CENTRAL CORFU
In central Corfu, tourism is present but less overwhelming than the North and South. Many visitors pass through on their way to beaches or resorts, but those who linger often find a more genuine side of the island—families harvesting olives, small local festivals, and a countryside that feels lived-in rather than staged. It’s a region where the sea is never far away, but the focus is inland: the hills, the traditions, and the everyday life of Corfiots. That said, I will recommend beaches in this section of the blog that are positioned on the coasts of the center of the island.
The main settlement is Corfu Town (Kerkyra), a UNESCO World Heritage site, technically just outside central Corfu but tied closely to it. Its Venetian fortresses, French arcades, and British-era architecture make it a crossroads of Mediterranean history. Beyond the town, central villages like Afra, Pelekas, and Gastouri preserve a slower pace, with pastel houses, stone churches, and local tavernas serving seasonal food. Gastouri, for example, is known for the Achilleion Palace, built by Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the 19th century. Pelekas, perched on a hill, is famous for its sunset views.
#CORFU TOWN - Kerkyra
Corfu’s old town is the capital of Corfu island and therefore the biggest town you will find on the island. That is where the international airport is located, all the ferries arriving from other greek islands or mainland as well as going to Albania.
👉🏼 What to do: Corfu’s old town is full of beautiful streets, architecture and has a good load of history.
Wandering around and getting lost in the streets is definitely a good way to discover the city. Start from Saroko square and venture yourself into the city.
I recommend you’d go to the Old fortress and new fortress
Go to the local market (open 8:30am - 2pm) closed on Sundays
Wander in the garden of the people and walk down to Falikari
Visit the Holy Monastery from which you can also watch plane landing and taking off.
👉🏼 Where to eat 🍴 or have a coffee ☕️: I recommend
Favela n.17. It is a cute coffee and brunch spot located on a small and calm square in Corfu’s old town. The waitress is super friendly and the spot itself makes you feel you are 30 years back. is Despeto is another good coffee place
Just in front you have a super good bakery called Korakianitis bakery, their Spanakopita (spinach pie) is exactly what it is supposed to be. They also have a pistachio croissant that is supposed to be really good.
If you are craving fast food you can go to Firi Firi for a burger (smash burger recommended)!
For local food - Go to Merianos Greek restaurant in front of Korakianitis bakery. It is a cantine like restaurant where there will serve many dishes you can choose from.
Another place is called Taverna Psarakia tou daou in the port area which serves typical corfiot dishes. I recommend the Bourdeto Octopus as well as the Tzatziki
If you are craving for an ice cream 🍦 There are two places I highly recommend.
Solo Gelato the quality there is really outstanding. I recommend the flavors Dark Chocolate sorbet and yoghurt (but all seemed gorgeous).
Papagiorgis is another really good gelato place with many different flavors (I recommend pistachio and yoghurt flavor)
👉🏼 Where to have a drink/go out 🍸: Dell’ Acque - music and bar (music until 00:00 am), Naok Azur, ArtHaus café cafe & wine bar, Alchemical materials bar (super friendly)
👉🏼 If you want to get a tattoo from Corfu, go to needlepointtattoo, Mario is super professional, the place is very clean and very friendly
#ACHILLEION PALACE
The Achilleion Palace is, at the time of writing, still under reconstructions, but the gardens are open for visits. The palace was built in 1890 by Empress Elisabeth of Austria (better known as Sisi), who was captivated by Corfu’s beauty and sought a retreat from the pressures of imperial life.
Dedicated to her admiration of Achilles, the hero of Homer’s Iliad, the palace reflects her fascination with Greek mythology and ideals of strength and beauty.
After Sisi’s tragic death in 1898, the palace was eventually acquired by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany in 1907. He expanded the gardens and often used the estate as a diplomatic and cultural retreat until World War I.
👉🏼 Entry is 7 euros per person, 5 euros for children between 6 and 18.
👉🏼 Opening times: From 01/04 to 31/10: Monday–Sunday: 08:00 – 20:00 //From 01/11 to 31/03: Monday–Sunday: 08:00 – 16:00
#PELEKAS (+ paralia/beach Mirtiotissa, Yaliskari beach and Glyfada beach)
Pelekas is a small village located on the west side of the island. As all villages in Corfu, it has a little square overlooking the mountains which makes it a nice place to have a coffee. At the top of the village you will find the Kaiser tower (or what is left of it) which is a beautiful spot for sunset and a great spot for a good view of the island
👉🏼 What to do: The village as well as the view that comes with it is beautiful. They have a few restaurants and coffee places where you can relax at.
