Gay Corfu · Island Guide

Corfu | Kerkyra

The second-largest of the Ionian Islands. Corfu is the heart of a municipality comprised of several islands with a population of around 100,000. The largest city, Corfu Town is home to around 30,000 people.

Like most places in Greece, Corfu's history stretches back to classical antiquity with the kingdom of Korkyra being one of the great naval powers of the 5th BC. Since then, the island has been occupied by the Venetians and the British and lays claim to being the only place in Greece where cricket is popular.

Today, Corfu is well-known as a tourist destination with many visitors from Northern Europe coming to the island on package holidays. Away from the beaches and swimming pools, Corfu offers stunning architecture, spectacular scenery, delicious food and a warm welcome.

Gay Rights in Greece

For information on gay rights in Greece, please check out our Gay Athens City Guide page.

Gay Scene in Corfu

Compared to Athens or Mykonos, the organised gay scene in Corfu is limited. This does not stop gay visitors from coming to the island and many return year after year due to the warm welcome they receive. There is one popular Gay Bar in the town of Chora, but bars and clubs in the tourist resorts are just as welcoming.

Some beaches serve as cruising locations. Mirtiotissa beach, west of Corfu Town, and the north of Issos beach are the places to go to find some action. Be prudent, however, and exercise caution as the public also frequent these beaches. At Halikounas beach on the south end between the lake and the beach a lot of gay nudists and also gay singles and couples. Behind the beach there are dunes, very private and if there is wind it's very nice to be in - also some cruising and action. You can drive by car all the way to the south end on a dirt road.

Getting to Corfu

By plane

Corfu International Airport, "Ioannis Kapodistrias" (CFU) is the main gateway to the island and is 2km south of Corfu Town. The majority of services are seasonal charter and budget flights in the summer however scheduled services to major destinations in Greece run throughout the year.

Bus line 15 takes you to Corfu Town for €1.20 and can be bought from the driver. From San Rocco Square you can get buses to all the major tourist towns and resorts.

Many of the bigger hotels offer free shuttle services to and from the airport. There are other private shuttle companies available. Taxis are available from the terminal building with journeys to Corfu Town costing in the region of €10 (more with large amounts of luggage) but obviously will be more if travelling further afield.

Car hire from most major companies is available at the airport and recommended if you're planning to do some independent travel. It's best to organise the hire in advance and a representative will meet you at the airport and take you to the vehicle and go over the appropriate paper work etc.

By boat

Direct ferry connections link the island to destinations in Italy, the Albanian Riviera and Greece. Many Mediterranean cruises also stop at the New Port in Corfu Town. From here you can take a bus into the town centre where you can connect to other destinations. Next to the car park is a taxi rank.

Getting around Corfu

By car

It is worthwhile hiring a car if intending to visit Corfu's many secluded beaches. You must be over the age of 18 to drive and seat-belts are mandatory. If you do not have an EU driving licence you will need to get an international licence. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 and random breathalyser tests are not unheard of.

Corfu has many winding, mountainous roads which may take some getting used to. You may also be surprised at what would seem to be a flagrant disregard for the traffic rules by locals. It definitely pays to be more assertive than you maybe would be at home. Petrol stations can be few and far between so stock up on petrol before any trip!

By public transport

There are two types of buses you can catch in Corfu. The blue buses serve Corfu town and are concentrated at San Rocco Square. Green buses leave from near the New Port and serve villages and resorts across the island.

Tickets can be bought from machines at the stops or from the driver although they are more expensive from the driver. The bus lines run with differing regularity so be sure to check the timetables when planning a trip.

By taxi

You will find many taxi ranks within Corfu Town however it might be harder to come across one in quieter resorts. Restaurants and hotel staff should be happy to order you a taxi from a reputable firm. Failing that, Radio Taxis is a reliable company that you can arrange pickups with.

Where to Stay in Corfu

For a list of recommended hotels in Corfu, please check out our list of recommended hotels in Corfu.

Things to See & Do in Corfu

• The Old Fortress - the crowning glory of Corfu Town. This Venetian fortress offers fantastic views of the the old town and the Albanian riviera.
• Nymphes - a large village famous for its waterfalls. Legend has it that the nymphs of ancient mythology used to bathe here!
• Achilleon - an impressive summer palace built by the Empress of Austria Elisabeth of Bavaria. It's construction was inspired by the legend of Achilles.
• Theotoki Nikiforou Street - Corfu's main shopping street. Here you will find leather goods, items made from olive wood and ceramics (amongst other local goods).
• The Corfu Trail - believe it or not, Corfu is actually famous for its hiking. While you may not want to do all 222km of the Corfu Trail you can break the walk up into more manageable chunks at your leisure and enjoy the scenery how you'd like.
• Old Perithia - Corfu's oldest village. Here you can get a feel for what life in Corfu was like during Venetian times while exploring the winding streets and 8 churches.
• Corfu Golf Club - Corfu boasts a strikingly beautiful golf course designed by the Swiss architect Donald Harridine. The beach is only 900m away if you fancy unwinding after a game.
• Benitses - this former fishing village is one of the most popular places to visit on the island. It still retains its traditional character but offers many bars and restaurants to unwind in and a great beach as well.

When to Visit Corfu

Corfu has gorgeous, sun-kissed summer weather which explains why the summer months sees the island swarming with tourists. Due to most flights here being seasonal you will find it hard to actually get to the island unless you transfer at Athens. Winters are mild in comparison to Northern Europe but are wet.

There are a variety of festivals and events held on the island. Easter is taken extremely seriously by the Greeks and Corfu is no exception- the island's philharmonic societies lead a very popular procession. February and March also sees the island's Carnival which is a hangover from the days of Venetian rule.

Visa

Greece is a member of the European Union, and as such its visa requirements fall inline with what you'd expect from most other EU countries. It is also part of the Schengen agreement. Please check with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs before travel if you have any questions.

Money

Greece is part of the Eurozone. Cash dispensers are widely available in Corfu Town and larger resorts, although many charge a fee if you use a foreign card. Credit & debit cards are widely accepted.  Foreign exchange booths are easy to find in Corfu Town. Exchange rates are not particularly competitive.