Corfu

Corfu is the second-largest of the Ionian Islands and the greenest corner of Greece, covered in olive groves and cypress trees. It sits just off the coast of Albania, a little over three hours' flight from the UK, and it has been a British favourite for decades. You can pair a beach stay with evenings in one of the most elegant old towns in the Mediterranean.

Why go

Walk the lanes of Corfu Town, where Venetian houses, French arcades and British-era buildings sit between two fortresses. The old town has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 2007. Swim in the coves of Paleokastritsa on the west coast, sail south to the turquoise water around Paxos and Antipaxos, or cross to Albania for a day among the ruins of Butrint. Back on the island, visit the Achilleion, the summer palace built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, or drive up Mount Pantokrator (906 m) for views across to the mainland.

When to go

The season runs from May to October. May, June, September and early October are the sweet spot: warm, sunny and calmer, with a sea of around 21°C in May and 25°C in September. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, with sea temperatures of 26–27°C. Corfu is greener than most Greek islands because it gets more rain, mostly between November and March.

Getting there from the UK

Direct flights take about 3 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes. In season there are services from around 15 UK airports, including London Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Norwich and Belfast. Airlines include easyJet, Jet2, TUI, British Airways, Ryanair and Wizz Air. Corfu airport is on the edge of Corfu Town, so transfers to the central resorts are short.

Where to stay

• Corfu Town: the island's capital, perfect for a short break or a few nights of culture, cafés and dinners on the Liston.
• Dassia and the central east coast: easy to reach from the airport, with pebbly beaches, water sports and buses into town.
• Perama and the south-east: hillside resorts looking across to the mainland, close to the Achilleion and a short drive from town.
• Kassiopi and the north-east: a pretty harbour village below a Byzantine castle, with small coves and walking paths.
• Roda, Acharavi and Sidari: the north coast, with long shallow beaches that suit families, and Sidari's Canal d'Amour.
• Paleokastritsa: the west coast's showpiece, with green headlands, a clifftop monastery and boat trips to sea caves.

What to do

• Take a food walk through Corfu Town and the Liston arcades
• Cruise to Paxos, Antipaxos and the blue caves
• Cross to Albania for Sarandë and the ancient city of Butrint
• Tour the island via the Achilleion and Paleokastritsa
• Explore Paleokastritsa's sea caves by small boat
• Taste Corfiot olive oil at a family olive mill
• Spend a day on the slides at Aqualand

Food

Corfu's cooking shows its Venetian past. Try sofrito (veal cooked with garlic, vinegar and parsley), pastitsada (spiced beef or rooster with pasta) and bourdeto (a peppery fish stew). Look out for local ginger beer (tsitsibira), a drink left behind by the British, and the island's kumquat liqueur.

Good to know

• Currency: euro (EUR)
• Time: two hours ahead of the UK
• Plugs: type C and F, 230 V. Bring a European adaptor
• Language: Greek. English is widely spoken in resorts
• UK passports must be less than 10 years old on arrival and valid for at least 3 months after you leave. The EU Entry/Exit System is in operation, so check the latest GOV.UK advice before you travel

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