Beach recommendation ⛱️
Super close you have this beautiful beach called Mirtiotissa beach. It is a nudist beach but you can still wear your swimsuit if it bothers you to be naked. You can rent sun-beds or umbrellas but you can also bring your own. The beach is small, the water is beautiful and you don’t get as many tourists as other places. This is probably my favorite beach on the island (with Rovinia). There is also a woman selling drinks and food if necessary.
How to get there: You’ll search on Google maps for the beach and you’ll drive as far as Elia taverna and will park in the parking in front. You will walk the rest on foot (beware that you will have to walk all the way back up later). Walk until you see steps going down on your right and walk down to the beach. I recommend you go after 5pm during high season or early in the morning (8am). Take an umbrella because the sun is very strong, or you can rent umbrellas and sun-beds.
There is the Mirtiotissas Monastery a bit further if you continue walking (opening 9am - 2pm / 5pm-8pm) worth seeing.
Another beautiful beach is Yaliskari beach; a little more south than Mirtiotissas beach and only 5 minutes by car from Pelekas. I recommend you go there after 4pm during hight season or early in the morning. There is a taverna there, Taverna Yaliskari where you can get fresh food (recommendation: Shrimp linguini, fresh tuna penne)
Glyfada beach is definitely also worth going, it is a bigger, sandy beach. You can also find several beach bar depending on what you are looking for.
👉🏼 Where to eat 🍴 or have a coffee ☕️: They have a bakery kalled Kalimera which serves absolutely delish orange cake as well as baklava. They have many other sweet and savory stuff that I’m sure are as great. In front of that bakery you’ll find Aera sky a lovely coffee/bar with a rooftop overlooking the mountains.
Food recommendation 🍽️
Spiros 97 (10 min driving in Vatos - recommending the Pastichada), Apomero (recommendation: grilled squid, grilled feta with sesame and their salad with Manouri cheese and dried fruit (Pantasia salad), Dakos Salad, greek salad, grilled pork, courgette balls), Tristrato café-bar, Taverna Yaliskari, Kallisto restaurant
#PALAIOKASTRISTA
👉🏼 Close to Liapades (and Rovinia beach), Lakones, Gardelades and Doukades
Palaiokastrista is a small town located on the western side of the island. It is home to many beaches, some reachable by boat, others on foot. Palaiokastrista is also known for it’s monastery overlooking the bays and village.
Monastery opening hours: 7am-1pm/3pm-8pm (free entrance/donation based)
You can go to Agios Petros beach
👉🏼 Where to eat 🍴 or have a coffee ☕️: Aragosta beach club, La Grotta bar (for a drink / younger population)
# LIAPADES
👉🏼 Close to Gardelades, Lakones, Doukades and Palaiokastrista
Liapades is another small village close to the main town of Palaiokastrista. Liapades has beautiful beaches. It also has a little peaceful square where you can have something to eat or drink.
Recommended beaches ⛱️
Rovinia beach - don’t forget to take an umbrella as well as food and beverages if you plan on staying for a while as there are no little shops on the beach
N.B. There are 3 different parking (3 euros for a car/day, 2 euros for a scooter/day), but you can also park for free if you go down the main street and park on the side of the road then take a small path that will lead you to the road leading to the beach.
Stelari beach, Chomi beach (or paradise beach) - only accessible by boat! Boat company recommendation: Ninos Boat rentals (150 euros for 3 hours + petrol used)
Klimatia beach - a bit more secluded, Klimatia beach is on the way to Limni beach and remains in the shadow up to until noon. The water is in the sun, though!
Liapades beach - a lot more touristy but worth it due to the scenery around! You can rent boats there from Ninos boat rentals
#GARDELADES
👉🏼 Close to Liapades, Lakones, Doukades and Palaiokastrista
Gardelades is a really small village, but so worth the detour. It’s a typical village you must visit if you are in the area. The laid-back atmosphere will relax you. There is only one little Taverna and I recommend it 100%. The woman comes from Crete, she is so welcoming and will happily cook something on the spot for you.
#DOUKADES
👉🏼 Close to Palaiokastrista, Liapades, Gardelades
Coming from the North, you will probably pass by Lakones, and if you don’t then you should definitely add it to your itinerary. From the small paved streets to the main little square, Doukades is a village full of charm. It has, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful views and colors when the sun sets.
👉🏼 Where to eat 🍴 or have a coffee ☕️: Have a lunch or diner at Elisabeth’s Taverna, grand-mother’s cooking! If you are a meat lover you should definitely try the pastitsada. If you want something lighter their greek salad is very good (take the small one, it’s already huge!), their Saganaki and eggplant dip are outstanding as well!
