Corfu Holidays in December
Corfu Town's UNESCO-listed centre blends Venetian, French and British architecture in a way no other Greek island capital can match.
Olive groves and wooded hills cover much of the island, and spring is the greenest time of year.
Long sandy bays, pebble coves and clear sheltered water mean there is a stretch of shore to suit every kind of beach day.
The lively north coast, the dramatic west and the calmer east each offer a different holiday without leaving the island.
Dishes such as sofrito, pastitsada and bourdeto, plus kumquat liqueur, give Corfu a table of its own.
Day trips run south to little Paxos and Antipaxos, which are well known for clear water and quiet harbours.
Start your shortlist with these six places, each of which suits a different style of holiday, and read on for how each one feels once you arrive.
Corfu Old Quarter: The capital's historic centre has the Spianada, the Liston arcade and two Venetian fortresses, all within an easy walk of each other, with plenty of cafes in between for a slow coffee.
Paleokastritsa Bay Coves: Roughly 25 km northwest of Corfu Town, this bay of small coves is good for swimming, snorkelling and boat trips to the sea caves, and the headland viewpoints are worth the short climb.
Sidari North Coast: Famous for the Canal d'Amour sandstone channels, this north-coast resort adds a long sandy beach and plenty of bars and tavernas, so evenings here are lively without being overwhelming.
Kassiopi Fishing Port: A former fishing village with a small harbour, waterfront tavernas and castle ruins, it looks across the narrow channel to Albania and keeps a calm pace even in summer.
Agios Gordios: A wide sandy bay backed by steep green hills makes this southwest resort a good pick if sand matters most, and the cliff walks above the beach are rewarding at sunset.
Benitses Seafront: Roughly 10 km south of Corfu Town, this former fishing village is a convenient base with a lively harbour and easy access to the Achilleion Palace, plus regular buses into the capital.
Seven days out are worth building into any week, and most can be done by taxi, bus or hire car. Spread them across the week so that beach days and sightseeing days balance each other, and leave a spare half day for whatever catches your eye along the way.
Wander the Old Town: Allow a full morning for the lanes, the Liston arcade and Spianada Square, then add the Old and New Fortresses or the Museum of Asian Art if you still have energy and time.
Achilleion Palace: Built in 1890 for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, this neoclassical palace in Gastouri has terraced gardens and later belonged to Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the statues in the grounds reward a slow wander.
Paleokastritsa boat trip: Small boats leave the harbour area to explore sea caves and coves, with swimming and snorkelling stops in clear water, and the trip works well in the morning before the heat builds.
Angelokastro climb: This 13th-century Byzantine castle sits on a steep clifftop near Paleokastritsa, and the views over the coast repay the climb, particularly on a clear afternoon.
Canal d'Amour: At Sidari, sandstone cliffs and narrow channels carved by the sea make a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing, and a late afternoon visit is quieter than midday.
Southern islands excursion: Excursions run in summer to Paxos, about 20 km south of Corfu, and to Antipaxos, which is known for its beaches, so pack a swimming kit and a hat for the crossing.
Mon Repos estate: The birthplace of Prince Philip is a neoclassical villa in a park near Corfu Town, and the villa now houses a museum of the island's history, with shaded paths running through the grounds.
Daytime temperatures are mild rather than hot, and the island is often cool and wet by Mediterranean standards. Evenings are noticeably cooler, so pack warm layers and a waterproof jacket. Sunny spells do occur, but you should not expect beach weather.
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