Photo: Dr.K., CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
A week on a green Ionian island, with Corfu Town as the base: a day in the old town, a royal estate and a palace, then the bays of Paleokastritsa, the north, the west coast beaches and the quiet south. Easy days for children and grandparents.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: warm, sunny days with little rain score highest (the air stands in for the sea, which is not included). Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
A day on foot in a town that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Fortress, arcades, a long green square and narrow lanes, all close together, with plenty of places to sit.
A Venetian fortress on a rock beside the old town, with paths that wind up to a view over the sea and the red roofs. Go up early, before the heat, and bring water.
Go when Early morning, before the sun gets strong.
Local tip The paths are stone and can be slippery. Wear shoes with grip, bring water, and let small children take the climb at their own pace.
The wide green square at the edge of the old town, one of the largest in this part of Greece. A good place for children to run while the grown-ups sit in the shade.
Go when Midday for shade, or the evening walk when families come out.
Local tip Cross the whole square on foot. Locals take a slow walk here in the evening, and it is the best place to see the town at its easiest.
A row of tall arcades along the edge of the square, with cafes underneath, built in a style that echoes Paris. Sit under the arches and watch the town go by.
Go when Late morning, with a cold drink under the arches.
Local tip Ask for a glass of local ginger beer. It is a Corfu tradition that goes back to the days of British rule on the island.
Ginger beer is a Corfu tradition, a fizzy, spicy drink that dates to the British years on the island. Order a glass under the arches.
Local tip It is a soft drink, so everyone in the family can share a bottle.
The church of the island's patron saint, with a tall red bell tower you can see from many lanes. Step inside, and keep your voice low and your shoulders covered.
Go when Afternoon, once the day is cooler.
Local tip Cover shoulders and knees before you go in, and keep your voice low. Many people come here to pray.
Sofrito is a Corfu dish of veal slow-cooked in white wine, garlic and herbs, usually served with rice or potatoes. A taste of the old town.
Local tip Ask for a small plate to share if the children are not hungry.
A second Venetian fortress on the other side of the old harbor. Walk around it at dusk when the stone turns gold, and look back across the water at the town.
Go when Around sunset (about 9:09 PM), when the stone glows.
Local tip The walls look best from the harbor side. Walk the old harbor in the late afternoon, then come back to the fortress at dusk.
Pastitsada is the dish of Corfu: meat in a spiced tomato sauce over thick pasta. It is often a Sunday meal, and it is rich and filling.
Local tip The sauce is mild, and a good first dish for children.
A gentle day just south of town. A shady estate by the sea, a quiet swim, and in the afternoon an empress's palace in the hills. Short drives, short walks.
A green park by the water with an old villa at its heart, shaded by tall trees and with paths down to the sea. A cool place to start the day.
Go when Morning, while the park is cool and quiet.
Local tip Keep to the shaded paths and walk down to the shore. The woods are full of birds and wild herbs, and children enjoy the open space.
A small pebble beach below the estate, set in the old site of the ancient city. The water is calm and clear, and the trees give shade near the shore.
Go when Late morning, before it gets hot.
Local tip The beach is pebbly, so bring water shoes for young feet. Check the flag and the swell before you let anyone swim.
A simple plate of fresh grilled fish with lemon and olive oil, and a Greek salad on the side. Eat at a table close to the water.
Local tip Ask what came in that day, and order by weight to share.
A palace built for an empress in the hills above the sea, with a garden full of statues and a wide terrace. Walk the garden and look out over the water.
Go when Afternoon, after a swim and lunch.
Local tip Walk the garden terrace for the view of the sea, and look for the statue of a hero in the grounds. Give it a slow hour and keep the children close.
Bourdeto is a Corfu fish stew in a spicy red pepper sauce. It can be hot, so ask for a mild version for the children.
Local tip Order bread to mop up the sauce.
Cliffs, coves and blue water on the west coast, a short drive from town. Swim in the morning, visit a monastery on the headland and go out on the water by boat.
A white monastery on a headland above the coves, with a quiet courtyard, flowers and a view down over the sea. Dress modestly and move quietly.
