One day on Corfu from Cruise Ship - What to do?
 

We will have a very limited time in port from our cruise ship on May 24. I have some info on Corfu town from a Frommers guide. We will be in port from 8:00 to 4:00 pm. Not much time.
Is it wise to try to do much more that just enjoy Corfu town, the Archaeological Museum, Palace of St Michael and St. George, Synagogue, Old Fort , etc??

The guide also mentions Kanoni, Pondilonisi and Achilleion. Are these worth the effort in
such a short stay?

Thanks for any opinions!!

I had one day in Corfu last year at the end of April while on a cruise like you. Two of us just went into Corfu town and really enjoyed it. The other two were doing a Greek cooking class on the ship and they went into town and went to the market to choose the food they prepared.

We enjoyed strolling around the town, decided it might be a good shopping day for us, found a great ladies wear shop and the owners were so nice we had a very good time in there. After shopping the owner's husband took us to a great restaurant, ordered the waiter to put us in one of the best tables outside for people watching and then took us to the kitchen to ask the cook to show us what was good for lunch! We had a really nice lunch and then explored the town some more, stopping into a beautiful Greek Orthodox church.

I think there is plenty to do in Corfu town in such a short time even if you aren't in the shopping mode as we were that day. It was a very clean and pretty town and the people were all very friendly which made it very enjoyable.

What a nice day you had! Glad to hear that the Greek were so hospitable.

Has anyone else explored beyond Corfu Town?

I was there for about the same time frame. We rented a car and drove to several attactions (Lakones where we took a boat ride to see the cliffs & caves, Paleokastritsa Monastery and Achilleion) around the island. We even spent about two hours in Corfu town. It is a beautiful island.

Corfu town has many things to see, you will need at least 4 hours to see the most important things that are on your list.

Corfu is full of history and one of the nicest and greenest greek islands, completely the opposite of the Cyclades.

Renting a car will give you a flexibility to see more places.

Kanoni is a place near to the town with a terrific view, Achilleion is the Palace build for the famous Empress of Austria Elisabeth ( nown as Sissy).
Both places are worthseeing.

You shouldn't have a problem spending 8 hours on the island... i am sure you will like it :)

Do not try to kiss the foot of the patron saint, walk the old town and maybe stop to see if the cricket is on

Hi Nan,

Here's what we did when the Prinsendam docked in Corfu:

"The rain stopped in the early morning, and we arrived on Corfu to a cloudy day. We debarked and walked slightly toward the left toward the port gates to find the shuttle bus to take us to the visitor center – 1.2E pp each way. The VC is near the Byzantine Museum.

We visited Corfu town (Byzantine Museum, Achillion Palace, St. Spyridon Church, Saint Michael & Saint George Palace, we didn’t bother with the fortresses), poked our noses in and out of places and walked back to the ship in time for a snack from the grill (some sushi, herring, salmon pate, fruit). Roberta was too pooped to go up for tea, so I had some for her".

Have a nice day.

((I))

Thanks to all of you.
I am wondering about renting a car. Is it easy and are there good roads and maps? Would hate to get lost and miss the boat!

Are there things that we should see close by that can be done relatively easily with a taxi?

Renting a car is easy, and Corfu island isn't that big either....
Roads are in a good conditions and with the help of a map everything will be fine.
Kanoni, Achilleion and Paleokastritsa are not far from the Corfu Town, even though in different directions.
You could ask a taxi for a 4 hours deal, if you don't want to drive your self, or you could ask for a quotation from a local travel agency.

Since there will be 4 of us, taking a taxi would be cost effective.
Will probably do that!
Thanks everyone!