Corfu With Autistic Children

Corfu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a delightful mix of history, culture, and family-friendly activities—perfect for a cruise stop with kids, or a one-destination trip to the island. Here’s a curated guide to help you make the most of your visit to Corfu with autistic children.

Getting To Corfu

Corfu is one of the easiest Greek islands to reach, whether you’re flying in, arriving by ferry, or docking on a cruise ship — which is how we visited. It’s well connected to mainland Greece, other European countries, and the wider Ionian region.

By Air: Corfu International Airport (Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport – CFU) is the main airport on the island. It’s just 3–4 km from Corfu Town, meaning you’re only a 10–15 minute drive away from the heart of the action. During peak season (April–October), it’s served by a wide range of direct flights from the UK and other European cities.

From the UK: Direct flights from cities like London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham run frequently during the summer.

From mainland Greece: There are regular short-haul flights from Athens, Thessaloniki, and other major hubs.

From the airport, you can:

• Take a taxi – around €15 and 10 minutes into Corfu Town.
• Catch a public bus – Blue Bus Line 15 runs every 30–60 minutes and stops at San Rocco Square and the main bus terminal. Tickets cost around €2.
• Book a private transfer – useful if your child needs a guaranteed car seat, extra space, or a driver who’s aware of any sensory sensitivities.

By Ferry: If you’re island-hopping or arriving from mainland Greece, ferries are a great option. The main ferry terminal is close to Corfu Town.

• From Igoumenitsa: The most frequent connection, with multiple ferries daily. The trip takes about 1.5–2 hours.
• From Italy: Ferries from Bari, Brindisi, and Ancona run during high season, though journey times can be long (8–18 hours depending on the route).
• From Paxos or other Ionian islands: Local ferries run during the summer and can make for a scenic and gentle arrival.

By Cruise Ship: Corfu is a popular Mediterranean cruise port, and it’s how we visited the island ourselves. The cruise terminal is about 2 km from Corfu Old Town, and:

• Some ships dock right at the port and offer a free shuttle to the edge of the Old Town.
• You can also walk the scenic flat route along the marina (about 20–30 minutes).
• Taxis are available at the port and typically cost €10–€15 into town.

You can book a tour of Corfu that is from the cruise port to keep it easy!

Where To Stay in Corfu

I have no personal recommendations on where to stay in Corfu with autistic children because we did not spend the night there – we visited as part of a cruise stop and stayed on our ship. If you are planning an overnight stay, Corfu has a wide range of accommodations, from quiet family-run apartments to large resorts. Generally, if your priority is exploring the Old Town and nearby attractions, staying in or near Corfu Town would be convenient (the city is fairly walkable and it’s easy to return to your room for breaks if you’re nearby). There are also many family-friendly beach resorts on the island if you intend to have a more relaxed holiday.

Family-Friendly Activities in Corfu

Corfu’s blend of historic towns, lush landscapes, and seaside fun makes it a great place to explore with kids. We had one full day in Corfu (thanks to our cruise itinerary), so we focused on a mix of cultural highlights and kid-friendly activities.

Walking Through the Market Streets in Corfu Town

One of the first things we did was simply wander through the ‘kanoni’ (cobbled lanes) and market streets of Corfu Town. In the heart of the city, under the shadow of the Venetian fortress, dozens of local vendors set up stalls selling fresh fish, produce, spices, and traditional sweets. Early in the day, we strolled through this Corfu Central Market area (located below the New Fortress) and it was a feast for the senses – in mostly good ways!

That said, sensory considerations to keep in mind are: if your child is smell-sensitive, be aware that the fish section of the market has a strong odour of seafood. The market streets can get crowded and loud as the day progresses – by late morning, tourists and locals fill the narrow lanes, and the chaos of chatter can become intense.

Corfu Old Town

Corfu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it absolutely charmed our whole family. Imagine a slightly faded Mediterranean maze of pastel-coloured buildings, Venetian-style balconies, and hidden piazzas. We didn’t follow a strict plan here; instead, we allowed plenty of time to meander and discover. This actually works well for autistic kids because you can go at your own pace and take breaks as needed without the pressure of a set “tour.”