Go when Morning, when the courtyard is quiet.
Local tip Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered. The terrace has one of the best views over the coves, so take your time there.
A cluster of small bays with clear green water, cut into steep wooded cliffs. The swimming is calm in the coves and a good place for a family to spend the middle of the day.
Go when Midday, once you have seen the monastery.
Local tip Choose the calmest cove for small children and swim near the shore. Check ahead on the sea and the flags, which can change quickly.
Fried squid with lemon, a salad of tomato, cucumber, olives and feta, and warm bread. A simple lunch by the water.
Local tip Share a few plates and order more if you are hungry.
Small boats set out from the bay to look at the sea caves and the coves along the coast. Check ahead on sea conditions, because rough water can stop the trips for the day.
Go when Late morning or early afternoon, on a calm day.
Local tip Ask at the beach about the sea that day. Lifejackets are a good idea for children, and the caves are best seen when the water is flat.
The longest drive of the week, through olive groves and hills to the north coast. An abandoned mountain village, a harbor town and a set of sea-carved rocks to swim beside.
A stone village in the foothills of Mount Pantokrator, mostly empty now, with old houses and a church among the trees. Walk the lanes, and let the children run through the ruins.
Go when Morning, while the air is cool.
Local tip The village sits high on the slope of Mount Pantokrator. Walk the lanes and look into the ruined houses, but stay out of any that look unstable.
The kumquat is a small orange fruit grown on Corfu. It turns up in a sweet liqueur, in jam and in candied form. Buy a small bottle or a jar as a gift.
Local tip The liqueur is for the adults. The jam and candied fruit are for everyone.
A small harbor town on the north-east coast, with a ruined Venetian castle above the water. Walk along the harbor and up to the castle walls for the view across to Albania.
Go when Midday for lunch by the water, or evening for the harbor.
Local tip Walk to the ruined castle at the headland. The view across the water toward the mainland is wide and clear on a good day.
Local cheese, olives, tomatoes and bread, with a bowl of lemon potatoes if you can find them. A light lunch for a hot day.
Local tip Eat in the shade and drink plenty of water.
A sandy cove at Sidari, where wind and water have carved pale sandstone into narrow channels and small coves. The rocks can be slippery, so watch your footing and keep an eye on the swell.
Go when Morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft.
Local tip Wet sandstone is slippery and the swell can pick up. Keep children close, watch the waves and stay out of the water in rough conditions.
A lively seaside village with a long sandy beach and a wide shore for children. A good place to stay for a light dinner before the drive back.
Go when Early evening, for a light dinner by the sea.
Local tip The main beach is long and sandy and easy for little ones. The village is busy in summer, so arrive before the evening rush.
A day of sand and viewpoints on the western shore. Pick calm beaches and check the flags, because the sea here faces the open water and can be rough. A sunset to end on.
A wide, sheltered sandy bay with a steep rock at one end, popular with families. The water is shallow near the shore, which suits small children.
Go when Morning, before the wind and the heat build.
Local tip The bay is sheltered and the sand is soft, but the sea here faces the open water. Check the flag before anyone swims.
One of the longest sandy beaches on the island, with a gentle slope into the water and plenty of space. Check the flag before swimming, and note that quiet coves nearby are naturist beaches.
Go when Midday, with a long lunch beside the beach.
Local tip Some beaches nearby are naturist, and others are exposed to waves. Check the flag and the signs, and choose a stretch that suits your group.
A flaky pie filled with cheese or greens, baked fresh and eaten warm. An easy lunch to take to the beach.
Local tip Buy a few and share them in the shade.
A hillside village of narrow lanes and white houses, a short way inland from the beaches. A quiet place for a cold drink and a walk in the shade.
Go when Afternoon, when the shade is deepest.
Local tip Stay a while in the village square with a cold drink, then walk up toward the viewpoint at the top of the hill.
A viewpoint on a hilltop above Pelekas, named for an emperor who liked the view. The sun sets over the sea below, so stay for the colors.
