Corfu Shore Excursions

What can catch you out in Corfu

Relayed from official sources — not our verdict. We pass on what the authorities say, word for word, and leave the judgement to you.

• Quad bikes & mopeds

  Quad biking carries a real risk of serious injury or death. You must wear a helmet on quad bikes and mopeds, or you may invalidate your insurance, and to ride a moped you need a valid licence with at least category A1.

  as reported by UK FCDO — travel advice for Greece · 23 Jun 2026

• Excessive drinking

  Greek police will arrest you for behaviour they consider rowdy or indecent, especially where excessive drinking is involved — and your travel insurance may not cover you if an alcohol-related arrest makes you miss your flight.

  as reported by UK FCDO — travel advice for Greece · 23 Jun 2026

• Water sports

  Book water sports through a licensed centre and ask for a safety demonstration. Obey the warning flags and signs on beaches.

  as reported by UK FCDO — travel advice for Greece · 23 Jun 2026

• Pickpockets in the crowds

  Thefts of wallets, handbags and passports are common in crowded tourist places. Carry your valuables in different bags and pockets.

  as reported by UK FCDO — travel advice for Greece · 23 Jun 2026

On a cruise? Your ship’s port talk is the authority on the day — check that too.

Across Greece — laws & safety

National rules and risks that apply anywhere in Greece — relayed from official sources, not our verdict. We pass on what the authority says and leave the judgement to you.

Laws that catch visitors out

• Police will arrest you for behaviour they consider rowdy or indecent, especially where excessive drinking is involved.
• Always carry your passport to show police on request — a copy may not be accepted.
• Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties.
• Smoking is illegal in indoor public places — fines up to €500.
• Validate (time-stamp) your public-transport ticket or risk a fine.
• Restaurants must by law issue an itemised bill — make sure you get a receipt.
• Some fancy-dress costumes may be regarded as offensive and against decency laws.

Dress code

Some fancy-dress costumes may be regarded as offensive and against decency laws.

Photography

It is illegal to approach or take photos or videos of military installations, vehicles or buildings; border areas are also restricted.

Drones

Drone flying in Greece follows the common EU rules (EASA — Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Open category). You must register as a drone operator before flying any drone that has a camera and is not a toy; a single registration is recognised across the EU/EEA. Label the drone with your operator ID, keep within the Open-category limits (subcategories A1/A2/A3), and check the national “geographical zones” that restrict or ban flying near airports, over crowds and at sensitive sites. Register and check the zone map through Greece’s civil aviation authority (HCAA) before you travel.

via EASA — EU civil-drone rules (Regulation (EU) 2019/947), Open category · 24 Jun 2026

Scams to watch

Thefts of passports, wallets and handbags are common on the metro and in crowded tourist places, particularly central Athens.

Relayed from UK FCDO travel advice — Greece · checked 24 Jun 2026

Traffic drives on the right. Look left first when you cross the road.

Docking & terminals in Corfu

Cruise ships berth alongside at the Corfu cruise terminal on the western side of the port, about 3 km from the historic Old Town; Corfu is not a tender port.

• Corfu Cruise Terminal — About 3 km / 20-25 minute walk to the Old Town. (Modern terminal building by the L-shaped pier; a free shuttle runs to the terminal gate, from where the Old Town is about a 20-25 minute flat walk, a short taxi, or city bus 15.)

Mobility & step-free access

Getting around between the pier and town:

• Walk — The Old Town, the Liston, the fortresses and St Spyridon are all walkable once you reach the centre.
• Bus — Blue city buses serve the town and suburbs; green KTEL buses reach villages and beaches around the island.
• Taxi / excursion — Taxis and tours reach the Achilleion Palace, Paleokastritsa and the island’s beaches.

Step-free options vary by pier and by the day — confirm the specifics with your operator and the ship’s guest-services desk before booking.

Confirm your return time on the daily programme; from the terminal gate it is a 20-25 minute walk or a short taxi or bus into the Old Town.

Getting around & must-sees in Corfu

Getting around

Corfu’s Old Town is compact and walkable; blue city buses cover the town while green KTEL buses and taxis or tours reach the Achilleion, Paleokastritsa and the island’s beaches.

