Corfu combines a walkable UNESCO Old Town with green-island scenery, and the cruise dock sits just over a mile away. The best independent day is town plus one viewpoint; the beach day needs transport. See the Corfu place page and the featured route.
Getting ashore
Ships dock at the New Port. A free or low-cost port shuttle crosses the secure area; from the gate, Old Town is a flat 20-25 minute walk, local bus ride (€2) or €10 taxi.
What to do in 6-10 hours
Walk the Old Fortress (€6-8), Spianada, Liston arcades, St. Spyridon church and Jewish Quarter - three hours. Add Mon Repos gardens or Paleokastritsa’s coves, 30 minutes away by taxi or tour. Achilleion Palace openings vary, so verify before going.
Walking level
Old Town is mostly flat but paved with smooth stone and short steps. The Old Fortress is steep and exposed. Paleokastritsa beaches involve slopes. For limited mobility, stay around Spianada and Liston.
Excursion or independent
Independent for Old Town; a taxi shared by four is good value for Paleokastritsa. Ship tours add value only for a full island loop, where bus timing and distances mount up. The full trade-off is in ship excursion or independent.
What it costs
Bus €2; taxi to town €10; fortress €6-8; taxi to Paleokastritsa €35-45 each way; lunch €20-35. Town day €30-60, beach day €80-130 per person.
The five-minute version
- Port to Old Town: 20-25 flat minutes or €2 bus.
- Old Town loop takes three hours.
- Old Fortress is the only steep climb.
- Share a taxi for Paleokastritsa.
- Independent for town; tour for full island.
- The Old Town is UNESCO-listed and walkable from the pier; the municipal portal visit.corfu.gr posts current shuttle and walking maps.
