Why Honeymoon in Corfu
Corfu gives couples two holidays in one. Corfu Town has real urban character, with Venetian fortresses on both sides, an elegant arcaded street called the Liston and lanes of tall, faded pastel houses with green shutters. It is one of the best old towns in Greece to simply wander.
Outside town the island is green and varied. The northeast has small coves and fishing villages such as Kassiopi, Kalami and Agni. The west coast has longer sandy beaches and big sunsets. Mount Pantokrator rises above it all.
There is plenty of literary romance here as well. Lawrence Durrell lived in the White House at Kalami in the 1930s. His brother Gerald wrote about the family's years on the island. The house is now a taverna with rooms by the water.
When to Go
May, June, September and early October are the best months. The sea is warm from about late May, wildflowers cover the hills in spring and the island is lively without feeling crowded.
July and August are hot and busy, especially in popular resorts. The northeast coves still feel calm, but parking near them fills early.
Corfu is greener than the Aegean islands because it gets more rain, mainly between November and March. Winter days can be wet and gray. Many resort hotels close from about November to April, although Corfu Town stays open year round and is pleasant for a city break.
One bonus: the Ionian Sea is usually less affected by the strong summer meltemi wind that can disrupt Aegean ferries. Boat days are more reliable here.
Where to Stay
Corfu Town is the place for at least two nights. Boutique hotels in restored mansions near the Spianada square put you close to the best restaurants, cafés and evening walks. Choose a room away from the busiest streets if you value sleep.
The northeast coast between Nissaki and Kassiopi is the honeymoon favorite. Villas with private pools look down on the sea through olive trees. Small hotels sit just above pebble coves. Many couples rent a villa here with a car.
The west coast around Paleokastritsa has dramatic bays, cliffs and a hilltop monastery. Farther south, Pelekas and Glyfada have sandy beaches and good sunsets.
Avoid the busiest package resorts in the far north and south unless nightlife is the goal. Corfu is generally better value than Santorini or Mykonos, especially for villas with private pools.
Romantic Things to Do
Begin a morning with coffee under the Liston arcades, then walk the Old Fortress and the lanes behind it. In the late afternoon, take a drive to Mon Repos, the villa estate where Prince Philip was born. Its wooded grounds are quiet and shady.
Book a boat day to Paxos and Antipaxos, small islands south of Corfu with sea caves and very clear water. Private boat charters are widely available.
On the northeast coast, rent a small motorboat for a day of cove hopping. Small boats with low-powered engines can usually be rented without a license. Lunch at a taverna on a jetty is part of the plan.
Watch the sunset from Pelekas, a hill village above the west coast with a viewpoint known as the Kaiser's Throne. Visit the Achilleion palace, built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria.
Getting There and Around
There are no nonstop flights from the US to Corfu. Most couples connect through Athens on a short domestic flight, or through a European hub with direct seasonal service. Ferries also connect Corfu with Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland and with ports in Italy, which suits couples combining Greece with Italy.
A rental car is the best way to explore the island. Roads are narrow and winding, so choose a small car and allow time for each drive. The coves of the northeast often have small parking areas that fill by late morning.
In Corfu Town, walk everywhere. Buses serve the town and much of the island, with blue buses for the town area and green buses for longer routes, but service is limited for beach hopping. Taxis are available for dinners out.
Food and Drink
Corfiot cooking shows its Venetian roots. Sofrito is veal slow-cooked with garlic, wine vinegar and parsley. Pastitsada is a spiced meat stew with pasta, often made with rooster. Bourdeto is a fish stew with red pepper and a real kick. Look for them on menus at traditional tavernas in town and in the hill villages.
Seafood is excellent along the northeast coast, where tavernas at Agni, Kalami and Kouloura serve grilled fish by the water. Arrive by boat for the full experience.
Corfu also makes kumquat liqueur and sweets, which you will see in every gift shop. The local ginger beer, a holdover from British rule, is called tsitsibira. A small local brewery also makes good beer. Greek wines from the Ionian islands appear on many lists.
Honeymoon Tips
Split your stay. Two or three nights in Corfu Town plus four nights on the coast works better than staying in one place.
Rent a car for at least part of the trip. Book a small one. Village roads were not built for SUVs.
Book taverna tables at Agni and Kalami for summer lunches. They fill quickly, especially for boat arrivals.
Bring your passports if you plan a day trip to Albania. Boats run from Corfu to Saranda, near the ancient site of Butrint. Albania is outside the EU. Entry and visa rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book.
Pack water shoes for the pebble coves. Bring insect repellent too: Corfu's greener, wetter landscape means more mosquitoes on summer evenings than on the dry Cyclades.
If you are combining islands, Corfu pairs better with the Ionian islands or Italy than with the Cyclades, which are far away by sea.
