Is Corfu Safe in January 2026?

ATMs across Corfu — including at Corfu Airport, in Corfu Town, and at resort area bank machines — routinely offer travelers the option to complete withdrawals in their home currency rather than euros, a practice called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). This locks in an exchange rate set by the ATM operator that is typically 10–15% worse than the rate your home bank would apply. The ATM interface is deliberately designed to make the DCC option appear safer or more transparent, with the conversion button often larger or pre-highlighted, while the option to decline and pay in euros is less prominent.

How to avoid: Always select "pay in local currency" (euros) when prompted at any ATM or card terminal in Corfu. Never select the option to pay in your home currency, regardless of how the screen frames it. If the ATM does not give you the option to decline conversion, cancel the transaction and use a different machine. The same rule applies to card payments at restaurants, shops, and hotels — if a terminal asks which currency to charge, always choose euros.

Taxi overcharging from Corfu Airport (CFU) is one of the most widely reported scams on the island. Official metered fares to Corfu Town should be approximately €15–20, but some drivers charge €30–50 or more by using high tariff rates, taking longer routes, or demanding flat rates before the journey. The problem is most acute at night and during peak summer arrivals.

How to avoid: Use only taxis from the official rank at Corfu Airport and confirm the driver will use the meter before entering the vehicle. The standard (Tariff 1) rate applies for daytime journeys into town. Alternatively, use the KTEL public bus service to Corfu Town for approximately €2, departing from just outside the terminal.

Restaurants along the Liston promenade and in the main tourist lanes of Corfu Town's Old Town charge significantly above average Greek restaurant prices, add unrequested dishes to tables, and present bills that include items not ordered. The problem is concentrated in establishments targeting the high-volume cruise ship trade where guests have limited time and are unlikely to dispute charges.

How to avoid: Walk one or two streets away from the Liston and main tourist arteries for significantly better value. Review the bill against your order before paying. Restaurants that bring bread, olives, or spreads without being asked will typically charge for them — return them immediately if you do not want them.

Beach vendors operating on Corfu's resort beaches — particularly in Kavos, Sidari, and Glyfada — use persistent and aggressive sales tactics, selling items such as sunglasses, jewelry, and sarongs at prices far above their value. Some vendors return repeatedly if initially refused and create social pressure. A few vendors misrepresent counterfeit branded goods as genuine.

How to avoid: A firm and repeated "no thank you" is usually sufficient. Do not engage in price negotiation unless you genuinely intend to buy. Counterfeit branded goods are illegal to purchase and can result in fines. Beachside shops typically offer better prices on comparable items.

The narrow Venetian lanes of Corfu Town's Old Town, particularly around the Liston promenade and the Spianada square, see concentrated pickpocketing activity during the summer tourist peak. Thieves target visitors distracted by the architecture, shopping, or restaurant menus. The high density of day-trippers from cruise ships creates predictable peak risk windows during late morning and early afternoon.

How to avoid: Carry bags across the body with zippers facing inward. Do not place wallets or phones in back pockets. Be particularly alert when cruise ships are docked and the Old Town is at maximum capacity. Avoid stopping to look at maps in narrow alleys.