9 Best Corfu Day Trips To Add To Your Itinerary
Are you looking to add some Corfu day trips to your itinerary? Great idea!
I loved exploring Corfu, and there are so many hidden gems around the island once you leave Corfu Town.
Corfu is a relatively small island, and you can drive from north to south in about 2 hours.
That makes it perfect for day trips, as you can easily explore different areas and go back to your accommodation at night!
From the dramatic landscapes of Cape Drastis to impressive historic fortresses, viewpoints, and hidden beaches, you can take many day trips from Corfu Town!
Let’s get started!
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Do You Need A Car For Day Trips From Corfu?
You don’t necessarily need a car to go on day trips in Corfu, but it will make it more comfortable.
I rented a car in Corfu, which allowed me to visit more remote villages and explore multiple places on the same day.
I booked my car in advance through Discover Cars, and the price was considerably lower than renting a car closer to my arrival date or in person from rental agencies.
They often offer some perks, and you might get an additional driver for free if you’re not traveling solo!
Some of the places to visit aren’t accessible by bus, so you’ll either need a car or to join a tour – for example, Old Perithia, Chlomos, or Gradiki Castle.
Another popular way to get around Corfu is to rent a quad or a scooter. They can be cheaper than rental cars.
However, you can also visit many of the top tourist attractions in Corfu by bus!
Intercity buses are affordable and relatively frequent during high season, connecting Corfu Town to some of the most popular tourist attractions.
I will note when a bus or a tour is available if you didn’t rent a car in Corfu!
Just to have a common starting point, I will assume you’ll take these day trips from Corfu Town.
Don’t worry if you’re staying somewhere else, it won’t make much difference if you’re driving but most tours start from Corfu Town!
1. Canal d’Amour and Cape Drastis
Explore the stunning landscapes of the north Corfu, starting with the famous Canal d’Amour and impressive Cape Drastis.
Canal d’Amour is a picturesque deep cove, known for the local legend that couples who swim through the canal together will stay together forever.
Whether you’re traveling solo or in a couple, this unique landscape is worth visiting.
Next up is Cape Drastis. You can visit the cape by boat from Sidari, or drive to see it from above.
If you’re staying nearby, don’t miss the sunset from Loggas Beach. The cliffside bar is a fantastic spot to grab a drink while watching the sunset.
How To Get There?
The easiest way to get to Canal d’Amour and Cape Drastis is to drive.
They are located about 40km from Corfu Town, and it will take you about an hour to drive there. Driving in Corfu takes longer than it might seem on the map.
Alternatively, you can also grab a bus from Corfu to Sidari.
Once you’re in Sidari, Canal d’Amour is almost in the city center. You’ll need to walk for about an hour to reach Cape Drastis from Sidari.
However, you can also grab a small boat from Sidari to the Cape!
There are several boat rental agencies in Sidari, and you can get a boat with a skipper or drive one yourself.
2. Old Perithia, Mount Pantokrator Hike, and Kassiopi
This is one of my favorite Crofu day trips, as you get to see some of the island’s most authentic landmarks.
Starting with a visit to Old Perithia. The oldest continuously inhabited village on the island.
To be fair, it looked quite abandoned when I was there, but I could see they were working on reviving the stone houses.
The village had a really unique atmosphere, with several local tavernas, and was surrounded by nature taking over the old houses.
If you’re a hiking enthusiast, you can hike from Old Perithia to Mount Pantokrator – Corfu’s highest peak. The trail is easy to follow and takes about 4-5 hours to complete.
Alternatively, you can head to Kassiopi like I did!
It is one of the most picturesque seafront villages in Corfu and has several lovely beaches to choose from.
How To Get There?
Old Perithia is in the north of the island, about 50 km from Corfu Town. It will take you about an hour and a half to get there.
The road gets progressively worse as you reach the village, and I was driving 20 km/h at some point in the trip.
If you want to do the hike, you’ll need to rent a car. I didn’t see any tours that offer the tour that includes hiking.
However, if you only want to see Old Perithia and Pantokrator mountain top, you can join an organized tour!
This tour takes you to both landmarks in sturdy 4×4 Jeeps. Honestly, sounds so much better than driving up there in a small Fiat Panda like I did!
