The Corfu cruise port sits at the New Port, about 1.5 to 2 kilometres from the historic centre of Corfu Town. With a UNESCO Old Town, two fortresses and scenic Kanoni all close by, it makes a rewarding day in port. This guide covers getting from the terminal to town, the best things to do and shore-excursion ideas.
A cruise call is a perfect taste of the island, a quick window into the wider Corfu tours and travel guide. The terminal is near the capital. The sections below cover a day in port.
Where is the Corfu cruise port?
The Corfu cruise port is at the New Port, on the western edge of Corfu Town, about 1.5 to 2 kilometres from the historic centre. The terminal has an ATM, tourist information, car-rental desks, duty-free shopping and free wifi, with taxis and buses waiting at the exit.
The port is conveniently close to the capital. Cruise ships dock at the New Port, just west of the city, only about 1.5 to 2 kilometres, roughly a mile, from the heart of the UNESCO-listed Old Town. The terminal itself is well equipped for visitors, with an ATM, a tourist information point, car-rental desks, duty-free shopping and free wifi, and taxis, hop-on hop-off buses and local buses gather right outside. This closeness to the Old Town and the island’s main sights makes Corfu one of the easier and more rewarding ports to explore independently in a day, set within the wider Corfu Town. Getting into town is simple.
How do you get from the port to town?
You can reach the Old Town in about 20 minutes on foot, or by the local blue bus (route 16 or 17) that stops in the port, a hop-on hop-off bus from the terminal exit, or a taxi at fixed rates. Taxis also offer hourly rates for custom island tours.
There are easy options to suit everyone. Energetic visitors can simply walk, reaching the outskirts of the Old Town in around 20 minutes along the waterfront. For a quicker or easier trip, the local blue bus, route 16 or 17, calls inside the port area and runs cheaply into town, while hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses wait right at the terminal exit with stops at the main attractions. Taxis are readily available outside the terminal, offering fixed fares to the centre or hourly rates for a custom island tour, ideal for those wanting to see more in a short call. Choosing the right option depends on your time and mobility, set out alongside the guide to how to get to Corfu. The Old Town is the main draw.
What are the best things to do in port?
The best things to do are exploring the UNESCO Old Town, climbing the Old and New Fortresses, relaxing on the Liston by the Esplanade, visiting the church of Agios Spyridon, and shopping for kumquat products and olive-wood crafts. Kanoni and Mouse Island lie just south.
A day in Corfu Town packs in plenty. Most cruisers head straight for the UNESCO-listed Old Town, a maze of pastel Venetian lanes, squares and churches, where the arcaded Liston and the green Esplanade are perfect for a coffee and people-watching. The Old and New Fortresses reward a climb with sweeping views, while the church of Agios Spyridon and the Museum of Asian Art add culture. The lanes are full of shops selling local kumquat liqueur and sweets, olive-wood carvings, leather and jewellery. With a little more time, the scenic district of Kanoni, just south of town, offers the iconic view of Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island, set out alongside the guides to the Old Fortress and Mouse Island. Shore excursions go further.
What shore excursions are there?
Shore excursions from Corfu include guided Old Town walking tours, trips to the Achilleion Palace and Paleokastritsa, boat trips along the coast, and panoramic island drives. With a hire car or taxi tour, you can also reach the west-coast beaches and viewpoints in a day.
For those wanting more than the town, the island opens up. Popular shore excursions include guided walking tours of the Old Town that bring its Venetian, French and British history to life, half-day trips to the romantic Achilleion Palace of Empress Sisi, and visits to the stunning bay and monastery of Paleokastritsa on the west coast. Boat trips run along the coast, and panoramic drives take in viewpoints such as Pelekas. Independent visitors can hire a car at the terminal or arrange a private taxi tour to reach the west-coast beaches, villages and viewpoints at their own pace within a port day, set out alongside the guides to the Achilleion Palace and Corfu car rental. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the Corfu cruise port from the Old Town?
The Corfu cruise port at the New Port is about 1.5 to 2 kilometres from the historic Old Town, roughly a mile. You can walk it in around 20 minutes, or take the local blue bus, a hop-on hop-off bus or a taxi from outside the terminal.
What can you do in Corfu on a cruise day?
On a cruise day you can explore the UNESCO Old Town, climb the Old and New Fortresses, relax on the Liston, visit Agios Spyridon church and the Museum of Asian Art, and shop for local crafts. With more time, visit Kanoni, the Achilleion or Paleokastritsa.
Do you need a tour from the Corfu cruise port?
You do not need a tour, as the Old Town is within easy walking or bus distance and simple to explore independently. However, organised shore excursions or a taxi tour help if you want to reach the Achilleion, Paleokastritsa or the west-coast beaches in a day.