The Ionian Islands have welcomed sailors and storytellers for millennia—from Odysseus to Venetians—leaving behind fortresses, pastel mansions, and a cuisine laced with citrus, cinnamon, and olive oil. Today, Corfu and Kefalonia reward unhurried travelers with glassy bays backed by cypress and pine, pastel harbors made for evening promenades, and villages where lunch lingers as long as the light.

Expect soft-adventure: swimming in emerald coves, an easy-going day cruise with a sea-breeze BBQ, and a gentle olive mill visit that unwraps the islands’ agricultural soul. You’ll base first in Corfu (4 nights) for UNESCO Old Town, Paleokastritsa’s fjord-like bays, and dunes at Lake Korission; then hop to Kefalonia (3 nights) for Melissani Cave’s luminous waters, Myrtos’ famous arc of sand, and sunset seafood.

Practical notes: summer ferries and flights are frequent, but book ahead for best prices; spring and autumn are glorious for calm seas and cooler walks. Local buses work for main beaches, but a 1–2 day rental car or scooter grants freedom. Card is widely accepted; carry some cash for kiosks and beach loungers. Corfiot and Kefalonian specialties—pastitsada, sofrito, kreatopita, and sweet mandoles—are essential tastes.

Corfu

Venetian lanes and belltowers, British cricket pitches, and French arcades—Corfu (Kerkyra) is a cultural palimpsest. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town unfurls around the Esplanade and Liston, while the island’s west coast delivers golden-sand beaches and monk-tended clifftop monasteries. Nature lovers should pencil in Lake Korission’s dunes and sunsets from Pelekas village.

• Top sights: Old & New Fortresses, Liston and Spianada, Kanoni’s Pontikonisi view, Paleokastritsa bays, Angelokastro, Lake Korission.
• Great bites: Pane e Souvlaki (fast-casual Corfiot/Greek), Rex Restaurant (classic Corfiot plates), Salto Wine Bar & Bistro (modern Greek), La Grotta (cocktails in a cliff cove).
• Coffee & sweets: Josephine Café on the Liston; Papagiorgis Patisserie for kumquat gelato and almond sweets.

Where to stay: Search Old Town boutique stays or seaside apartments near Paleokastritsa on VRBO Corfu or mid-range hotels on Hotels.com Corfu. With a mid-range budget, expect $110–180/night in season.

How to arrive: Fly into CFU. Compare European flights on Omio (flights)—Athens to Corfu is ~1 hr, many seasonal nonstops from European hubs. Overland, you can bus/train to Igoumenitsa and ferry 1.5–2 hrs to Corfu via Omio (ferries).

Day 1: Arrival in Corfu Town (UNESCO lanes and easy bites)

Afternoon: Land in Corfu and settle in. Stretch your legs through the Old Fortress ramparts for sweeping views, then wander the Liston arcades—an elegant 19th-century nod to Paris.

Evening: Dinner at Rex (slow-braised pastitsada and local sofrito) or wallet-friendly Pane e Souvlaki a few blocks away. Cap it with kumquat gelato at Papagiorgis on Guildford Street and a gentle stroll along the Esplanade.

Day 2: Paleokastritsa bays and beach time

Morning: Espresso and bougatsa at Josephine Café, then bus/taxi to Paleokastritsa (40–50 min). Rent a small motorboat (no license needed) to cove-hop beneath the monastery cliffs; expect €80–120 plus fuel for 3–4 hours.

Afternoon: Swim and snorkel around La Grotta and Paradise Beach. For lunch, book a waterside table at Akron (seafood risotto, grilled octopus) or grab light gyros at a beach kantina. Sunbed pairs typically cost €12–20.

Evening: Back in town, sip wine and meze at Salto Wine Bar & Bistro—order the local graviera with fig preserve. Nightcap along the cricket pitch under softly lit plane trees.

Day 3: Full-Day Wooden Boat Cruise—swim coves + BBQ

Let the day belong to the sea with a relaxed cruise that threads quiet bays for swims and a grill lunch on board.

Full Day Cruise from Corfu in Classic Wooden Vessel, Swim & BBQ

Dinner back on land at Avli (garden courtyard; baked feta, lamb with rosemary) or a simple seaside taverna in Garitsa Bay if you’re craving something ultra-low-key.

Day 4: Olive oil, dunes, and sunset views

Morning: Drive or transfer inland for a tasting at a historic mill:

The Governor's Olive Mill Tour with Olive Oil Tasting

Afternoon: Continue to the south for nature time at Lake Korission and the wind-sculpted sands of Issos/Chalikounas Beach—wide, quiet, ideal for a nap and a swim. Lunch at a beach taverna (grilled sardines, horiatiki, chilled white).

Evening: Drive up to Pelekas (Kaiser’s Throne) for sunset over the sea and hills. For dinner, try Rex if you missed it, or share meze at To Mike’s (Old Town; seasonal veg, fried courgette, house wine). Early night—you’ll travel in the morning.

Kefalonia (Base: Argostoli)

Kefalonia is nature-forward: limestone massifs, fragrant pines, and coves in every shade of turquoise. The capital, Argostoli, feels lively but local, with an evening volta along the waterfront and the stone span of De Bosset Bridge arching over the lagoon.

