Best months to visit
AprilMaySeptemberOctober
May, June and September are the sweet spot: warm sea, comfortable air, the island at its lush best after winter rains. October is excellent for combining beach with sightseeing and hiking. November is rainy and most beach services have closed.
Best for
Beach
June to early October — sea 22-26 °C, warmest in August. North-coast beaches (Sidari, Roda) are sheltered; west-coast beaches (Glyfada, Paleokastritsa) get more swell.
Hiking
April to early June and October to November — the Corfu Trail and olive-grove paths are at their best with mild 18-23 °C, lush spring green or autumn colour.
Sightseeing
April to June and September to November — Corfu Old Town, Achilleion, Kanoni at 20-26 °C, lighter on cruise crowds.
Climate notes
- Wettest of the Greek islands: about 1450 mm annual rainfall — three to four times more than the Cyclades, on a par with parts of southwest Ireland.
- Lush green landscape: heavy winter rainfall feeds dense olive groves and cypress woods, very different from the bare Aegean.
- Hot dry summer (June-August): only 3-15 mm rain per month, highs of 28-31 °C — by July-August the island is dry despite its high annual total.
- Wet autumn-winter (October-February): 200-320 mm rain per month, with intense thunderstorms and occasional flooding events.
- Mild long winter: 11-14 °C daytime in January-February — Corfu winters are markedly milder than mainland Greece thanks to maritime moderation.
- Fire risk (July-September): moderate, but lower than the Aegean and Crete thanks to higher humidity and greener vegetation.
Temperature (min / max °C)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rainy days per month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sunshine hours per month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Regional notes
- Corfu Town and the east coast: sheltered bay, calmest sea, the busiest tourist hub, slightly less rain than the west.
- Paleokastritsa and the west coast: catches Adriatic and Ionian weather first; slightly wetter, with more dramatic surf in autumn-winter.
- Northeast (Kassiopi, Roda): sheltered from southerly winds, very calm sea on most summer days.
- Pantokrator mountains (914 m): cooler interior; can hold cloud caps in winter, with snow occasionally above 700 m.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Corfu?
May, June, September and early October offer warm sea (21-26 °C), comfortable air (22-28 °C), and the island at its scenic best — green from winter rain in spring, soft golden light in autumn.
Why is Corfu so much greener than the Aegean islands?
Corfu receives about 1450 mm of rain a year — three to four times more than the Cyclades. Most rain falls October-March, but the cumulative effect feeds the dense olive groves and cypress woods that define the landscape.
Can you swim in Corfu in October?
Yes — sea temperature in October averages 23-24 °C in the first half, dropping to 21 °C by month's end. Most beach restaurants close in mid-October but the water remains warm.
How rainy is Corfu in summer?
Despite its high annual total, summer is reliably dry. July averages just 2-3 rainy days for the whole month, with only 3-5 mm of total rain. The wet season is October-March.
Is November worth visiting Corfu?
For sightseeing-and-hiking, yes — temperatures are still 16-19 °C, and the off-season is genuine quiet. For beach use, no — November rainfall is heavy (300+ mm) and most beach services have closed.
What is the wettest month?
November, averaging over 300 mm of rain — exceptionally high by Mediterranean standards. December and October are nearly as wet. Winter storms can be intense, with occasional flooding.
Does it ever snow on Corfu?
Not on the coast. The Pantokrator massif (914 m) gets occasional dustings of snow in January-February above 600-700 m, rarely settling for long.
Is Corfu cooler than the Cyclades in summer?
Slightly hotter on average. Despite the moisture, summer highs reach 30-31 °C in inland Corfu and 28-29 °C on the coast — similar to or slightly above Santorini and Mykonos.
Is the meltemi a factor on Corfu?
No — the meltemi is an Aegean phenomenon. Corfu is in the Ionian Sea, where summer winds are mostly mild south-westerlies (the maestro). The island feels notably less windy than the Cyclades.
Climate data: Open-Meteo · 2020–2025