Day trips from Corfu

Day trips from Corfu come in two kinds, by land and by sea: three coves and one castle in the north-west are reached by bus or car, while Paxos and Saranda need a boat, for a full day. Here they are in order from the nearest: what is worth the trip, how to get there and how long it takes.

Glyfada is about sixteen kilometres from town, on the west coast. The beach is long and very wide, with golden sand, which makes it the easiest for a day without a plan; sunsets face the west. The bus is the B17, and several large paid car parks lie by the beach.

Paleokastritsa and Angelokastro

Paleokastritsa is about twenty-five kilometres from town, 35 to 45 minutes by car, and the bus is the A9. It is made up of six deep coves of pebble, cool water and boats to sea caves, among them the Blue Eye and Nausicaa; above stands a monastery of the 13th century. In July and August it is busiest from 11 to 3, and the car park fills early.

Above Paleokastritsa, by the village of Krini, is Angelokastro, a Byzantine castle on a 305-metre cliff that was never taken and sheltered the local population. Entry is €3, open 10–18, closed Wednesday, and a visit takes 1 h–1 h 30. A steep climb of about ten minutes leads up along a stone path and steps to the church of the Archangel Michael and the cave chapel of Agia Kyriaki, with frescoes of the 18th century. The green bus does not reach the castle; it stops in Krini, so you come by taxi from Paleokastritsa or by car.

Getting aroundHow the green bus works, when a car is better and where the A9 stops:Getting around Corfu →

Sidari and Canal d'Amour

Sidari is the furthest land trip, about thirty-six kilometres and fifty minutes by car, and the bus is the A2. The shore is sandy, below sandstone cliffs; Canal d'Amour, a set of sandstone coves, lies another five to ten minutes on foot. That makes for a long day, so leave in the morning.

When to goWhen the coves are empty and when Sidari, Glyfada and Paleokastritsa are full:The best time to visit Corfu →

Paxos, a full day by sea

A fast catamaran runs to Paxos from Corfu, among the operators Kerkyra Lines, Ionian Blue Wave and Kamelia Lines. The crossing takes 45 min–1 h 20, and one way costs from €15 (one way). It is a full-day trip, so take the first boat.

Saranda in Albania

Ferries to Saranda are run by Finikas Lines, Ionian Seaways and Albania Luxury Ferries, the first departure around 8 a.m. and the last around 10.30 p.m. The crossing takes about 50 min, and you need a passport. It is a full-day trip.

2 daysIf a day is left for town: the Old Fortress, Mon Repos and the Achilleion by the hour:Corfu in 2 days →