Corfu Cruise Port Guide — Old Town, Achilleion, Beaches & Walks

Getting Ashore

Corfu ships dock at the New Port (Neo Limani), about 2 km south of the Old Town. No tender — you step straight off the gangway.

On the pier to Old Town in about 20 minutes

1
Exit the New Port terminalFollow the signed walking path or simply head north along the waterfront. It's a flat, easy 20-minute walk past the ferry quays to the edge of the Old Town.
2
Taxi or bus into townTaxis queue just outside the port gate — the ride to Corfu Town centre is under €7. Blue KTEL buses depart from the New Port area; check the schedule board at the stop for Paleokastritsa and other destinations.
3
Car or scooter rentalSeveral rental agencies operate near the port. The island is compact enough to cover the highlights (Achilleion, Paleokastritsa, Kanoni) in a single day by car.

💡 Pro move: The Old Town walkway from the port is safe and scenic — skip the taxi for Corfu Town itself unless you have heavy bags.

Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line

All cruise ships dock alongside at Corfu's New Port — no tendering. The walk north along the waterfront brings you to the Old Town in about 20 minutes.

Cruise Line	Typical Berth / Arrival	Dock or Tender
Most cruise lines (large ships)	New Port (Neo Limani), Corfu Town	Docked
Small luxury / expedition ships	Old Port or Neo Limani, Corfu Town	Docked

Top Excursions

Corfu rewards both wanderers and excursion-bookers — the Old Town alone fills a morning, and the island has enough variety to fill the rest.

History

Corfu Old Town — UNESCO Walking Tour

Wander the Venetian lanes of Campiello, the French-built Liston arcade, the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, and both Venetian fortresses. One of the most layered old towns in the Mediterranean.

⏱ 3–4 hrs🚶 Easy🏛 UNESCO site

Find Old Town tours →

Culture

Achilleion Palace & Gardens

Empress Sisi of Austria's neoclassical hilltop retreat, filled with statues of Achilles and sweeping views over the Ionian Sea. About 12 km south of Corfu Town — easy taxi or bus trip.

⏱ 2–3 hrs🚕 Taxi/bus📷 Views

Find Achilleion tours →

Nature

Paleokastritsa & West Coast

Dramatic limestone cliffs, three turquoise bays, and a clifftop Byzantine monastery. The island's most-photographed coastline, about 21 km from Corfu Town. Best by organised tour or rental car.

⏱ 3–5 hrs🏖 Beaches🚐 Tour/car

Find Paleokastritsa tours →

Relax

Kanoni & Mouse Island (Vlacherna)

The tiny white chapel on an islet connected by a causeway is Corfu's most-photographed icon. Kanoni peninsula is a 20-minute taxi from the port — pair it with lunch at one of the waterfront tavernas.

⏱ 1–2 hrs📷 Iconic🚕 Short taxi

Find Kanoni excursions →

Adventure

Island Drive: Highlands & Villages

Rent a car and loop through the olive-covered hills to Pelekas village, Glyfada beach, and the atmospheric village of Lakones with its panoramic view of Paleokastritsa. Full-day self-guided circuit.

⏱ 6–8 hrs🚗 Self-drive🌿 Scenic

Find car rental tours →

Self-Guided Walks & Hikes

Corfu Old Town is one of the best walk-off ports in Greece — compact, traffic-free in its core, and packed with history at every turn.

New Port → Old Town → Old Fortress

~2.5 km one-way · 1–1.5 hrs · easy

Walk north from the cruise pier along the waterfront promenade into the Old Town. Explore the Spianada (main square), the Liston arcade, and then climb into the 16th-century Venetian Old Fortress for views over the harbour.

Campiello Quarter — Venetian Backstreets

~1.5 km loop · 45 min · easy

Dive into the medieval Campiello neighbourhood behind the main square. Narrow kalderimia (stone lanes), laundry-strung balconies, hidden churches, and local-run kafeneions that haven't changed much in centuries.

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Climate normals for Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Rainy Days
Jan	55°F / 13°C	48°F / 9°C	14
Feb	57°F / 14°C	49°F / 9°C	10
Mar	59°F / 15°C	50°F / 10°C	11
Apr	64°F / 18°C	55°F / 13°C	9
May	71°F / 22°C	61°F / 16°C	9
Jun	80°F / 27°C	69°F / 21°C	5
Jul	86°F / 30°C	74°F / 23°C	2
Aug	87°F / 31°C	75°F / 24°C	3
Sep	79°F / 26°C	70°F / 21°C	9
Oct	72°F / 22°C	64°F / 18°C	10
Nov	65°F / 18°C	58°F / 14°C	15
Dec	58°F / 14°C	51°F / 11°C	12

Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)

Insider Tips

🚶
Old Town is walkable from the pier. The 20-minute stroll along the waterfront is pleasant and flat — no need for a taxi unless you're short on time or have mobility issues.
💶
Carry small euros. Card acceptance is widespread in shops and restaurants, but smaller tavernas, buses, and market stalls prefer cash.
🏰
Book Old Fortress tickets in advance on busy days. It's the Old Town's top paid attraction and queues grow on multi-ship port days.
🚌
KTEL buses are cheap but infrequent. Blue buses serve Paleokastritsa (~€3) and other key destinations — check departure times at the port bus stop early, as afternoon services can be limited.
🌿
Corfu is the greenest of the Greek islands. Olive groves and cypress trees cover most of the island — it's lush and relatively cool even in midsummer, especially inland.

Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece