Compare Corfu holidays

Like to shop? You'll also find craftspeople selling handmade lace and colourful ceramics here, while smart jewellers in the gracious 19th-century arcades of the Liston sell glittering gold and silver.

For families, water parks offer rides, slides and toddler-friendly pools, and every sandy beach in Corfu has a choice of watersports, from parascending and water-skiing to banana-boat rides, windsurfing and scuba diving.

Whatever side of Corfu you’ve come to discover, you’ll find accommodation to suit and a great-value deal to match. From boutique inns in town and amid the vineyards and olive groves, to resorts replete with spas and multiple pools, and affordable self-catering apartments, all bases are covered here.

When is the cheapest time to visit?

The cheapest time to visit Corfu is from the end of October until April but be aware that most hotels and restaurants outside Corfu Town close over this off-season. Late spring and autumn are also good times to pick up a cheap deal to Corfu, though rain is not unlikely in April and May (that's why the island is so green).

When to go for the best of both

Early summer is a good bet for an affordable holiday in Corfu that doesn’t compromise on weather – temperatures often hover around 25C. Late September and October are also good for cheap deals. The weather is cooler, so this time of year is ideal for those who don't like it too hot.

Most travellers to Corfu come for the golden beaches that hug its shoreline. Families head to Corfu's east coast, where kid-friendly spots such as Ipsos and Dassia have everything you need for a day on the sand. Over on the west coast, you'll find sandy beaches lined with beach bars, sun-loungers and umbrellas at Agios Georgios and Paleokastritsa, while up north, there are coves of white pebbles around Kassiopi and Nissaki, and warm, shallow waters at Roda and Sidari.

Looking to start the beach party early? Head for the golden sands of Kavos, where DJs pump up the volume from midday.

Explore Corfu Town

Venetian mansions, old churches and quaint shops line the narrow streets of Corfu Town, the island’s pretty capital. Here, you can visit the Archaeological Museum to find out about Corfu's ancient history, and watch the world go by from a café table in the shade of the elegant Liston arcades, a relic of French rule.

For spectacular views, head to the highest point of the Palaió Froúrio, a formidable fortress that juts into the harbour.

Take a boat trip

Getting out on the water is a Corfu must. Hop on one-day-trip cruise to discover the delights of its small neighbour, Paxos and the even tinier isle of Antipaxos, with stops for swimming, snorkelling and a picnic. Some cruises also take you to the pretty mainland harbour towns of Syvota and Parga and to the spectacular 'Blue Lagoon'.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can even take a cruise to Albania to discover the ancient city of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most trips leave from Corfu and Lefkimmi ports.

Summit Mount Pantokrator

For a day trip away from the coast, rent a car and drive through pine forests to the summit of Corfu's highest mountain, Mount Pantokrator.

Enjoy stops in mountain villages, such as Strinilas, on the way to the top, where a panoramic view over the whole island and across the Ionian Sea to the rocky coastline of Albania awaits.

Scuba diving

Corfu is a perfect place to try scuba diving for the first time. Just off Corfu's Ionian Sea shores lie underwater grottos and reefs where shoals of silver fish swarm and huge groupers lurk.

Close to dive centres at Messonghi, Paleokastritsa and Kassiopi, most dive sites are in crystal clear, shallow water, so they're within reach of beginners. For expert divers, there are wrecks and caves to explore in deeper water.

For travellers on a budget

Families, couples and groups of mates looking for cheap last-minute deals in Corfu should take a look at Gouvia and Kontokali on the east coast of Corfu and only 9km (6 miles) from Corfu Town. Kontokali is a smidge more cosmopolitan and has a well-kept sandy beach, while Gouvia has heaps of cheap places to stay and lots of lively bars and restaurants.

A bit further north, Ipsos and Dassia almost overlap, with long sand-and-pebble beaches, lots of watersports, and cheap and cheerful nightlife in karaoke bars and sports pubs.

For food and drink

Foodies are spoilt for choice in Corfu Town, where you'll find a scattering of classic old-school restaurants serving typical Corfiot dishes influenced by the island's history as a colony of Venice – so lots of pasta and tomato sauce. There are plenty of more modern eateries too, serving Greek seafood favourites and Mediterranean-fusion cuisine, accompanied by wines from Corfu's own vineyards and from the acclaimed wineries of nearby Kefalonia.

In the north of the island, pretty Kassiopi is home to fishing boats that supply harbourside restaurants with lobster, bream, octopus and other seafood.

For nightlife

If you're looking for a cheap resort where you can laze on a sandy beach all day and party into the early hours, look no further – Kavos is for you. At the southern tip of Corfu, it's a mass of bars and dance clubs stretching along a sweep of golden sands.

To get you in the party mood, happy hour starts early in British-style pubs and cocktail bars. Kavos also offers lots of powered and non-powered watersports, from windsurfing to banana-boat rides.

For culture

Corfu’s highest concentration of museums is in Corfu Town, where you’ll find everything from the Archaeological Museum to unique collections at the Museum of Asian Art and the Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank.

Staying in Corfu Town also puts you close to Mon Repos Estate, a neoclassical villa turned archaeological museum that’s famous for being the birthplace of the late Prince Phillip.