The 10 Most Beautiful Villages in Corfu
Beyond the beaches, the real soul of Corfu lives in its inland villages – stone hamlets clinging to mountainsides, shady squares where life moves slowly, and tavernas serving recipes unchanged for generations. Rent a car for a day and the green interior opens up. Here are the 10 most beautiful villages in Corfu, what to see in each, and how to reach them. They pair perfectly with our guides to things to do in Corfu and traditional Corfu food.
1. Old Perithia
The oldest village on the island and the undisputed star: a heritage-protected "ghost village" high on the slopes of Mount Pantokrator, with around a hundred Venetian-era stone houses, eight churches and a tangible sense of history. Many buildings stand empty, but a handful of family-run tavernas have brought it back to life – come hungry for their famous stifado and slow-cooked dishes. More atmospheric spots in our Corfu hidden gems guide.
2. Doukades
A gorgeous village below Angelokastro, with a leafy central square, the historic Theotokis mansion and some of the best traditional tavernas on the island. An easy, lovely stop on the way to or from Paleokastritsa.
3. Lakones
Perched above Paleokastritsa, Lakones is famous for the Bella Vista balcony – the classic viewpoint over the turquoise bays below. The village itself is a steep, pretty cluster of houses and cafés with knockout views. See our Paleokastritsa guide.
4. Pelekas
A hilltop village on the west coast crowned by the Kaiser's Throne, where Kaiser Wilhelm II came to watch the sunset. Still one of the best places on the island to end the day, with sweeping views over the sea and the green interior.
5. Afionas
A long, narrow ridge-top village in the northwest, and the trailhead for the walk down to the spectacular double bay of Porto Timoni. Beautiful sunset views and a couple of welcoming tavernas.
6. Chlomos
One of the highest villages in the south, with narrow lanes, old stone houses and panoramic views over Lake Korission and both coasts at once – a peaceful, authentic spot the tour buses skip.
7. Nymfes
Set among streams and greenery in the north, Nymfes is known for its nearby waterfalls and lush surroundings – a cool, leafy contrast to the coastal resorts.
8. Sinarades
A traditional inland village near the west coast, home to a charming folklore museum set in an old village house, giving a window into everyday Corfiot life of the past.
9. Kassiopi
A picturesque harbour village on the northeast coast, built around a fishing port beneath the remains of a Byzantine castle, with waterfront tavernas, small coves and a relaxed, upmarket feel. Reachable on the green bus A4 to Kassiopi.
10. Agios Mathaios
Surrounded by olive groves in the southwest, this working village is the heart of Corfu's olive-oil country, with traditional tavernas and easy access to Lake Korission and the wild southern beaches.
How to explore Corfu's villages
The mountain and inland villages are spread out and mostly need a car – public buses reach the bigger ones like Kassiopi but not the remote hilltop hamlets. A self-drive day, or a guided countryside tour, is the way to link several together. Plan your transport with our getting around Corfu guide and the car hire & transfers directory. Most villages reward you with a long taverna lunch – see traditional Corfu food for what to order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful village in Corfu?
Old Perithia, the island's oldest village, is widely considered the most beautiful and atmospheric – a heritage-protected stone settlement on Mount Pantokrator with excellent traditional tavernas. Doukades, Lakones and Kassiopi are also stunning.
What is the ghost village in Corfu?
That's Old Perithia, high on the slopes of Mount Pantokrator. Many of its Venetian-era houses were abandoned as residents moved to the coast, but it's now protected as a heritage site and revived by a handful of tavernas.
Do you need a car to visit Corfu's villages?
For most of them, yes. Larger villages like Kassiopi are served by green buses, but the remote hilltop villages – Old Perithia, Chlomos, Afionas – are far easier to reach with a hire car or on an organised countryside tour.
Where can you eat traditional food in Corfu's villages?
Old Perithia and Doukades are renowned for authentic tavernas serving dishes like stifado and pastitsada. Mountain villages generally offer the most traditional, slow-cooked Corfiot cooking, often using local produce and olive oil.
Which Corfu village has the best sunset?
Pelekas, with its Kaiser's Throne viewpoint, and Afionas, on its northwest ridge, both offer spectacular sunsets over the sea. Lakones, above Paleokastritsa, has superb daytime views over the bays.
