4.7 / 5
The island of Corfu is where emerald hills tumble into electric-blue coves, where Venetian alleys meet Greek cafés, and where a single port day can pack in palaces, beaches, and baklava. For cruisers, it’s a dream: compact, beautiful, and easy to explore from the ship.
At Shore Excursions Group, we live for days like this. Our mission is simple: deliver the highest-quality shore experiences in small groups with local experts, so you get more of the island’s highlights without the bus crush.
Planning Your Trip
Decide what you want—history, beaches, or a taste-filled wander through Old Town. Pick a tour that matches your pace and build in time to linger in a monastery courtyard or sip coffee in the Liston arcade. Summer sells out fast, so reserve headline stops like Achilleion Palace early. Check your ship’s all-aboard time and choose tours with smart routing to keep your day smooth.
Best Time to Visit
May through October is ideal. Spring brings mild temps and wildflowers. Summer is for beaches and lively streets. Early fall offers swimmable water, soft light, and fewer crowds. Winter is quiet and green; Old Town still charms, but some attractions may have reduced hours.
How to Get There
Most major Mediterranean lines call here, with ships docking at Neo Limani. Old Town is a short shuttle, taxi, or 25–30 minute walk from the port. Port calls typically last six to nine hours—enough for a highlights circuit and maybe a swim or tasting stop.
Getting Around
Old Town is walkable, though some lanes are narrow and cobbled. Taxis and buses link the port with the downtown area and popular beaches. Hop-on, hop-off tours are perfect for DIY sightseeing. Private vehicles give families or mobility-minded guests more flexibility, especially for beaches like Glyfada and Paleokastritsa.
Essential Travel Information
Knowing a few basics makes your day smoother. Pack day-bag essentials and wear shoes you can actually walk in—the cobbles are real. Cash and cards both work; smaller cafés may prefer small bills. Sun protection is key, even on breezy days. Keep your ship’s daily planner and port agent info handy; it’s the safety net you hope you won’t need but are glad to have.
Entry Requirements
Corfu is in Greece and part of the Schengen Area. Your cruise line handles daytime port clearance; a cruise card or government ID is usually enough. Bring a passport if renting a car or if your line specifically advises it. You’ll pass standard port security but not a full customs check to step off the ship for the day.
Currency
The local currency is the euro, and ATMs are easy to find around Liston and Spianada. Most shops near Old Town accept cards and contactless payments, but small notes are handy for taxis, trips, and that delicious shot of espresso.
Health and Safety
Routine vaccines are sufficient. Hydrate, shade up, and reapply sunscreen, as stone streets reflect heat. Greece’s emergency number is 112. Pharmacies are easy to find, and valuables should be kept zipped, as in any busy tourist spot.
Top Shore Excursions
Corfu is packed with options, and our small-group and private tours make every port hour count. Start the morning in palace courtyards or a monastery, then cool off in water so clear you can count the pebbles. Foodies can sip kumquat liqueur and taste local olive oil before a leisurely wander through Old Town. Adventurers can swap streets for jeep trails and chase sunset views along ridge lines.
Below are guest-favorite categories with handpicked Shore Excursions Group options you can book with confidence.
Scenic & Historic Highlights
Corfu’s past shows up everywhere: Venetian fortresses, French mansions, British cafés, and lively squares that open to the sea. Get the full island story without the rush with smaller groups than the mega-bus tours your ship sells. You get more answers, better snapshots, and fewer lines. Slip on comfy shoes, bring your curiosity, and let’s go exploring.
Corfu Past and Present is a greatest-hits reel with a few surprises. Drift through Paleokastritsa’s coves, peek inside the centuries-old Agia Paraskevi Monastery, and hop on a boat to hidden caves if you’re feeling adventurous. A swim, a Greek snack, and a sip of ouzo round things out before you wander Old Town’s winding lanes.
Highlights of Corfu is perfect if you’ve just arrived and want a quick, photogenic primer. Begin with a scenic ride to Gastouri village and the grand halls of Achilleion Palace. Stop at the charming Vlacherna Monastery and Kanoni’s famed viewpoint, then head into Old Town to explore the Venetian Old Fortress and the Palace of St. Michael and St. George—with time for a snack along the way.
Achilleion Palace and Old Corfu Town is an architecture lover’s delight. Wander the 17th-century Achilleion Palace with its terrace statues and chandeliered salons, then step into Old Town for a mix of Greek, Venetian, French, and British design. Wrap it up with a Corfiot coffee in the arcaded cafés.
Rich and Royal History of Corfu Tour is a favorite with history buffs, layering on the palatial drama with Spianada Square, the Liston, and the Old Fortress. There’s also time to shop a wide variety of souvenirs, luxurious jewelry, exquisite leather goods, and more before heading back to port.
Beaches & Sailing
Corfu’s coastline is a greatest-hits album of sandy crescents, rocky lagoons, and glassy water. If you’re after an easy swim and a towel-down hour between sights, these picks deliver. Transfers are sorted, so you skip the bus puzzle and head straight for the sun. Main beaches come with showers, snacks, and shady spots, so all that’s left is salt in your hair and a grin on your face.
Glyfada Beach Escape is pure postcard Greece: soft sand, shallow teal water, and your own sunbed with an umbrella. Stretch out, wander the golden shore in search of seashells or sea glass, and grab a bite whenever you’re ready.
Beach Day at the Pearl of Corfu puts Paleokastritsa Bay center stage. Its blend of sandy and pebbly coves, surrounded by steep cliffs, feels straight out of a film set.