• Walk — The Old Town, the Liston, the fortresses and St Spyridon are all walkable once you reach the centre.
• Bus — Blue city buses serve the town and suburbs; green KTEL buses reach villages and beaches around the island.
• Taxi / excursion — Taxis and tours reach the Achilleion Palace, Paleokastritsa and the island’s beaches.

More on getting around ↗

Must-see sights

• Corfu Old Town — UNESCO World Heritage Venetian old town of narrow lanes and squares, about 3 km from the port.
• The Liston and Spianada Square — Arcaded French-built promenade beside one of the largest squares in the Balkans.
• Old Fortress and New Fortress — Two Venetian fortresses guarding the town, with panoramic views.
• Church of Saint Spyridon — The island’s patron saint’s church, with its landmark red-domed bell tower.
• Achilleion Palace — 19th-century palace built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, south of town (by tour or taxi).

More sights & details ↗

Taxis & ride-hailing — No ride-hailing app service is stated for Corfu; licensed taxis and local buses operate.

Getting back to the pier

A free shuttle takes you to the port gate, from where the Old Town is a 20-25 minute walk, a short taxi (around 10 euros) or city bus 15.

• Walk — The Old Town is about a 20-25 minute flat walk from the terminal gate.
• Free port shuttle — A free shuttle runs within the port to the terminal gate.
• Bus — City bus 15 runs from near the port to San Rocco Square, a 10-minute walk from the Esplanade.
• Taxi — Taxis wait outside the terminal; a short ride to the Old Town is around 10 euros.

More on getting back ↗

Key facts only — confirm times, fares and seasonal openings locally.

Eating & shopping in Corfu

Corfu’s dining centres on the arcaded Liston promenade and the tavernas tucked through the Venetian Old Town, with island specialities reflecting both Italian and Greek influences.

Where to eat

• The Liston — Elegant arcaded promenade in the Old Town lined with cafes - the place for a Corfu coffee or a kumquat liqueur.
• Old Town tavernas — The Venetian lanes (kantounia) hide tavernas serving Corfiot specialities.

Local specialities

• Sofrito — Veal in a white-wine and garlic sauce - a Corfiot speciality.
• Pastitsada — Corfiot meat-and-pasta dish.
• Kumquat liqueur — Made from the island’s kumquats.

More on eating here ↗

Areas and specialities as described by the source — not our recommendations; confirm openings and prices locally.

Local know-hows in Corfu

Money

Currency

Euro

Cards

Using a debit card at ATMs is recommended for obtaining local currency; ATMs are widely available throughout Greece.

ATMs

ATMs are located throughout Greece.

Tipping

Tipping is discretionary in Greece. Visit Greece notes that tipping your guides is recommended; in tavernas and cafes it is common to round up or leave a little extra for good service, though there is no fixed percentage stated by the tourism board.

More on money here ↗

Practicalities

Language

Greek; English is widely spoken, particularly in the tourist industry and among younger Greeks.

Tap water

Corfu Town's mains water is supplied by DEYAK and is regulated to EU drinking-water standards, but it is very hard with a strong taste, so many residents and visitors prefer bottled water. Quality varies around the island — ask your accommodation whether the local supply is suitable for drinking.

Plugs

Type F, 230V / 50Hz

More practical info ↗

Key facts to know before you step off — confirm anything time-sensitive locally.

Port busyness in Corfu

Moderately busy

Corfu is a popular cruise and holiday island, so the compact UNESCO Old Town - the Liston, Spianada and the lanes - feels busy when ships are in during summer, though the wider island disperses visitors to beaches and villages.

Peak pattern: Busiest in the daytime during the May-September season, especially around the Liston and Old Town.

Quieter: Early morning and the shoulder season; the island’s beaches and villages are quieter than the Old Town.

• A popular Ionian cruise and holiday island, busy through the summer
• The compact UNESCO Old Town concentrates cruise visitors around the Liston and Spianada
• Several ships can call on peak days

This shows a typical day for the time of year — actual crowds vary on your date, and it isn’t a guarantee.

What we’ve checked in Corfu — and when

We last checked the facts on this page between 18 Jun 2026 and 23 Jun 2026. Live travel advisories refresh automatically from the official sources.

Docking & getting ashore

Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 18 Jun 2026

Getting around

Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 18 Jun 2026

How busy it gets

Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 18 Jun 2026

What can catch you out

Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 23 Jun 2026

Travel advisories

FCDO (GOV.UK) & US State Department · refreshed automatically

How we check, and what “not stated” means