Are you wondering what to wear in Corfu? Corfu is one of the most beautiful islands in the Ionian Sea and is a very popular vacation destination due to its range of activities and luxury accommodation. In this guide will tell you exactly what to wear in Corfu on the beach, in the towns, for dinner and at night to help you not look like a tourist no matter the season you are visiting.
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But before we get onto the specifics of what to wear in Corfu along with some outfit inspiration we thought it would be worthwhile to talk about exactly what and where Corfu is, and how the seasons will affect your Corfu Packing List.
Where is Corfu?
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. In fact it is one of the most popular Ionian islands and every year attracts tourists to its beautiful beaches and towns.
Note: Although all of the Greek islands have similar fashion sensibilities and dress codes, it is worth checking out each our our island and city specific guides as there are some key regional differences:
- What to wear in Mykonos
- What to wear in Santorini
- What to wear in Paros
- Whats to wear in Naxos
- What to wear in the Greek Islands
- What to wear to the Acropolis
So now you know where Corfu is, what are the dress codes you should be aware of?
Corfu Dress Code
As with many places in Greece, Corfu doesn’t really have many dress code per se. In fact most people who come to Corfu do so for the beaches so resort wear is commonly seen on the beach and even in the famous UNESCO World heritage site town.
The only real place in Corfu that has to be adhered to is in Greek churches. In these men and women must keep shoulders and knees covered. Therefore if you plan to visit a church sure to have an outfit that meets these requirements.
How do local people dress in Corfu?
The locals in Corfu know that the key to dressing in particular for summer, is picking outfits that can cope with the heat. Therefore you will find local styles consist of lots of loose and flowing dresses and skirts. In fact many of the local stores in Corfu will sell items of clothing such as this.
Considerations for your Corfu Packing List
Before we get onto the exact items to include to make your Corfu capsule wardrobe outfits, we thought is would be worth outlining some considerations for your packing list.
When we put together out Greece packing lists we also consider the following:
Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics are your best friend throughout Greece but especially on the islands such as Corfu.
Cottons, silks and linen are well known for being more breathable than man made fabrics and are Greek styles to go for. Linen in particular is very in fashion among locals and tourists alike in Corfu. Just be sure to check how to pack linen for travel as this will prevent creases on arrival.
Pack Light
Island hopping is a great thing to do on your Greek Vacation. While Corfu is a great island to visit, it has a different feel to others such as Santorini and Mykonos. But if you decide to island hop we can’t stress the importance of packing lightly.
Nothing can spoil the island hopping experience than having to lug heavy luggage onto multiple ferries.
For more information on how to pack light for Corfu in Summer we recommend checking out our guide on the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method which will help you create the perfect Greece Capsule Wardrobe.
What to Wear in Corfu in Summer (June, July and August)
Chances are if you are looking to at what to wear in Corfu you will be visiting during the Summer Months. Summer in Corfu is characterised as June, July and August but it is worth noting that the peak season in Corfu is longer than this usually running from April to October.
During the Summer in Corfu you can expect lots of sunny days and very little rain. In terms of temperatures, in the summer you can expect to see average highs of 32C/90F and lows of 68F/20C. Though you will find the evening temporaries much lower than daytime ones.
But the good news is that the chances of rain in Corfu is limited with usually only 1 day of rainfall.
For more information on what to wear in Greece in summer check out our related guides:
As such we would recommend putting the below on your summer Corfu packing list:
Maxi Dresses
Maxi dresses are one of my favorite things to wear when touring Greece, especially on the islands in Summer.
Loose and flowing dresses are better for Corgu in Summer than tight fitting ones made of man made fabrics as they will keep you cooler. They are also great for wearing down on the beach and out for dinner.
Maxi Skirts
Maxi Skirts are also great for pairing with T shirts and Tank tops in Corfu.
Trousers and Blouse
Trousers and blouses are a great alternative to maxi dresses for exploring towns and having dinner as they are a great day to night transition outfit.
Linen trousers are popular with the locals and are good in the hot weather.
Shorts
Shorts are great for Corfu both on the beach and in towns. They are also my favorite things to wear at archaeological sites.
