Best Corfu for CRUISE SHIPS including beach break and Old Town
Description
Embark on a journey through Corfu’s highlights! This shore excursion takes you from your cruise ship to some of the island’s most beautiful locations, starting with Paleokastritsa Bay. Here, you will have 45 minutes to relax on a quiet beach with crystal-clear water. Next, visit the Paleokastritsa Monastery, a historic site overlooking the bay. Inside, you’ll find centuries-old icons, peaceful courtyards, and excellent views of the Ionian Sea. Please note that reaching the monastery may require a short 15-minute uphill walk due to local conditions. Your final stop is Corfu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its narrow lanes and Venetian-style buildings. After a guided walk, you’ll have about an hour of free time to shop, explore, or enjoy Greek dishes at a local taverna. At the end of your excursion, we’ll return you to your ship on time, leaving you with lasting memories of Corfu.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your adventure begins with a convenient pickup at the port, where you'll meet your professional, English-speaking guide. Then, you'll board a modern, air-conditioned bus for a comfortable journey ahead.
Your excursion begins with a drive to Paleokastritsa, one of Corfu’s best-known coastal areas. Its deep blue waters, high cliffs, and green landscapes make it a stunning place to take in the views or simply relax. Here, you will have 45 minutes of free time on the beach. Enjoy a swim in the clear waters, stretch out on the sand, or simply take in the peaceful surroundings.
Next, you’ll make your way to the Monastery of Paleokastritsa, a 13th-century Byzantine landmark overlooking the coastline. From its hilltop setting, you’ll enjoy wide sea views as your guide explains the history of the site and the stories connected to this peaceful place. Please note that due to local conditions, reaching the monastery may require a short 15-minute uphill walk.
Afterward, you’ll make your way to Corfu Town, the island’s historic hub and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its winding cobblestone alleys, Venetian-style buildings, and lively squares guide you past notable sights like the Old Fortress and the Liston Promenade. You’ll take a guided walk through the town before enjoying an hour of free time to explore on your own. You can taste local dishes at a traditional taverna, browse shops for items like olive-oil products or kumquat liqueur, or simply wander through the charming streets. With its mix of deep history and everyday island life, Corfu Town has something for everyone.
At the end of your adventure, you'll be returned to your cruise ship on time, ensuring a smooth and stress-free departure. You'll leave with unforgettable memories of Corfu.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note that access to the monastery will be by vehicle or by a 15-minute uphill walk, depending on local conditions.
Reviews(3)
Nice tour with "E"...the beach was much smaller and more crowded than pictures make it seem but beautiful either way. The local monastery was wonderful and then back to the town which was super fun..wider streets than other towns we had visited and great local specialties!
The good: Tour guides English was top notch, lots of history was shared while driving The bad: Most of tour was on bus, little time to explore at stops. When getting to old town we were not told in advance the cruise ship bus could take us back to the ship. Some of us left things on the tour bus and then old had 35 min in old town. Had we known to take our things we would have had enough time to truly explore.
Dear Rita, Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We're delighted to hear that you appreciated the historical insights and the excellent English of our tour guide — we always strive to offer informative and enjoyable experiences for our guests. We’ve noted your concerns regarding the structure of the tour and the time spent at the various stops, particularly in Corfu Old Town. As mentioned in our tour description, guests typically have around 30–40 minutes of free time there. After this, they may choose to return to the ship with the guide or stay longer and return independently, depending on their cruise schedule. To address your specific feedback, we spoke with the guide from your tour. She confirmed that she clearly informed the group of the return options and asked who wished to go back to the ship with her. According to her report, you indicated that you would return with the group. Several other guests chose to remain in town and returned on their own, as was fully allowed and communicated. Additionally, we want to clarify that the group spent a bit longer than usual on the bus earlier in the tour due to unexpected rain. This decision was made to ensure our guests remained dry and comfortable — unfortunately, weather conditions can sometimes affect timing during tours. While we’re unsure why this aspect became a point of dissatisfaction, we do regret any confusion and will continue to emphasize clear communication among our team to prevent misunderstandings. Thank you again for your feedback — it helps us improve and provide the best experience possible for all our guests. Warm regards, Magdalena Vexperio
Lots of information but unique local history. Plenty of time to beach, explore and shop! Not too challenging for older people to walk.
