Visit Corfu and Experience These 7 Best Things to Do

Last Updated on August 21, 2022 by Nina Ahmedow

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Are you planning to visit Corfu and believe that the island is only about its beaches? You may want to reconsider.

Alright, one of the cheapest things to do in Corfu is to relax on its stunning beaches. But there’s so much more to this Greek island than sunbathing.

Kerkyra, as it’s called in Modern Greek, is full of life and has so much character. The multicolored houses, incredible baklava, and culture make this island truly captivating.

Plus there’s the Venetian influence which makes you feel like you’re in Italy. The unique history is totally fascinating. When you stay in Corfu you will quickly realize that the island has been influenced by Venice, France, and Greece, and its people are a lovely mix of all of that.

I have so much to say about how lovely it is to stay in Corfu but not enough time and space.

I first got a chance to visit Corfu 2.5 years ago to experience the summer there. Admittedly, I spent most of that time enjoying the sun. However, I recently went back for a long weekend to experience more of the capital.

This brings me to this post in which I am going to share my list of things to do in Corfu besides going to the beach.

Why You Should Visit Corfu, Greece

Wait! Did you read what I just wrote? The island is breathtakingly beautiful, picturesque, and romantic. The capital is really small, too, which makes even a short stay in Corfu an ideal weekend getaway.

Besides, there’s a huge list of things to do in Corfu. What I really like is that there is something for every interest.

I get it: It’s easy to think that when you visit Corfu you’re only going to go to the beach.

Please don’t misunderstand me: The beaches will have to be on anybody’s general list of things to do in Corfu because they are impressive. But as somebody who doesn’t really want to spend all day doing nothing on the beach, I was delighted by the range of interesting things to see and do off the beach.

Corfu is not merely a place where British tourists enjoy the nice weather; the island has so much more to offer than pristine beaches.

Without any further ado, here is my advice about the cheapest things to do in Corfu.

The Ultimate List of Things to Do in Corfu

Get Lost in the Jewish Quarter and Old Town

One of the cheapest things to do in Corfu is to take a stroll through its Jewish Quarter and Old Town. They are strikingly beautiful most importantly because of their Venetian architecture. As the island used to be under Venetian rule, the whole area is very pretty and unbelievably quaint. Add to that the fact that the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On top of that, there’s always something interesting happening on the streets. Traditional parades or free concerts take place practically every night making your stay in Corfu Town anything but boring.

See the Achilleion

The Austrian Empress Sisi had a palace based on the mythical hero Achilles built a year after her son’s death. The palace is about 10km from Corfu Town and offers panoramic views over the island.

The palace is now a museum and very busy in the summer so parking will be hard to find if you come by car. If you like Sisi’s taste you should plan a future trip to Vienna where you can see her apartments!

Stuff Yourself with Traditional Sweets from Rosy’s Bakery

Baklava. Cookies. Kumquat sweets. There are numerous delights at Rosy’s Bakery, and a long weekend isn’t enough to taste them all. That’s why you should take a huge box home with you. At least that’s what I did.

I know I already mentioned Rosy’s Bakery as one of the best places to eat vegan in Corfu, but I can’t recommend it enough. I generally enjoy sweets, but the ones you can find here are simply out of this world. I’ll admit that a visit here won’t be one of the cheapest things to do in Corfu, but trust me, every cent is worth it!

Not only that, she’s also an incredibly warmhearted person that you simply have to meet. Not all her delicacies are vegan, but there’s definitely something for everyone here.

For more info on surviving in Corfu as a vegan check out my vegan guide to Greece which explains which dishes are more likely to be vegan.

Visit the Patounis Soap Factory (One of the Cheapest Things to Do in Corfu)

Another activity I have mentioned before but can’t stop talking about. You can actually see how traditional olive soap is manufactured on the island.

See the Museum of Asian Art

This might be an unexpected addition to my list of things to do in Corfu. Because Asian art is not something you would expect to see on a Greek island, and yet there’s an entire museum dedicated to it. Though I have to admit that I was extremely disappointed when I saw that the library entrance used Arabic-based scripts incorrectly.

See the Old and New Fortress

I couldn’t leave these historical pieces of architecture off my list of things to do in Corfu as they are important for understanding the island’s history. The Old Fortress is of Byzantine origin but was rebuilt by the Venetians, while the New Fortress was built entirely by the Venetians. Both fortresses offer spectacular views.

See the Liston

This gallery is made up of arcades and was built during French rule. There are several cafés, bars, and restaurants here so you can spend quite some time at the Liston. It’s perfect for people-watching and simply relaxing with a hot chocolate or lemonade. And it’s one of the cheapest things to do in Corfu for sure.

Where to Stay in Corfu

If you’re not going to Corfu for the beaches you want to stay in Corfu Town itself. I found a cheap Airbnb right in the center of the Old Town. This made my trips from and to the airport really easy as the airport is located only a short bus ride from the town. However, I found out from locals that Airbnb has caused a housing crisis in Corfu Town (as in many other places in the world), so I suggest you avoid them.

If you are planning to visit Corfu Town as well as the beaches on the rest of the island, the town itself is still a great place to stay as its location is quite central and you’ll be able to get around the island rather quickly. The first time we went to Corfu we stayed further in the south, and while it was very quiet there it meant that we only traveled to the north twice because the trips were too long.

Corfu Is Perfect for a Weekend Break

This list of things to do in Corfu can definitely be expanded depending on your interests. The island has so much to offer to everyone. There are so many reasons to visit Corfu. So don’t hesitate to put it on your travel list! You will have a lovely time no matter how long you stay in Corfu. And if you want to head to some of the other Ionian islands there are tons of things to do in Kefalonia, Lefkada, or Zakynthos as well. Personally, I’m a big fan of Kythira which is quite an underrated island.

Have you ever been to Greece? How would you like to visit Corfu? And do you have any further advice for the cheapest things to do in Corfu?