Corfu, Greece: How to Spend 5-7 Days Here

Corfu is not only breathtakingly stunning, but it’s brimming with history and culture, too. With influences from the Venetians, French, and British, especially in the charming Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

During your 5-7 days here, you should explore the impressive Achilleion Palace, wander around Mouse Island, and spend a relaxing day at one of the beaches in Paleokatritsa.

We spent a week in Corfu, and it was the perfect amount of time for us, as it meant we had some chill-out days on the beach in Benitses (where we stayed), and it also enabled us to go on day trips to Corfu Old Town as well as visit other awesome spots like Paleokatritsa and Achilleon Palace.

Day One – Corfu Old Town

Corfu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s somewhere you simply must see during your time on the island. It’s the largest town on the island, and around 45,000 people live here.

Also known as Kerkyra, Corfu Town is a charming blend of Venetian, French, and British influences, and as you stroll through the (mostly pedestrianized) narrow, winding streets, you’ll eventually come to the majestic Old Fortress, which offers breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and the town itself. It’s within these fortresses’ walls that the ancient town of Corfu once stood.

You also can’t miss the stunning Spianada Square, one of the largest in Europe. Here, we recommend grabbing a coffee at Liston, a row of elegant arcaded buildings. FYI, we really liked the Europe Cafe.

Another must-see is the Church of Saint Spyridon, which is renowned for its impressive bell tower and houses the relics of the island’s patron saint. And if you’re into history, the Museum of Asian Art, within the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, has a wide and unique collection of artifacts.

And if you’re a coffee lover, like me, I highly recommend hitting up Puppet, next to the Old Town Hall – it’s so quirky and colorful inside, and the coffee is great!

Related Read: Check out how we spent 4 weeks in Greece recently!

Day Two – Paleokatritsa

One of my favorite parts of Corfu is Paleokatritsa (pronounced pal-ee-oh-kah-STREE-tsa). This small village offers a unique combination of beaches with crystal-clear waters and green hills covered with olive trees.

There are five beaches here, and all are insanely stunning – the main beach, Agios Spyridon, is the busiest, but we opted to head for Agia Triada as we were keen to rent a pedalo (a small boat with pedals) and take it out on the water. Which we did do and highly recommend – it cost us around €20 per hour. There’s also a small taverna at this beach, which looked to be very popular with locals.

Another gorgeous beach here is Ampelaki Beach – a quieter spot and a bit of a hidden gem.

If you’re traveling with kids, the Corfu Aquarium is located here in Paleokatritsa. There are lots of marine animals inside the aquarium, such as octopuses, a wide variety of fish, as well as reptiles like lizards and snakes.

Day Three – Achilleion Palace

This stunning 19th-century building, in the pretty mountain village of Gastouri, was built in 1890 for Elisabeth, Sisi, Empress of Austria, who was known for her interest in classical Greek culture and her love of Greek mythology.

The building is a prime example of neoclassical architecture and is surrounded by beautiful gardens offering breathtaking views of the surrounding sea. The palace is famous for its art collections, which include sculptures of mythical figures, especially Achilles, after whom the palace is named.

Day Four – Beach day!

Corfu is a paradise for beach lovers – I mean, there aren’t many places in the world that offer an abundance of charming, quiet little coves with crystal-clear water.

Outside of Paleokatritsa, which I mentioned above, some of my favorite beaches include Glyfada Beach, which is well-known for its golden sands and vibrant atmosphere. Agios Georgios Pagon is ideal for those seeking a more secluded experience. And finally, the super-charming Sidari Beach boasts unique rock formations and is home to the famed Canal d’Amour.

Day Five – Benitses

Bemitses is where we opted to stay for our week on the island – and we’re really glad we did. This fishing village is so charming – with white sand beaches, super-clear blue water, and lots of great local tavernas. We really liked Paxinos Taverna here.

It’s also quite close to Corfu Old Town – around a 25-minute bus ride away.

The sunsets from here are epic! And you can do lots of water sports from the beach here, like stand-up paddleboarding, rent a pedalo, or a kayak.

And history enthusiasts should visit the Roman Baths, which provide a fascinating glimpse into the area’s ancient past.

Day Six – Mouse Island

Mouse Island, also known as “Pontikonisi,” is a charming islet that’s oh so picturesque. Interestingly, this popular tourist attraction is shrouded in myth, with legends suggesting that it is the petrified ship of Odysseus, turned to stone by the god Poseidon.

The island is home to the Byzantine chapel of Pantokrator, which dates to the 11th or 12th century, and there’s also a small shop and cafe here.

You can take a boat from here to the Monastery of Panagia Vlaherna below.

Day Seven -Monastery of Panagia Vlaherna

This iconic monastery is celebrated for its simple beauty and unique location, providing breathtaking views over the sea.

Standing on a small peninsula, this monastery was built in the 17th century and houses a small church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The monastery is also known for its religious relics and its historical role as a center of worship and meditation.

My favorite tours in Corfu:

How do you get to Corfu?

We flew direct to Corfu Airport from London Gatwick – it’s a well-serviced airport, with flights from most major airports in Europe.

You can also take a ferry here – there are regular daily ferry services from Igoumenitsa on the mainland. And you can also catch a ferry to Corfu from Italy – specifically from Ancona, Bari, or Brindisi. You can also catch a ferry here from other Greek islands, such as Paxi and Lefkada. 

Another great option is to look into hiring a car from Corfu Airport or the ferry ports. This is one of the easiest ways to reach spots like Paleokastritsa and Achilleion Palace (public transport can be crowded or unreliable to these places).

Where to Stay in Corfu

We stayed at the gorgeous family-run Hotel Kaiser Bridge in Benitses, a beachside town 14 km from Corfu town. Benitses is very easily accessible from both Corfu Airport and Corfu town. In fact, we caught the local green bus into Corfu town regularly and it was hassle-free.

Two other hotel recommendations for Corfu Island are Thomas Beach Studios in Paleokatritsa and Kapetonios Luxury in Agios Georgios.

Thanks for Reading!

I really hope you enjoyed my Corfu itinerary – I reckon a week is the perfect amount of time for this stunning island.

Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by snaphappytravel