24 hours in Corfu: A luxury Ionian yacht charter escape

Framed by emerald hills and Ionian blue, Corfu blends natural beauty with a cosmopolitan edge – rich in history, yet made for modern pleasure. For those arriving in the Ionian Islands on a Greek yacht charter, this 24-hour itinerary offers seamless access to the island’s most exquisite corners, revealing some of the best reasons to visit the island of Corfu through hidden coves, elegant lunches, and evenings made to linger.

Published: 24 July, 2025

Written by: Poppy Milton-Tomkins

Lying just west of mainland Greece, the necklace of isles that make up the Ionian Islands, with its calm seas, short island hops and old-world charm, is a dream destination for a Greek yacht charter.

The real jewel in the crown of an Ionian yacht charter, however, is the island of Corfu – one of Greece’s first holiday resorts and a place that exudes quiet glamour and regularly attracts royals and other affluent families looking to lap up the low-key lifestyle.

From sunrise swims and world-class cuisine to cultural exploration, shopping, and exclusive nightlife, here is our luxury guide to planning the perfect 24 Hours in Corfu as part of your Ionian Islands yacht charter.

Morning: Swim, Spa & Slow Breakfast with a View

Begin your Ionian Islands yacht charter with a swim in the sheltered bay of Kalami, a traditional Greek village on the northeast coast of Corfu. It was here, in the 1930s, that British writer Lawrence Durrell made his home in what is now known as the ‘White House’ — a striking whitewashed villa that today operates as a charming waterside restaurant.

Follow your swim with a pamper session at Angsana Corfu, a five-star resort overlooking the glittering sea where therapists blend Asian rituals with Greek botanicals grown on the hotel’s rooftop garden. This blissful experience, rooted in local traditions, will make sure your superyacht charter in Corfu gets off to a relaxing start.

Feeling renewed, breakfast with a view can be enjoyed at Imabari Corfu, set beneath the Old Palace (or modern-day Museum of Asian Art), where barefoot luxury meets feel-good sustenance in the shape of wellness bowls and smoothies and yet more sea swims thanks to its private beach access.

Midday: Culture & Artisan Shopping in Corfu Town

Allow the late morning to drift into the afternoon as you immerse yourself in the cultural attractions of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Corfu Old Town, including the Church of Saint Spyridon (where the relics of the island’s patron saint lie), the medieval and maze-like Campiello, and the Venetian Old Fortress.

After your morning’s history lesson, it’s time to indulge in some local shopping. You can buy authentic double-distilled Ouzo from the Lazaris Distillery or premium olive oil made on the island’s Governor estate from any of the upscale resorts, while the local daily market is the best place to sample an array of local produce.

For Corfu luxury shopping, pop into designer boutique Mezzo Mezzo, choose some handcrafted ceramics from Myrto Zirini, or browse artisanal items at Salty Bag.

However, for something more exclusive, reserve the entire Klimataria Corfu seafood restaurant, where you and your yacht guests can get a true taste of Corfiot cuisine in an intimate setting in the pretty fishing village of Benitses.

Afternoon: Gourmet Olive Oil Tasting & Tour or Dive the Underwater Cliffs of Paleokastritsa:

Some of the best things to do in Corfu are best enjoyed after lunch, with hours of sunshine still ahead of you and no pressures on your time.

If you only have a day in Corfu then a private tasting or tour of the Governor olive oil Corfu estate in Agios Matthaios, where you can learn how integral the olive trees you see everywhere are to local culture, is highly recommended.

Alternatively, head to the Achilleon Diving Centre Corfu in Paleokastritsa – the place in which Odysseus is believed to have disembarked for his fateful first meeting with Nausicaa and one of the best places in Corfu to appreciate the natural beauty of the place.

Here, you can dive or snorkel straight from the yacht and discover a rich marine landscape of arches, caves, caverns and canyons – exploring shipwrecks and coming face-to-face with a variety of sealife as you go. If you have time, you might also want to pay a visit to the nearby monastery, now repurposed as a museum.