One of our favorite areas was the Esplanade (Spianada) Square, which is a large green space and park in front of the Old Fortress. It’s one of the biggest squares in Greece. There’s also a playground (Boschetto Garden playground) at one end of the Esplanade (between the Old Fortress moat and the Palace of St. Michael and St. George). We let our older ones have a go at the park while their sister started off her nap – a simple playground visit can work wonders to regulate their mood when touring a city.

Crowd-wise, Corfu Old Town can get busy and this is more true in the summer when families come to the island during school holidays. One great thing about the Old Town’s layout is that if one street is overwhelming, you can often turn the corner and find a much emptier lane running parallel. We used this strategy to find almost instant calm.

If you want to visit Corfu with autistic children, and fancy a more organised tour in the Old Town, a history and culture walking tour could be what you are looking for. There is also the option to pick an express walking tour which is 1.5 hours long. If I was to pick a tour in Corfu with autistic children I’d probably opt for a small group tour.

Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio)

Corfu’s Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio) is a must-visit attraction – it’s the iconic stone fortress on a rocky islet guarding the city, visible from everywhere. The fortress involves some climbing and lots of open space to explore, which can actually be great for kids who like to move. To enter, you cross a short bridge over a moat (which itself is exciting for kids – water below, and sometimes you can spot fish or even turtles). Do note there is an entry fee for the fortress.

Unfortunately, when we approached the bridge to go explore the fortress, we couldn’t get across. We think it may have been closed (but we aren’t sure why)/.

Sensory factors at the fortress: It’s mostly outdoors and quite open. The wind can be strong up there so if your child is sensitive to wind on their face, you might want a light hoodie or just be ready for that sensation. Surfaces are uneven (cobblestones, rocks, and some grass), so good shoes are a must.

Aqualand Water Park

For a change of pace (and temperature!), check out Corfu’s Aqualand. This is Corfu’s famous water park and water parks have always been a hit with my autistic children. Aqualand is located about 20 minutes drive from Corfu Town in the centre of the island. It is a fantastic choice for families staying on the island, but I am not sure if it would be worth trying to squeeze it into a cruise ship stop.

Aqualand is a large water park with 51 water slides and a variety of pools and play areas. It’s one of the biggest water parks in Europe, and it truly has something for everyone. Research tells me that there are areas suited to all different aged kids: a gentler splash playground with mini-slides and tipping buckets for the youngest ones, and some mid-sized tube slides for older kids seeking a thrill. There are extreme big slides too, for those who really like to test themselves! One thing that I’ve read is that Aqualand has free sunbeds and umbrellas scattered around for people to use. The park is green and spacious, with lots of trees around, so it won’t feel like a concrete jungle.

Sensory and accessibility notes for Aqualand: The park can be crowded and this means that there can be lines for some slides, which could be a challenge if your child has trouble waiting. If waiting in lines is a big no-go for your child, consider sticking to the pools and smaller slides that have no queue, or visiting during a quieter time (perhaps right when they open, or on a weekday). You can also pre-purchase your tickets online, which saves you from queuing at the entrance – highly recommend doing that to avoid an initial wait. You can grab ‘skip the line’ tickets from GetYourGuide. Inside the park, the noise level varies.

A huge plus: Aqualand has lifeguards everywhere and apparently there is a sign at the entrance about services for visitors with disabilities or special requirements.

If, like me, you like to plan ahead you can find your Aqualand tickets for your trip to Corfu with autistic children on GetYourGuide. There are different options like a 1 or 2 day pass or entry tickets with transfers.

Pirate Ship Cruise

One activity that caught our eye was the Pirate Ship Cruise from Corfu Town. The Pirate Cruise is a 75-minute mini voyage along the coast, aboard a themed ship that looks straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean. The cruise itself is scenic and gentle. The ship departs from the Old Port and sails around the east side of Corfu Town, giving unique views of the Old Fortress, the city walls, and even circling near Vidos Island and Mouse Island (Pontikonisi) in the distance.

The Pirate Ship has two levels (decks). This offers different options for your family based on your needs at the time. The pirate ship does fire a fake cannon (basically a loud bang sound effect) as a fun gimmick. If your child is very noise-averse, just be aware it happens (you might ask a crew member when to expect it so you can prepare your child in advance). Check it out here on GetYourGuide.

