Corfu in June: A Guide to Staying in Kerkyra
This trip to the island of Corfu was planned for early June. I was expecting mild weather, no exhausting heat, and a relatively small number of tourists. In reality, things turned out a bit differently.
The air temperature was already reaching 28–30°C at the peak of the day, and the sun was truly intense. At the same time, the sea remained quite cool, around 18–20°C, but still comfortable enough for swimming, at least for me. As for tourists, there were already more than enough of them in the city.
Flight to Corfu & Airport Transfer Tips
The flight from Sweden with Ryanair took about three hours and went smoothly without any delays. Since I booked the tickets in advance, the price was very affordable.
The airport is located just about one and a half kilometers from the center of Kerkyra, which makes getting there very convenient. There is a regular bus service to the city, and the fare is around 2 euros, making it the most affordable and practical option.
If you have large or heavy luggage, you might prefer taking a taxi. However, it is important to be cautious: fares can start from around 30 euros and increase significantly. For example, on the way back to the airport from the city center, one taxi driver quoted us 80 euros, which seemed unreasonably high considering the short distance.
For this reason, it is best to confirm the price in advance and to be cautious with “mercedes taxis”, those waiting in tourist areas in the city center.
Where to Stay in Corfu: Why I Chose Kerkyra Center
On this trip, I wanted more comfort and less hassle, so choosing a central location proved ideal. We stayed right in the center of Kerkyra, renting a spacious apartment on Αγ. Πάντων 2 through Booking.com.
The nearest beach was just a few minutes’ walk away, and restaurants and cafés were literally right outside the door. This made it easy to go out for dinner spontaneously without any planning.
In addition, all the main attractions were within walking distance. This was especially noticeable during the day when the sun became too intense. At any moment, it was possible to pause a walk, step into a café, have a refreshing drink, or enjoy a great cup of coffee.
Corfu Old Town: A City Between Empires
Kerkyra is a remarkable place where the layering of different historical eras can truly be felt. The Old Town and the port are located between two fortresses: the Old Fortress and the New Fortress.
The names are quite relative, as the Venetians built both, and construction of the New Fortress began even before the Old one was completed.
Walking through the Old Town, you may come across details such as the remains of a Venetian well behind one of the churches, and this is only a small part of what is hidden here.
The town itself is already an attraction. It is a true medieval labyrinth that has been preserved to this day.
One of the most charming features of the Old Town is its narrow streets, which either climb upward or suddenly descend. The buildings are noticeably taller than in typical medieval towns, creating a strong sense of vertical space.
This is explained by historical restrictions: for a long time, residents were not allowed to settle outside the fortress walls connecting the Old and New Fortresses. The limited space forced people to use every available piece of land and build upwards.
The history of Corfu is a complex intertwining of cultures and eras. Corinthians and Romans, Normans, Venetians, the Angevin dynasty, as well as Ottoman attempts to conquer the island, all left their mark.
Later, Napoleon came to the island, but he was pushed out by the Turkish fleet, after which Corfu came under British protectorate and was eventually transferred to Greece. Even the events of the World Wars left their traces here.
This is why Corfu creates a rather unusual feeling: it often seems as if you are anywhere but in what is considered classical Greece. Personally, I had a strong impression of being somewhere in southern Italy, perhaps Sicily.
The only thing that felt different was the way espresso was served, which did not match the typical Italian style. Instead, it was closer to Turkish kahvesi, rich, thick, and a bit sweet. For me, this was a pleasant detail, as I have long enjoyed this style of coffee and used to savor it at the Crimean Tatar restaurant Musafir when I lived in Kyiv.
A Different Side of Greece: My Corfu Impression
If you are looking for authentic, classical Greece, Corfu may not be exactly the destination you expect. However, this is precisely what makes it special. The island has been shaped by many cultures over the centuries, making it unique, layered, and historically rich.
Corfu is not about typical Greece, but about a unique blend of cultures that makes the travel experience deeper and more interesting. If you are interested in history, architecture, and an atmosphere shaped over centuries, Corfu is definitely worth adding to your list.
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About the author:
Hello and welcome! My name is Victoria, and I’m a private tour guide in Kyiv. Since 2016, I have been offering private tours on various topics for visitors to the capital of Ukraine. I love sharing stories. When not guiding, I write about Ukraine on my blog and my travel experiences and insights.