• Top sights: Melissani Cave & lake, Drogarati Cave, Myrtos Beach viewpoint, Assos village, Fiskardo harbor, Makris Gialos and Antisamos beaches.
• Eats to know: Casa Grec (romantic courtyard, Mediterranean plates), Ladokolla stin Plagia (grill & Greek comfort), Tassia in Fiskardo (fresh-catch), Premier patisserie (since 1919).
• Fun fact: Caretta-caretta sea turtles often patrol Argostoli harbor in the morning near fishing boats—bring a respectful lens and keep distance.

Where to stay: Look for sea-view apartments in Lassi or walkable Argostoli hotels on VRBO Argostoli or Hotels.com Argostoli. Mid-range doubles often run $100–170/night in season.

Getting from Corfu to Kefalonia (morning of Day 5): The smoothest route is a short flight via Athens (Sky Express or Aegean; total travel ~3.5–4.5 hrs including layover; typical one-way $110–220). Search and book on Omio (flights). Overland/ferry alternatives can take 7–10 hrs (Corfu–Igoumenitsa ferry, bus to Kyllini, ferry to Poros), bookable pieces via Omio (ferries).

Day 5: Fly to Kefalonia, Argostoli stroll, and an easy swim

Morning: Depart Corfu on a morning flight; arrive Kefalonia (EFL) late morning or around noon. Taxi or shuttle to your stay in Argostoli or Lassi.

Afternoon: Light lunch at Ladokolla stin Plagia (grilled meats, salads) or seaside bites in Lassi, then swim at Makris Gialos—clear, calm, and sandy. Sunbeds ~€15–20/pair.

Evening: Golden-hour walk over De Bosset Bridge and along the waterfront. Dinner at Casa Grec (sea bream, lemon potatoes) followed by a sweet at Premier (try mandoles and galaktoboureko).

Day 6: Kefalonia highlights—Myrtos, Assos, Melissani

Morning: See the island’s greatest hits with a flexible half-day private tour (ideal for a relaxed pace and photos without parking hassles):

Kefalonia Half Day Private Tour & Shore Excursion

Afternoon: After the tour, linger at Antisamos Beach near Sami for a swim and late lunch at a beach taverna (grilled squid, Greek salad). Alternatively, head north to Fiskardo for a harbor walk and a seafood platter at Tassia.

Evening: Back in Argostoli, casual wine and meze along the waterfront. Early bed or a relaxed stroll through the squares.

Day 7: Turtles, castle views, and departure

Morning: Coffee at Libretto or a pastry from Premier, then watch for sea turtles near the fishing boats by the quay (keep respectful distance; no feeding). If time allows, drive up to St. George’s Castle for a final panorama.

Afternoon: Departure from EFL. Check flights and connections on Omio (flights). If you’re continuing elsewhere in Greece, consider buses/ferries via Omio (ferries).

Optional upgrade in Corfu (fits a nature-forward, relaxing pace)

If you’d like a guided overview instead of DIY beach-hopping, consider:

Best of Corfu: Half or Full Day Private Tour

This option weaves Kanoni’s postcard islet views, Paleokastritsa’s waters, and Old Town highlights without rushing—great if you prefer a driver/guide and air-conditioned comfort.

Food & drink map (quick picks for each day)

• Breakfast/coffee: Josephine Café (Corfu, Liston), Papagiorgis (Corfu sweets), Premier (Argostoli pastries), Libretto (Argostoli coffee).
• Lunch: Akron (Paleokastritsa), beach kantinas (Issos, Makris Gialos, Antisamos), Ladokolla stin Plagia (Argostoli grill).
• Dinner: Rex (Corfu Town classic), Salto (modern plates, wine), Avli (garden meze), Casa Grec (Argostoli), Tassia (Fiskardo seafood).

Logistics & tips (budget 50/100, relaxing vibe)

• Getting around: Green KTEL buses connect Corfu Town to Paleokastritsa, Glyfada, and other beaches; in Kefalonia, buses run Argostoli–Sami–Fiskardo but less frequently—consider a 1–2 day car hire for flexibility.
• Costs to expect: Sunbeds €12–20/pair; small-boat rental €80–120 + fuel; casual lunches €10–18/person; dinners €18–30/person without drinks.
• Nature & safety: Reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes for pebbly coves (Myrtos, Antisamos), and respect for dunes and turtle habitats. Hydrate and carry a light layer for breezy boat rides.

Included Viator experiences in this plan

• Full Day Cruise from Corfu in Classic Wooden Vessel, Swim & BBQ
• The Governor's Olive Mill Tour with Olive Oil Tasting
• Best of Corfu: Half or Full Day Private Tour
• Kefalonia Half Day Private Tour & Shore Excursion

Wrap-up: In a week, you’ll savor Corfu’s Old Town, cove-hop by wooden boat, taste award-winning olive oil, and float through Kefalonia’s iconic coastal scenery. With a relaxed pace, mid-range dining, and nature-forward days, this Ionian Islands itinerary balances easy beaches, gentle boating, and just enough culture to linger in memory.