Evening to Late Night: Elegant Dining & Nightlife

From fine dining to waterfront cocktails, Corfu evenings are unhurried and atmospheric, designed to be savoured, not rushed.

For dinner, ask your crew to book a table at Etrusco Corfu, which has been named best restaurant in Greece for years, thanks not least to its elegant terracotta terrace that fully embraces its rural setting.

Private dining at Etrusco will give you the chance to fully embrace the menu designed by Ettore Botrini, which is like a love letter to the local landscape and the Corfiot people, making it an unforgettable experience for your Corfu yacht charter.

Back in Corfu Old Town, the Venetian Well Corfu, overlooking the Kremasti Square and renowned for its romantic atmosphere, is one of the best restaurants in Corfu and is entering an exciting era under new ownership.

For traditional Greek cuisine reimagined for the modern palate, book a table at Toula Seaside Corfu. Set on the water’s edge, it’s a favourite among those seeking luxury escapes in Corfu, with head chef Toula Katsarou-Vergetis guiding guests on a refined and deeply local culinary journey.

After dinner, for a laid-back vibe head for cocktails and DJ sets as the sun goes down at beach club Nagual in Kontogialos. Alternatively, try one of the upscale bars of fashionable Garista Bay such as Naok Azur Corfu, where DJs play out a mix of house music and world music every night.

Before you retire for the night, ask your captain to cruise toward the Blue Caves of Paxos while you sleep. You’ll wake to their shimmering, secluded beauty — best explored in the quiet hours before the day’s tours arrive. A fitting end to a perfect 24 hours in Corfu.

Beyond Corfu: Discover the Ionian Chain

A Corfu yacht charter is just the beginning of a journey into the beautiful Ionian Islands, which have many treasures hidden amid their blue waters.

Paxos and its little sibling of Antipaxos lie where the Ionian Islands meet the Cyclades, and with its myriad secret beaches, crystal waters and olive groves makes for a great stop-off after Corfu, when yachting in Greece.

Meanwhile, the secluded anchorages and dramatic coastline of Lefkada make it a great choice on for those looking to amp up the adrenalin with some watersports on their Ionian yacht charter, while members of the party looking for something a little gentler can take a pilgrimage to some of the island’s many monasteries.

Made famous in the dreamy cinematic version of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Kefalonia with its giant caves, sweeping bays, and showstopping beach of Myrtos Bay, is understandably popular with Corfu yacht charter guests.

Despite being firmly on the tourist trail, you can escape the crowds easily enough by taking a visit to one of the quiet ancient villages, and a new superyacht marina announced for Argostoli looks set to open the island to superyachts further.

Ithaca, the island home of Odysseus is a place brimming with mythical charm and quiet elegance, making it ideal for introspective guests, while Zakynthos has a more vibrant, lively atmosphere for those looking to party. Whatever you do, don’t miss the local sea turtles or the famous Blue Caves in Zakynthos which would round off a week of contrast, charm, and curated stops in the Ionian Islands wonderfully.

Ionian Yacht Charters with Edmiston

With insider knowledge and locally-based brokers, Edmiston’s expertise in crafting Ionian yacht charters is unparalleled.

With the main yacht charter season in Corfu running from May until September, we have an excellent fleet of Edmiston yachts available to meet your luxury charter needs.

The 45m Feadship SPORT comes with a charter-friendly five-cabin layout, contemporary light-filled interiors and a Jacuzzi on the sun deck that’s perfect for soaking up the Greek island views.

Meanwhile, the 43m BINA yacht from Mondomarine has a Hamptons-style aesthetic throughout that suits the quiet luxury vibe of the Ionian Islands, plus a packed toy box that includes a triple-deck slide for fun under the Greek sun.

And for those looking for a high-fashion yacht, 50m MARIU yacht from Codecasa is dripping in catwalk style thanks to her Giorgio Armani interiors, while her RYA training centre provides the perfect platform for exploring the islands to their fullest on your Corfu yacht charter.

Speak with your Edmiston charter broker to get your vessel secured and start planning your Ionian Islands yacht charter today.