Amazing Things to Do in Corfu in the Winter

Amazing Things to Do in Corfu in the Winter

Corfu is a popular Greek island destination for sunseekers. During the summer months it can get pretty busy with tourists and locals alike. This beautiful island has a lot to offer, but is Corfu worth visiting in the winter? We take a look at the pros and cons of visiting in the colder months. We also highlight some of the options for things to do in Corfu in the winter. Included are some useful tips and some secret local knowledge to make your trip even better!

Where is Corfu?

Corfu is part of Greece’s Ionian Islands and sits around 30 mins from Albania’s southern coast. The island has a population of just over 100,000 people and the capital is Corfu Town or Kerkyra (Κέρκυρα) in Greek.

How to Get There

Corfu has an international airport connecting it to most major cities in Europe. A direct flight from Edinburgh, Scotland, took us around 4 hours. It is also possible to take the ferry from Italy, mainland Greece or Albania to Corfu Port.

What is the Weather Like in Corfu in the Winter?

Between December to February, you can expect Corfu to be lot cooler and wetter than the summer months. Saying that, it is a lot warmer than most other European destinations.

The temperatures range from about 5°C (41°F) at night to highs of 15°C (59°F) during the day. You can expect around 10 days of rain per month in the winter in Corfu. The island has a Mediterranean climate, so there are still plenty of sunny days during the winter season. If you pack accordingly, the weather will not be an issue!

How Expensive is Corfu in the Winter

As we mentioned, Corfu is a really popular tourist town… in the summer. During the winter, the island is more peaceful and there is certainly a more relaxed vibe. Due to the lower number of visitors to the island, the cost of almost everything goes down. This makes it even more worthwhile visiting Corfu in the winter!

Flights, accommodation and car hire are all better value than they are in the summer months. For example, we can usually find flights from the UK to Corfu and back for under €50. A night at a mid priced hotel in Corfu Town in the winter will be around €60, compared to €100 in the summer.

We also found that there were better offers for eating out during the quieter months and there were definitely fewer crowds!

Things to Do in Corfu in the Winter

There are loads of amazing things to do in Corfu in the winter. In fact, we think its the best time to explore the island and discover the real, authentic vibe. It is definitely worth visiting Corfu in the winter!

See Another Side of Corfu Town

During the summer, Corfu town is swarming with tourists. It’s not surprising as there is plenty to see in this charming old town. During the colder months, the crowds have gone, the souvenir shops have closed down and the vibe is chilled. Visiting Corfu in the winter allows you to see the other side of the town. Take some time to explore the tiny side streets, the tavernas and the beautiful squares.

Things to Do in Corfu in the Winter – Explore the Charming Villages

While Corfu town is the largest on the island, don’t miss the other villages dotted around. These traditional hamlets offer a glimpse into the real way of life on Corfu. Many are situated in beautiful locations along the coast and up in the mountains.

Enjoy the Local Cuisine

Villages are often the best places to find cosy, authentic tavernas. Make sure you try some of the traditional food, such as stews. Grilled lamb dishes are popular as is anything with sheep’s cheese. It’s all delicious so make sure you try a few different things.

Things to Do in Corfu in the Winter – Take a Hike

There are plenty of opportunities for hiking in Corfu in the winter. Both coastal and mountain routes are plentiful on this beautiful island. Take a short hike to Porto Timoni beach from Corfu Town or choose a longer route and explore the Cape Drastis loop with amazing panoramas across the sea.

Try a website like ALLTRAILS for more hiking in Corfu.

Visit the Old Fortress – and the New One

The old town has two magnificent fortresses to explore. This is a perfect thing to do in Corfu in the winter months! The Old Fortress dates back to the 15th Century and has a spectacular outlook across the Ionian Sea.

The New Venetian Fortress was built on the Hill of St Mark and has origins in the 16th century. However, the current building was constructed by the British during their rule of the island from 1815 to 1863.

Explore the Beautiful Nature

Corfu is full of spectacular nature. When visiting in winter, there are fewer tourists making it a great time to get closer to the wildlife. If you decide to wander into the wild, keep your eyes peeled for animals like pine martins, hedgehogs and bats as well as a variety of exotic birds.

Things to Do in Corfu in the Winter – Discover Sidari

Sidari sits on the north coast of the island of Corfu. During the summer, this is a party town with lots going on. However, if you visit Sidari in the winter, you will find a very different place. The beautiful beaches are almost deserted and the town is sleepy.

Along with a Venetian castle, picturesque houses and traditional alley ways, Sidari also has some impressive natural beauty. Don’t miss the Canal d’ Amour with it’s weird and wonderful rock formations.

Try the local Wine

If you like to try locals wines when travelling, stop in at the small village of Liapades. A lot of the wine produced in the region is sold here and it is a really nice way to spend a winter’s afternoon in Corfu. The village of Liapades is considered to be one of the oldest on the island and has a really chilled atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

How to Travel Around Corfu in the Winter

If you want to explore the whole island, the easiest way to do so, is to rent a car. Fortunately, the prices go down significantly over the winter! A car will give you a lot more flexibility and the roads are so much quieter than they are in peak season.

If you have no access to a car, there are buses that will take you all over the island. You will just need to plan a little more in advance. You can check out the routes and timetables HERE. We actually used the buses quite a lot and found them to be affordable and relatively efficient.

Where to Eat

When you visit Corfu, you must sample as much of the food as possible! In particular, the winter food such as stews and soups are filling and comforting, not to mention delicious!

Along with the hearty food we mentioned earlier, don’t miss the coffee and baklava served in most places.

If you are staying in the old town, try out To Tsipouradiko. The food is great, the staff are friendly and the decor is very interesting.

Is it worth Visiting Corfu in the Winter?

While the weather might not be the hot and sunny climate we imagine on the island, there are still tonnes of amazing things to do in Corfu in the winter. Being one of the larger Greek islands, almost everything remains open all year round. With the exception of the shops selling tourist tat – bonus!

Tourists tend to avoid Corfu in the winter as it is considered a summer destination. This means flights, car rental and accommodation are often found at a reduced cost, so visiting Corfu in the winter might save you some $$$. Along with this, there will be fewer people, meaning you have more of the island to yourself.

The winter months are also a great time for hiking as the sun can get unbearable during the summer – especially if you come from a cold country.

We would say it is definitely worth visiting Corfu in the winter!

Where to go next

Ready for another adventure? Why not try exploring Istanbul, Turkey’s capital, in the winter? This ancient, bustling city has so much to offer, even in the colder months.

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited Corfu or anywhere else in Greece? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!

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Amazing Things to Do in Corfu in the Winter