Visiting Corfu in September – Everything you need to know
Are you thinking of exploring one of Greece’s greenest and most scenic islands? You’ve come to the right place! Corfu has long been one of the most popular Greek islands to visit and there are plenty of reasons why.
In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Corfu in September, which happens to be one of the best months to visit. We’ll cover Corfu weather in September, average temperatures, what to pack, and general tips and tricks to help plan a future visit. If you have any questions, be sure to leave us a comment down below.
Is Corfu a good place to visit in September?
Yes! For Corfu and many other Greek islands, September is one of the most popular months of the year visit. Tourists flock to the island to enjoy a much warmer and pleasant climate compared to northern Europe. Summers in Corfu can be tough to endure at times, with chances of heat waves. In September, Corfu has hot weather, but it’s much easier to manage. September is the best month (in our opinion) to visit this wonderful island. We also recommend visiting in May and early-to-mid June.
Corfu is still quite busy and full of tourists in September, but it has lower crowds compared to the peak months of July and August. Shops, cafés, restaurants and tourist attractions are all open and there’s a ton of beaches for you to enjoy.
How is Corfu weather in September?
In our opinion, the Corfu weather in September is the best weather you can get! Mornings are generally cooler, so you can spend the morning going for a walk, or head out for a spot of sightseeing. Afternoons from around midday are hotter. It’s the perfect temperature to sunbathe, without it being overly hot. In Corfu in September, you can expect hot and sunny days, and cooler and breezier evenings.
It’s worth noting that the start of September to mid-September has the best weather. It gets cooler towards the end of the month, with a greater chance of rain. We visited Corfu on the 14th of September and we couldn’t have asked for better weather! It’s safe to say that nice Corfu weather in September is guaranteed, as long as you travel before the end of month. Some years have had mixed weather towards the end of the month so we recommend travelling early-to-mid September if you can.
What’s the average temperature in Corfu in September?
The average temperature in Corfu in September is around 26 degrees Celsius, with highs of 28 degrees Celsius, and lows of 19 degrees Celsius in the evenings.
Corfu’s temperature in September can vary slightly depending on where you’re staying in Corfu. As with many places, southern areas tend to be warmer than the north. Be sure to check out our where to stay in Corfu article for more information on the best places to stay in Corfu. 😊
When we visited Corfu in September, we were fortunate to have clear blue skies and temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius every day. It’s a comfortable month to travel for those who want to escape the huge crowds and don’t like it overly hot.
Corfu’s temperatures in the evening remain consistent throughout the month of September, with it only falling a couple of degrees. What we really loved about the Corfiot climate is that it’s really warm and sunny in the daytime, but the temperature cools down a considerable amount in the evening. There’s nothing worse than being sticky and clammy when you’re trying to look the part in your holiday outfits! The air temperature is also very pleasant in Corfu in September and humidity isn’t too high. You can get some shade and cool down quite quickly.
Does it rain in Corfu in September?
Corfu is one of Greece’s most leafy and green islands, and for that reason, it needs to rain! Generally speaking, it tends not to rain in September, and if it does, it’ll only be for a short amount of time. It’s more likely to rain on mornings than afternoons. That being said, if you’re planning to visit towards the end of September, be prepared for the rain, as the weather can be a little unpredictable towards the end of the month and into October. The only caveat to all of the above is thunderstorms. If a storm is inbound, expect a couple of days of rain.
The rain is nothing to worry about in Corfu in September as it’s often short-lived. Even if it does rain, think of it as a positive as it helps to clear the skies!
What’s the water temperature in Corfu in September? Can I swim in the pool?
The sea temperature in September reaches highs of 27 degrees Celsius, making it the perfect place cool down from the hot Corfiot sun. It isn’t so warm that you can’t cool off, and it’s not cold so you won’t want to stay in for long.
Swimming pools during September, however, are much cooler. As most swimming pools in hotels in Corfu aren’t heated, the temperature drops quite a bit during the night. Swimming pools aren’t freezing cold, so you can still swim and enjoy the pool comfortably.
Top tip: give the swimming pool some time to heat up. From midday on a hot and sunny day, it’ll be a little warmer.
What clothing should I pack?
Think of going to Corfu in September like a summer holiday in June or July, and that’s what you’ll need to pack! If you’re visiting in the month of September, you’ll want to pack the following:
- Tops, t-shirts, shorts
- Flip flops
- Sun cream and after sun
- Bug spray. You’ll see a few wasps around, so be sure to spray some bug spray to keep the pests away!
