Where to stay on Corfu

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Corfu is a beautiful island in the Ionian sea close to neighboring Albania to the north. For centuries it has been popular with holidaymakers from all over the world and has played an important role during wartime. In fact, it has been occupied by the French, Germans, and Brits and the Venetian influence is evident everywhere. It’s also a large island so working out where to stay on Corfu can be tricky.

We’ve had some wonderful Corfu holidays over the years. Here are our recommendations for the best Corfu hotels and self-contained accommodation.

Are you planning a last-minute trip to Corfu?

Corfu can be very busy at certain times of the year, especially in the summer. Its proximity to Italy and the Dalmatian Coast means it’s a popular spot for Europeans to visit, even just on weekends, so it pays to book ahead in many places.

Book your Airport Transfer HERE

Top Tours in Corfu

Top Places to Stay in Corfu

Mayor Mon Repos Palace Art Hotel – Corfu Town
Rodostamo Hotel & Spa – Corfu Town
Zefiros Hotel – Paleokastritsa
Paradise Hotel – Gouvia
Grecotel Daphnila Bay Dassia – Dassia

Corfu Town

Venetian mansions and the focal Venetian Castle, French arcades, Byzantine churches, British monuments and even a cricket pitch are among Corfu Town’s many charms. There is even a very good Holocaust Monument which highlights the impact the second world war had on this part of the world.

Situated on the eastern coast of Corfu, the town is home to the island’s main airport and is well connected to the rest of Greece with ferries servicing the nearby mainland regularly.

Even if you spend most of your time in one of the beach-side resorts or villages try and spend at least a night in Corfu Town. There is quite a lot to see and do and it really is a very charming town with a cool cosmopolitan vibe.

Recommended hotels in Corfu Town

Budget hotel: Magnolia Rooms

Mid-range hotel: Mayor Mon Repos Palace Art Hotel

Luxury hotel: Rodostamo Hotel & Spa

Villa for Groups: The Mansion of Merchants or Myronis Villa.The Mansion of Merchants is a rather extraordinary villa that can sleep up to 14 people in 6 bedrooms. It is located in the affluent Kefalmantouko district overlooking the sea and was built in 1870 for a local wealthy merchant and his family.

The Mansion of Merchants

Paleokastritsa

Paleo means “old” and Kastritsa is ‘castle’.

Wrapped around three beautiful bays, Paleokastritsa is an iconic, scenic spot to spend your Greek holiday. In fact it remains one of the best family holidays we have ever had.

Situated at a dead-end road it becomes a bustling resort during the day when day-trippers and cruise passengers arrive and is surprisingly tranquil at night when most of them leave.

There is a lot to see and do especially if you are into water sports with a wide range of boats and boating activities on offer including very modern glass bottom boats.

There is also good snorkelling and diving, parasailing, canoeing and even little pedal boats you can rent on the beach.

At night there are a variety of excellent tavernas to choose from for a variety of budgets. Many are west-facing so have beautiful sunsets and some also have live entertainment and dancing. It is really is a great spot for everyone!

There are many accommodation options. We stayed in a cheap and cheerful small family hotel right across from the beach (Zefiros) and I can still hear the fat lazy bees buzzing around our breakfast table.

Paleokastritsa is a great destination if you don’t have a car. You can walk up to the monastery or explore the various bays by water. If you do want to see the rest of the island however hire a car for a day or two.

recommended hotels in Paleokastritsa

Budget hotel : Anemona Studios

Mid-range hotel : Zefiros Hotel

Luxury hotel: Akrotiri Beach Hotel

Villa for Groups: Vanilla House

Kavos

If you’re visiting Corfu to party, then Kavos is your town.

Famous for its raucous nightlife, Kavos is Corfu’s capital of clubbing with dozens of bars and nightclubs lining the main street and beachfront.

By day, Kavos is all about the beach. The beach is pleasant and well organised with plenty of sun lounges and water sports on offer.

As night falls all the bright young people come out to party, and stag and hen groups are common. Famous DJs and clubs play the latest tracks until the early hours of the morning so if it’s peace and quite you are after for your Corfu holiday this may not be your best choice.

Accommodation in Kavos is mostly made up of cheap, clean and simple hotels usually with pools and a decent breakfast. Kavos is located at the very southern tip of Corfu about an hour from Corfu Town and the airport.

recommended hotels in Kavos

Budget hotel : Morfeas Hotel

Mid-range hotel : Erofili Hotel

Villa for Groups: Villa Elegio

Gouvia

Located only 15 minutes drive north of Corfu Town Gouvia is a popular holiday destination in Greece that offers a charming combination of lively bars and tavernas and peaceful hillside escapes.

Situated around the scenic east facing waterfront the tiny town has become busy in recent years, with many holidaymakers drawn there for its selection of accommodation and fun nightlife.

There’s a wide range of accommodation options in Gouvia, from high-end beach resorts to small holiday apartments and everything in between.

The town is filled with lots of tavernas, shops, markets and a range of fresh food options.

The beach, although pebbly, is still lovely and generally quite calm, and around the modern marina, the remains of the old Venetian marina can be seen.

recommended hotels in Gouvia

Budget hotel: Orpheus Hotel

Mid-range hotel: Art Hotel Debono

Luxury hotel: Paradise Hotel

Villa for Groups: Spa Heracles. Just 8 kilometres from Corfu Town Spa Heracles is an incredible villa located just outside Gouvia that is a fitness enthusiast’s dream. There’s a tennis court, gym and a 14-metre swimming pool and the villa sleep up to 12 people in 6 bedrooms.

Dassia

A little further along from Gouvia is Dassia, a large resort town scattered along small roads that lead down to the clean sandy beach.

Many big hotels are situated along the cliffs and boast spectacular views across the water towards the mainland.

Dassia is popular with families as it is very child-friendly and there is a lot to do, particularly watersports. You can take a ride on a banana boat, hire a pedal car or try paragliding.

Bars and restaurants, plus a few small nightclubs, become busy in the evening and there are lots of shops and services such as tour operators and beauty salons.

You can walk along the coast down to Gouvia or north to other villages or take the bus around the island.

recommended hotels in Dassia

Budget hotel : Efi and Sofia Apartments

Mid-range hotel : Corfu Palma Boutique Hotel

Luxury hotel: Grecotel Daphnila Bay Dassia

Villa for Groups: In Her Element

Agios Gordios

This charming village has great mountain and sea views, beautiful clear water and a small sandy beach lined with small bars and restaurants.

Facing west there are amazing sunsets to be enjoyed and as it is located near the middle of the island it is a great base to explore all of Corfu. Driving down into the bay surrounded by olive groves and sparkling blue water is truly a joy.

Agios Gordios has a large number of repeat visitors due to its central location and its wide variety of accommodation and activities, which suit all budgets.

It’s about a 30 minute ( 15 kilometres) drive to Corfu town and the airport. The local buses are efficient and a viable option to explore the island or a taxi to the airport or Corfu town will cost around 35euro.