Go when About an hour before sunset (about 9:09 PM), then stay for the colors.
Local tip The hilltop is open and breezy in the evening, so bring a light jacket. Keep small children away from the edge.
Stifado is a stew of beef or rabbit with small onions, tomatoes and spices, cooked slowly until tender. A winter dish, but also a favorite in summer.
Local tip Ask for a half portion if the children are small.
The south is a different island: flat, open and calm. Skip Kavos, which is a party resort, and spend the day with a lagoon, a castle on a hill, a long empty beach and a sleepy village.
A ruined Venetian castle in the open countryside, with a square plan and thick walls, quiet at any time of day. A short stop for children who like to explore.
Go when Morning, when the south is cool and quiet.
Local tip The castle is a ruin with uneven ground inside. Walk around the outer walls and let the children explore, with someone close behind them.
A long, shallow lagoon behind a ridge of sand dunes, home to birds and reeds. A peaceful place to walk and watch the water.
Go when Morning, when the birds are most active.
Local tip Bring binoculars if you have them. The lagoon is shallow and the dunes are fragile, so keep to the paths.
Grilled octopus with lemon and oil, and a big salad with olives and feta. A cool, light lunch for a hot day.
Local tip Order a few plates to share, and ask for bread.
A wide beach of fine sand beside the dunes, with open sea and wind. Check the flags and the wind before you swim, since this shore can be rough.
Go when Late morning, when the wind is mild.
Local tip The beach is wide and often breezy, which can make the sea rough. Check the flags and the wind before anyone swims.
A quiet town in the far south, with a small canal, a church and a slow evening. A calm end to the day.
Go when Evening, when the heat has gone.
Local tip Walk along the canal in the center of the town and sit for a cold drink. It is a quiet end to a long day in the south.
Mandolato is a Corfu nougat of almonds and honey, a sweet from the Venetian years. Buy a piece to eat as you walk.
Local tip It is hard and sticky, so cut it into small pieces for young children.
One short drive. A castle above the sea in the morning if you feel like it, then back near town for a swim, a walk to the water's edge and a last long lunch.
A medieval castle on a high rock above the sea, on the west coast. The climb is steep and uneven, so go only if everyone is comfortable with that, and enjoy the view of the cliffs.
Go when Morning, before the heat and the buses.
Local tip The path is steep and the stone is uneven. Go slowly, wear sturdy shoes and stop if anyone is tired. The view from the top is wide.
Loukoumades are small fried dough balls with honey and cinnamon. A treat for after a morning at the castle.
Local tip Order a plate to share, and wipe the honey off small hands before you move on.
A viewpoint on the headland south of town, looking over a small white monastery on its own islet. Walk the causeway to the monastery and watch the planes come in.
Go when Late afternoon, when the light is soft.
Local tip Walk the causeway to the small white monastery and watch the planes come in over the water, which children enjoy.
BoatSmall boats leave from Vlacherna church. There is no fixed timetable.
A tiny wooded islet with a chapel, just off the coast. Small boats cross to it from the shore, and the view back to the headland is the one on many postcards.
Go when Afternoon, after the walk to the causeway.
Local tip Small boats cross to the island from the shore. Check ahead on the crossing, and keep to the paths on the island.
A last dinner of grilled meat and fish, with salad and bread, at a table with a view over the water. Take your time.
Local tip Book a table ahead for the last evening, and order a few plates to share.
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, June to September are the best months for a beach trip to Corfu. This plan is built for late June, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
It covers 7 days in Corfu, planned for late June. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 0.4 to 39.7 kilometers between its stops, and 122.3 kilometers in all across 7 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
3 days in AthensAbout 380 km away
6 days on the Croatian coast: Dubrovnik, Split and HvarAbout 440 km away
7 days on the Amalfi CoastAbout 470 km awayOther guides with a page about Corfu. Each one opens in a new tab.
WikivoyageCorfu, the free travel guideTime OutThings to do in CorfuThe GuardianCorfu travel featuresPhoto: Own work I am the author.…, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Marc Ryckaert ( MJJR ), CC BY 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
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