Official Language
Greek (Modern Greek)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: en.wikipedia.org, howwidelyspoken.com
Overall7/10More English-friendly than about 55% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Corfu is a popular island with tourists and many Greeks here will happily speak English to help you get by.
- You can get by with just English in Corfu, especially in the tourist areas, though learning a few words and phrases in Greek can enhance your experience and show respect for the local culture.
- Some English-speaking locals may have Australian or other non-native English accents due to historical migration patterns, but communication remains clear.
- Away from tourist zones in rural or remote village areas, English proficiency may drop significantly — consider carrying a translation app or phrasebook.
Local Dialect
- Name
- Corfiot
- Description
- A variation of the Greek language with some unique words and pronunciations that differ from standard Greek.
Language Learning
- Example
- Andrioti School (established 1977, oldest language school on the island)
- Schools Available
- Yes
Official Language
- Status
- Greek is the official language of Greece, spoken by 99% of the population.
- Language
- Greek (Modern Greek)
English Proficiency
- Overall Level
- High in tourist areas; widely spoken
- Hospitality Service
- English is fine to use in restaurants, shops and bars.
- Context
- English is widely spoken in Corfu with no language issues reported, especially in places like Perama and Benitses. Due to the island's popularity as a tourist destination, many locals are proficient in English, especially in areas frequented by tourists such as hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions.
- Local Appreciation Note
- Corfiots will respond well to you trying a few words in Greek. Locals appreciate any effort to communicate in their language but will likely switch to English if they see you struggling with Greek.
Infrastructure Support
- Signage
- Road signs and many menus in Corfu are often translated into English to accommodate English-speaking tourists.
- Tour Guides
- There are tour guides in Corfu who are fluent in English and can provide informative and engaging tours of the island's attractions.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this language & english friendliness research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Corfu
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.