Corfu Town: What to do and see in a weekend

I have always associated the Greek Island of Corfu with family holidays, all inclusive resorts and where Prince Philip was born. None of which appealed to me. But when I realised the easiest way to get to south Albania was by flying into Corfu, I couldn’t just jump off the flight and onto a ferry without first exploring some of this beautiful Greek island.

Or to be more honest, I was more concerned about flying and catching ferry on the same day! But as I started to research Corfu I realised I had overlooked this Greek island. I now wished I had time to explore beyond the town and see this Emerald Isle as it’s the greenest.

Where to stay in Corfu Town?

If I were coming to the island as a destination, I wouldn’t stay in the town. I found the hotel choices limited, dated, and with mixed reviews. They’re fine for a night when using the town as a base, but not for a holiday, that’s just my taste (5 star dreams, 3 star budget). I only needed a hotel a night either side of my trip to Albania but even for a night I prefer modern hotels. I found in my budget it was more authentic Greek hotels, which might be a dream for some but not for me. Also, note that some hotel names can be confusing on Google and TripAdvisor, as they share names with landmarks like Mon Repos, or have very similar names like Corfu Palace Hotel and Corfu Holiday Palace. This made me sceptical that some reviews were for the correct hotel.

I narrowed down my search to Corfu Mare, Mon Repos and the Arcadion. I opted for the latter for the first night before Albania and Mon Repos for the end. This was purely down to location. The first night was easy. The flight got in, in the evening and we left for the ferry the next day so we didn’t need a pool etc so opted for Arcadion Hotel so we could fly in and head straight up to their rooftop for dinner. Plus it meant if the flight was delayed they would know we were late for our reservation! Which we were. It was the perfect base to explore the town the next morning before the ferry.

For the return we actually stayed two nights back in Corfu and chose the Mon Repos as we wanted to explore the area near mouse island and head down to Angsana for the day. The staff were wonderful. The rooms were not. I feared this when I booked. I knew the bathrooms had shower curtains and that is usually a sign of a hotel needed a refurbishment and I was right. It was obviously clean but it didn’t feel so with old sockets and panels in the bathroom falling off. The pool was not what it seemed either but that said the breakfast was great but overall it wasn’t for us.

If you have the budget then Angsana, Kerkyra Blue Hotel N’ Spa or one of the Dome Hotels would have been 5 dream. If you are on a girly girls trip then you have to check out the Pink Palace Hostel or Hotel Elena. Barbie would be proud! All of then you can easily then cab into the town but it would add to the budget.

Transfers Corfu Port and Airport

Corfu Airport is famous for its runway, a plane spotter’s dream, as it’s so close to the water and town. Given the airport’s proximity, I wondered if we could actually walk to our hotel, especially since pre-booked transfers cost a minimum of 20-30 euros, yet most places are just a 5-10 minute drive away! But with luggage we pre-booked and I would one hundred percent recommend doing that or get a cab from the rank.

What to do in Corfu Town (Kerkyra) ?

Wander round the historic town of Corfu

Corfu town is filled with stories from the past and building to represent them, from the 14 century Bell Tower or the San Giacomo Theatre now the Corfu Town Hall. Built in 1961 as a club for venetians nobles to meet then converted to the first theatre in Corfu in 1720 and then at the turn of the 1900 century the town hall.

Visit cafes and local shops

There is some good shopping to be done in Corfu town and plenty of souvenir stores if you love a snow globe or a new dress as much as me!

All the wandering around in the heat is thirsty work but there are plenty of cute cafes dotted around to stop and get some shade!

Climb the Fortress

If you have kids or you are a history buff then you will enjoy this but it’s a bit over rated for the average. You can pay a small fee to enter. There is a lovely restaurant should you want to go over a meal time.

Walk from the Old fortress to the Windmill

A leisurely 20-minute stroll along the calm harborside, which really reminded me of Rose Bay in Sydney, takes you from the Fortress down to an old Greek windmill. This picturesque waterside walk also leads to the gateway of Mon Repos.

Drink or buy as a souvenir the drink of Corfu: Kumquat

A bit like Seville’s oranges, the Greek Kumquat is also an orange fruit that is not eaten but made into a drink, sweets or marmalade! So stock up or just take a shot, be rude not to! I would highly recommend a Tramonto cocktail: Kumquat, campari and grapefruit soda!

Plane Spotting

One of the best plane spotting locations I have been to and yes there are two rooftops to watch from. (If you love plane spotting and rooftops then you will love these rooftop bars!). This is a great website to gauge how many you might see!

Visit Mouse Island (Pontikonisi)

Don’t worry, this is not an island full of rodents! Rather, it’s shaped like a tiny mouse when viewed from the air! According to Greek mythology, this intriguing island was once a ship transformed into land and it’s among the most photographed spots on Corfu. For just a few euros, you can hop on a boat that shuttles visitors back and forth all day. The highlight is the 11th century Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior (also known as the Chapel of Pantocrator) and a peacock to spot! There is also a small gift and coffee shop and that’s it! But it is a haven for plane geeks as you are even closer to the over head landings coming in. For anyone visiting on August 6th then lucky you as there is a festive on the island.

Visit the Holy Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna

Right where you get the little ferry to Mouse island you have this famous Monastery. Connected to Corfu with a walk way it was built in the 17th century and popular for weddings and plane spotting! And where Roger Moore in For Your Eyes only filmed.

Visit Mon Pepos Palace

A former Royal Palace and now a museum and where Prince Philip was born now known as Museum of Palaiopolis – Mon Repos. Sat on the edge of a park various memorabilia of the British occupation are exhibited, while, on the first floor, antiquities from the archaeological site of Palaiopolis can be seen on display. The park also houses a perfect local beach bar and club where you can hire sunbeds for 28 euros for two people and mix with locals.

Ambelonas Corfu/Vineyard & Restaurant

Ambelonas vineyard was only 15-20 mins in a cab from old town, if we’re here for a day longer we would have gone but the reviews didn’t entice me to make it a priority.

Visit Albania

Just a 30 minute ferry ride away awaits a country famed for Mother Theresa, turquoise waters if you arent already going over for your main trip, then I highly advise a day trip from Corfu. You can read more here. Don’t forget your passport if you do! It’s a different country after all.

Spend the Day at Angsana Hotel

Take a 20- 30 minute taxi down to this exceptional hotel and spend the day in the spa. It was 40 Euros per person for the spa, use of facilities and sun bed (though that officially was after 3pm) and drink all the Pina coladas (not included!). We went for lunch at Sofrito, swam in their incredible infinity pool, slept by the view and stayed for a delicious dinner at Oribu. There is also a rooftop bar though the whole resort feels like one!

Rooftop Bars and Restaurants

There were 6 rooftop bars that I would recommend, if you are here for dinner then Arcadion Bistrot was stunning rooftop restaurant with views over the fortress and Naok Azur for after dinner drinks or brunch – highly recommend the apple spritz! Read more here.

Final Thoughts on visiting Corfu

Corfu town is a little gem of a Greek town but considering its size I had to work hard to find the gems. And they were so worth it. It was a perfect as a pit stop before Albania, for a long weekend or a total flop and drop at one of the resorts further afield. A notable and disappointing detail that struck me was how English it had become. Our taxi driver explained that there is a huge ex-pat community but compared to other islands I have visited I felt sad not to be greeted in Greek at the first instance.