In short
Ships in Corfu dock at the new port, 2–3 km from the old town: 25–40 minutes on foot along the waterfront, or by shuttle, city bus or taxi. In 3–4 hours you can see the old town, the Liston and the Old Fortress; with a full day, add Kanoni, Achilleion or Paleokastritsa. Greece is in the EU and Schengen.
The port at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where the ship berths | Usually alongside at the new port, north-west of the old town, next to the ferry berths. Tenders are rare here. Which berth you get depends on the size of the ship and the day; from the far berths a shuttle sometimes runs to the port exit. |
| To the old town | 2–3 km. On foot along the flat waterfront past the New Fortress, 25–40 minutes; by taxi 10–15 minutes. Sometimes there is a cruise line or port shuttle, and the blue city bus runs to San Rocco Square. |
| Typical call | Usually 7–10 hours, morning to evening. The exact times are in the ship's daily programme. |
| Money | Euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; small change is handy for the bus and little cafés. |
| Language | Greek. English is understood almost everywhere in the centre, and Italian often is too. |
| Time | Greece is an hour ahead of the Netherlands and Italy. Go by ship's time as announced on board. |
| Documents | Greece is in the EU and Schengen. Take your cruise card and the ID named in the daily programme; if you hold a non-EU passport, check the entry rules in advance. |
| All aboard | Usually 30–60 minutes before departure. Go by the time in the daily programme and on your cruise card, not by clocks in town. |
What to fit in
Everything that matters in town lies in the old quarter between the two fortresses. The waterfront leads there from the new port, and you can cross the old town in about twenty minutes. For the rest of the island you need a taxi or an excursion. Pick a plan that suits the length of your call:
Old town and the Liston
Along the waterfront past the New Fortress, into the old town lanes and to the Church of St Spyridon with its red-topped bell tower. Then the arcades of the Liston and the Spianada, one of the largest squares in Greece. Cross the bridge over the moat into the Old Fortress: an hour to an hour and a half up to the top and back.
Town and Achilleion
The old town in the morning, before the heat. After lunch, a taxi to the village of Gastouri, about 10 km south, 20–30 minutes: the Achilleion, the palace built by Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi), with gardens above the sea and statues of Achilles. You can stop at Kanoni on the way.
Paleokastritsa
Coves of clear water on the north-west coast, a monastery on the headland and boats to sea caves. It is about 25 km away, 40–50 minutes each way by road, longer in summer. Allow 4–5 hours in all and agree your return time in advance.
Kanoni and Mon Repos
The Kanoni peninsula, 4–5 km south of the centre: Vlacherna Monastery on an islet reached by a causeway, Mouse Island (Pontikonisi) and planes landing right over the lagoon. Closer in, the park and villa of Mon Repos, about half an hour on foot from the Spianada, shady and quiet.
The old town, two fortresses and the Liston
Corfu's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Venetians fortified it so well that the Ottomans never took it, and it still feels more Italian than the Greece most people picture.
- The Old Fortress. It fills the headland east of the Spianada and is cut off from the town by a sea-water moat, the Contrafossa. At the top are a lighthouse and views over the town and the strait to the mountains of Albania. There is an entry charge, and the climb to the top is steep.
- The New Fortress. It rises above the old port, on your way from the ship into town. You see it from the waterfront; if it is open, the view of the harbour from the top is good.
- The Liston and the Spianada. The arcades with their cafés were built in the early 19th century under the French, modelled on Paris. In front lies the Spianada, where cricket has been played since British times. Next to it is the Palace of St Michael and St George, home to the Museum of Asian Art.
- St Spyridon. The church with the town's tallest bell tower holds the relics of St Spyridon, the island's patron saint. Modest dress is expected inside.
On your own or on a ship's excursion
Corfu is an easy port to explore on your own: the ship docks, the old town is within walking distance, and Kanoni and Mon Repos are a short taxi or bus ride away. You do not need an excursion if your plan is the town.
A ship's excursion makes more sense if you want to go further and see several places in one go: Paleokastritsa and the Achilleion together, mountain villages or the north-east coast. Roads on the island are narrow and winding, they get congested in summer, and on days with several ships there are few taxis in town. The ship will usually wait for its own excursions if they run late — it will not wait for independent passengers.
How to be back on board in time
- Allow time for the way back. Walking back along the waterfront in the afternoon heat takes longer than in the morning. Leave the old town at least an hour before all-aboard time, earlier if your berth is a far one.
- Inside the port. From the port gate to the gangway at the far berths can be quite a distance. Check in the morning whether a shuttle runs and where from.
- Last-minute taxis. On days with several ships, there are queues at the ranks on the Spianada and San Rocco Square. Do not count on a taxi with no margin.
- Paleokastritsa and Achilleion. Agree a return time with your driver and keep an hour and a half in hand — in season the road through town is slow.
- Take with you. Your cruise card, the document your cruise line asked for, cash in euros, water, a hat and comfortable shoes: the old town paving is polished smooth.
Where cruises calling here start
Corfu often features on Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries, between Italy and Greece. If you would like a cruise that calls here, look at these departure ports:
- Cruises from Venice — the classic week in the Adriatic and Greece, where Corfu is a regular call.
- Cruises from Trieste — some Adriatic sailings now start here.
- Cruises from Athens (Piraeus) — some itineraries from Greece head north through the Ionian Sea.
- Mediterranean cruises — seasons and routes in full.
Common questions
Does my ship dock in Corfu or use tenders?
Usually it docks at the new port, north-west of the old town. Tenders are rare in Corfu. If your berth is a far one, a shuttle sometimes runs from the gangway to the port exit; the daily programme will say.
Can I walk from the ship to the old town?
Yes. It is 2–3 km along the flat waterfront past the New Fortress, 25–40 minutes depending on your berth. There is little shade, so in the heat a shuttle, the blue city bus to San Rocco Square or a taxi (10–15 minutes) is easier.
What can I see in Corfu in 3–4 hours?
The old town on foot: the Church of St Spyridon, the Liston arcades, the Spianada and the Old Fortress. That is about two hours at an easy pace, plus the way to and from the ship.
Will I have time to visit the Achilleion?
Yes, if your call is six hours or more. The palace is in the village of Gastouri, about 10 km south of town, 20–30 minutes by taxi. Allow 2.5–3 hours including the visit, and agree the fare and return time in advance.
How far is Paleokastritsa?
About 25 km, 40–50 minutes by road each way, sometimes longer in summer. Allow 4–5 hours in all. If your call is shorter than eight hours, a ship's excursion is the easier option.
Where can I watch planes land in Corfu?
On the Kanoni peninsula, 4–5 km south of the centre. The airport runway crosses the lagoon and planes come in very low, right by Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island. A city bus runs there from the centre; by taxi it is about 15 minutes.
How the club fits in
Cruises calling at Corfu that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which itineraries calling at Corfu are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Practical port information is summarised from public sources as of October 2026: anchorages, landing points, transport, entry rules and local regulations may change. Before you go ashore, check the ship's daily programme and the requirements for your passport. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.