Our Favourite Sensory-Friendly Experience In Corfu

Boschetto Garden

Right outside the fortress (near the entrance bridge) is the Boschetto Garden with the children’s playground we mentioned earlier. This playground has a few swings, a slide and seesaw, climbing frames and a spinning spider web thing. There are also benches for parents. We let the kids unwind here for a while after walking so many of the market streets (which we all found to be a little more tiring than usual in the sun. This playground is shaded by trees and next to the sea channel, so it felt cooler than the hot streets we had spent the morning in.

Getting Around Corfu With Autistic Children

Once you’re in Corfu, you’ll find that getting around with kids – including those on the spectrum – is fairly straightforward, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Corfu Town’s historic centre is compact and much of it is pedestrian-only.

We ended up walking almost everywhere in Corfu Town. Distances are short – for example, it’s about 10 minutes from one end of the Old Town to the other, and maybe 15–20 minutes from the Old Fortress through the town to the New Port. Walking gave us the flexibility to move at our own pace, pause when needed, and it provided our kids with much-needed movement input (they often need to run or skip around to stay regulated, so walking actually helped rather than having to sit still in a vehicle). The key was to factor in extra time for walking so that we never had to rush a tired or overstimulated child. If your child is younger or tends to bolt/elope, consider bringing a lightweight stroller or even a safety harness. Do note that not all streets are stroller-friendly – we did encounter a couple of Old Town lanes with steps, but we just wandered around some more until we found a way that was easy with the double pushchair.

Taxis are plentiful in Corfu Town – you’ll see taxi ranks in spots like San Rocco Square, at the port, and by popular sights. We took a taxi from the port to the edge of Corfu Old town and then walked the rest. Many taxi drivers in Corfu speak at least basic English, and we had very positive experiences. As mentioned before, if your autistic child needs a car seat, you’ll have to plan ahead. Greek law requires child seats in private cars up to age 12, but taxis are often exempt and do not carry them.

Corfu has a system of local “Blue Buses” for the Corfu Town area and “Green Buses” for longer distances across the island. If you’re staying longer or venturing to other villages, the green buses can take you to popular spots (like Palaiokastritsa or Sidari) cheaply. Buses are very affordable (€1-2 a ride). However, from an autism family perspective, consider the usual factors: time of day (buses can be packed in peak hours and quite hot), waiting time at the stop (there’s not always a strict schedule – some waiting might be required under the sun), and the sensory environment (engine noises, people bumping, etc.). We happened to meet a bus ready to leave for the port just when we needed to go there so we took the local bus – it was very pleasant and did not take long. There is also the popular hop-on hop-off bus system in Corfu!

Unless you plan on exploring far corners of the island on your own, you likely won’t need a car for Corfu Town and immediate surroundings. The traffic in town can actually be quite dense, and parking is a challenge (narrow streets and limited spots). Adventurous travellers are enjoying cycling tours of Corfu.

Corfu has other boat options like boat taxis to nearby Vidos Island, day-trip boats to Paxos/Antipaxos islands, etc. These can be wonderful experiences (Corfu’s coastline is gorgeous), but be mindful of duration and confinement. If your child loves boats, a short hop to Vidos Island (just 10 minutes across the harbour) could be fun and gives a nature escape (there’s a restaurant and peacocks roaming on Vidos!). We didn’t have time for that, but it’s something I’d consider next time. There are also longer organised boat tours of Corfu.

Overall, Corfu with autistic children felt easy to navigate for our family. The fact that the main attractions we chose were close together (Old Town, Fortress, the port, etc.) meant minimal transitions and transport time – a big plus when trying to avoid meltdowns. We could walk back to our cruise ship (though we did end up taking the bus as it was so simple to figure out) or a quiet area anytime we needed a break, which gave us a lot of flexibility. And when we did need transport, it was readily available and accommodating. If you want to keep your travel in Corfu with autistic children easy, consider booking a personalised tour of Corfu.

Is Corfu Autism-Friendly?

