We based ourselves in Paleokastritsa and explored Corfu by car, boat and on foot. Some days meant a hidden cove; others took us up to mountain villages or out across the Ionian Sea.
Our Corfu trip at a glance
We stayed in Paleokastritsa and used it as a base for beaches, villages and evenings out. The island looks compact on a map, but its winding roads made a rental car useful for reaching different corners at our own pace.
Paleokastritsa as our base
Paleokastritsa worked well for us: beaches were close, Liapades was an easy outing, and we could head to the monastery or the west-coast viewpoints in the evening. The green hills fall sharply towards deep-blue water, so even short drives came with plenty of bends.
Rovinia, Liapades and Limni Beach
We returned to Rovinia Beach more than once. The footpath down opens up a view towards Liapades before reaching the sheltered cove. Limni Beach was another easy swim stop: after a short walk from the parking area, a small jetty leads into clear water.
A boat trip to Paxos and Antipaxos
Our boat trip started in Lefkimmi in the south. At the Blue Caves, the light between the pale cliffs made the water look almost electric. The tour also included time in Gaios and a swim stop at Antipaxos. This is the trip we took ourselves; other tours vary in their route and stops.
A small rental boat on the east coast
On another day, we rented a small boat from Nissaki Boat Rental, also known as Fantasy Boats, after a short introduction. We spent the day exploring the east coast from the water. If you do this yourself, follow the operator’s safety briefing and stay within the permitted area.
The view from Mount Pantokrator
We drove up to Pantokrator, Corfu’s highest mountain. At the top, the small monastery, the wind and the wide view across the green island made for a sharp change from the beach.
Old Perithia and Kassiopi
Old Perithia felt removed from the coastal resorts. Between old stone houses, ruins and quiet lanes, we could still picture the village’s earlier life. We paired the visit with a swim near Kassiopi.
Porto Timoni and Afionas
From Afionas, we walked down to Porto Timoni. The twin-bay view is striking, but the beach itself did not live up to the photographs for us. In June, the trail and shore were already busy. Good shoes and water matter on the return uphill walk.
A day in Corfu Town
We gave Kerkyra, as Corfu Town is called in Greek, a full day and still did not need a strict schedule. We enjoyed walking through the narrow lanes and past the pastel-coloured houses, stopping whenever something caught our eye.
Sunset above Paleokastritsa
Near the monastery, we continued over the rocks to a viewpoint above the west coast. From there the shoreline opened out in front of us. Wear shoes with grip and take care on uneven rock, especially after dark.
Food we remember
For a special evening, we would return to Monastre. The terrace and the changing light over the coast made it a memorable dinner, although it was more expensive than a casual meal. In Kassiopi, we also enjoyed sitting down after the drive and swim.
Our take on Corfu
Corfu rewarded us with variety, but the roads take longer than the map suggests. We would choose a base that fits the coast you want to explore and avoid packing too many stops into one day.
Keep exploring the Greek islands
Our overview brings together the islands we have visited and the guides currently available.