“Tourism in the area is down 70%” we were told one morning as we ate our full Greek breakfast. This stat really saddened me because the people there were so nice and the island was beautiful. I just couldn’t believe that so few people were coming to Corfu.
I just returned from a fabulous trip to Corfu, which I organised for my mum’s 60th birthday. Of course, I wanted to share some top tips with you, as well as a rough guide for 3-4 days, that will make Corfu top of your ‘next to visit’ list.
Any links throughout the blog that you click and purchase from will earn me a small commission at no cost to you, and hopefully help you in making your Corfu plans simple and easy. So, let’s get stuck in with some practical info.
Booking Flights
My go to websites for booking flights are usually KAYAK and Skyscanner. I found that this time KAYAK offered the best prices and times for our needs. Check the prices and compare them to find the best deal.
Currency and Spending
Our breakfast was included in the hotel price so we found that €350 got us quite far. Our hotel had a convenient ATM in the lobby, but we didn’t need it.
Money Leftover – In total we had €5 euros left over by the end of the holiday. Most airports allow you to get currency, but I always recommend that you have the currency before then to avoid any crises. For trips to Greece you will need to grab yourself some Euros. For 3-4 days we took €350.
What did we spend our money on? – Our hotel included a buffet breakfast, so we only paid for two lunches and two dinners per day. On one of the days we both had desert. With every meal we had a soft drink, water, and the occasional larger or Frappuccino. Aside from food, we spent €35 on a new top and €20 on souvenirs for friends. We also tipped with almost every meal.
Maximise your money – Book your flights with KAYAK to make smart savings. We flew with British Airways via KAYAK and saved a lot of cash which enabled us to spend more in the country.
Sea View? Yes Please!
As this trip was for my mum, I was concious to book something close to the sea and close to the Old Town to avoid needing to walk too far each day. To treat her I went with a place called Mons Repos Palace with a sea view and balcony.
As you can see, it was a stunning view! I booked the stay through Booking.com as I had some Genius Points accumulated that gave me a little discount. For us, the hotel was perfect and situated in a quiet area with nice restaurants. The hotel also had live chilled music the night we arrived.
Getting Out Of Corfu Airport
We jumped off the flight and headed straight for the hotel by taxi. If we had been staying in the Old Town then the bus would have been the easiest way to go.
Our hotel had offered a transfer for €35 but a friend of mine had done the trip and paid far less, so we winged it. Uber quoted around €36-€40, but we found a friendly taxi man outside the airport who drove us for €15 (we payed him €20 because he was so helpful).
It’s good to note that the queue for taxis is a bit disorganised. The taxi drivers come up randomly and ask where people are going. They then seem to pick at random who they will take from the queue based on the direction they are wanting to go in. If you don’t want to stand there all day, speak up when they approach you.
Bus Hopping Around Corfu
With a grand total of 3.5 days to spend in Corfu we wanted to be sure that we could see as much as possible whilst also taking the time to relax. For us, the idea of the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus was perfect before we got there, HOWEVER, the local buses were so reliable that we decided to go our own way and jump on the public bus instead. This also saved us a lot of money in comparison to the Hop-On-Hop-Off service. Both ae good options, it just depends on your budget.
Eating Out
Me and mum aren’t the fanciest of people. We don’t really do high-end restaurants and the hotel was a big step-up for us on the fancy scale. We were completely surprised by the price of eating out here. We had expected it to be much higher but found the prices to be slightly below what you might pay in London.
Tipping in restaurants was never expected of us, but we generally rounded up to the nearest 10 or the nearest euro depending on how great the service was. Generally it was friendly and service was great whenever we went. For €350 we were well fed, well watered, well frappuchinoed, and well largered without ever going without.
Food Choices
Food in Greece is an eclectic mix that will cater to a variety of dietary requirements. As a fussy eater I was so pleased to discover Gyros, and to always find that there was something on the menu for me. As expected, there are a lot of fish options. I don’t eat fish, but I could always find a chicken or vegetarian option.
Which Beach Is Best
Before visiting Corfu it’s good to know that not all beaches were created equal. And not all beaches have long stretches of warm sand. The “beach” (we always said this with air quotes) by our hotel was not what I would really call a beach at all by my usual definition. It’s important to understand the difference between a “beach” and a “bathing beach” when you’re in Corfu. Outside our hotel, there were steps down to the sea, but the strip of land to jump in the water was extremely thin and full of rocks. Whilst it was a perfect place to swim in the water, this isn’t the place to lounge on the sand. Many people swam throughout the day, made easy by the shallowness of the water. Check trip advisor for beach locations to avoid having to travel further out for sandy beaches if that’s what you’re looking for.
Rock Advisory – The stones on the “beach” HURT. We lasted less than 10 minutes walking in the water. I attempted to wear my sandals in the water but the stones got between my foot and the shoes. I 100% recommend that you buy a pair of these to protect the bottom of your feet and get some grip to keep you from falling over.
Jellyfish Advisory! – The warm water is incredible. But, with it comes jellyfish. I spotted one whilst paddling. Just be cautious as you take a dip. The water is so clear that you will see fish and crabs. No snorkel required.
Swimming
If you want to go for a swim in Corfu then you are spoiled for choice, but you need to do your research first. If you don’t like swimming in the sea, check out Mon Repos Palace Hotel as they have a great little pool by the beach. Don’t just pick a random hotel by the sea. It’s also important to know that many of the beaches call “bathing beaches” areas are incredibly rocky. If you slip and fall your poor knees will definitely feel it. Be a clever cat and research the beaches you want to visit before rocking up.
The Weather
Did I take this neck fan to Greece? Yes I did, and it was an solid decision. You’ll understand how humid it was by the amount of times I talk about needing shade in this itinerary blog. But seriously, the humidity in Corfu is sooo high. Make yourself comfortable by packing light, breathable clothes, and fans too.
Whilst exploring the Old Fortress of Corfu, a 70 something year old man in the gift shop told me he had only seen it snow in Corfu twice in his lifetime. Whilst your chances of seeing snow in Corfu are extremely limited, the humidity is certainly something you should prepare for. I think it might have been the sweatiest place I’ve been!
What to Wear
Since I mentioned humidity, it’s probably also a good idea to mention the clothing you might bring with you. Never have I ever witnessed so many sweat patches and in so many locations of the body I didn’t even know could sweat!
As someone who is usually in jeans and a hoodie, I dreaded the idea of wearing shorts. But I put a pair in my bag and I’m so glad I did because I wore them almost every day. It was nice to see that people around our hotel and the local area didn’t seem to care how much flesh they put on show, no matter their body type, if it meant that they were cool.
Don’t get bitten! – Staying near the sea is lovely, but it can come with mosquitos and sandflies. Don’t forget to pack some bug spray with DEET, and some afterbite is essential too.
For this trip, leave your self doubt at home and pull out all the shorts and tiny shorts you have. It’s going to be a sweaty one.
How To Spend 3-4 Days In Corfu
Where to begin?! There were so many great places that I think everyone should see. That’s why I’ve written this separate blog with a rough 3-4 day itinerary for you to make the most of it. This Relaxed Corfu itinerary will recommend the top sights and placed to go.
As mentioned previously, if you make a purchase through the links in my blog, you will earn me a small commission and hopefully be one step closer to preparing for your trip to Corfu!
TravelJems 