Guests at our apartment in Corfu Old Town usually plan around walking. The Liston, the Old Fortress, the covered market, dinner at Rex — all of it is ten minutes from our door. Every so often, though, someone asks the harder question: how do we see the bit of Corfu you can't walk to?
The answer is a boat day. And the good news, from a Corfu Town base, is that the logistics are simpler than they look — you don't even need to rent a car.
The Classic Day: Paleokastritsa
If you only have one boat day, this is the one. Paleokastritsa is a series of small bays on the northwest coast where limestone cliffs drop vertically into turquoise water. Three hidden coves are reachable only by sea.
Paradise Beach (Chomi)
A narrow white-pebble cove wedged between vertical cliffs, ten minutes south of Paleokastritsa harbour. Crystal water, visibility past 15 metres, no facilities at all. Come with snacks and leave the beach in the state you found it.
10 min boat from PaleokastritsaRovinia Beach
Fifteen minutes further south. Smooth white pebbles, emerald water, wild olives overhanging the cliff edges. Gerald Durrell swam here — most Corfu Town guests know the Durrells from the ITV series; this is the location they were filming.
20 min boat from PaleokastritsaLimni's Sea Caves
A double cove with two small beaches either side of a rocky outcrop, and underwater caves at the base of the cliffs. Snorkeling here is the best on the island — octopus, sea bream, colourful wrasse.
15 min boat from PaleokastritsaFurther West: Porto Timoni
A longer run, but worth it for the shot: Porto Timoni is a narrow peninsula with a different-coloured sea on either side. From the hiking trail you see the two bays; from a boat, you see them the way the guidebook photographers see them. Excellent snorkeling over the rocky reef that connects the bays.
The Peroulades Cliffs (Loggas Beach)
If you cruise north from Porto Timoni another twenty minutes, you reach the base of Peroulades' white clay cliffs. A narrow strip of sand here glows orange and gold in late-afternoon light — arguably Corfu's most dramatic sunset location, best seen from the water.
Cruise north from Porto TimoniThe Shorter Option: Kassiopi
If a full-day Paleokastritsa trip feels like too much, Kassiopi is the alternative. Shorter drive from Corfu Town, calmer water (the Albanian mainland absorbs most of the wind), and half a dozen nameless coves to potter around. Less dramatic, more relaxed. Perfect for a shorter boat rental — four hours rather than a full day.
How to Arrange It
Small motorboat, no licence
Greek law allows rental of boats up to 30 horsepower without any licence or certification. You get a 15-minute briefing from the rental company, a full tank of fuel and a life jacket per person. Typical cost: €50–100 for a day, fits 4–6 people. Available at both Paleokastritsa and Kassiopi harbours.
Group boat tour
From Paleokastritsa, several operators run 3–4 hour boat tours hitting the main hidden beaches and sea caves for €15–25 per person. Easiest option if you'd rather not captain.
Water taxi
A private water taxi will drop you at a specific cove and collect you later — €20–40 each way depending on distance. The most luxurious option: pure beach, no steering.
Town Tip
Book your boat the day before and keep one eye on the wind forecast. Anything above Beaufort 4 and the west coast gets choppy — switch to a Corfu Town day instead and save the boat for the next calm morning. Weather apps like Windy are what the rental crews themselves use.
Getting to the Harbour from the Old Town
Taxi: €35–45 to Paleokastritsa one-way. Arrange the return pickup when you drop off.
Bus: Green KTEL buses from San Rocco Square reach Paleokastritsa in about an hour. Cheap (€3 each way) but infrequent after 6pm — check the timetable before committing.
Rental car for a day: the most flexible, especially if you want to extend the day with dinner at Lakones for the sunset.
★ Rent a Car with Herbie
If you'd rather not rely on bus schedules, Herbie Cars delivers a car to our apartment and collects it when you're done. Compact cars that fit comfortably in Old Town's narrow streets. Perfect for a one-day boat run.
Book a carWhat to Bring from the Old Town
There's nothing at any of the hidden beaches. Stock up before you leave. Paxinos Supermarket (on N. Theotoki, 3 minutes from our apartment) sells cold water, snacks, sun cream and disposable dry bags. Buy your picnic at the market on Dessila Street the evening before — the boat day runs much better if lunch is already in the cool bag when you leave.
Stay in the Heart of the Old Town
If you're still planning the trip, Oikia 4 is our boutique apartment inside the UNESCO old town — perfect for combining walking days in the Liston with occasional boat days to the west coast. Our welcome book covers transport, taxis and the best local shops.
Read Next
For a completely different kind of Corfu day, try our apartment page or explore more guides in our blog. If you'd rather combine the boat day with a stay closer to the beach itself, our sister property Corfu Beach and Town has a beach house fifteen minutes from Kassiopi harbour.