Hotels in Corfu

Corfu, the best known of the seven Ionian islands, is well developed with tourist resorts and hotels. In fact, Corfu’s gobsmacking amount of accommodations means two things: first, that a hotel room is never too hard to find, and secondly that prices, in order to stay competitive, are a little cheaper than the other Ionians.

Approximately two thirds of Corfu’s hotels and resorts line its eastern coast at beach resorts either side of Corfu Town. There isn’t one dominant area, although Messogi, Kommeno, Roda and especially Kontokali could all lay claim to the title with their larger, sprawling resorts. Essentially, if there’s a beach (and there normally is), then ample hotels are present too, alongside seasonal hirers of beach equipment and decent facilities.

At either end are extremes. Seen in TV series The Durrells, the stretch from Agni Bay northwards has earned the moniker of ‘Kensington on Sea’ for the high amount of rich Londoners owning second-home villas here; the few hotels here tend to be luxurious and exclusive. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the island’s southern tip noisily concludes with the party HQ of Kavos, where hotel prices are cheaper and they cater to a younger, party-focused crowd for whom sleeping isn’t a priority.

In between is the capital, variously known as Corfu Town, Corfu City, just Corfu or Kerkyra. Stay here if you prefer the hustle and bustle of urban life plus access to amenities, or simply to choose a well-positioned base for island exploration.

The hotel options span classy, chic boutiques, some of them located in the UNESCO-protected Old Town, and then more resort-like seaside developments on the outskirts, usually facing Garitsa Bay.

Elsewhere, there are pockets of development and hotels or mass-market holiday resorts along the slightly wilder north and west coast. The most established places are Kassiopi, Acharavi, Arillas and Paleokastritsa, known for its fantastic cliffside scenery, while Sidari is a proven hub for families. The southern section of the western coast, around Lake Korission (actually a lagoon), is a good location for anyone seeking seclusion or lower prices – with Agios Gordios also an established base for the latter.

Further inland, among sleepy hamlets and olive groves, you can find self-catering options as well as a sprinkling of hotels espousing a more rustic lifestyle. This is most true in the mountainous north, where far-flung retreats at places like Old Peritha, a heritage village with preserved Venetian architecture.

Almost every hotel is significantly cheaper in April, May, September and October than the summer months – often by as much as half the price. The exception to that rule is Orthodox Easter.

Bigger resorts with empty rooms to fill tend to have last-minute offers, giving travellers a chance to bag some good bargains. Use TravelSupermarket to compare prices before your trip.

Looking to visit Corfu? Make sure to check out our Tips and Advice first.