Tank Tops and T Shirts
T shirts and tank tops are perfect for exploring Corfu and can be paired with skirts, trousers or shorts. Just remember if you decide to wear a tank top that you can’t wear these into a church on Corfu.
Pashmina
I never travel to Greece without a pashmina. In fact pashminas are always on all my European packing lists no matter the month.
Pashminas are great for the evenings in case you get chilly dining al fresco and can also be used to make an outfit more modest for visiting churches in Greece.
Swimwear
If you are visiting Corfu in Summer chances are you will be spending time on the beach, on a boat, or around a hotel pool. Therefore you will want to have some stylish swimwear with you.
Depending on how long you plan to spend on the beach here depends on how many pieces of swimwear you will need. Personally for a one week vacation I recommend taking 2. This means you have one swimsuit to wear and one for drying.
However style wise you can choose bikini or a one piece whichever you feel most comfortable in as there is no dress codes on public beaches in Corfu.
Beach Cover
Most people in Corfu when not swimming or sunbathing will put on a beach cover to head to bars or local amenities so we recommend adding one or two beach covers to your packing list.
Sun Hats
Sun hats are a staple on any Greek summer packing list. Be sure to pick a wide brimmed straw hat instead of a baseball cap to fit more in with the locals.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses with good UVA Protection are an essential for staying sun safe in Corfu.
Sneaker Socks
Sneaker socks are good for days when you plan to do lots of walking as these will help reduce sweat and odour in your shoe.
Underwear
Goes without saying
PJs
Light weight PJs are a must for the Greek islands in Summer.
Note: If you want to know what to wear in Corfu for men I recommend packing a mixture of chinos and linen trousers and some smarter shorts alongside plain t shirts and polos and short sleeve shirts for summer.
What to Wear to the Corfu in Spring (March, April, May)
Depending on what time in Spring you are visiting Corfu will depend on how hot the temperatures are.
In March the average high will only be 7C/45F but rises to 14C/57F in May and rain decreases from 8 rainy days to 3 by May.
But can you swim in Corfu in Spring? The truth is March and April really aren’t warm enough to swim in the sea. Beach season kicks off in May but some, (like me), may still find the water too cold to enter in May.
For March you will only need one piece of swimwear if you have a heated pool but for May you may need two pieces.
Generally speaking we recommend packing the same as the summer for May while your March packing list will be more akin to the Winter packing list for Corfu. Additions to your Spring Corfu packing list should also include:
Cardigan
Corfu days and evenings in Spring can be cold so be sure to add a cardigan to pair to your dress and trousers outfits.
Sweater / Hoodie
This is great for exploring Corfu in Spring no matter the month.
Jacket
This may be needed if you are visiting Corfu in March and later in Spring if you feel the cold.
What to Wear to the Corfu in Fall (September, October and November)
What to wear to Corfu in Fall, or Autumn as we say in Europe, is very similar to what to wear in Corfu in Summer.
In particular, if you are visiting Corfu in September you can pretty much select the same outfits as you would in Summer. That is because the temperatures in September are very similar to those in June.
However there is more rainfall in Fall than in Spring or Summer as you will get both rain and storms.
So while for September you can stick with the Summer packing list, for October and November you will want to add some more top layers to your packing list and even a jacket.
However the sea should still be warm enough to swim in so you will want to keep swim wear on the packing list.
What to Wear to Corfu in Winter (December, January and February)
Corfu Winters are mild in comparison to other parts of Europe however they can be wet and windy.
Winter in Corfu, which is classified as December, January and February, is the rainiest season. On average the island will see around 74 to 92mm over the course of the month meaning you are highly likely to experience rain on a Corfu Winter vacation.
It is also too cold to swim in the sea in Corfu in Winter so you really don’t need to concern yourself with bringing lots of swimwear with you.
With all this in mind we recommend abandoning the summer packing list and wearing the below to Corfu in Winter instead.
Jacket/Coat, waterproof
You will definitely want a warm jacket or for the Corfu in Winter. If possible we recommend a waterproof one as Corfu can get quite rainy in Winter.
