Located among a chain of islands in the Ionian Sea, the Greek isle of Corfu is a blue-water paradise that’s most noted for its fantastic beaches, sun-bleached houses, narrow streets, and Byzantine architecture.
Two distinct tourist season draw crowds between April and May, and September and November, but due to its Mediterranean location, there’s really no such thing as a bad time to visit.
Most guests make it a point to soak up the sun, sand, and surf while leaving ample time to explore the abundant historical sites, as well as natural and cultural attractions.
Below are 15 of the best tours of Corfu.
1. Guided Walking Tour and Food Tastings
Source: proslgn / shutterstockBoasting an abundance of historical buildings, breathtaking natural attractions, and vibrant, many-faceted cuisine, Corfu is a smorgasbord for the senses that many visitors choose to experience on-foot.
This three-hour guided walking tour is offered in the morning and afternoon and encompasses much of what it is that makes Corfu so unique and alluring.
Tours touch on history, culture, and food, and include stops at a number of attractions, like former colonial-era palaces and ancient fortifications.
Along the way, guests will enjoy a traditional Greek breakfast and lunch and sample everything from yogurt and olive oil to ginger beer, local honey, and sofrito.
2. Open-Top Bus Tour in Old Town Corfu and Kanoni
Source: www.getyourguide.comFor those interested in seeing unobstructed views of the city and breathing the fresh sea air without expending too much energy, this open-top bus tour of Old Town Corfu and Kanoni would be a great fit.
For international visitors, audio guides are available in eight languages. Guests may choose to depart and explore at the stops that interest them, or remain on board and relax at those that don’t.
Tour attractions include the cruise ship terminal where tours begin, the convent at Vlaherna, beaches, fortresses, ambassador’s residences, and the Paleopolis ruins and archaeological site at Kerkira, to name just a few.
3. Customized Private Tour
Source: kaiser-v / shutterstockCustomizable private tours are often among the most memorable experiences of traveler’s trips because they’re tailor-made to fit their schedules and interests.
From the stunning architecture of the Achilleion Palace and the quaint old-world villages of Corfu to the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and traditional restaurants and taverns, this tour offers plenty of options to accommodate a wide range of guests.
Tours can last anywhere from a half to a full-day and include round-trip transportation to and from your hotel or cruise ship at the port.
Click the link below for options and contact the tour operator about a personalized itinerary before booking.
4. Architecture and Great Personalities Tour
Source: Paul Cowan / shutterstockLocated on the island’s central east coast across the strait from mainland Greece and Albania, Corfu features stunning natural beauty and mild year-round weather, making it a popular destination for those looking to escape winter in the colder parts of the world.
This walking tour focuses on significant architecture, unique and intriguing bits of local lore and history, and interesting personalities.
Along with their guide, guests will explore cobblestone streets, stroll through vibrant plazas, and visit the homes of preeminent contemporary and historical figures.
Other tour attractions include City Hall, the Ionian Parliament Building, the synagogues of the Jewish District, and the Old Fortress.
5. Antipaxos and Paxos Blue Caves Boat Cruise
Source: www.getyourguide.comSetting out by boat from Corfu is a great way to see the island’s attractions from a whole new perspective.
It’s also a must for those who want to explore the fantastic blue caves of Paxos, which are renowned for their clear water, majestic rock formations, and the colony of monk seals that have made them their home.
Tours also include multilingual guides, stops at traditional villages, postcard-like beaches, and food and drinks while on-board.
Guests will appreciate guided and free time. Transportation to and from your Corfu hotel may also be included if the option is selected at the time of booking.
6. Private Sailing Yacht Cruise
Source: www.getyourguide.comPrivate yacht cruises are one of the premier ways to see and experience Corfu. Considering all they offer, most of them are surprisingly affordable.
This mid-morning tour can last anywhere from four to eight hours. It includes sightseeing and activity time that make it a good fit for a wide variety of guests.
After departing the marina, participants will cruise along the coast past old fortresses and secluded bays, stopping at a number of scenic islands, where they’ll have time to relax, swim, sunbathe, and take photographs.
Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks are included, but you’ll need to bring sunblock and a beach towel.
7. Private Half-Day Wheelchair-Accessible Tour
Source: Carl DeAbreu Photography / shutterstockDue to its narrow streets and dramatic changes in elevation, many tours of Corfu aren’t accessible for travelers who use wheelchairs.
This four ½-hour tour is a good match for those with mobility issues, and it includes a great mix of natural and historical attractions.
Tours feature in-town sites like Old Town, museums, castles, and churches, and country-side ones such as family-owned farms, where olives and grapes are grown and transformed into olive oil and wine.
Along the way, guests will benefit from their guide’s insights and learn about the area’s food, art, history, and culture which date back many millennia.