- A light jacket or jumper for the evening
- A pair of comfortable shoes
- Water shoes. Many beaches in Corfu are rocky beaches. Therefore, we recommend taking a pair of water shoes to avoid contact with sharp rocks or shells.
- A rain jacket. Hopefully this won’t be needed, but it’s always good to be prepared.
Is Corfu busy in September?
As mentioned above, September is one of the most popular times to visit Corfu. Hotels are busy, as are the islands most popular attractions. That being said, it’s not overly busy and there aren’t queues like there would be during peak season (July – August) Weekends tend to be busier as that’s when the locals go out with their friends and family. Beaches and Corfu Town are busiest on Saturday and Sunday.
Expect hotels to be at near-full capacity (especially during the start of September). The number of guests will go down towards the end of the month. When we visited in mid-September, we had no issues at all, both at the hotel at mealtimes, or when visiting attractions.
Is everything open in Corfu in September?
Everything is business as usual in Corfu in September, as it’s one of the busiest times of the year for the island’s tourism industry. However, here’s a few points to note:
- Independent shops close in Corfu town on Mondays. The majority of tourist shops, cafes, restaurants and attractions are open.
- The Greeks are big on their siesta’s, and some places (mainly small and independent shops) close mid-afternoon and re-open around 5pm. Be sure to check on Google Maps for specific opening hours. Most mini markets will close around this time too.
- Like many places in Europe, Sunday is the day of rest and many places close on Sundays, or close early. If you plan on getting out of the hotel on Sunday, be sure to factor this in. Even many petrol stations close early on a Sunday afternoon!
Where are the best places to stay in Corfu?
There are so many great places to stay in Corfu, each offering something unique. Here’s a few of our recommendations and hotels:
Agios Georgios
If you love beaches and are looking for a holiday to completely relax and unwind, the area of Agios Georgios is the one for you. Known for its stunning long stretch of beach and its turquoise blue waters, it’s a true Greek beach holiday paradise. There are so many cafés, bars and restaurants in the area, so you have everything you need in one resort area. Its only downside is its remote location.
Corfu town
Are you looking to be in the heart of the action and fancy a city break with plenty of sightseeing? Where else better to stay than Corfu town? Known for its cobblestone streets and pastel-coloured, Venetian architecture, it’s a great place to visit and stay. You can spend hours wandering through the streets of the town, trying out some local cuisine, enjoy a freddo cappuccino or two, and doing a spot of shopping.
Ermones
Located on the west coast of the island, Ermones is a tiny beach town that’s perfect for those who want to be within close proximity of Corfu’s best beaches, towns and attractions. Whilst there isn’t much to do in the area itself, the Atlantica Grand Mediterraneo Resort & Spa is all you’ll ever need. We stayed here for 10 nights and can thoroughly recommend it. You can check out our detailed guide and review here.
Kontokali
Kontokali is located on the east coast, a short drive from Corfu town. It’s a great place to charter a boat, it has a stunning beach area, many bars and restaurants, and some fantastic hotel options. You’ve got plenty of time to relax and unwind, but also have easy access to Corfu’s main attractions. You can jump in a taxi and head to Corfu Town whenever you want a change of scenery.
For more Corfu area and hotel recommendations, check out our ‘Where to stay in Corfu’ guide.
Our top tips for visiting Corfu in September
- Expect nice hot weather throughout the month of September, up until the last week of the month. The weather starts to get colder and there’s a greater chance of rain towards the end of the month. Aim to visit within the first 3 weeks of the month if you can.
- If you’re looking for a package holiday, look at offers from the likes of Jet2 and Tui. You can get some great last-minute deals once summer is almost over. Be sure to shop around for the best price.
- Pack a light rain jacket. Hopefully you won’t need it, but it’s best to be prepared.
- If you want to sightsee and explore in Corfu, head out early morning and take advantage of the cooler temperatures. It can get really hot, really quickly!
- In addition to the above, heading out early will also limit crowds and tours. Tour buses tend to arrive at popular attractions around 11am. Beat the crowds and get out as early as possible.
- Bring water shoes! We’ve mentioned this above, but if you want to go in the sea, you’ll have a much more comfortable time wearing water shoes.
Thank you for reading our guide on visiting Corfu in September. We hope you found it useful and were able to take on board some of our helpful tips. We love visiting Greece in September and can’t wait to explore more islands next year! We’d love to hear about your experiences, so be sure to leave us a comment below 😊
BY SUSIE
Author bio:I’m a passionate traveller that loves a sunny beach holiday, but also appreciate the cultural side to a trip and checking out undiscovered destinations. I’m the go-to Toucan Traveller for great holiday stories, cool photos and foodie recommendations.