Last updated: September 2026
Corfu holidays have enchanted British travellers for generations, and it is easy to understand why this lush Ionian island remains one of Greece’s most beloved destinations. A UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town, dramatic west-coast beaches and a warm, welcoming atmosphere make Corfu holidays ideal for every type of UK holidaymaker. The island’s extraordinary natural beauty — emerald hillsides, turquoise coves and the deep blue Ionian Sea — sets it apart from the more arid Aegean islands.
Corfu holidays suit families, couples and culture enthusiasts equally well. The resort variety is exceptional — from lively beach strips to quiet coves, from traditional north-coast fishing villages to the architectural splendour of Corfu Town. With direct flights from numerous UK airports and a wealth of competitively priced packages, Corfu holidays are among the most accessible and consistently rewarding Greek island escapes available.
Corfu Town is the beating heart of Corfu holidays and one of the most beautiful towns in all of Greece. Its old town, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflects four centuries of Venetian rule that shaped the island’s architecture, culture and cuisine. The narrow kantounia alleyways wind between tall ochre and terracotta Venetian buildings, creating an atmosphere closer to Venice or Dubrovnik than a typical Greek island town.
The Liston promenade — modelled on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris — is lined with elegant arcaded cafes ideal for people-watching. The Old Fortress juts dramatically into the sea on a rocky promontory, offering superb views back over the rooftops. Corfu holidays that include time in the old town are invariably the most memorable.
The Palace of St Michael and St George, the Byzantine Museum and the Mon Repos estate (birthplace of the late Duke of Edinburgh) add further layers of history. An afternoon spent simply walking through the back streets — stumbling on hidden churches, Venetian wellheads and local bakeries — is one of the great pleasures of Corfu holidays.
Paleokastritsa, on the north-west coast, is widely considered the most beautiful spot in all of Corfu. A succession of small coves carved from dramatic limestone cliffs reveals water of an extraordinary turquoise and cobalt blue. The colour is so intense it appears almost artificial — making it the defining natural image of Corfu holidays for decades.
A 13th-century monastery perches on the headland above the bay, open to visitors and offering panoramic views over the entire coastline. Boat trips from the main beach explore sea caves and natural arches in the limestone cliffs. Paleokastritsa is a highlight of Corfu holidays that no visitor should miss.
Sidari, on Corfu’s north coast, is one of the island’s liveliest resorts and a long-standing favourite for Corfu holidays. Its most celebrated feature is the Canal d’Amour — a narrow channel carved through honey-coloured sandstone cliffs, where legend holds that couples who swim through together will remain together forever. The main strip has a good selection of bars, restaurants and beach tavernas.
Kassiopi, on the north-east coast, offers a completely different character for Corfu holidays — a charming small resort clustered around a picturesque harbour, with a ruined Byzantine castle and waterfront tavernas. It is particularly popular with visitors seeking a quieter, more authentic experience. The road between Kassiopi and Corfu Town passes through Kalami, where Lawrence Durrell wrote Prospero’s Cell in the 1930s.
Glyfada is one of Corfu’s finest beaches — a long sweep of golden sand backed by low dunes and a strip of hotels and watersports operators. The sea here is typically calm and clear, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Corfu holidays based near Glyfada benefit from some of the best sunsets on the island — the sky fills with extraordinary colour as the sun drops towards the Ionian horizon.
South of Glyfada, the beaches at Agios Gordios and Agios Georgios South offer similarly good sand in a more dramatic landscape of tall sandy cliffs. Myrtiotissa beach — tucked into a steep-sided cove between Glyfada and Pelekas — is one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches on Corfu. The entire west coast is one of the great rewards of Corfu holidays that include a hire car.
Benitses, a small fishing village south of Corfu Town, retains a charming authentic character ideal for Corfu holidays seeking genuine local life. The small harbour is lined with fishing boats and tavernas serving fresh seafood. Kavos, at the southern tip of Corfu, is the island’s most energetic nightlife resort — almost exclusively oriented towards young British visitors.
A short drive inland brings you to the Achilleion Palace — built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the 1890s and later owned by Kaiser Wilhelm II. The neoclassical villa and formal gardens offer extraordinary views over the south of Corfu. The Achilleion is consistently one of the most popular excursions for Corfu holidays visitors.
Boat trips are one of the greatest pleasures of Corfu holidays. Day excursions visit the sea caves at Paleokastritsa, the stunning double beaches of Antipaxos — whose turquoise water rivals the Maldives — and the charming island of Paxos with its olive groves and crystal-clear harbours. The Paxos and Antipaxos boat trip is a firm favourite among Corfu holidays visitors and is easily booked from any east-coast resort.
The Corfu Trail is a long-distance walking route crossing the entire island from south to north. Cycling, horse riding, golf at the 18-hole Corfu Golf Club and sea kayaking along the coast are also popular active options for Corfu holidays. The north coast ferry to the Diapontia Islands offers an extraordinary day trip to almost-deserted Greek islands.
Corfiot cuisine is distinct from standard Greek food, reflecting centuries under Venetian, French and British rule. Sofrito — veal slow-cooked in white wine, garlic and herbs — is the defining Corfiot dish and appears on menus across the island.
Bourdeto is a spicy fish stew with red pepper and onion. Pastitsada features slow-braised meat in a spiced tomato sauce over pasta — a clear Italian influence that gives Corfu holidays a unique culinary dimension.