Either way, public transport is not available for this day trip.
⛰️Check the availability of the Old Perithia and Mount Pantokrator tour!
3. Sailing Along Corfu Coastline
Corfu is an island with many hidden beaches and coves.
When you see the cliffs and mountains along Corfu’s coastline, you’ll understand why the best way to discover them is on a sailing trip!
You can get boat tours from Corfu Town to the south or north of the island. If you just want to see the island from a different perspective, you can also opt for a sunset cruise!
I like the small pebbled coves along the north of Corfu better than the large sandy beaches in the South, but there is so much choice that you can go for the ones you prefer!
This boat tour is my favorite! It takes you along the northeastern coast of the island, where you’ll get to swim on beautiful beaches and see some of the best Corfu landmarks.
How To Get There?
Corfu boat tours depart from several towns on the island, so you can find the one that is closest to where you stay in Corfu.
Also, many private tours offer transfer service, so you don’t have to worry about getting to the departure point!
🏝️ Check the rates and availability of the Corfu sailing cruise!
4. Porto Timoni and Afionas
Porto Timoni is a prime example of Corfu’s natural beauty. This twin beach looks like it belongs on a tropical island in Thailand.
The bay is situated about a 20-minute downhill hike from the village of Afionas.
The path is a proper hiking trail, so it is not suitable for strollers (I’ve seen someone try this, and they came back after 10 minutes) or wheelchairs.
Porto Timoni is still a wild and unmonitored beach, meaning there are no amenities on the beach.
Bring everything you’ll need for a day with you!
How To Get There?
Porto Timoni is about 40km from Corfu Town, and it will take you about an hour to get there.
You’ll need a car for this day trip. There is a bus from Corfu Town to Afionas, but I don’t think it makes it easy for a day trip.
Alternatively, you can join this tour of Corfu’s northern beaches which includes a swim stop at Porto Timoni!
5. Paleokastritsa and Angelokastro
This Corfu day trip combines swimming and sightseeing, with a visit to the historic Angelokastro, Paleokastritsa Monastery, and swimming on pristine Paleokastritsa beaches.
Angelokastro is an ancient Byzantine castle perched on top of the hill.
It is the best preserved out of the 3 original Corfu fortresses (the other two are Kassiopi and Gradiki), so you’ll have to pay a small ticket fee.
Paleokastritsa Monastery is on the top of another hill, and it is free to enter and explore. You can see their large collection of religious items and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the monastery.
Keep in mind these sights get very hot in the summer. I was in Corfu in mid-May, and I was so excited to go for a dip after exploring the views.
You can choose from several beaches in Paleokastritsa, but the main beach is always a good option.
If you’re traveling as a vegan in Corfu, don’t miss the Apollo bakery next to the beach. They had delicious vegan pastry!
You can also take a small boat tour from the beach to The Blue Eye Cave. It is quite a unique rock formation that looks like an eye as the sun shines through the water.
If you want to grab dinner with a view, head to the nearby villages – Liapades or Lakones.
How To Get There?
Paleokastritsa is about 23 km from Corfu Town, and it takes about half an hour to get there.
It is also well connected to Corfu Town by public transport! There are several daily buses you can take to visit Paleokastritsa without a car, making for an easily accessible day trip option.
6. Albania
Did you know you can visit Albania on a day trip from Corfu?
It is easy to add another country to your itinerary since Albania is just a 2-hour boat ride from Corfu!
A ferry from Corfu to Albania will leave you in the port town of Sarandë. You can stay there, enjoying the beach and dramatically lower prices than prices in Corfu, or you can explore the area.
Ksamil is one of the most popular Albanian beach towns, and it is just a short bus (or car) ride from Sarandë.
Also, you can visit Butrint! It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, about 20 km from Sarandë.
The area has been inhabited since ancient times, and you can see the ruins from different periods.
How To Get There?
You’ll need to take a ferry over to Albania.
You can organize the trip yourself, and buy ferry tickets on Ferryhopper. There are more than 10 daily departures, so it is easy to do it on your own.
