Islands near Corfu: 4 island getaways

Spending time in Corfu and itching to see what else the Ionian has to offer? The port of Corfu and and the port of Lefkimmi connect you to a handful of smaller islands, some a quick hop across the channel, others tiny specks of green where life moves at its own pace. Crossings run year-round to the most popular spots, with extra sailings layered in through the summer.

Whether you're after emerald coves and laid-back village dinners, a wild beach reachable only by boat, or a remote island with barely a few hundred residents, there's a day trip waiting just offshore. Here are the islands worth setting your sights on.

1. Paxi

The smallest of the main Ionian islands, Paxi (also spelled Paxos) packs an outsized charm into its olive-covered hills and pebbled coves. It draws a loyal crowd of returning travelers and yacht owners, yet it stays refreshingly unspoiled, all quiet harbors and emerald water rather than crowds and noise.

Base yourself in Gaios, the island's pretty capital, where waterfront tavernas line the channel sheltered by the islet of Agios Nikolaos and its Venetian fortress. Swim at Levrechio or Monodendri near Longos, or take a boat to the dramatic sea caves and the blue-green shallows of Voutoumi on the sister islet of Antipaxos. Don't leave without trying bourdeto (a spicy Ionian fish stew with tomato and onion) at a family-run taverna, ideally washed down with a glass of ouzo (Greece's classic anise aperitif) in the village of Magazia.

Ferries run daily all year, with up to 13 crossings a day in high season. You can choose between the Corfu - Paxi route or, for the shortest hop, from Lefkimmi in the south, with crossings ranging from 45 min to 2.5 hr depending on the port and vessel.

Corfu - Paxi from €15

Aerial drone photo of Paxi Island

2. Othonoi

Off Corfu's northwestern tip lies Othonoi, the largest of the Diapontia islands and the westernmost point in all of Greece. It's a true escape: a scattering of houses, clear water, and a slow rhythm that feels worlds away from Corfu's busier resorts.

Boats drop you at the small harbor of Ammos, where a couple of tavernas serve the day's catch beside the water. Legend ties the island to Calypso's cave from the Odyssey, and the wild coastline and quiet beaches reward anyone who makes the trip out.

Othonoi is reachable by ferry from Corfu, with sailings concentrated in the warmer months. The trip takes around 3 hr 10 min. Prices start from €11.30. Buy your tickets on Ferryhopper and organize your adventure!

Panoramic view of Othonoi Island

3. Ereikoussa

The northernmost of the Diapontia trio, Ereikoussa is small, green, and beloved for its sandy beaches, a rarity in this rocky corner of the Ionian. It's the kind of place where you can spend a whole day on the sand and barely share it with anyone.

The main beach by the village of Porto is soft, shallow, and easy to reach on foot from the harbor, making it ideal for a relaxed swim. A handful of tavernas keep things simple with grilled fish and home cooking.

You can reach Ereikoussa by ferry from Corfu, mainly during the summer season. The trip takes around 2 hr 10 min and the tickets start from €9.40. Book your tickets with Ferryhopper!

View from the top of the mountain in Ereikoussa Island

4. Mathraki

The least-visited of the Diapontia islands, Mathraki is little more than a forested ridge rising from the sea, home to only a few dozen permanent residents. If total quiet is what you're chasing, this is the one.

The long, sandy stretch of Portello is the island's pride, a wild beach that doubles as a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles. There are no crowds and few amenities, just pine-scented trails, clear water, and the occasional taverna.

Mathraki is connected to Corfu by ferry, with crossings most frequent in summer. Check the availability and book your tickets on Ferryhopper. Prices start from €10.70.

Orthodox church on the shore of Mathraki island

Hopping between the islands near Corfu. Is it possible?

Unlike the tightly knit Cyclades, these Ionian islands work on a hub-and-spoke model, with Corfu at the center.

There's no single ferry that strings them together, so the easiest approach is to base yourself in Corfu and take day trips out and back: south to Paxi, or northwest to the Diapontia islands of Othonoi, Ereikoussa, and Mathraki.

The two clusters sit on opposite sides of Corfu and aren't directly linked, though the Diapontia trio is often served by the same boat on a single loop, and from Paxi you can hop to its little sister Antipaxos by local boat.

Island-hopping around Corfu: book your ferry tickets

Ready to trade the harbor for the open Ionian? On Ferryhopper, you can compare schedules and prices for ferry connections from Corfu in one place, with no hidden fees.

Whether it's a quick run to Paxi or a slow day out in the Diapontia islands, you can plan your route and book in just a few steps. Check our Map of ferries to see what's reachable and set sail.