Corfu is docked and the Old Town is a 20–25 minute walk or a short taxi ride. The Old Fortress (€10) and town lanes fill a day. Note: the Achilleion palace interior is closed for restoration; only the gardens are open.
Where Corfu lies
CorfuIstanbulAthensArgostoliBodrumChaniaHeraklionIteaIzmirKatakolonKosKuşadasıLimassolMilosMykonosNafplioPatmosRhodesSantoriniSarandëSyrosThessalonikiVolosZakynthosWhere your ship docks
Ships dock at the New Port (Nea Limani). A free shuttle runs inside the port from the pier to the terminal.
Shuttle. Free shuttle inside the port only. A shuttle to the Old Town is not guaranteed.
Getting to the sights
| The way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Walk to Old Town | 20–25 minutes | Free |
| Taxi to Old Town | About 10 minutes | About €8–€12 (secondary source) |
| Blue city bus no. 15 to Old Town | Unverified | Unverified |
Walk to Old Town
- Take the free port shuttle to the terminal.
- Walk along the coast road to the Old Town.
Flat but sunny.
Taxi to Old Town
- Taxis wait outside the terminal.
- Agree the fare first.
Blue city bus no. 15 to Old Town
- Board near the port.
- Get off at San Rocco Square.
Schedules can be limited.
What to see
Old Fortress
Venetian fortress on a sea-ringed headland with views.
- How
- Walk from the Old Town (Spianada square).
- Time
- 1–1.5 hours
- Tickets
- €10 full (Hellenic Heritage). Summer 08:00–20:00; winter 08:30–15:30.
Old Town lanes and Liston arcade
Venetian-era lanes, cafes, Spianada square.
- How
- Walk.
- Time
- 1–2 hours
- Tickets
- Free
New Fortress
Fortress above the old port, close to the ship.
- How
- Walk.
- Time
- 45 minutes
- Tickets
- €5 full (Hellenic Heritage). Open 1 Apr–31 Oct, 08:00–16:00. Closed Nov–Mar.
Achilleion (Empress Sisi's palace)
Gardens and statues with sea views.
- How
- Taxi or tour (about 10 km south).
- Time
- 1.5–2 hours with travel
- Tickets
- Unverified price. Palace interior closed for restoration; only outdoor areas and gardens open (official site).
Paleokastritsa
Famous bays and monastery.
- How
- Green KTEL bus, taxi or tour.
- Time
- Half day
- Tickets
- Free (beaches)
Your day, hour by hour
Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.
- Take the port shuttle to the terminal, then taxi or walk to the Old Town.
- Visit the Old Fortress first, before midday heat.
- Walk the Old Town lanes and have lunch near the Liston.
- Optional: New Fortress on the way back (Apr–Oct only).
- Start back 60 minutes before all-aboard if walking; 45 if by taxi.
What goes wrong, and how to avoid it
Beware
- Hot, shadeless walk from the port.
- Narrow, crowded lanes on multi-ship days.
- Achilleion interior closed.
Do this
- Use a taxi one way to save energy.
- Check hh.gr announcements; the Old Fortress had closure notices in 2026.
Fees, money and access
Rules & fees
- Greek cruise passenger fee (per person, per port, from 21 July 2025): Santorini and Mykonos €20 (1 Jun–30 Sep), €12 (Apr–May and Oct), €4 (Nov–Mar). All other Greek ports: €5 / €3 / €1 for the same seasons. Most lines add it to your onboard bill. MSC says it charges only guests who go ashore; other lines may charge everyone.
- Greek state sites: 'reduced' prices are mainly for EU citizens. Most Americans pay full price. Free entry on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 1 Nov to 31 Mar, and on a few set dates.
Accessibility
The walk is flat. The Old Town has cobbles. The fortresses have slopes and steps.
Money
Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted. Carry some small euro cash for buses, small boats, water and tips.
More of the Greek Isles & Eastern Med
Sources & what we could not confirm · 6 sources · checked 2026-11
- Hellenic Heritage: Old Fortress of Corfu
- Hellenic Heritage: New Fortress of Corfu
- Achilleion, official site
- Adventour Begins: Corfu cruise port guide
- MSC Cruises: Destination fees and local charges (Greece table)
- Keep Talking Greece: Greece cruise passenger fees 2025
- City bus 15 fare and times
- Taxi fares
- Achilleion ticket price and hours