8. Private Night Tour
Source: Calin Stan / shutterstockThough Corfu is impressive during the day, previous visitors tend to agree that it takes on an almost otherworldly aura as the sun sets.
This four-hour night tour includes transportation to and from your hotel, the services of a local guide, and a chance to experience many of the town’s most renowned sites in a relatively short time.
Corfu’s Old Town is characterized by ancient fortresses, stunning architecture, secluded squares, and narrow staircases, all of which harken back to eras long past.
Guests will visit the Church of Saint Spyridon, browse the stalls of merchants and artisans, and stop for a bite and a relaxing drink as well.
9. Above and Beyond Paleokastritsa 6-Hour Scooter Tour
Source: www.getyourguide.comCruising around an exotic island like Corfu on a Vespa is a truly memorable way to spend the better part of a day for those who prefer more exhilarating activities than most average tours provide.
This six-hour tour begins when participants meet their guide, get a safety briefing, and learn about the course they’ll take around the magnificent island.
Depending on age, size, and riding ability, guests will have the option of choosing from multiple scooters, after which they’ll set out to discover sites from Greek history, as well as those from mythology.
Highlights include Paleokastritsa and the Byzantine castle at Angelokastro.
10. Best of Corfu Private Minibus Tour
Source: Balate Dorin / shutterstockDuring the summer season, the weather in Corfu can be downright hot.
Though scooter, walking, and open-air bus tours abound, enclosed and air-conditioned vehicles are often the way to go for those who’d rather not brave the elements.
This half-day private tour allows guests to choose their start time and pick-up location, as well as the things they’d like to see.
The scenic hilltop palace and gardens at Achilleion are perennial favorites, as are Kanoni and the postcard-like beach at Paleokastritsa.
While at Paleokastritsa, guests can choose to relax and swim or take a short cruise to the area’s blue water caves.
11. Ghost Stories and Legends Tour
Source: www.getyourguide.comLovers of the eerie and macabre eager to learn about the island’s dark side need look no further than this two-hour ghosts and legends tour.
It gets underway when most tourists are asleep in their hotel beds, and explores things that most other tours avoid like the plague.
Along with their knowledgeable guide, Ghost and Legend tour guests will discover off-the-beaten-path corners of the town, learn about intriguing true and mythical mysteries and legends, and experience the chills in a way that their daytime tour counterparts never will.
Tours meet at a convenient central Corfu location, but food, drinks, and tips aren’t included.
12. Private Tour of Achilleion Palace, Kanoni, and Old Town
Source: Andrei Kobylko / shutterstockDiscover Corfu’s most iconic locations and significant historical sites on this private minibus tour.
Highlights include Achilleion Palace, Old Town’s Kanoni Quarter, and gazing upon the beauty of majestic Mouse Island from an elevated point above the town.
At the palace, enjoy serene gardens, marvel at ancient Greek statues and works of art, and tour the chambers that were once home to powerful rulers.
En route to Kanoni on the west coast, tour participants will see stunning views of the Aegean and traditional coastal villages, and stop at a quaint café for a refreshing drink before heading off to other attractions.
Hotel pick-up and drop off are included.
13. Olive Oil Experience at the Governor’s Olive Mill
Source: www.getyourguide.co.ukAfter a short and scenic drive from Corfu, your olive oil experience tour begins with a guided walk through ancient olive groves.
The island’s fertile soils have been growing olives for thousands of years. In addition to seeing them up close and personally, guests will learn about the history of the Governor’s mill, what makes the conditions so perfect for growing, and taste a variety of products.
Tours also include light fare, local wines, a variety of oils, as well as other olive products – all of which pair well together.
Tours start mid-morning and last about three hours and size is limited, so book early if possible.
14. Hop-on Hop-off City Sightseeing Bus Tour
Source: www.getyourguide.co.ukFor those who prefer to see Corfu’s attractions on their own terms, these two hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus tour options are great values.
They come in 60 and 90-minute options along two routes—one to Kanoni and the other to Achillion.
Tickets give guests the flexibility to see what they want at their own pace, and audio guides are available in eight languages.
Tour centerpieces include Old Town, the Old and New fortresses, and the Palace of St. Michael and St. George.
At the stops they choose to explore, guests can admire the impressive architecture, enter individual sites, visit museums, or relax at a street-side café or bar.
15. Gastronomy Walking Tour
Source: TristanBalme / shutterstockCorfu’s cuisine is a pleasant mix of traditional and contemporary. For true gastronomes, there’s no better way to experience it first-hand than on this three-hour walking tour.
After meeting your local guide, your food journey will get underway at some of the island’s most notable but well-hidden eateries.
In addition to sampling a variety of local favorites, guests will learn about their history, how they’re made, and why they’ve been mainstays of Greek dining for such a long time.
Guests will also have a chance to rub elbows with artisans, merchants, and restaurateurs while avoiding the tourist masses at more well-known attractions.