Uncovering Corfu: Our Perfect 5-Day Island Getaway

Written By Dan

When you think of Corfu, you might picture crowded party towns and "Brits abroad" package holidays, but this stunning Greek island has so much more to offer. In April 2024, we took a 5-day trip with our two kids and uncovered Corfu's hidden gems—rocky coves, quaint villages, and breathtaking beaches that felt worlds away from the tourist hotspots. From navigating the island’s maze-like streets to soaking in Venetian history, here’s everything you need to know about planning the perfect Corfu getaway, with insider tips, top spots to visit, and a detailed look at our itinerary.

GETTING THERE ✈️

Ok - so here’s the real kicker, we travelled to Corfu from the UK in late April 2024 - as a family of 4, for less than £100 - the airport parking turned out to be more expensive than the flights! The flight time to the UK is approximately 3 hours - we flew with Ryanair and booked around 48 hours before departure, taking only a backpack each for the 5-day trip.

WHERE TO STAY 🏨

The northeast of Corfu is the least developed, but regarded to be the most beautiful part of the island. Adventure seekers are spoilt for choice when it comes to rocky coves, stunning beaches, and quaint, character-packed towns and villages - seemingly untouched by time. We booked on Airbnb and stayed in the Kalami area in a lovely villa with a private pool for around £70/night, the rental was managed by Hestia Travel who have many rentals on Corfu.

GETTING AROUND 🚗

Hiring a car is our top recommendation for Corfu - there are plenty of quad, scooter and motorbike rental options over the island but for ease and convenience we opted for four wheels and collected near the airport. TOP TIP: ensure you have excess insurance or some other sort of car rental insurance - the main roads are fine but just off the main road, you will encounter extremely narrow, single-lane roads with many switchbacks and super steep elevation changes. Generally, the road surfaces are ok, but it's among the easiest of places to unintentionally cause damage to a rental car!

WHEN TO GO 🗓️

Outside Corfu's old town, things can be seasonal - even in late April, it was hit-and-miss in the smaller towns and villages. This did not cause any issues as we were always able to find a place to eat, a coffee and a beach to relax on! The weather was a stark contrast to the seemingly endless British winter - we had temperatures in the low 20s (celsius), were able to swim in the sea each day and never felt the need to wrap up. We had such a memorable trip that we may make a shoulder season visit to Corfu an annual thing! Others we’ve spoken to since also recommend the opposite end of the season - where the temperatures and crowds ease, giving access to see and do everything, in comfortable temperatures.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER 🤔

  • 📱 MOBILE/DATA NETWORK - particularly in the northeast of Corfu, you’re geographically very close to Albania - at some points only within a couple of miles, despite being physically on Greek land! However, we found on return to the UK that we’d accidentally connected to an Albanian phone network - which is not typically included in EU roaming.

  • 🤟 LANGUAGE - Greek is of course the first language but we were pleasantly surprised at the high level, and widespread use of English. However, knowing a few Greek words and phrases - Kaliméra (good morning), Yá su (informal: hello), Parakaló (please), Efcharistó (thank you) - goes a long way!

  • 💰 TIPPING - tipping is not expected in Greece, but it is always appreciated. A small tip of a euro or two is sufficient.

  • 🥾 ALL TRAILS APP - some of the best beaches and hidden scenic spots we’ve mentioned require hikes or walks to access, and they can be particularly poorly mapped on Google - AllTrails has you covered and will ensure you get where you want to go.

PLACES TO EAT 🍽️

COFFEE ☕️

Coffee is a huge part of daily life on the island, and there are plenty of great spots to drop in and hang with the locals while getting your caffeine fix! Our favourites in the northern part of the island were:

  • Stoubilly - a stylish roadside coffee stop serving delicious fresh coffee, pastries and light snacks

  • Kófibros / Κόφιbros - another stylish coffee stop on the roadside as you head north away from Kalami, great coffee and friendly service!

  • Zeus Throne - the perfect way to start the hike down to Porto Timoni, with amazing views offering a full menu, snacks and drinks. The freddo cappuccino hit the spot before the hike!

Our Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and settle in

We arrived late in the evening - thankfully, we had no delays, but it was past 10 pm when we collected the rental car and then had a further 1-hour drive up to the Airbnb. If we’d arrived earlier, we’d have opted to tour Corfu's old town directly from the airport, as parking in the town was a nightmare! On the drive up, food options were a little limited - however, we stumbled upon some of the best pizzas we’ve ever had - Angelo’s La Pizza near Dassia Beach absolutely hit the spot!