Also if you can have a jacket with some wind resistance that is a good idea too.
Cardigans, Sweaters and Top Layers
We recommend packing a few different types of top layers with you for instance a combination of cardigans, sweaters and hoodies of different weights so you have enough variety in case of a very cold snap.
If you plan on going on lots of longer walks then a microfibre fleece is a good idea.
Long Sleeve Tops
Long sleeve tops are definitely more appropriate than short sleeve ones in Winter.
For evenings we like to change into smart jumpers or long sleeve blouses and a cardigan for dinner.
Jeans
Although linen trousers are perfect for Corfu in Summer and the shoulder seasons, they are too lightweight for Winter visitors to the region.
Instead we recommend going with heavier weight trousers in Winter. We tend to recommend packing jeans instead.
Wool trousers and other heavy weight fabrics are also a good pick
Dress
I wouldn’t wear dresses in Corfu in Winter as the temperatures are not warm enough. However if you bring a dress for evenings we recommend a winter weight or wool dress paired with thick tights so you don’t get cold.
Pashmina
I never go to Greece without one. But it is a handy extra layer for Winter visitors and can also be used as a scarf.
Underwear
Goes without saying. If you plan on going on longer walks then hiking socks are a good idea.
Pjs
A slightly heavier weight pair are better in Winter.
Best Shoes for Corfu
Sneakers
Sneakers are great for Corfu whatever time of year you visit.
They can cope with the warmer weather (if you pick a light weight and breathable pair) while also being good for your feet on uneven surfaces such as for archaeological sites or in the UNESCO World Heritage sites on the island.
Note: if you plan on doing any longer length hikes then you may need hiking shoes.
However we do recommend wearing sneaker socks with them to reduce sweat and odour in your shoe.
Sandals
Sandals are a definite must for Corfu in the summer. However due to the terrains you encounter in Corfu I would pick a pair with arch support and without a heel.
Espadrilles or wedges are a great evening shoe choice particularly for nicer restaurants in towns.
Note: if you are visiting in Winter switch out the sandals for some ankle boots instead.
Flip Flops (Optional)
Flip flops are not good for walking, especially on the steep terrains such that you get in Corfu. However if there is space in your case you may want to pack a pair of flip flops for round your hotel pool.
Water Shoes (optional)
Water shoes are optional depending on which part of Corfu you are visiting as there are both sandy beaches and rocky beaches on the island. I say rocky, pebbly is probably the better descriptor. However either way you will want water shoes on your packing list if you are visiting beaches that aren’t sandy.
Also you will find that the sea around Corfu does get sea urchins which can be very painful to step on. Water shoes can reduce the risk of you being injured by sea urchins so should definitely be on your packing list.
What Else to add to your Corfu Packing List
- Sunscreen – even in Winter this is a good idea
- Aftersun cream
- Insect Repellant
- Phone / Camera
- Charger
- Sunglasses
- Reusable Water bottle
- Toiletries
- Beach bag
FAQs About What to wear in Corfu
So now you know what to wear in Corfu season by season we will answer some of your more specific questions.
What to wear in Corfu at night?
Corfu is still a relatively casual place even in the evenings. Therefore we recommend sticking with a maxi dress for going out at night in Corfu in Summer. In Winter you can trade in the Maxi dress for a wool dress and pashmina.
If you can dress up your outfit with an accessory such as a pashmina or some costume jewellery, it will make it a great day to night transition piece.
Do I need a jacket in Corfu?
If you are visiting Corfu in Summer then a jacket likely won’t be necessary however if you are visiting in Winter or one of the shoulders seasons I would recommend packing a jacket. In April and October for instance, a lightweight one such as a denim jacket will be fine. However in Winter a heavier weight jacket is likely to be needed.
Are there mosquitos in Corfu?
Unfortunately like many of the Greek islands, Corfu gets mosquitos. They aren’t dangerous however they can be a big irritant if you get bitten. Therefore we recommend packing insect repellant and some long sleeve tops and trousers if you are visiting during mosquito season i.e. not winter.
Do you have a question about what to wear in Corfu that we haven’t answered? Drop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer.