The Perfect Corfu Itinerary: 3, 5 and 7 Days
Not sure how to fit it all in? These ready-made Corfu itineraries – for 3, 5 and 7 days – string together the island's must-sees in a sensible order, balancing culture, beaches and a boat trip without backtracking. Use them as-is or mix and match. Each links to our detailed guides so you can dive deeper on anything that catches your eye, starting with our pillars on things to do in Corfu and the best beaches in Corfu.
Before you start: a few tips
- Base yourself well. Corfu Town or a central spot like Dassia works for shorter trips; consider a two-base plan (town + west/north) for a week. See where to stay in Corfu.
- Sort transport. A hire car unlocks the most; buses and transfers also work. See getting around Corfu.
- Pick your season. May, June and September are the sweet spots – see best time to visit Corfu.
3 Days in Corfu – the essentials
A short break focused on the unmissable highlights.
Day 1 – Corfu Town & culture. Spend the morning on a walking tour of the UNESCO Old Town – the Liston, both fortresses and Agios Spyridon (see our Corfu Old Town guide). After lunch in the kantounia, head south to the Achilleion Palace (guide), then catch the sunset at Kanoni overlooking Mouse Island.
Day 2 – Paleokastritsa & the northwest. Drive (or take the green bus) to Paleokastritsa for its turquoise bays, the clifftop monastery and a sea-cave boat trip, then up to Lakones for the Bella Vista view. See our Paleokastritsa guide.
Day 3 – West coast beach day. Relax on the sand at Glyfada or Agios Gordios, with a sunset from the Kaiser's Throne above Pelekas. See west coast beaches.
5 Days in Corfu – add a boat trip & the north
Everything above, plus:
Day 4 – Paxos, Antipaxos & the Blue Caves. Take the island's flagship boat trip to swim in Antipaxos's Caribbean-blue water and see the Blue Caves of Paxos (guide).
Day 5 – The north: Sidari & Kassiopi. See the Canal d'Amour at Sidari (guide), then the pretty harbour village of Kassiopi, with a swim at a northeast cove like Barbati or Avlaki.
7 Days in Corfu – the full island
Everything above, plus:
Day 6 – Mountains & villages. Drive up Mount Pantokrator, the island's highest peak, and explore the "ghost village" of Old Perithia with a long taverna lunch (Corfu villages guide).
Day 7 – Food & a hidden beach. Spend a relaxed final day on a food and olive-oil theme (traditional Corfu food) and unwind at a secret cove like Rovinia or Agni (Corfu hidden gems).
Car vs bus vs transfer
- Car: the most flexible – essential for the villages, hidden beaches and west coast.
- Bus: great value for the main resorts (Paleokastritsa, Sidari, Kassiopi, the Achilleion) if you don't mind timetables.
- Transfer + tours: the most relaxed – let someone else drive for day trips and the boat excursions.
Plan it all with our getting around Corfu guide, browse tours & activities and transfers, and if you're travelling as a family, see our Corfu with kids guide for a kid-friendly version of this plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Corfu?
Three days covers the essentials – Corfu Town, the Achilleion and Paleokastritsa. Five days lets you add a Paxos boat trip and the north of the island, and seven days gives you time for the mountains, villages, food and hidden beaches at a relaxed pace.
What is the best 3-day Corfu itinerary?
Day 1: Corfu Old Town and the Achilleion Palace. Day 2: Paleokastritsa's bays, monastery and the Bella Vista viewpoint. Day 3: a west-coast beach day at Glyfada or Agios Gordios with a sunset at the Kaiser's Throne.
Can you see Corfu without a car?
Yes – the green and blue buses reach Corfu Town, the Achilleion, Paleokastritsa, Sidari and Kassiopi, and boat trips and transfers cover the rest. A car simply gives you more freedom for villages and hidden beaches.
Is 7 days too long in Corfu?
Not at all. Corfu is a large, varied island, and seven days lets you combine culture, multiple beaches, a boat trip, the mountains and the villages without rushing – ideal for a relaxed, well-rounded holiday.
What should you not miss in Corfu?
The unmissables are the UNESCO-listed Corfu Old Town, the Achilleion Palace, the bays of Paleokastritsa, a west-coast beach, the Canal d'Amour at Sidari and the Paxos and Antipaxos boat trip.
