Corfu Holidays

One of the best known Ionian islands, off the western coastline of mainland Greece, south of the Peloponnese, Corfu tells a tale of two halves. An island draped in olive groves and fringed with golden beaches, where Greek tradition meets European elegance. It’s a place where you can lose yourself in nature, history, or simply the warmth of the Mediterranean sun.

Disappear beneath the canopy of ancient olive and eucalyptus trees, their dappled shade casting cool relief while you breathe in the fragrance of wild herbs and citrus blossoms. The coastline is as inviting as you'd expect, with clear waters lapping against sandy shores and secluded rocky coves. Perhaps you’ll moor your boat in a hidden bay for a private afternoon picnic, surrounded by cypress and olive trees and the constant chorus of cicadas. Venture inland, and you'll find a lush, rolling landscape that feels more like Tuscany than the Aegean. Notably, Gerald Durrell, a famous British conservationist, was deeply influenced by his childhood spent in Corfu.

Corfu's past is woven into its every corner. The Venetians, French, and British all left their mark, creating a unique island where grand palaces, pastel-hued mansions, and elegant esplanades sit alongside traditional Greek villages. Wander through Corfu Town’s UNESCO-listed old quarter over cobbled alleyways and shaded piazzas. Or step further back in time at Achilleion Palace, the opulent retreat of an Austrian empress, where statues of Achilles stand in eternal, sculpted glory.

Beyond its beauty, Corfu thrives on deep-rooted traditions and the warmth of its people. Life here moves at an easy rhythm, best felt in its timeless villages, where family-run tavernas serve up the soulful flavours of the Ionian. Feast on just-caught seafood, slow-cooked lamb, and pastitsada - Corfu’s signature spiced pasta dish - paired with a crisp glass of local wine. As the sun disappears into the sea, the masts of sailboats cast long shadows over the calm waters, creating a scene of serenity. No meal is complete without a sip of kumquat liqueur, Corfu’s ‘Golden Orange,’ cultivated solely on the island.

Whether you spend your days stretched out on sun-drenched beaches, rocked by the gentle tide in a secluded cove, hiking through lush valleys, or tracing the island’s storied past, Corfu is an island for every kind of traveller. Here, the meeting of cultures and landscapes creates an atmosphere that is at once timeless and enchanting.