
Corfu is a lush Ionian island where Venetian heritage meets emerald coves and olive-clad hills. Renting one of the luxury villas in Corfu gives you private pools, sea views and concierge support, the ideal base for families and groups seeking a refined, unhurried Greek summer.
- Curated luxury villas with private pools and sea views across the island
- UNESCO-listed Corfu Old Town with Venetian fortresses and elegant arcades
- Emerald bays, watersports, hiking, cycling and island golf
- A celebrated gastronomic scene rooted in local Ionian produce
- In-resort concierge to arrange dining, boats and excursions
Where to stay in Corfu
Events not to miss in Corfu
- April or May
Orthodox Easter in Corfu Town
Corfu stages Greece's most famous Easter, with marching bands, candlelit processions and the Holy Saturday tradition of hurling clay pots from balconies. Book well ahead for this week.
- Palm Sunday, Easter Saturday, 11 August and early November
Litanies of Saint Spyridon
Four times a year the relics of the island's patron saint are carried through Corfu Town with philharmonic bands in attendance. Centuries-old processions of real solemnity and spectacle.
- August
Varkarola, Paleokastritsa
An evening festival of decorated boats, music and fireworks in Paleokastritsa's bay, commemorating a 1716 naval deliverance. Best watched from the water or a taverna terrace.
- Late September or early October
Corfu Beer Festival, Arillas
The island's craft brewery hosts a good-natured festival of local beer and live music in the northwest village of Arillas. A relaxed close to the season.
Corfu through the seasons
- Spring (March – May)
Easter pageantry and wildflower green
The Ionian's greenest island at its lushest, with Easter's bands and processions in Corfu Town. Walking the olive groves and coastal paths is at its best.
- Summer (June – September)
Ionian swimming and Venetian evenings
Beaches from Paleokastritsa to Halikounas, boat days to the Diapontia islets and long dinners in the old town's arcades. A hillside villa with a pool catches the evening breeze.
- Autumn (October – November)
Warm seas and the olive harvest
Swimming continues into October as the island's four million olive trees begin their harvest. Tavernas stay open in the villages, and prices soften.
- Winter (December – February)
Corfu Town to yourselves
The Liston's cafés, the twin fortresses and the museums in mild, quiet weather. Green, rainy spells only add to the island's lushness for spring.
The Area
Corfu sits at the northern edge of the Ionian Sea, greener and more lush than most Greek islands thanks to its olive groves, cypress and dramatic hills. The north coast is well served with restaurants, boutiques and beach clubs, while the interior rewards exploration with stone villages and quiet viewpoints. Corfu Town, the island's UNESCO-listed capital, pairs Venetian fortresses and arcaded streets with designer boutiques, fine jewellers and shops selling handcrafted local produce. Areas such as Acharavi, Agios Gordios and Agios Dimitrios offer distinct characters, from lively resort hubs to tranquil hillside retreats. Wherever you stay, your in-resort concierge can arrange activities, transfers and tables, leaving you free to settle into island life.
Where to Stay
Smiling House offers a curated collection of luxury villas in Corfu spread across the island's most desirable pockets. The north and north-east coast, near Acharavi and beyond, blends easy beach access with refined dining and sailing. For dramatic sunsets and cliffside seclusion, Agios Gordios and Afra on the west coast are hard to beat. Quieter enclaves such as Agios Dimitrios, Agios Pantaleimonas and Agios Prokopios suit those wanting privacy within reach of the coast. Most villas feature private pools, generous terraces and sea views, with space for families and groups. Whether you want walkable village life or hilltop calm, there is a setting to match the rhythm of your stay.
Things to Do
Corfu is a beach and outdoor playground from Easter through late autumn. The coastline is laced with emerald coves and golden bays, ideal for swimming, paddleboarding and a full range of watersports. Inland, the green mountains open onto walking and cycling trails, with golf available for those who prefer the fairway. Sailing and boat days reveal hidden inlets and neighbouring islets, easily arranged through your concierge. Culture runs deep too: explore the Old Fortress and New Fortress in Corfu Town, the Achilleion Palace and the island's many Byzantine churches. Summer brings a busy calendar of festivals, concerts and local celebrations, so there is always something to weave into a relaxed villa holiday.
Dining & Nightlife
Corfu is regarded as one of Greece's gastronomic highlights, with hundreds of places to eat ranging from polished fine dining to simple tavernas and beach snacks. Local chefs build their menus around Ionian produce, and the island counts acclaimed kitchens among its tables. Look out for Corfiot specialities such as sofrito, pastitsada and bourdeto, best enjoyed with a chilled local wine. After dark, the island offers an appealing mix: stylish bars with live music, fashionable clubs with resident DJs and laid-back chill-out lounges by the water. Whether you want a long, quiet dinner on your villa terrace or a livelier night out, the choice is yours and easily booked through concierge.
When to Visit
The Corfu season runs from around Easter until late October, occasionally stretching into November. Late spring brings wildflowers, mild temperatures and quieter beaches, ideal for walking and sightseeing. July and August are the warmest and liveliest months, with hot days, warm seas and a full events calendar, best suited to those who enjoy a buzz. September and early October offer a gentler alternative, with summer-warm water, softer light and fewer crowds. For a luxury villa holiday balancing beach time with culture and easy exploring, the shoulder months of June and September are especially rewarding.
Getting There
Corfu International Airport (CFU) sits just outside Corfu Town and receives direct flights from many European cities through the summer season, making the island simple to reach. Transfers from the airport to your villa are short, and your concierge can arrange private cars to meet you on arrival. Ferries also connect Corfu with mainland Greece and Italy, a scenic option for those travelling by car. Once on the island, a hire car is the best way to reach secluded beaches and hilltop villages, though concierge-arranged drivers and boat days make car-free stays equally effortless.