You might be wondering, in general, how autism-friendly is Corfu? The answer, based on our experience, is that Corfu doesn’t yet have many specific autism-focused accommodations (you won’t find sensory maps at attractions or autism hours at museums here like you might at a theme park, there aren’t sensory bags in castles like we find in Scotland). However, Corfu is a place that offers a mix of environments and generally welcoming people, which can certainly cater to an autism family’s needs with a bit of planning and creativity.

Corfu is a very family-oriented destination in general. You’ll see local families with children out and about, and Greek culture tends to be accommodating of kids (they might pinch a cheek or offer candy – fairly common in Greece, always meant kindly, so heads up if your child doesn’t like that kind of approach, you can gently steer them away or just say “no, thank you”). We also noticed Corfu Town has a lot of open-air attractions – the kind of sightseeing you can do on your own terms. For example, simply walking around and looking at statues, peeking into courtyards, or watching boats at the port – these are things you can start or stop at any time. This drop-in/drop-out style of sightseeing works well for us; if one spot was too crowded or boring, we just moved on without feeling like we’d wasted a ticket or anything.

The biggest challenge of visiting Corfu with autistic children, in my opinion, is the sensory intensity of peak tourist areas. Personal space can be limited when a cruise ship (or three) is in port – you might find yourself in a bottleneck of people in a popular lane. The heat in summer can amplify sensory issues. A hot, sticky child is going to have less tolerance for everything. If you’re visiting in the off-season (spring or fall), heat may be less of an issue, and those times are also generally less crowded.

In general, Corfu did not advertise itself as “autism-friendly,” but it turned out to be quite manageable and enjoyable for our family. The combination of friendly attitudes, flexible sightseeing opportunities, and the availability of calming natural spots (beaches, gardens) means that with some preparations, Corfu can be a lovely autism-friendly destination even without formal accommodations.

Things That Make Corfu Stand Out

• Corfu’s main attractions (especially in and around Corfu Town) are fairly close to each other. For us, a family travelling Corfu with autistic children, this meant minimal transitions and transport time – a big plus when you want to avoid meltdowns. We could walk back to our accommodation (or cruise ship) anytime we needed to, or duck into a quiet side street within minutes if the crowds became too much. That flexibility to quickly change course or take a time-out was invaluable. Transport is readily available and we managed to hop on a local bus on the way back to the ship which meant our oldest didn’t have to worry about the walk back to the ship (he suffers with some hypermobility).
• We found that almost everyone we interacted with in tourism (waiters, shop owners, taxi drivers) spoke at least basic English, but usually they are almost fluent. This made it much easier to ask for help or explain our needs.
• Travelling with with kids who have restricted diets can be really difficult but Corfu had us covered. You’ll find international fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Subway in Corfu Town, along with Italian restaurants serving pizza and pasta (Corfu has a lot of Italian influence, so these dishes are common). And yes, of course, there are plenty of ice cream/gelato shops in Corfu, too.
• Perhaps the most subtle “stand-out” factor was the general culture in Corfu (and Greece) of embracing children. We never felt judged for our kids being kids. This sort of warm, communal attitude can make a huge difference when traveling with an autistic child; you feel that strangers are on your side, not against you. We were surprised to find a lovely, shady park in the heart of the action in Corfu Old town – they plan for kids to be there and honestly it is so welcoming to be in a place that caters for kids.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

1. Plan Ahead: Research each location and contact them to discuss any special accommodations your child might need. If you can plan to arrive after check-in time you should, or try to arrange an early check-in.
2. Sensory Tools: Bring along sensory tools and comfort items that help manage sensory needs, such as noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys, and a sensory toolkit.
3. Clear Communication: Ensure that everyone involved in the trip understands the needs and preferences of the neurodiverse individual. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and enhance the travel experience. Consider using PECS or an AAC. We have a free pack of travel PECS available for download.
4. Safety: Consider getting an autism card for your child, or even better – use our emergency passport for medical information and important contacts. Our absolute must have safety item for travelling with an autistic child is a TinyTags wristband or tag that can be tapped or scanned by a mobile phone – giving the person who tapped it all of the information they need to get your child back to you. TinyTags also feature a location alert to help you find your child.

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