[Ad] Corfu, or Kerkyra as it’s known to the locals, is a diverse island packed with beautiful beaches, dramatic scenery, and an air of nonchalance. It’s a true wonder with a fascinating multicultural history that lends to the island’s charm.

♪ Watch my day 1, day 2, day 3 and day 4 vlogs on Tik Tok.

But despite its architecture dating back to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, Corfu is somewhat progressive for an island with great wifi connectivity, contactless accepted in most places including public transport, Uber (although more on that later) and even rentable electric scooters in places.

From parasailing to museums, hiking trails, beaches, and Mediterranean delights, there’s a surprising amount to discover on the island, so much so that I think Corfu just became my favourite Summer hot spot after spending four days on the island with Jet2 Vibe Holidays.

This was a gifted opportunity with Jet 2, I received no monetary fee in exchange and all thoughts and opinions are my own. This article primarily focuses on the island’s East side since that’s where we were situated. This post contains affiliate links.

Flights

Our flights from Bristol Airport departed at 06:05 am and arrived at Corfu International Airport at around 11:15 am with a short 30-minute transfer to the hotel. Our return flight departed Corfu at noon and arrived in Bristol at 1:25 pm. The flight time is around 3 hours with a 2-hour time difference ahead of the UK.

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Accommodation

We stayed at Cook’s Club Corfu with Jet2holidays, it’s worth checking out Jet 2’s VIBE holidays that include the hotel, return flights, 22kg baggage, and transfers. The adult-only (16+), all-inclusive hotel is located in Gouvia, around 9km from Corfu town and only 30 minutes from the airport.

In January 2024 Greece introduced a Climate Crisis Resilience Tax ranging from €1.50 to €10 depending on the accommodation rating, typically paid on check-in. At Cook’s Club Corfu we paid €40.80 (£34.49) for 4 nights which is charged per room, per night not per person.

Inspired by the Ionian islands in which it resides, you can feel the Venetian influence typical for Greece’s west coast from the hotel’s striped umbrellas and laidback boho vibe. Described as a ‘playground in the sun’, the hotel features poolside DJs, a spa and a glass-fronted gym.

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What to do in Corfu

Corfu Old Town

To reach the old town, you can ride the number 7 bus that stops directly in front of Cook’s Club for €2.50 each way, taking around 20 minutes depending on where you depart. The bus accepts cash and contactless payments, and there is a QR code to scan at the bus stop to download the app where you can track the buses since they’re not known for their reliability – although we had no issue.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site largely owed to its Venetian-inspired architecture, you can’t miss a meander down a narrow alleyway, amongst the building hues of oranges, reds and yellows reminiscent of the island’s stunning sunsets. (P.s. They even have a Sephora).

♪ Watch my daily vlog in Corfu old town on TikTok

Rose’s Bakery

If you’ve got a sweet tooth and looking to sink your teeth into some traditional baklava, then look no further than Rose’s Bakery. The assortment can be viewed through the window, just let Rosy know how many and of what and she’ll serve it up in a takeaway container. We paid €18 for 6 large pieces with pistachio cream that was rich and indulgent, with clear instructions from the owner on how best to enjoy it.

Old and New Fortresses

There are two fortresses from the Venetian rule, the ‘old’ offers a richer history as it was the main protection against opposition that successfully evaded capture from the Ottomans, whereas the ‘new’ fortress offers better views of the old town from above.

Museum of Asian Art

Housed in the Palace of the Archangel Michael and St. George, this museum comprises of approximately 15,000 works of Asian art, including some rarities, from private collections and donations. It is said to be the only one of its kind in Greece and is solely dedicated to the art and antiquities of Asia. It costs €6 to enter, with some discounted and free days throughout the year.

Corfu Beaches and Villages

There are many beautiful beaches in Corfu – La Grotta, Paleokastritsa and Laggos to name a few – but there were two that stood out for me.

Canal d’Amour

This one piqued my interest because as a single gal nearing the age of Bridget Jones, what’s a bit of superstition to aid my quest for love? Nicknamed the ‘Channel of Love’, legend has it that swimming in the water will find you your soulmate. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to visit this time but I’ll be sure to add it to my itinerary next time!

Afionas and Port Timoni

Located on Corfu’s northwest side lies one of its oldest villages – Afionas. With an altitude of 133 metres, the hilly village boasts charming houses, cobbled alleyways, and dramatic views of the neighbouring islands. It is best to hire a car to visit, however, if that’s not an option you may want to consider the local bus or an Uber.

According to Greek law, you must provide your passport number or ID details and sign a form naming all passengers for each Uber ride. There is also a minimum flat rate of 36 euros regardless of the distance so be sure it’s a worthwhile ride! It cost us around €60 to ride an Uber from the old town to Afionas, lasting around 40 minutes. We were then able to pre-book an Uber for later that afternoon to take us back to the hotel.

Whilst visiting Afionas, be sure to take a dip at Port Timoni! This double beach can be reached by a 25-minute rocky clamber down the marked path and affords the effort with clear turquoise shores perfect for swimming. The beaches are small pebbles, rocks and some sand and there are no beaсh facilities so be sure to come prepared with water and sun protection.

Paxos and Antipaxos

We booked this day cruise with Corfu Cruises to visit the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, which included visits to two historic sea caves, and a swim in the turquoise shores of Antipaxos before embarking in the town of Gaios – Paxos’ capital. The price included transfers to and from our hotel, and the boat was equipped with clearly stocked bars offering food and drinks throughout the day. The boat first stopped to pick up additional passengers in Lefkimmi (approx 1.5 hours from Corfu) before heading to the first destination, so a lot of time was spent sailing which may not be suitable for sea-sickness sufferers. The crew are full of life, dancing, and playing music and are very informative about the running of the day providing several updates so if you’re looking for a relaxing boat trip, this is not the cruise for you.

Aqualand Water Park

You might be as surprised as I was to learn that Corfu is home to one of the biggest Water Parks in the world! Aqualand has around 51 attractions costing less than €40 for a full-day pass. It was our Uber driver who recommended it to us, claiming that despite its size it is a very well-organised attraction with lockers, transfers and even shopping available.

What to eat in Corfu

Corfu has a few local dishes that you should try whilst visiting. The first is pastitsada which is described as a slow-cooked beef stew that shares some similarities with a bolognese or a ragu (in my opinion). The second is another beef dish – sofrito, and finally the bourdeto, a soup typically made with scorpion fish.

The Kumquat has become synonymous with Corfu despite not being a native fruit, but you’ll find the tiny orange citrus fruit used frequently in drinks and desserts. Cook’s Club Corfu offers an appetising Kumquat Spritz as part of the all-inclusive drinks menu that is the perfect evening or afternoon tipple.

Tip: Walking distance from the hotel you’ll find Lazaris Distillery, where you can pick up kumquat liqueurs and an award-winning London Dry Gin containing kumquat (it’s also available to buy in the airport).

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