Corfu. Photo: Alex Igna Cruise tourism on the Greek island of Corfu is hitting a record high. For the first time in the port's history, more than a million cruise passengers arrived on the island during the first ten months of the year. Figures from the Corfu Port Authority (OLKE) show that between January and October 2026, 1,003,242 cruise passengers arrived on the island, compared to 845,745 in the same period last year - an increase of 18.62%.
The bulk of the growth was recorded in the movement of "transit passengers", that is, those who dock briefly on the island and continue on. Their number amounted to 813,540 passengers, up 25.16% from 649,987 in the corresponding period in 2025. At the same time, 94,480 passengers began their cruises from Corfu and 95,222 ended their cruise there.
The historic figure was achieved, in part, thanks to October, which was a particularly strong month, with 148,282 passengers compared to 136,396 in October 2025, an increase of 8.71%.
At the same time, the Corfu Port Authority is promoting plans to establish a new passenger terminal for cruise ships and a dedicated passenger terminal on the Corfu-Albania route, as part of a broad plan to upgrade infrastructure and improve services at the port.
Corfu. Photo: ShutterstockCorfu, one of the largest and most visited islands in Greece, lies in the Ionian Sea, off the west coast of Albania and Greece. The island is known for its green landscapes, spectacular beaches, picturesque bays and traditional villages, alongside a rich historical and cultural heritage influenced by Venetian, French and British rule, among others.
The old town of Corfu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major attraction thanks to its narrow alleys, fortresses, and distinctive European architecture. The combination of beaches, nature, history, and developed tourist infrastructure has made Corfu one of the most prominent vacation destinations in Greece in recent years and a sought-after stop on cruise routes in the Mediterranean.