Corfu Temperature
by Month
Every month, fully explained. Air temperature, sea temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours and honest advice on when to go.
What Is the Climate Like in Corfu?
Corfu sits in the Ionian Sea, closer to Italy than to Athens, and its climate reflects that position. The island enjoys a classic Mediterranean pattern: hot, dry summers, mild and wet winters, and two shoulder seasons that are genuinely among the best times to visit anywhere in Greece.
What sets Corfu apart from most Greek islands is its rainfall. The mountain ranges running through the island's interior trap moisture from the Ionian, keeping Corfu green year-round and earning it around 1,000mm of rain per year. That rain falls almost entirely between October and April. From June to August, Corfu is reliably dry. The lush landscape visitors fall in love with exists precisely because of those wetter months.
Corfu Air Temperature by Month
Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures across the year, based on long-term climate data.
Sunshine Hours in Corfu by Month
Average daily sunshine hours. July and August peak at 12 hours. Winter months drop to 4 hours per day but the island stays mild.
Corfu Rainfall by Month
Monthly rainfall in millimetres. Corfu is the rainiest of the Greek islands, with around 1,000mm per year concentrated entirely in the cooler months. June to August are reliably dry.
Corfu Climate Data: Full Table by Month
Long-term averages sourced from meteorological climate data. Highlighted rows indicate the recommended visiting months.
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Sea (°C) | Rain (mm) | Rain Days | Sun (hrs) | UV Index | Swimming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C | 5°C | 15°C | 163mm | 14 | 4 | 2 | Not advised |
| February | 14°C | 6°C | 15°C | 149mm | 13 | 5 | 3 | Not advised |
| March | 17°C | 8°C | 15°C | 100mm | 10 | 6 | 4 | Not advised |
| April | 20°C | 10°C | 16°C | 74mm | 12 | 8 | 6 | Too cold |
| May ★ | 24°C | 14°C | 19°C | 47mm | 9 | 10 | 8 | Bracing |
| June ★ | 29°C | 18°C | 22°C | 14mm | 4 | 11 | 9 | Good |
| July ★ | 32°C | 21°C | 25°C | 9mm | 2 | 12 | 9 | Excellent |
| August | 33°C | 21°C | 26°C | 17mm | 3 | 12 | 9 | Excellent |
| September ★ | 28°C | 18°C | 24°C | 84mm | 7 | 10 | 7 | Excellent |
| October | 23°C | 14°C | 22°C | 130mm | 9 | 7 | 5 | Good |
| November | 18°C | 10°C | 19°C | 187mm | 12 | 5 | 3 | Bracing |
| December | 14°C | 7°C | 17°C | 186mm | 15 | 4 | 2 | Not advised |
★ Recommended visiting months. Data from Weather-Atlas, Weather2Travel (University of East Anglia CRU / Met Office) and Greeka.com.
What Is Corfu Like Each Month?
A practical summary of what to expect in each month, based on climate data and local knowledge.
The coldest and wettest month. The island is green, quiet and inexpensive. No swimming. Ideal for anyone seeking an authentic, crowd-free experience of Corfu Town and its villages.
Similar to January but with slightly more sunshine. From late February the temperature begins its slow climb. Wildflowers start appearing. The olive harvest has finished and the island is at its quietest.
Spring arrives slowly. Rainfall decreases and sunshine increases. The landscape is extraordinarily green. Good for hiking and exploring the interior. Too cold for swimming but excellent for the Corfu Trail.
Easter often falls in April and Corfu's Orthodox Easter celebrations are among the most spectacular in Europe. Warm enough for exploring but not yet for swimming. Prices are significantly below summer.
The island is fully open, the landscape is green, the beaches are empty and the sea is swimmable from mid-month. Prices sit 30 to 40 percent below August. The best month for most visitors.
Hot, reliably sunny and the sea is genuinely warm. Crowds are building but not yet at peak. An excellent balance of summer conditions without the August intensity. 11 hours of sunshine per day.
Peak sunshine at 12 hours per day. Hot, dry and very busy. The sea reaches 25°C. The most popular beaches require early arrivals. Ideal if you want guaranteed sun and warmth; not ideal if you want space.
The hottest month and the busiest. Sea temperatures peak at 26°C. Accommodation and flights are at their most expensive. If you visit in August, book everything well in advance and arrive at beaches before 9am.
Arguably the finest month of the year. Still warm and sunny, the sea is at its warmest, crowds have thinned and prices have dropped. The light turns golden in September. Deeply underrated by most visitors.
The olive harvest begins. The sea is still warm enough to swim for confident swimmers. Rainfall increases but days remain largely sunny. The island quietens and the best tavernas have time for you again.
The wettest month of the year at 187mm. The island is lush and green. Some hotels close. Not a beach month but excellent for exploring the Old Town, the olive groves and the villages in peace.
Cold and wet, with the most rainy days of the year. The island takes on an atmospheric, rain-soaked quality. Corfu Town at Christmas, with its lights and the Liston quiet, is a genuinely beautiful experience.
Corfu Weather by Season
A broad overview of what each season delivers for visitors.
Spring
Green, uncrowded and ideal for hiking and cultural exploration. The sea is too cold for most swimmers until late May. Prices are well below summer.
Summer
Hot, sunny and busy. Sea temperatures peak at 26°C. The most popular beaches fill early. July and August are the hottest and most crowded months.
Autumn
September is outstanding. October is underrated. The sea stays warm well into autumn and crowds thin significantly. Rainfall increases from October.
Winter
Wet, mild and quiet. The olive harvest runs through November. Corfu Town is atmospheric without crowds. Most beach-facing hotels close until spring.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Corfu?
The right answer depends entirely on what you are coming for. Here is an honest breakdown by travel style.
Beach and Swimming
Sea temperatures range from 22°C in June to 26°C in August. For the warmest water with fewer people, September is the best choice.
Hiking and Walking
Mild temperatures, green landscapes and empty trails. The Corfu Trail is at its best in May when wildflowers are out and the heat has not yet arrived.
History and Culture
Explore the Old Town, Angelokastro and the Achilleion Palace without crowds and without August heat. Every site is better before 10am in May.
Best Value
Flights, accommodation and car hire run 30 to 40 percent below August rates. The island is fully open in May. October offers warm sea at winter prices.
Families with Children
Warm enough for confident young swimmers from June. September avoids the August peak pressure and keeps costs lower without losing beach quality.
Photography and Scenery
The green Corfu that appears on no postcard exists in spring and autumn. The olive country, the hill villages and the northwest coast are extraordinary in late April and early May light.
Frequently Asked Questions About Corfu's Climate
What is the hottest month in Corfu?
What is the coldest month in Corfu?
When is the sea warmest in Corfu?
Does it rain a lot in Corfu?
What is the best month to visit Corfu overall?
Can you swim in Corfu in May?
Is Corfu good in October?
What is the UV index like in Corfu in summer?
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