need to drive to Igoumenitsa (Greece), which is about 5+ hours from Athens, and then catch the 90 minute ferry to Corfu. I don’t really recommend this route unless you’re interested spending a day exploring mainland Greece on your way. If you are coming from Albania, ferry services from Sarande take between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the operator and vessel, with multiple departures daily during peak season. 

The distances on Corfu are manageable by car and include the nightly return trip to Corfu Town, although there is wonderful accommodation all over the island. There is great seaside accommodation in Dassia and between Barbati and Kassiopi in the north, from Messonghi to Benitses south of Corfu Town, and from Glyfada to Ermones and in Paleokastritsa and the surrounding villages on the east coast.

Corfu By Rental Car

What are the road conditions in Corfu like? Coast roads are generally good, but be prepared for unexpected goat crossings, especially on the western side of the island. I recommend hiring a car for your time on the island. This gives you complete flexibility. Discover car hire offers in Corfu!

Corfu Road Trip Map

Day 1 – Corfu Town

Starting your Corfu Road Trip with Culture and History

Corfu Town is the capital of the Greek island, so the streets and squares are correspondingly lively. Mingle with the locals and be sure to take a stroll through the town before setting off on your road trip the next day.

Corfu delights with its fascinating architecture, where historic and modern buildings merge with Venetian flair. Corfu Town provides the perfect backdrop for the first photos of your trip. The mighty fortifications in Corfu Town are well worth seeing. They were once intended to provide protection against attacks by the Ottoman Empire. Today, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city from there.

Historical Sites & Attractions:

• The Old Fortress: Byzantine origins with later Venetian modifications, offering panoramic views
• The New Fortress: 16th-century Venetian fortification with tunnels and chambers to explore
• Spianada Square: The largest square in the Balkans, perfect for people-watching
• Liston Promenade: Built during French rule, modeled after Paris’s Rue de Rivoli
• Saint Spyridon Church: Housing the relics of the island’s patron saint

Tip: Behind the new fortress, the weekly market takes place every day except Sundays from 6 am to 2 pm. The market is you perfect opportunity to experience the local life of Corfu on your road trip.

My Corfu Town Hotel tip: New York Luxury Suites – If I were to stay in Corfu Town again, this is where I’d go. New York Luxury Suites are beautifully renovated modern apartments right in the heart of Corfu town. The location is perfect, and the interior is super stylish, clean, and done up really well. If you can, definitely go for the apartment with the terrace. Sitting out there in the morning with a coffee, looking out over the rooftops and old buildings onto the sea feels like peak Greece. ☑ See prices and availability here.

Discover Mon Repos

Not far from the old town lies the neoclassical estate of Mon Repos, which means ‘my refuge’ and is of historical and naturalistic importance to Corfu. It was built by British High Commissioner Frederick Adam for his Corfiot wife Nina Palatianou and later served as a summer residence for the Greek royal family. It was also the birthplace of Prince Philip, husband of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Today, it houses the Paleopolis Museum, which tells the story of the ancient city of Corfu (located in this area). The grounds feature a botanical garden with ancient trees and a beautiful landscaped garden with 2,000 plant species from the British colonies.

Day 2 – Heading South to Achilleion Palace

• Location: The Achilleion Palace

Start your road trip on Corfu on EO Kerkiras Achilliou road heading south. You don’t have to drive far to reach the first exciting stop on your journey: the Achilleion Palace in Gastouri is only about 20 minutes from Corfu Town. The majestic building is situated on a hill and offers a panoramic view of the gardens, the mountains, and the sea. Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, once had this magnificent estate built as her summer residence.

Day 3 – Kavos

Sandy Beaches

Continue driving your hire car south. The route takes you towards Kavos, right along the coast. The town was once a small fishing village and is now considered one of Greece’s party hotspots. Kavos is located at the southern tip of Corfu, 45 km from Corfu Town.

If you want to enjoy the place to the fullest, it is worth staying overnight and leaving your rental car behind. Kavos beach is very well developed, with all kinds of tourist facilities: sun loungers, canoes, surfboards – everything is available for hire. You can also take a boat to the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, to Corfu Town or even to Sivota and Parga on the Greek mainland (Epirus).

From Kavos, you can take a scenic walk to the Panagia Arkoudillas viewpoint, located at the southern tip of Corfu on Cape Asprokavos. It is about an hour’s walk along the road to Spartero to the abandoned monastery and secluded beaches. The town is situated on a long beach lined with olive trees and cypresses. This 3-kilometre-long beach offers magnificent views of the Ionian Sea and the mainland. The beach slopes gently and is ideal for families with small children.

Day 4 – Agios Gordios

Dream setting on the coast

• Location: Agios Gordios

Your road trip continues north to one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. From Kavos, it takes about an hour to reach Agios Gordios on the west coast of Corfu. The village is framed by green mountains that slope down to the sea. Enjoy the day by the water or stroll through the beautiful alleys of the village. You will immediately feel welcome in the many traditional tavernas in the town and can sample typical Greek cuisine.

Sunset in Loggas

Your last stop for today is Loggas, famous for its steep cliff face and views of Cape Drastis, the north-westernmost point of Corfu, at sunset. You can enjoy the view from a glass-bottomed platform above the cliff (and visit cafés and tavernas). Or you can drive further north to a viewpoint even closer to Cape Drastis, where the landscape lives up to its dramatic name. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with a magical sunset.

