Shopping in Corfu: where to shop in the Old Town and what to bring home
Corfu has no big malls like Athens. The best shopping is in the lanes of the Old Town: kumquat products, olive wood, ceramics and jewellery by local artists.
- Shopping is concentrated in Corfu's Old Town, on Nikiforou Theotoki Street and the lanes around it.
- The most local souvenirs: kumquat liqueur and jam, olive oil and olive-wood items.
- In summer most tourist shops stay open into the evening, including Sundays; winter hours are shorter.
If you are in Corfu for a few days, set aside a morning or evening in the Old Town just for shopping. Don't look for cheap fashion brands; Athens and Thessaloniki are better for that.
Where to shop in Corfu
The main shopping area is Corfu Old Town (Kerkyra), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The narrow streets between the Liston, the big Spianada square and the old port are full of small shops. The oldest and best-known street is Nikiforou Theotoki, with side lanes of souvenir shops, jewellers and delis.
Corfu has no large Israeli-style malls. A few international fashion chains have branches in the centre, but the choice is smaller than when shopping in Athens.
What to buy in Corfu
| Item | Why Corfu |
|---|---|
| Kumquat liqueur and jam | The small orange fruit is the island's symbol, sold as liqueur, jam and sweets |
| Olive oil | Corfu has huge olive groves and its own oil |
| Olive-wood items | Salad bowls, chopping boards and decorations, some made in Old Town workshops |
| Ceramics | Workshops of local potters, some using ancient techniques |
| Jewellery | Local artists who work in the shop itself |
| Natural cosmetics | Products based on olive oil, kumquat and prickly pear |
Tip: pack kumquat and olive oil in glass bottles well wrapped in your checked bag. With hand luggage only, liquid limits apply.
Shops worth knowing
According to Fodor's, some well-known Old Town shops are:
- Corfato (Filarmonikis Street): kumquat products, olive oils and traditional sweets.
- Rolandos (Nikiforou Theotoki): jewellery by a local artist.
- Ceramic Art (Venizelou Street): local ceramics.
- Work Shop by Tom: olive-wood items made on site.
Check opening hours before you go, especially out of season.
When are shops open?
In the tourist season, roughly April to October, most Old Town shops open from morning until evening, and some also on Sundays. In winter hours are shorter and many tourist shops close. Shops in Greece open normally on Saturdays, so Shabbat-observant visitors can shop on Friday or Sunday in season.
More on Corfu
- The complete Corfu guide
- Corfu's best beaches
- Kosher food and Shabbat in Corfu
- Corfu destination page: weather, flights and strikes
Smart shopping tips in Corfu
- Check it's local: souvenir shops also sell imported goods. Ask where an item was made, especially olive wood and ceramics.
- Natural cosmetics: according to Greeka, The Land of Corfu sells cosmetics based on kumquat and olive oil.
- Cruise-ship days: when ships are in port, the Old Town is very crowded in the morning and midday. Evenings are more pleasant.
- Packing: ask the seller to wrap ceramics and bottles well for the flight.
FAQ
Where do you go shopping in Corfu? In Corfu Old Town, mainly on Nikiforou Theotoki Street and the lanes between the Liston and the old port.
Is there a mall in Corfu? There is no big mall like in Israel. A few chain stores are in the centre, but the interesting shopping is in small shops.
What is the most local souvenir from Corfu? Kumquat products (liqueur and jam), local olive oil and olive-wood items.
Are shops open on Sunday? In summer most tourist shops in the Old Town are open. In winter many close or open for fewer hours.