Corfu Sail and Swim brings the coastline to life from the deck. Admire the Venetian Old Fortress, swim near secluded Nissaki, and drift past the fishing village of Kouloura with its Kerassia Tower. A lunch stop and a glimpse of the Peristeres Lighthouse round out the voyage.
Private Corfu Beach Day keeps it just for your crew, with time to splash at Paleokastritsa Bay, linger at a sizzling Glyfada Beach bar, or explore the famed Paleokastritsa Caves by boat—all at your own pace.
Food, Tastings & Old Town Walks
Two words: come hungry. Corfu leans into citrusy kumquat, peppery olive oil, and time-tested sweets, and our guides know where to find the good stuff. Tasting-plus-tour formats are perfect for mixed groups who want sips and sights without a marathon meal. You’ll learn what locals actually buy and why certain flavors show up in Corfiot kitchens. Bonus: well-timed tours keep you within reach of the ship without watching the clock.
Paleokastritsa, Old Corfu Town and Tastings pairs monastery views with local flavors. Surprise your taste buds with honey and jams, homemade olive paste, wine, ouzo, and limoncello-style liqueur. Step inside the Paleokastritsa Monastery with its Byzantine icons, then enjoy some free time wandering the ancient streets of Corfu’s Old Town.
Corfu Town, Achilleion Palace and Tasting Experience packs palace drama, a guided Old Town walk, and snack-friendly tastings into a tidy window. Visit Achilleion Palace, stroll Spianada Square, the Liston, and the Old Fortress, and get a wonderful overview of the island’s flavors and landmarks.
Distillery Discovery, Olive Oil Museum, and Corfu Old Town Walk is a flavor-first route. Sip at Lazaris Koum Kouat Distillery, tour the Enosis Olive Oil Museum in Bistonas, and ride through the breathtaking Ropa Valley. Then stroll Corfu’s Old Quarter on a guided tour, including a stop at the century-old Church of Saint Spiridon.
Private Flavors of Corfu lets your party set the pace. Focus on tastings at a traditional deli, explore the Monastery of Virgin Mary, or pause in Old Corfu Town for shopping and coffee at a quaint café. For those seeking a more aquatic twist, an optional boat trip is available.
Active, Off-Road & DIY Sightseeing
If your perfect port day includes gears, trails, or total flexibility, Corfu delivers. The island’s north holds quiet villages and ridge tracks that the big coaches miss. Sunset over the Ionian Sea from a hillside? Yes, please. Prefer to build your own day with a simple city loop? We’ve got options for that, too.
Corfu Jeep Adventure kicks up the dust along mountain roads and seaside viewpoints. Off-road in a 4×4 guided by professionals, wander charming villages, tour a traditional olive mill, and admire the historic Pantokrator Monastery. Full-day thrills meet scenic storytelling.
Corfu Sunset Off-Road Adventure is golden-hour magic. An adrenaline-filled journey through Afionas and Arillas Villages offers rare glimpses of rural life, a stop at the Enosis Olive Mill, and a platter-plus-wine finale at a local tavern with panoramic evening light.
For sightseeing freedom, the Hop-On Hop-Off Total Corfu Tour and Hop-On Hop-Off Corfu Highlights Tour put you in control. Both options offer 24-hour, audio-guided loops showing history, culture, and viewpoints—Total offers two routes, while Highlights follows just one. See Mon Repo Palace, Achilleion Palace, Gastouri Square, and more while hopping off whenever the mood strikes.
Private Best of Corfu rolls out the red carpet for you and your family or friends. Enjoy island vistas, a scenic drive to Paleokastritsa, village stops at Gastouri and Kinopiastes, and a visit to charming Corfu Town, including the Asian Art Museum and St. Spyridon Church. The day is paced around you, complete with a sit-down Greek lunch along the way.
Travel Tips and Tricks
A few smart moves turn a good port day into a great one. Wear breathable clothing and grippy shoes so polished stones don’t surprise you. Carry a refillable bottle; most coaches and boats can top you up. Keep small euro notes handy for café stops and public restrooms.
Our tours work around cruise schedules and include a return-to-ship guarantee for peace of mind. That being said, build in a 30-minute cushion before all-aboard—shopping stalls and gelato lines have a way of stealing time in the best possible way.
Packing Essentials
Lightweight layers, a hat, and reef-safe sunscreen are musts. A small microfiber towel comes in handy if a swim tempts you. Bring a portable charger—photo-heavy days drain batteries fast. Toss in a simple cover-up for churches and monastery stops.
Language and Communication
Greek is the official language, but English is widely spoken in the tourist core. A few phrases go a long way: “Kaliméra” (good morning), “Efharistó” (thank you), and “Parakaló” (please/you’re welcome). Cell coverage is strong in town; check your roaming plan or use ship Wi-Fi for quick maps. Guides can help with reservations or quick calls if needed.
Cultural Etiquette
Dress modestly for religious sites: think shoulders covered, and hats off inside. Queue politely and keep voices low when inside churches and museums. Tipping is appreciated in cafés and on tours; round up small checks, and consider 10% for outstanding service. Always ask before photographing people, especially clergy.
Ready to Explore?
With the right plan and guide, Corfu feels generous instead of rushed. Stand beneath gleaming palace statues, sip family-made liqueur, and float in turquoise bays—all while still making it back in time for sail-away.
Your perfect port day is waiting. Browse our full lineup of Corfu shore excursions and lock in a small-group or private experience designed your way.