Alternatively, you can take an organized boat trip. It is slightly more expensive than doing the trip yourself, but it can save you time and worry about the logistics.
7. Paxos and Antipaxos
Island hopping the Ionian islands from Corfu can be a bit complicated since the islands are quite far from each other.
Luckily, 2 islands of the group, Paxos and Antipaxos, are just about a 2-hour ferry ride from Corfu!
These two islands are significantly smaller than Corfu, offering the unique charm of a small Greek island.
I absolutely love the colorful seafront houses, cobblestone streets, and laid-back atmosphere of these islands.
Also, beaches are beautiful too!
How To Get There?
The easiest way to get to Paxos and Antipaxos is on a boat tour.
While you could also organize the trip yourself, by booking ferries, it is more complicated, and the price difference might not be worth it.
In fact, it might even be more expensive than simply booking a tour!
This is my favorite Paxos boat tour from Corfu. You get to see both islands and the stunning Blue Caves for around 50€ per person!
8. Pelekas, Kaiser’s Throne, and Glyfada Beach
Combine a visit to the best viewpoint in Corfu and one of the most popular Corfu beaches on a day trip to Pelekas and Glyfada Beach.
Glyfada Beach is a long sandy beach and it is said to be one of the best beaches on the island.
The beach is wide, with soft golden sand and a crystal clear sea. It is surrounded by lush green mountains, making for a very beautiful setting.
Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of sandy beaches, but I can see why people like it!
After a day on the beach, head to the village of Pelekas to see the Kaiser’s Throne and watch the sunset.
Kaiser’s Throne is one of the best sunset spots in Corfu, as it offers an unobstructed 360 view of the island.
This historic observatory is free to visit, and you’ll see several boards explaining the history of Corfu.
How To Get There?
Pelekas and Glyfada are about 15 km from Corfu Town, and it takes about half an hour to drive there.
You can do this day trip even without a car, as there is a bus from Corfu Town to Pelekas and Glyfada Beach.
Check the bus schedule to plan your day in advance, as the buses are not very frequent.
9. Chlomos and Gradiki Castle
Depending on how many days you spend in Corfu, you should also discover the south of the island.
Head south of Corfu Town towards Benitses, and you can stop along the way and visit The Achilleion Palace.
Chlomos is a mountaintop village, known as the village of artists. I love how authentic the village feels, with cobblestone streets and stone houses.
You can spend a couple of hours strolling the streets of Choloms, grab a drink or lunch, and enjoy the view.
After Chlomos, head to Gradiki Castle. To be fair, there is not much of the castle left nowadays. You’ll really only see the outside wall but it is free to enter and explore.
You can also hike to the nearby Paleolithic Cave of Grava at Gardiki!
Finally, you can finish the day with a swim on one of the long sandy beaches in the south of Corfu.
I suggest Halikounas Beach. It is just a short drive from the Gradiki Castle and it is absolutely massive.
Stay until sunset for one of the most magical sunsets in Corfu! Alternatively, head to Kavos if you want to check out the nightlife in Corfu.
How To Get There?
You need a car for this day trip. The public bus doesn’t go to Chlomos or Gradiki Castle.
Alternatively, you can join this tour of South Corfu!
It takes you to the best spots in the south of the island, including a visit to Chlomos village. The tour also includes lunch, so your whole day is sorted for you.
FAQ: Day Trips From Corfu
You can visit Paxos and Antipaxos on a day trip from Corfu. Other Ionian islands are too far for a day trip.
Yes, you can go to Albania for the day from Corfu. You can take an early morning ferry and come back in the afternoon, there are several daily departures! Alternatively, you can also join an organized tour.
Final Thoughts: Best Corfu Day Trips
If you have a week in Corfu (or more!) there are so many fun activities to add to your itinerary!
The easiest way to get around the island and visit multiple locations on the same day is by renting a car.
If you’re short on time, I’d rent a car for a day and visit Porto Timoni, Cape Drastis, Canal d’Amour, and Kassiopi.
You don’t need a car to explore the island if you’re backpacking Corfu on a budget. You can take a bus or join an organized tour and discover Corfu without renting a car!
So, which day trips are you adding to your Corfu itinerary?
