If you are based in Corfu Town for a few days, a rental car turns the rest of the island into an option. These are the eight day-trips we recommend most often, ordered roughly by drive time. Each is comfortable to do in a single day, including a swim and lunch.
1. Paleokastritsa & Lakones (half day)
Drive time: 35 min one way · Total day: 5-6 hours
The classic. Drive west, stop at Bella Vista in Lakones for the panoramic view, descend to Paleokastritsa, take a boat trip to the sea caves (€20-25, 90 min), swim, lunch, return. See our Paleokastritsa guide.
2. Kassiopi & the Durrell coast (full day)
Drive time: 45 min one way · Total day: 8-9 hours
North along the coastal road to Kassiopi, with stops at Nissaki and Kalami. Lunch at Taverna Agni (book ahead). Swim at Kerasia. Sunset and dinner at Kassiopi harbour. See our Kassiopi guide.
3. Mount Pantokrator & Old Perithia (full day)
Drive time: 60 min one way · Total day: 7-8 hours
Drive up to the 906 m summit for a 360° view of Corfu, Albania, and mainland Greece. Stop at Old Perithia (abandoned Byzantine village, partially restored) for lunch at Foros Taverna. Descend via Acharavi for an afternoon swim.
4. Sidari, Logas Sunset & Porto Timoni (full day)
Drive time: 55 min one way · Total day: 9-10 hours
The most rewarding north-west coast loop. Cape Drastis, Canal d'Amour, lunch in Avliotes, hike down to Porto Timoni double-beach from Afionas, and stay for sunset at Logas Beach. Long but spectacular. See our Sidari guide.
5. South coast beaches (full day)
Drive time: 40 min one way · Total day: 6-7 hours
Issos Beach (the longest sand beach), Halikounas (next to Lake Korission nature reserve), Marathias for a calmer family swim. Lunch at any of the family tavernas in Marathias village.
6. Pelekas & Glyfada (half day)
Drive time: 25 min one way · Total day: 4-5 hours
Glyfada Beach for a swim, late lunch in Pelekas village, sunset at Kaiser's Throne. Easy, no rush. Good combination if you are leaving Corfu Town for the airport later.
7. Achilleion Palace & Kanoni (half day)
Drive time: 20 min one way · Total day: 3-4 hours
The summer palace of Empress Sissi of Austria, in Gastouri (entry €10). On the way back, stop at Kanoni viewpoint to see Mouse Island. Easy half-day.
8. Olive oil & wine villages (half day)
Drive time: 30 min one way · Total day: 4-5 hours
The central villages of Doukades, Liapades, Kanakades and Skripero produce some of the best Corfiot olive oil and Kakotrygis wine. Most have small family-run shops where you can taste before you buy.
Tips for any day trip
- Start early. Leave the hotel by 09:00-09:30 to beat tour-bus traffic and the heat.
- Top up fuel before leaving Corfu Town if you are heading north-west or to Mt Pantokrator.
- Book lunch tavernas the day before in July and August (Agni, Toula's, Foros Old Perithia all fill up).
- Carry water and sun protection — even short hikes (Porto Timoni, Cape Drastis) are exposed.
- Cash: Many small village tavernas are cash-only. Have €100-150 on you.
For the practical side of getting on the road in the first place, see our complete driving guide — speed limits, mountain roads, parking and the things visitors get wrong.