Day 2: North Coast: Scenic Beauty and Adventure

Today we dedicated our exploration to the stunning northern coast of Corfu:

  • After strolling the immediate local area to find our bearings - including the beaches at Kalami and Houhulio, we grabbed a coffee at Stoubilly before hitting the road north.

  • First off, we ventured to Canal d'Amour. Legend has it - couples who swim the narrow passage in the heart-shaped bay experience everlasting love! Those trying to do it with two small kids running around may have a different outcome! Canal d’Amour is a thriving resort in the peak season - we had fewer options in late April, but still managed a nice lunch on the seafront at The Rock.

  • In the afternoon, we headed back up the coast north to the majestic Cape Drastis. This one requires a hike to access but the trail is manageable and offers stunning views of the dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and deep blue waters. TIP: take plenty of refreshments, and be prepared for your younger ones to put up some resistance at walking back up the hill!

Day 3: More North Coast and an old ghost town

After whetting the appetite on our first full day, we started early and made our way to:

  • Porto Timoni, as the first stop of the day was around an hour from our Airbnb on the opposite side of the island. Visiting in shoulder season meant we parked right in the village so only had a short walk to the start of the hike. The trail starts by Zeus Throne restaurant - with its stunning panoramic views of the lower Agios Georgios beach, it's the perfect spot for lunch or to grab a quick coffee. The hike takes around half an hour and the terrain can be rough in places, so take extra time and care with young children. Once at the water's edge, you have the choice of two back-to-back beaches both with crystal clear waters, various caves and rock formations for snorkelling - it's generally a great place to explore and spend half a day.

  • After the hike back and a short drive down the coast, we were in the Palaiokastritsa area, which has a variety of beaches: Glyfa Beach, the famous La Grotta, and Paleokastritsa Beach, each catering to something different. Visiting the Monastery is a must; the gardens are tended by the monks and are simply magical. The views from the monastery are among the best in Corfu, we had no issues accessing by car, but in a busier part of the season, it’ll undoubtedly be more tricky - go early or late is our advice.

  • On the way back to Kalami and nestled in the foothills of Mount Pantokrator, we visited Old Perithia - a ghost village! It’s around half an hour off the main road, but once there, a maze of narrow, cobbled streets lined with abandoned stone houses awaits. It’s now declared a protected heritage site, but a few tavernas serving local delicacies are operating, together with a handful of restored houses offering a glimpse into the village's past. Old Perithia is a hiking haven for exploring Mount Pantokrator, with trails weaving through the lush landscape, offering stunning scenery and opportunities to reconnect with nature (our kids did not want to partake in a hike, so this review is gleaned from reading comments on AllTrails - maybe next time!)

Day 4: Choices, Choices: Beach Day or Day Cruise

Since we were travelling with small kids, the sightseeing and travelling made us want a relaxed day on the beach! We spent the day beach hopping - if thats going to be you - here are a few options to consider:

  • Agios Georgios is a long, sandy beach with calm waters, perfect for families with children. If you visit Porto Timoni - it's the beach you see from the lookout before the hike down. There are plenty of sun loungers, umbrellas, water sports activities, and beach bars.

  • Kalami is a pebble beach set amidst a range of beachfront bars and restaurants, it was the closest to us, only a few minutes walk down the hill, and we had a lovely couple of hours here - the calmness of the water in the bay, together with the laidback atmosphere of Kalami was bliss.

  • Kassiopi is a stunning harbour town, if you’re not looking to move around there’d be few better choices. It’s a great place for beaches, boat tours (with multiple operators), and bites - with its range of quaint tavernas. We had a great lunch at the Old School House by the water.

  • Kaminaki is a secluded cove known for its tranquillity and crystal-clear waters. This small beach is ideal for those seeking a peaceful escape and a chance to experience the authentic charm of Corfu.

For those wanting to maximise their time adventuring - as we’ve already mentioned, the Albanian coast is only a short distance away, we’d recommend looking into a day trip such as this one.

Day 5: Touring Corfu Old Town / Korkyra

  • Start your day early and secure a parking spot - we know from experience that this can be problematic if arriving later in the morning (as we did!)

  • The streets of Korkyra are like a labyrinth - inviting you to wander endlessly while taking in the vibrant energy and beautiful Venetian architecture. Don’t forget to stop by the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, as well as the iconic Old Fortress - perched at the edge of the city.

  • While leaving it to the last minute may not suit the more anxious of souvenir shoppers - we’d recommend saving any shopping for the old town, the best selection of souvenirs was to be found here, with many shops selling local crafts and souvenirs you’ll unlikely find elsewhere.

  • If you want to be guided around to ensure you’re not missing anything - consider booking a guided tour - this one, even includes local food tastings!

Dan