Day 5 – Paleokastritsa

The Monastery with sea view

Head north on day 5 of your Corfu itinerary. After about an hour‘s drive, you will reach the picturesque coastal village of Paleokastritsa on the west coast of the island. Paleokastritsa is best known for its monasteries, which are well worth a visit in the immediate vicinity.

The beautifully landscaped Paleokastritsa Monastery is located southwest of the village and is particularly beautifully decorated in summer. A little further west is the Angelokastro Monastery. The ruins are located at the top of a fairly steep hill and give only a rough idea of how imposing the building once was. From here, you have a magnificent view of Corfu.

Dinner in a small village

There are many villages to choose from, each with its own character: Krini, Makrades, and the village of Pagoi north of Paleokastritsa, as well as Doukades and Liapades in the south. The Corfu Donkey Rescue centre near Doukades which rehabilitates injured or abused donkeys and shelters other animals, and the Enotis Olive Groves & Museum near Vistonas (with olive oil tasting) can be added to your village visit.

Rent an SUV or off-road vehicle

With its steep roads and partly unpaved paths, Corfu is best explored in an SUV or off-road vehicle. Take a look at offers here.

Day 6 – Northeast Corfu

The Beach villages of Arillas, Barbati & Agni

Your tour of the beaches on the northeast coast (this time a little closer to Corfu Town) continues today, and you will enjoy a short hike to one of the island’s natural highlights. At the end of the day, you will enjoy one of the best views of Corfu from the mountain village of Sokraki.

Your next stop, Arillas, is only about 25 kilometres to the north. The road is extremely winding, it is best to allow about 45 minutes for this leg of your road trip in your rental car.

Which of the beaches in northern Corfu you choose today depends on the amenities you are looking for and the season you are visiting. Barbati is a also popular choice, about 20 km north of Corfu Town with its cosmopolitan feel, is pebbly and the water gets deep quickly, making it popular with snorkellers. Further up the coast, Agni and Kalami with beaches in picturesque little bays that are very popular with the locals.

Hike to the Nymfes Waterfalls

One of the island’s most popular natural spots awaits you in the heart of northern Corfu. Just outside the village of Nymfes, a 2 km trail leads to the Nymfes Waterfalls (according to mythology, nymphs used to bathe there). The falls are located about 10 metres into a green gorge, and there are two other smaller waterfalls nearby. More water is flowing here in spring and autumn. Visiting the waterfalls is a popular excursion on Corfu, and the island is perfect for outdoor activities. Whether you visit the waterfalls or not, you should definitely take a look around the village of Nymfes when you are here. There are also places to eat here.

Sokraki Village

End your day in Sokraki, one of the most beautiful villages in Corfu. It is located at an altitude of about 450 m at the end of a winding road and offers views of Ipsos Beach, Corfu Town and the islands of Vido and Lazareto. You’re sure to love the colourful houses and 16th-century churches, as well as two market squares with traditional cafés serving ouzo and meze. You should also try the local ginger beer.

Day 7 – Kassiopi

View towards Albania

The penultimate stop on your road trip takes you eastwards. Here you will find Kassiopi, a particularly beautiful place on the island of Corfu. Life in this village of 1,000 souls is very relaxed. This authentic place, far away from the tourist crowds, is ideal for experiencing the real Corfu.

Stroll through the streets, where you will find shops selling handmade art and special souvenirs. The Kassiopi Castle is also worth seeing. It is located on a small hill and offers a wide view of the harbour, the town and all the way to Albania.

Heading Back to Corfu Town

Head back south to Corfu Town on your final day. The route there runs almost entirely along the coast and is therefore another absolute highlight in itself. Depending on how much time you have and what you feel like doing, you can make a few stops along the way before returning your hire car.

I hope you enjoyed your 7-day road trip itinerary in Corfu. You can of course add a day before or after to fully enjoy my list of activities in Corfu and adjust the itinerary to make your holiday exactly what you want it to be. If you are considering staying longer, it is worth planning a boat trip to the Diapontia Islands or Paxos. You should also take a look at my travel guide for Corfu before you go.

Corfu Itineraries

If your visit falls shorter, here are some recommendatitions for shorter Corfu itineraries:

2 Days in Corfu Itinerary

Day 1 – Old Town of Corfu

The ideal place to begin any trip to Corfu is in the Old Town. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the history of the Old Town of Corfu goes back to the 8th century BCE as well as the Byzantine period.

• Morning: The Esplanade (Spianada), Old Fortress of Corfu
• Afternoon: Wander the Streets of the Old Town, Church of St. Spyridon
• Evening & Dinner: sunset meal at the wonderful Veranda Taverna

Day 2 – Wine Tasting & Beach Day

If you’re spending 2 days, you’ll have the opportunity to get to taste some of these wines, explore the vineyards, and sit back, relax and enjoy the sun and time at the beach.

• Morning: Porto Timoni Beach, Agios Georgios Beach
• Afternoon: Monastery of Paleokastritsa & Viewpoint
• Evening & Dinner: Agios Gordios Beach

3 Days in Corfu Itinerary

Days 1 & 2 above

Day 3 – Boat Trip to Paxos and Antipaxos

• Boat Trip to Paxos and Antipaxos – There are many Boat Tours from Corfu that allow you to explore the stunning beaches of Antipaxos and the “Blue Caves” of the islands that can only be reached via boat, and explore the charming island of Paxos on your own.

4 Days in Corfu Itinerary

Days 1, 2 & 3 above

Day 4 – Relax on Corfu’s best beaches

• Glyfada Beach
• Agios Gordios Beach
• Agios Spiridon Beach
• Agios Georgios beach

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