Tripyo

Since Corfu is an island, you will get here by boat or by plane. There are regular ferries from Greece (Igoumenitsa or Patra) and from Italy (Venice, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi). If you come by car from mainland Greece, it is best to take the ferry from Igoumenitsa. Ferries between Igoumenitsa and Corfu are very frequent, usually from 5am to 10pm. The schedules depend heavily on the number of tourists, so there are less ferries during low season. A trip from Igoumenits to Corfu takes from 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the ferry type and speed. The main port on the island is in Corfu Town (also called Kerkyra), but there is also a smaller port in Lefkimi. A ferry trip from Patra to Corfu takes about 6 hours.

Corfu Town is the capital city of the Corfu (or Kerkyra in Greek) island and is a very nice place to visit. It doesn't have great beaches as other towns and villages nearby, but has a great architecture and a nice castle. It is also the main port of the island. Its architecture has been influenced by the many nations that ruled it, including Venetians and Sicilians. There are two Venetian fortresses in the city, the Old one and the New one. You should visit them both, they are really beautiful. The old church of Saint Spyridon is another popular attraction.

Paleokastritsa is one of the most beautiful towns on the island. It is located in an area with beautiful blue water and many caves. There are a lot of boat tours that will bring you very close to these caves.

You will come to Corfu definitely for the sun and the sea, so you will spend most of the time on the beaches. Corfu has a lot of these of very different quality. You will find some very beautiful sandy beaches on the western coast and some not so great beaches with pebbles in other parts of the island. The best beaches on the island are Paleokastritsa, Glyfada, Agios Stefanos, Acharavi, Kalamaki, Lefkimmi and Peroulades. Many other beaches on the island are very good also, with a combination of sand and pebbles or only pebbles. The water is very clean and has a beautiful color almost everywhere.

Corfu has many resorts scattered across the island. Many of them are close to Corfu Town, but some of the best villages with the finest beaches are in remote locations.

Corfu Town is the capital city of the island and the main port. It doesn't have popular beaches, but there are a lot of other things to visit. The architecture has Venetian influences. You will find here two Venetian fortresses, the Old one and the New one. You should visit them both, they are really beautiful. The old church of Saint Spyridon is another popular attraction. Corfu Town has quite a good nightlife, with parties and lots of people on the streets.

Driving around Corfu island is mostly a pleasure, since the main road is usually next to the sea. Driving at high speed is not recommended at all, the road has a lot of curves and tourists may get on it without notice. Greek taxi drivers may seem insane, but they know the road much better than you, so they can drive faster.

Driving on the eastern coast is easy, since the hills are not very high. You can get from Corfu Town to the northern or southern parts rather easy. The western side has some higher hills and some more difficult roads. You should drive very carefully and slowly, since you will meet other cars in curves with little visibility. It is best to avoid these areas at night if you are tired or inexperienced. It's not that dangerous if you pay attention.

Most resorts in Corfu have shops selling souvenirs or traditional products. Olive products are very popular among tourists. Locals make a lot of stuff out of the olives, including olive oil, cosmetics and olive wood objects. Jewelery, ceramics and leather goods can also be found in larger resorts.

The best place for shopping is Corfu Town. It is big and has many shops, so you will find easier what you are looking for. Most other villages have larg or small shops. Corfu Town has a nice pedestrian area where most of the shops are located, so you can truly feel the shopping atmosphere.

The only means of public transport in Corfu is the bus. Services are quite reliable, but buses don't get to all the resorts. In these cases you might consider a taxi instead.

The central bus station in Corfu Town is San Rocco Square. Buses leave from this point and connect to various resorts on the island. They stop in villages on the road, so you should know or ask if the bus passes through your destination. There are more than 20 bus lines operating in Corfu. Tickets should be purchased before boarding, there is a kiosk in the main station. Otherwise you might find tickets in some village shops, especially close to the bus stations.