Exploring Corfu by Hire Car
Corfu is the second largest and northernmost of the Ionian Islands in the Greek Mediterranean at about the height of the Italian boot heel.
From the north of the island, it is just two kilometres to the Albanian coast.
Dreamy beaches, as well as the island’s interior covered in lush vegetation, make Corfu a dream destination for a Greek holiday.
The infrastructure is excellent and the many picturesque towns can all be easily reached by hire car.
We have put together a few tips for booking and travelling.
Taking over the hire car
Numerous rental companies can be found right at Corfu Airport. Follow the signs or ask at the information desk. Other hire car companies only have their station near the airport. If you book with such a company, you will be taken by shuttle to the hire car station. This can cost you valuable vacation time.
Booking the right hire car
In Corfu Town in particular, you can expect heavy traffic during rush hour. Parking spaces are scarce. The best way to get around is to rent a small and maneuverable car that will allow you to easily weave through traffic and take advantage of tight parking spaces.
Hire car prices
Corfu hire cars tend to be in the mid-price range. But when the crowds of tourists flock to the island in the high season, there can be shortages of rental vehicles. And then also the prices rise. You can usually get the cheapest deals if you book well in advance of your trip and use our convenient price comparison.
Corfu Hire Car Price Comparison
Insuring the car properly
When it comes to an accident in the heavy traffic of the city or on a narrow country road of Corfu, you are on the safe side with a comprehensive insurance without deductible. With the liability you should pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros.
Because if people are injured in an accident or several vehicles are involved, it quickly becomes really expensive. If the sum insured of your rental company seems too low, you can provide additional protection with a so-called Mallorca policy. Talk to your insurance company.
age limit
You must be at least 21 years old to hire car in Corfu. And with many hire car companies, the maximum age is 75. Drivers under 25 are also often charged a further fee. Check with your rental company’s terms and conditions before renting the vehicle.
Accessories
If you want to explore Corfu with your hire car, a navigation device can provide invaluable services. Reserve this and other accessories such as child seats well in advance. This is the only way to be sure that the items you want will be available on the day you pick up your vehicle.
Language barrier
Not all staff at hire car stations in Corfu speak fluent English. To avoid communication problems, you should note down the telephone number of the Greek head office of your rental company. There you can ask for translation assistance.
Bail
Only rent from rental companies that simply block the deposit due on your credit card. If the amount is actually debited, you may have to wait a long time for the money to be returned.
Free kilometers
If you really want to discover Corfu, you will cover a lot of miles in a hire car. Hire a car with all the kilometres free to enjoy the excursions without any worries.
Customer Satisfaction Hire Car
Most customers are satisfied with the hire car services in Corfu. However, some find fault with the external condition of the vehicles. If you notice any damage such as scratches or dents, you should get it confirmed in writing. This way, when you return the car, you will avoid being held liable for damage that you did not cause.
Safety Hire Car
Although most hire cars in Corfu are quite roadworthy, you should still do a little brake test before your first drive in the hire car company’s parking lot.
And check your car’s lights, too. Don’t forget the turn signals and brake light.
Sightseeing in Corfu
Corfu Town: Relaxed Shopping Paradise
In the narrow streets of Corfu Town, the island tour could begin. The boutiques are great for browsing for special products and there is always a cosy taverna to enjoy a light lunch. Many British people have always been attracted to Corfu, which has not remained without visible influence. For example, on the Esplanade, a park-like square, you can watch cricketers in the evenings and at weekends as they pursue their hobby in their snow-white sporting outfits.
Archeological Museum: admire the Gorgo gable
You can learn about the island’s long history by strolling to the archaeological museum. Visitors are particularly captivated by the Gorgo gable on display there. It was created in 590 BC and is considered one of the most important monumental reliefs of Greek antiquity. From July to October, the museum is open every day except Monday from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. During the rest of the year, you can visit it every day except Monday from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. The entrance ticket costs three euros.
Pantokràtor: Dreamlike view
You will enjoy a fantastic view if you steer the hire car to the mountain Pantokràtor. From Corfu Town you will need just under an hour. The mountain has a height of 906 meters and offers a real contrast to the lovely coast. The visitor almost feels transported to a lunar landscape. But the views all the way to the sea compensate for the barren nature. On the summit you will also find a monastery that was founded in the 14th century. Inside you can admire beautiful frescoes and icons from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Kassiópi: Picturesque holiday village
Next stop of the island tour could be Kassiópi. In half an hour you will be there. Once Kassiópi was a fishing village, but now tourism has a firm grip on the place. Nevertheless, Kassiópi still makes a cosy impression with its well-kept streets and the picturesque harbour. When the weather is nice, you can see all the way across to Albania from the coast.
Acharávi: Surfer’s Paradise
You will discover a seven-kilometre-long sandy beach when you steer the hire car to Acharávi. You will only need fifteen minutes for the drive. In Acharávi especially surfers will be happy. In the village you can rent a board at several places to plunge into the waves. But also sun worshippers feel comfortable here and usually find a quiet piece of beach.
Róda: Diverse offer
Various leisure activities are offered in the seaside resort of Róda, which you could reach in less than ten minutes to finish a first tour of the island. On the long sandy beach you can go water skiing, let off steam on a surfboard or let yourself be pulled by a motorboat while floating high above the sea on a parachute.
Find a good restaurant
If you get hungry after your watersports activities, you’ll find a cosy dining room at Roda Park Restaurant, serving traditional Greek cuisine.
Find a good hotel
Decades of mass tourism have ensured that Corfu has hotels to suit all tastes – from simple guesthouses to 5-star hostels. We recommend the Aquis Capo Di Corfu. The hotel is located near the village of Lefkini. It is located directly on the beach and offers its guests comfortable rooms, a large pool and warm service.