What's the best time to visit Corfu?
The best time to visit Corfu is during the peak summer season from June to August when temperatures range from 61°F to 88°F, ideal for beach activities. However, this period sees higher prices, crowds, and longer queues at popular spots.
You can also enjoy cultural festivals and events, such as Saint John festivities in June and the Vararola Festival in August, adding to the vibrant summer experience on the island.
Whether you’re enchanted by the colorful villages and majestic monuments or wish to head there for the fantastic beaches and finger-licking mood, Corfu has a way of seducing every traveler who steps foot on the island.
With almost 1.7 million people visiting the island last year, it’s clear that many other travelers also share this opinion.
Whatever your reasons for going to the island, there’s the best time to visit Corfu and the worst time to be there (yeah, we also couldn’t believe it.)
Follow along to find the best dates for your personal itinerary and discover other useful bits of information, such as when to steer away from the peak season crowds and how to go easy on your wallet. Let us be your guide!
The Overall Best Time to Visit Corfu
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The overall best time to visit Corfu is during the island’s peak season in summer (June–August). With temperatures between 61°F and 88°F, visitors need little convincing to explore the island’s beaches and enjoy a laid-back vacation.
Our top recommendation for a summer swim is definitely Canal d’Amour — the sea here is at its calmest at this time, so cave exploration and cliff diving are fair game.
That said, these months also see prices skyrocket, less elbow room than any other season on the island, and long queues in front of bars and restaurants.
Still, this is when you can truly experience what a Mediterranean summer getaway truly means, and no other season quite captures it. To avoid the occasional intense heat, consider heading to Ropa Valley.
Visitors can engage in golfing, horseback riding, or even wine tasting. The main area worth visiting, however, is Theotoky Estate, where you can join guided tours through the cellars and, of course, sample some of the local delicacies.
June visitors can join the Saint John festivities. Celebrated in Mantouki and other Corfu villages, this event continues the long-standing tradition of jumping over fires.
Travelers headed to Kontokali, Stavro, Arghirades, Antiperni, and Othoni can enjoy celebrations related to the Festival of the Holy Spirit. Want to move around and learn a local dance or two?
Then the International Folklore Dance Meeting festival in Sinnies might be just the right event for you. Held annually since 1997, the festival features both Greek and international dances and music performances.
If you visit in August, join The Vararola Festival celebrations. Being a mock recreation of the actual 1716 battle, you’ll get to see a boat being set on fire and a plethora of intrigued tourists such as yourself.
Then there’s The Festival of Garouna and Ano Gerakiana (August). Celebrating the return of previous Corfu residents, this event brings about emotional family reunions, giving the island quite a nostalgic vibe.
Cheapest Time to Visit Corfu
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The cheapest time to visit Corfu is in November, when you can get the best deal on cheap accommodation rates and affordable airfare.
But it’s not just the airfare and accommodation that gets more affordable at this time — starting November 1, museums also provide visitors with discounts. So, make sure to take advantage of that if you find yourself on the island in November.
You can also pay the Corfu Aquarium a visit, head to local art galleries, and check out the Jewish Synagogue, Agia Theodora Mitropolis Orthodox Cathedral, as well as the Church of Saint Ioannis the Precursor.
A fairly comfortable fall month, Novembers on Corfu see temperatures between 50°F and 66°F.
Least Busy Time to Visit Corfu
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The least busy time to visit Corfu is in September and October. Family vacations have come to an end, leaving fall visitors to enjoy the island in solitude.
From sleepy streets to quiet beaches, fall on Corfu can be amazing if you give it a chance. You can engage in the same activities as you would in summer, just without the intense heat.
September visitors will find swimming in the sea not only possible but quite enjoyable. Restaurants have fewer guests, and the weather makes activities such as sightseeing and hiking quite comfortable.
The weather’s also ideal for heading to Mon Repos, in close proximity to the island’s main town. Being a former palace, the Mon Repos scenic walk is a great one-day attraction.
Plane spotting is kind of a thing in the fall months, too. Just go to Kanoni and witness the awe-inspiring roaring sounds near Corfu International Airport.
If you visit in September, attend Corfu Literary Festival for a marvelous island celebration of the arts. If you’re coming to Corfu during this time, expect temperatures fluctuating between 56°F and 82°F.
Worst Time to Visit Corfu
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While there really isn’t a bad time to visit a great island, we believe the worst time to visit Corfu is during the winter, from December until February.
You can’t hit the beach, go for a swim, or work on that tan, and the precipitation levels are quite high, so packing an umbrella is more important than packing your sunglasses.
That said, just because winter isn’t the prime time to visit Corfu doesn’t mean you’re not going to enjoy your time on the island. For instance, if you visit in February, expect to experience the Carnival season in full swing.
From the well-known grand parade to customs such as burning the King Carnival, this event makes everyone on the island buzz with festive energy and join the plethora of local dances.
If you come earlier, you can join the Feast of Saint Spyridon (December) celebrations. In any case, whenever you visit in winter, stick to the bigger cities as opposed to more remote villages, as businesses in larger towns stay open to cater to locals’ needs.
Also, note that certain souvenir shops in winter remain closed. Those that do work, however, offer much better prices in winter than in summer. Hiking is also possible, as long as you have the necessary rain gear.
If the winter weather gets a bit too much for you, you can always find refuge in fun indoor tours, such as the Patounis Soap Factory guided tours and learn all there is to know about natural olive oil soap production (tip: during winter time, booking in advance isn’t necessary).
Winter temperatures on the island vary between average lows of 41°F and highs of 57°F.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Corfu?
CORFU-AUGUST 24: Tourists go shopping in local souvenirs shops on August 24,2014 on Corfu island, Greece./lornet/Shutterstock
| 👍 Best Time to Visit | June to August |
| 💲 Cheapest Time to Visit | November |
| 🗓️ Least Busy Time to Visit | September and October |
| 👎 Worst Time to Visit | December to February |
All in all, the overall best time to visit Corfu is during the island’s peak season in summer (June–August). Daytime activities abound, the weather’s hot, and everyone flocks to the island to take advantage of the summer season.
This means higher prices and crowded beaches, though. Given the majestic landscape, enchanting villages, and tasty local cuisine, Corfu is a destination full of surprises at every corner.
Whether you come at its best, cheapest, or seemingly worst time, the island will be a Mediterranean haven you’ll never wish to leave. Happy travels!