JUNE 2026

Corfu is a Greek island that is located right in front of Albania. From Sarande in Albania you can daily take ferries to Corfu. You travel by high speed ferry and the journey takes about 30 minutes. You need to do immigration checks as you are entering the EU, but with an EU passport this is really easy. So why not go to Corfu for a day or night? We decided to stay in Corfu for one night and this way you can explore even more. I would highly recommend one evening of al fresco dining in Corfu’s colorful streets, so make sure you stay the night or take a late ferry. In this blogpost I will give all my recommendations to have the best time in Corfu if you are short on time. I would love to come back to explore more of this beautiful island, but loved this little introduction into Corfu Town!

How to get to Corfu from Albania

From Sarande there are daily ferries to Corfu. There are several companies operating on this route and there are more ferries once the season gets in full swing. We went with the high speed ferry of Finikas, the crossing took about 30 minutes. The ferry is old and a bit dirty, but the journey was comfortable enough and on-time. The journey costs about € 35 per adult for a one-way. On some ferries it is possible to bring a car, so especially if you want to see more remote areas in Corfu this is a good option. Make sure to ask for permission from the rental company. We stayed in and around Corfu Town and didn’t bring our car, but left it in the harbor of Sarande for about € 6 per day. The harbor of Corfu is just outside of Corfu Town, so you can take a taxi into town for € 15 or take the bus.

Things to do in Corfu Town

Wander the Italian streets

You will be surprised that Corfu town looks quintessentially Italian. The architecture is in Venetian style, with sorbet colors all over. This is because Venice used to rule over Corfu for over 400 years. So no blue domed churches, but pastel-pink ones instead. Liston is the pedestrian boulevard of Corfu Town, but I would recommend to venture into all the back alleyways to enjoy the colorful buildings covered with laundry. Behind the Corfu Museum of Asian Art you will find the Garden of the Public, which offers spectacular views over the Old Fortress of Corfu. The garden near Liston has a great playground, in case you are visiting with kids. We absolutely loved the shopping in Corfu and much preferred it to the shopping in Albania. If you are looking for linen shirts, leather sandals or a nice present you will succeed. If you venture a bit outside of the touristy areas and walk into the modern part of the city you will find all sorts of interesting and affordable boutique stores. Many restaurants are located in the narrow alleyways. We had dinner at the slightly pricy Aegli, but loved the food and vibes.

Visit a beach club

I don’t love a full beach holiday, but I always make sure to plan at least one day at a beach club. In Corfu Town there is a great option with the Old Fortress as a backdrop. We made reservations at Imabari Corfu, you can reserve slots for 4 hours. If you spend € 30 per person in the restaurant you get to use the beach chairs for free. I personally found this a really good deal as the food was delicious. Imabari directly has sea access and you can take a plunge in front of the restaurant. They also have changing rooms, so you don’t need to hassle with clothes. Next to Imabari there is a small public beach “Faliraki bathing beach”. You can use the access at Imabari and visit it for free. It is very small, so I can imagine it being absolutely packed in summer. But as this location is so close to town, it is ideal for a quick beach visit.

Admire the Old Fortress of Corfu

The gorgeous old fortress definitely is an iconic sight in Corfu. We ended up being too busy swimming and ultimately didn’t visit. However we admired the fortress from many angles and the area invites for long evening walks. If you can’t get enough of the Fortress, you can also visit the New Venetian Fortress, but obviously this one has less history.