Essentials & practical info
The boring page you will be glad you read.
Emergency numbers
| Number | When to call | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Any life-threatening emergency — EU universal line, English usually available | EU 112 standard |
| 100 | Police (non-urgent theft, report a crime) | Greece national |
| 166 | Ambulance / medical emergency | Greece national |
| 199 | Fire service | Greece national |
| 1571 | Tourist police — Corfu Town and resort areas in season | Greece national |
Save 112 in your phone before you land. For serious illness or injury ask for the General Hospital of Corfu (public hospital on the island). Pharmacy duty rotas are published at eof.gr — see below.
Pharmacies, hospitals and prescriptions
Greek pharmacies (φαρμακείο) display a green cross. Staff often speak English in Corfu Town; they can sell over-the-counter remedies and advise on minor ailments. For duty pharmacies outside normal hours, use the official finder at eof.gr — search by region and date.
The General Hospital of Corfu handles emergencies on the island. Carry your EHIC/GHIC or travel insurance details — EU visitors with valid cards receive state care on the same terms as Greek residents for medically necessary treatment; check your national health service for current rules (Aug 2026).
Bring enough prescription medication for your stay plus a few days’ buffer. A doctor’s note or copy of the prescription helps at customs; pharmacists cannot always substitute a foreign script — plan ahead.
Cards, cash and tipping
Greece uses the euro (€). Cards are widely accepted in Corfu Town restaurants, hotels and supermarkets, but village tavernas, small kiosks and some green-bus coaches still prefer cash — carry €20–40 in small notes daily.
ATMs (ATM/ΑΤΜ) sit on Spianada, San Rocco and the port. Your home bank sets conversion and withdrawal fees — decline dynamic currency conversion when the terminal offers to charge in your home currency. Tipping is not obligatory; rounding up 5–10% for good table service is appreciated, not expected for bus tickets or café counter orders.
SIM cards, eSIM and Wi-Fi
EU roaming: if your mobile contract is from an EU/EEA country, you can usually use your included data in Greece at no extra cost under “Roam Like at Home” — check your operator’s fair-use policy before streaming maps all day (EU rules, Aug 2026).
Non-EU visitors can buy prepaid SIMs from Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova shops in Corfu Town — passport required. eSIM marketplaces work if your phone supports them; activate before you leave the airport Wi‑Fi. Most hotels and cafés on Liston offer free Wi‑Fi; treat public networks cautiously for banking.
Tap water, power sockets and pharmacies
Tap water in Corfu Town is generally treated and used for cooking and tea by locals, but many visitors prefer bottled water for drinking — €0.50–1 for 1.5 L at supermarkets (check locally). When in doubt, ask your hotel or buy bottled.
Power is 230 V, 50 Hz, with Type C/F sockets (two round pins) — same as mainland Greece and most of continental Europe. UK and US travellers need adapters; high-watt hair tools may need a voltage check.
Is Corfu safe? What to actually watch for
Corfu is a mainstream European holiday destination with low violent-crime rates. Practical risks are petty theft in crowded Old Town lanes, scooter traffic on narrow pavements, and strong sun on exposed fortresses. Watch bags in bus queues and when photographing at Kanoni — distraction thefts happen, rarely.
Sea urchins and sharp rocks appear on some pebble beaches; water shoes help. Jellyfish are occasional, not constant — locals will warn you if they spot them. Driving mountain roads demands caution: Corfiots know the bends; hire-car tourists often do not.
Safe at night: areas, taxis and common sense
Spianada, Liston and the lit seafront around Garitsa feel busy until late in summer. Old Town alleys are safe but poorly lit — use your phone torch and stick to main routes after midnight. Resort strips (Kavos, Ipsos) skew younger and drunker; taxis back to town are the sensible exit.
Licensed taxis use meters with night surcharges 00:00–05:00 (see Getting Around). Uber taxi mode operates on the island. Avoid unmarked cars offering “cheap ride home” outside clubs.
Local etiquette and quiet hours
Dress modestly in active churches — shoulders covered, no swimwear in town after the beach. Greeks greet with a friendly “Kalimera” (morning) or “Kalispera” (evening); a little Greek earns smiles even if you switch to English immediately.
Residential quiet hours (siesta and night) are taken seriously in villages: avoid loud music 14:00–17:00 and after 23:00 near apartment blocks. During Easter, respect processions and the Holy Saturday pot-throwing — do not walk under balconies on Spianada at 11:00.
Public holidays and what closes
Greek public holidays (25 March, 15 August Assumption, 28 October, Orthodox Easter week) can close museums, banks and some shops. Supermarkets in Corfu Town often stay open on Assumption with shortened hours — verify locally.
Blue and green buses run reduced schedules on public holidays; check astikoktelkerkyras.gr and ktelkerkyras.gr PDFs. Achilleion and the Old Fortress may adjust hours — see odysseus.culture.gr and achillion-corfu.gr before you queue.
Twelve phrases that earn goodwill
English works in tourism, but Greek efforts matter in villages:
- Kalimera — Good morning
- Kalispera — Good evening
- Efharistó — Thank you
- Parakaló — Please / you’re welcome
- Signómi — Sorry / excuse me
- Né / Óhi — Yes / No
- Póso káni? — How much?
- Ena ticket, parakaló — One ticket, please
- Pou íne to…? — Where is the…?
- Thélo taxí — I want a taxi
- To neró — Water
- Ton logariasmó, parakaló — The bill, please
Practical questions
What is the emergency number in Greece?
Dial 112 for any life-threatening emergency — the EU-wide number with English usually available. For police call 100, ambulance 166, fire 199, and tourist police 1571. Save 112 in your phone before you arrive in Corfu.
Can you drink the tap water in Corfu?
Tap water in Corfu Town is treated and used by locals for cooking, but many visitors prefer bottled water for drinking — cheap at supermarkets. When unsure, ask your hotel or buy bottled. Avoid drinking from untreated village springs.
Is Corfu safe at night?
Corfu Town’s Spianada, Liston and Garitsa seafront are busy and generally safe in summer. Old Town alleys are poorly lit — stick to main routes after midnight. Use licensed taxis or Uber taxi mode; avoid unmarked cars outside clubs.
Do I need cash in Corfu?
Cards work in most town hotels and restaurants, but village tavernas, kiosks and many green-bus coaches still want cash. Carry €20–40 in small notes daily. ATMs on Spianada and San Rocco dispense euros — your bank sets any fees.