Corfu: Corfu, the pearl of the Ionian Islands

When should you visit Corfu?

• As always with the Greek islands, spring (April-May-June) is an ideal time to discover Corfu: the island is green and full of flowers, the weather is fine but not yet too hot, and the beaches are not yet overrun with tourists. The sea, on the other hand, is still a little cool!
• This won't be the case if you go in the off-season, from mid-September to mid-October: a very pleasant season in Corfu for the general mildness.
• At the height of summer, the weather is warm and Corfu is in full swing - it's the height of the season. In places, the island borders on being overcrowded, so choose carefully where you put your suitcases if you're worried about crowds.
• In winter, Corfu falls asleep, it's cooler and the most touristy establishments close. A completely different way to discover the island.

What are the formalities for travelling to Corfu?

Corfu is part of Greece, so you'll need a valid identity card or passport to go through the controls, which are virtually non-existent as we're in the European Union.

How long will it take to get to Corfu?

For a Greek island, Corfu is quite large: you can easily stay for 1 week to discover the essentials, and up to 2 weeks to take your time and explore the whole island.

Thanks to boat connections, you can also link Corfu to other Ionian islands (direct connections at the height of the season or via the mainland), to mainland Greece in the north, and even to Albania, by spending 10 days to 2 weeks there, or even longer.

Why go to Corfu?

Corfu is a destination that will appeal to lovers of cultural visits as much as beautiful beaches, festive seaside resorts as much as small traditional villages, water sports or hiking... In short, Corfu has the potential to appeal to everyone.

Corfu: what to eat (and drink)

Corfu's specialities are reminiscent of the Italian influence, such as pastitsada, a dish of pasta, veal and homemade tomato sauce, sprinkled with kefalograviera, a hard sheep's cheese that enhances the flavour. There's also pastitsio, a Greek-style lasagne, sofrito, a veal stewed in garlic, and bourdeto, a spicy fish speciality.

Otherwise, Corfu's tavernas offer the great classics of Greek cuisine: Greek salads, tzatziki, aubergine, grilled lamb,souvlaki or moussaka kebabs, octopus, squid, marinated anchovies and sardines by the sea...

When it comes to drinks, don't forget a glass of tsipouro, the local brandy, to round off a meal (or to say welcome).

What to bring back from Corfu?

Original kumquat liqueur is produced locally from these small citrus fruits, originally from Japan, grown on the island. The local honey is also to die for! Olive oil is a major product on Corfu, so now's the time to take a can home with you.

Transport in Corfu

On the whole, it's best to hire a car to get around Corfu: it'll make things easier and give you more freedom of movement. There are a number of rental companies operating directly at Corfu airport, or on the harbour side.

The island is served by local bus services: blue buses run to Corfu town and the immediate surrounding area, green buses to the rest of the island. Timetables and routes vary according to the season, and can be consulted locally or online.

• Blue buses (in French)
• Green buses (in English)