AreaStays
The Old Town of Corfu's terracotta rooftops and bell tower beneath the Old Fortress, with the Ionian Sea behind

Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Greece

Where to Stay in Corfu

Corfu is the greenest of the Ionian Islands, a place of olive groves, cypress trees, and a coastline shaped as much by Venice, France, and Britain as by Greece — it's the one part of the country the Ottomans never held. Its capital, Corfu Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage old town of narrow marble-paved lanes, Venetian mansions, and the arcaded Liston promenade, ringed by two Venetian-era fortresses. Away from the capital, the island's coastline splits into a busier, more built-up east and southeast and a quieter, cliffier north and northwest, with resort villages like Kassiopi trading old-town history for harborside tavernas and beach time. This guide covers Corfu Town's old town and Kassiopi, on the northeast coast. Don't miss the Achilleion Palace, built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, and Paleokastritsa's cliffside monastery and coves on the northwest coast.

Quick facts

Best time to visit
Visit in May, June, or September. The island is famously green and gets more rain than the Cyclades in spring and autumn, but midsummer (July–August) is reliably hot, dry, and the most crowded, especially around Corfu Town's cruise-ship days and Kassiopi's peak season.
Renting a car
Skip a rental car if you're based in Corfu Town and mostly walking the old town or bussing to one resort village. Consider one if you want to reach Paleokastritsa, the Achilleion Palace, or several beaches on your own schedule — buses run the main routes but not always frequently, especially outside peak season.

Where to stay

The lantern-lined arcade of the Liston, the arched Venetian-era promenade in Corfu's old town

Amethyst forest / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Corfu Old Town

Best for: First-time visitors, Architecture lovers, Couples

Kassiopi's harbor and village on Corfu's northeast coast, seen from the ruined castle above

Bejo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Kassiopi

Best for: Families, Beach time, Couples

Compare neighborhoods

AreaBest forAdvantageTrade-off
Corfu Old TownFirst-time visitorsThe most walkable, history-rich base on the island, with the best restaurant and shopping variety.No swimmable beach within walking distance — reaching one means a bus, taxi, or short drive.
KassiopiFamiliesA working harbor village with nearby beaches and a genuinely slower pace than Corfu Town.A long bus ride from Corfu Town's old town, restaurants, and ferry connections, with limited evening transport options.

Our picks for Corfu

A handful of editorial calls across every neighborhood above, not just the highest star rating — see each hotel's own card further down for the full case for and against it.

🏆 Our overall pickSiora Vittoria Boutique HotelCorfu Old Town💰 Best valueHill Lofos HotelKassiopi👨‍👩‍👧 Best for familiesMelina Bay Boutique HotelKassiopi📍 Best locationBella VeneziaCorfu Old Town

A couple of hotels in Corfu Old Town

Corfu Old Town is the top-recommended area to stay in Corfu.

Albergo Botti

★★★
  • 💰 Best value

Our take A modern renovation inside an old-town shell, standing out for how far its comfort and price go relative to its address next to the Spianada and Old Fortress.

Good for

  • First-time visitors
  • Couples
  • Budget travelers

Budget-conscious couples and first-time visitors who want a modern, comfortable room without leaving the old town's most walkable corner.

Why we like it

  • Steps from the Spianada and the Old Fortress, in the most walkable part of the old town
  • Rooms renovated to a modern standard inside a period building
  • A relatively small property, which keeps service more personal than a larger hotel

What to know

  • As a small boutique property, room categories and views can vary a lot, so check what's included when booking
  • Being this close to the Spianada means some street and evening café noise is normal in the area
Check availability on Booking.com

Cavalieri Hotel

★★★★
  • 🏛️ Best for architecture & design

Our take A well-placed, character-filled base in a genuinely old building, with a rooftop that does more for the stay than most hotel amenities in Corfu Town.

Good for

  • First-time visitors
  • Couples
  • Architecture lovers

First-time visitors and couples who want a historic building steps from the Liston, with the old town's best rooftop view thrown in.

Why we like it

  • Rooftop restaurant and bar with views over the Spianada, the Old Fortress, and the sea
  • Housed in a 17th-century mansion, with the thick walls and high ceilings that come with it
  • On Kapodistriou street, a short walk from the Liston and the ferry and bus connections near the New Fortress
  • A quieter upper-floor stay than many old-town hotels, since traffic on this stretch is limited

What to know

  • An older building means some rooms are smaller or more irregularly shaped than a modern hotel
  • Street-facing rooms on lower floors can pick up café and pedestrian noise from Kapodistriou in the evening
Check availability on Booking.com

Useful travel information

Greece uses the euro. Corfu International Airport (CFU) sits about 3km from Corfu Town, with taxis and local buses covering the short trip; ferries from Igoumenitsa on the mainland and from Italy dock at the New Port, walking distance from the old town. KTEL buses connect Corfu Town to villages including Kassiopi, though schedules thin out in the evening and off-season. Cash still helps in smaller villages and for taxis, even though most hotels and restaurants take cards.

Tips

  • Wear comfortable, closed shoes for Corfu Town's old town — the marble-paved lanes (kantounia) get slippery when wet or worn smooth by foot traffic.
  • Book a fortress-view or Liston-facing table in Corfu Town well ahead for a summer evening — the arcade's cafés fill up fast around sunset.
  • If you're staying in a resort village like Kassiopi without a car, confirm your hotel's bus or transfer options before booking — some coastal roads have limited evening service.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stay in Corfu Town or a resort village?
Stay in Corfu Town for the most walkable, history-dense base, with easy bus and ferry connections to the rest of the island. Stay in a resort village like Kassiopi for a slower pace, closer beach access, and a harborside setting, at the cost of a longer bus ride into the old town.
How many days do I need in Corfu?
Three to four days covers Corfu Town's old town, a day trip to Paleokastritsa or the Achilleion Palace, and time at a beach. Add a couple of days in a resort village like Kassiopi if beach time is the priority.
Is Corfu Town walkable?
Yes — the old town is compact and pedestrian-friendly, though the marble lanes are uneven in places. Reaching beaches or other villages generally means a bus, taxi, or rental car rather than walking.

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