These dishes are best sampled in traditional village tavernas rather than the tourist-oriented restaurants of the main beach strips. Corfu holidays for food lovers are well-rewarded by seeking out the back-street neighbourhood tavernas in Corfu Town and the authentic village restaurants of the interior.
Corfu has a warm Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The island is greener and slightly wetter than the Aegean islands — this is what gives Corfu holidays their lush, forested backdrop and gives the island its reputation as the Emerald Isle of Greece.
Summer temperatures (June–September) average 28–32 °C with reliable sunshine. The sea reaches 25–27 °C in August.
May and June are excellent months for Corfu holidays — warm swimming conditions, lower prices than July–August, and the island at its most beautifully green. September is arguably the best month: sea at its warmest, crowds thinned after mid-August, and the light on the north-coast landscape quite extraordinary. Most tourist facilities close between November and April.
Corfu International Airport (CFU) sits on a promontory immediately south of Corfu Town, with the runway extending over the sea. Direct flights operate from across the UK throughout the Corfu holidays season (typically April to October), with a flight time of approximately 3 hours from London. UK airports with direct services include Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast.
Transfers from the airport to most north and east coast resorts take 20–45 minutes; the west coast and north-west resorts require up to 1 hour. Pre-booked airport transfers through tour operators are the most convenient option for Corfu holidays arrivals.
Corfu uses the Euro (EUR) — ATMs are widely available in Corfu Town and all main resorts. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.
Corfu holidays are very straightforward for UK visitors: no visa is required for short stays, GHIC cards provide health cover, and English is widely spoken throughout the island. Driving is on the right.
Hire car is strongly recommended for Corfu holidays that include exploring beyond the immediate resort. The island road network is good by Greek island standards, though some minor roads to remote beaches require a 4WD or confident driving on narrow tracks. Bus services from Corfu Town reach the main resorts but are infrequent for Corfu holidays based further afield.
Self-catering is an excellent option for Corfu holidays. The island has good supermarkets in all the main resort areas, with a large Lidl and several local chains in Corfu Town.
Local markets sell outstanding fresh produce — olive oil, honey, tomatoes, cheese, herbs and local wine at prices well below UK retail. Corfu holidays in a self-catering villa or apartment often work out very cost-effective for families or groups.
The quality of Corfiot villa accommodation is generally very high, with many properties including private pools and terraces with sea or olive grove views. Corfu holidays in a villa allow the flexibility to combine home cooking with taverna evenings at will. The island also has excellent bakeries in most villages — fresh bread and spanakopita from a local bakery is one of the small daily pleasures of Corfu holidays.
| Airport | Corfu Ioannis Kapodistrias (CFU) — 3 hours from London |
|---|---|
| Main resorts | Corfu Town, Sidari, Kassiopi, Paleokastritsa, Glyfada, Dassia, Kavos, Agios Georgios |
| Best for | Families, couples, culture, beach, watersports |
| Must-see | Corfu Town UNESCO Old Town, Paleokastritsa, Paxos day trip |
| Average July high | 30 °C |
| Season | April–October |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
Search4Sun compares thousands of Corfu holidays from the UK’s leading tour operators. Whether you want a lively family resort on the north coast, a romantic boutique escape near Kassiopi, or a culturally rich base close to Corfu Town, we can help you compare Corfu holidays and find the right option.
Always check your Corfu holidays booking is protected by ABTA, holds ATOL certification or carries ABTOT cover. Read our holiday protection guide for plain-English advice. See also our Greece holidays page for all Greek island destinations.
Sidari, Acharavi and Roda on the north coast are among the best Corfu holidays resorts for families with young children, offering shallow sandy beaches with calm water. Dassia and Gouvia on the east coast have calm, clear water ideal for swimming and watersports. Glyfada has a lovely long sandy beach suitable for families who want both beach quality and a sociable atmosphere.
Corfu is approximately 3 hours by direct flight from London. Direct Corfu holidays flights operate from numerous UK airports throughout the summer season.
Corfu is 2 hours ahead of UK time (GMT+2 in summer). The island’s flight time and variety of UK departure options make it one of the most conveniently accessed Greek island destinations.
Corfu is one of the finest romantic destinations in Greece. The UNESCO old town offers unforgettable evening strolls through lantern-lit Venetian streets.
Paleokastritsa delivers some of the most scenically dramatic bay views in all of Greece. A day trip to Paxos and Antipaxos — with extraordinary turquoise water at the Antipaxos lagoon beaches — is among the most romantic experiences in any Corfu holiday. Corfu holidays for couples consistently receive outstanding reviews from returning visitors.
Paleokastritsa is the most dramatic and beautiful — limestone cliffs, turquoise coves and sea caves. Glyfada is the finest long sandy beach, ideal for sunbathing and swimming.
The north coast beaches at Acharavi and Roda offer shallow calm water perfect for families. Myrtiotissa is the most secluded and unspoiled. Corfu holidays offer a remarkable variety of beach character across the island.
May, June and September are the best months for Corfu holidays. May and June offer warm, reliable sunshine, comfortable sea temperatures and lower prices than the July–August peak, with the island at its greenest and most lush.
September is arguably the single best month — the sea is at its warmest after the summer heat, crowds have thinned considerably after mid-August, and the light across the north-coast landscape is particularly beautiful. July and August are hottest and busiest, while most tourist facilities close between November and April.
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