North Corfu Tour — Paleokastritsa & Kassiopi
Prices and departure times checked
See the best of Corfu in one guided loop — the cliffs and monastery of Paleokastritsa, the mountain village of Lakones, the harbour of Kassiopi, and the famous Pontikonissi viewpoint, with a live guide on board. 4.7 stars.
This North Corfu tour is a guided bus loop around the island’s northern highlights with a live guide on board. In one day you see the Pontikonissi viewpoint, the clifftop monastery and bays of Paleokastritsa, the mountain village of Lakones, and the harbour town of Kassiopi in the north. The guide weaves in Corfu’s Venetian, French, British, and Greek history along the way. It runs about 8.5 hours from $75, with around 30 hotel pickup points across the island.
Paleokastritsa Bay
The island’s signature view — a green headland dividing two bays, with deep blue sea on one side and a sheltered turquoise cove with a little beach on the other. From the clifftop viewpoints you get the classic Paleokastritsa panorama, some of the most photographed scenery on Corfu.
The Monastery
On the headland above the bays sits the 13th-century Theotokos Monastery, still home to a small community of monks. You’ll visit its courtyards and chapel, with sweeping views over the coast, and learn its history from your guide. A peaceful, scenic stop at the heart of Paleokastritsa.
Kassiopi Harbour
A pretty fishing village in the north, wrapped around a horseshoe harbour and watched over by the ruins of a Byzantine castle. It’s a relaxed spot for a stroll along the waterfront, a coffee by the boats, and a look at one of Corfu’s most characterful coastal towns.
The loop also takes in the Pontikonissi (Mouse Island) viewpoint — the postcard view over the tiny islet and Vlacherna Monastery — and the mountain village of Lakones, perched high above Paleokastritsa with some of the best panoramas on the island. Your guide narrates Corfu’s Venetian, French, British, and Greek history between the stops.
If you want to see the best of Corfu without renting a car or planning a route, this guided loop is the easy answer — four highlights, one day, a guide doing the work. Whether it’s worth $75 depends on how you like to travel.
Why people book it
Corfu’s sights are spread across the island, and the mountain roads to Paleokastritsa and the north aren’t the most relaxing to drive yourself. A guided bus takes the stress out of it: you’re picked up near your hotel, driven the scenic route, and told the history as you go — from Venetian rule to the British years. It’s the efficient way to see a lot in one day.
Who might skip it
If you already have a car and like setting your own pace, you can visit these spots independently. And at around 8.5 hours it’s a full day on a coach. But if you’d rather not drive the hairpin bends and want the context a live guide brings, the tour earns its place.
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~08:30
Hotel Pickup
Pickup from one of around 30 points across Corfu. Settle in on the air-conditioned bus as the guide introduces the day.
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Morning
Pontikonissi Viewpoint
Stop at the famous viewpoint over Mouse Island and Vlacherna Monastery — one of Corfu’s most photographed scenes.
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Late morning
Paleokastritsa & Monastery
Drive west to Paleokastritsa, visit the clifftop monastery, and take in the coves and turquoise bays.
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Midday
Lakones Village
Climb to the mountain village of Lakones for panoramic views back over Paleokastritsa and the coast.
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Afternoon
Kassiopi Harbour
Head to the north coast and the harbour village of Kassiopi — free time to walk the waterfront and relax.
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~17:00
Return
Drive back along the coast to your drop-off point, about 8.5 hours after the day began.
Included in your ticket
- Air-conditioned bus transport
- Hotel pickup & drop-off (~30 points)
- Live English-speaking guide
- Stops at all four main sights
- Paleokastritsa Monastery visit
Not included
- Lunch, drinks, and personal spending
- Optional boat trips at Paleokastritsa
- Gratuities for the guide and driver (optional)
What to bring
A newer tour, with early reviews at 4.7 stars
This guided loop hasn’t gathered the hundreds of reviews that the Paxos or Albania trips have — it’s a newer addition, with a small but strong early rating of around 4.7 stars. We won’t invent reviews that aren’t there. What we can say is that the itinerary covers Corfu’s headline sights with a live guide, and it’s run by a local operator with around 30 island-wide pickup points.
If a long track record matters to you, check the live rating and the latest reviews on the booking page before you commit. If you’re happy with a fresh, well-rated option, this covers a lot of Corfu in one easy day.
See current reviews on GetYourGuide →What does the guided Corfu tour include?
The tour is a full-island bus loop with a live guide, covering four main sights: the Pontikonissi viewpoint, Paleokastritsa and its monastery, the mountain village of Lakones, and Kassiopi harbour in the north. Air-conditioned transport, hotel pickup and drop-off from around 30 points, and the guide are all included. Lunch and optional boat trips are not.
How long is the tour and when does it start?
It runs about 8.5 hours, with pickups starting around 08:30 depending on your location. Because there are roughly 30 pickup points across the island, your exact pickup time is confirmed with your booking. You’re dropped back near where you started in the late afternoon.
Does the tour include hotel pickup?
Yes — hotel or nearby pickup and drop-off is included, with around 30 pickup points spread across Corfu. This is one of the conveniences of the tour: you don’t need to make your own way to a central meeting point. Your specific pickup spot and time come with your confirmation.
Is there a dress code for Paleokastritsa Monastery?
Yes — it’s an active monastery, so covered shoulders and knees are required to go inside. Bring a light layer or wrap if you’re in beach clothes. It’s a quick, easy thing to plan for and worth it for the views and the visit.
Is lunch included?
No — lunch isn’t included, so bring some cash for food and drinks. There are tavernas and cafés at the stops, particularly in Kassiopi and near Paleokastritsa, where you can eat during the free time built into the day.
Is this tour better than exploring Corfu by car?
It depends on how you like to travel. The tour saves you driving Corfu’s mountain roads and adds a guide’s commentary on the island’s history, with everything organised for you. If you already have a car and prefer your own pace, you could visit these spots independently — but many travelers find the guided loop the easier, more relaxing way to see a lot in one day.
Does the tour have many reviews?
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View guide →See the Best of Corfu in One Day
Paleokastritsa, Lakones, Kassiopi, and the Pontikonissi viewpoint — one guided loop, picked up near your hotel, with a live guide telling the story. From $75, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.