Corfu (Kerkyra) is the greenest of the Ionian Islands, lying off the northwest coast of Greece a short crossing from Albania. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town, shaped by Venetian, French, and British rulers, sits beside olive-covered hills, a mountainous north, and beaches ranging from the cliffs of Paleokastritsa to the sandy shores of the south. The island also has a distinct cuisine, with dishes such as pastitsada, sofrito, and bourdeto found nowhere else in Greece.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Corfu.
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1
Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio)
Venetian fortress on a rocky peninsula east of the Spianada, separated from the town by a man-made moat. Its Byzantine origins were rebuilt by the Venetians in the 16th century, and the summit lighthouse and Church of St George give wide views over Corfu Town and the Albanian coast.
Tip: Arrive at opening or in the late afternoon to avoid midday heat and cruise-ship groups. · Wear sturdy shoes; ramps and steps are worn and uneven. · Last entry is 20 minutes before closing; allow at least 1.5 hours. · Bring water, as shade is limited on the upper summit. · Sunset from the lighthouse terrace is a favourite photo moment.
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2
New Fortress (Neo Frourio)
Venetian fortress built in the 1570s on St Mark's Hill to defend the town's western flank after the 1537 Ottoman siege. Tunnels, bastions and the rooftop terrace overlook the Old Port and the Old Town rooftops.
Tip: Check the seasonal schedule, as the site is reported closed to visitors from November to March. · Visit in late afternoon for the best light over the Old Port. · Allow about an hour; last entry is 20 minutes before closing. · Wear shoes with grip, as floors and ramps are worn stone. · Combine with the Antivouniotissa Museum, a few minutes away on the waterfront.
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3
Achilleion Palace
Neoclassical summer palace built in 1889-91 at Gastouri for Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) and later owned by Kaiser Wilhelm II. It is decorated with mythological statues of Achilles and set in terraced gardens facing the sea.
Tip: Arrive at opening to avoid the coach and cruise-ship crowds. · Verify hours and interior access beforehand, as restoration work has restricted rooms. · The audio guide costs about €3 more than the standard ticket and adds context on Sisi and the Kaiser. · Children up to 14 pay €2 and youths to 18 and students pay €5. · Bus from San Rocco Square is cheaper than a taxi for the 10 km trip.
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4
Spianada Square and Liston
The Spianada is the largest square in Greece, a former military glacis between the Old Town and the Old Fortress. The arcaded Liston, modelled on Paris's Rue de Rivoli, lines one side, and the square hosts the island's cricket ground and a bandstand.
Tip: Come in the evening for the traditional passeggiata and a cafe table on the Liston. · Prices on the Liston are higher than in side streets, so order one drink and linger. · Catch a cricket match in summer on the central ground. · Walk to the Old Fortress across the moat bridge, about five minutes from the Liston. · Visit early in the morning for quiet photographs of the arches.
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5
Church of Saint Spyridon
Orthodox church of the island's patron saint, built in 1589 and recognisable by its red-domed campanile, the tallest in the Ionian Islands. It holds the silver casket with the relics of Saint Spyridon, carried through the town in four annual processions.
Tip: Cover shoulders and knees; wraps may not always be provided. · Visit in the morning outside service times for a quieter interior. · Avoid the saint's feast days and Easter week if crowds are a concern. · Keep voices low and ask before taking photographs near the relics. · Donations are welcome, but entry is free.
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6
Museum of Asian Art (Palace of St Michael and St George)
Greece's only museum dedicated to Asian art, housed in the neoclassical palace built by the British in the 1820s as the residence of the Lord High Commissioner. Its collection covers China, Japan, India, Korea and Tibet.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning, when the small rooms are quietest. · The €15 multi-site ticket can be better value if visiting several museums. · Check seasonal hours, as the museum is closed on Mondays. · Pair with the garden behind the palace for views towards the Old Fortress. · Allow extra time for the palace's state rooms as well as the collection.
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7
Archaeological Museum of Corfu
Museum whose centrepiece is the Gorgon Pediment from the Temple of Artemis (c. 580 BC), the oldest surviving monumental stone pediment in Greek architecture. Other displays include the Lion of Menekrates and finds from ancient Corcyra.
Tip: Visit mid-morning or at midday for an air-conditioned break from the heat. · Check the museum is not on its weekly closing day, reported as Tuesday in summer. · Walk the full length of the Gorgon Pediment to see the side figures. · Last entry is 20 minutes before closing. · Reduced tickets are €5 for eligible visitors, so bring ID.
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8
Mon Repos Estate and Museum of Palaiopolis
Neoclassical villa built in 1828-31 for the British Lord High Commissioner, later a Greek royal residence and the birthplace of Prince Philip in 1921. It now houses the Museum of Palaiopolis, set within a wooded park beside the ruins of ancient Corcyra.
Tip: Go in the morning when the park is cooler and quieter. · Verify opening hours, as sources conflict on Tuesday closing times. · Combine the visit with the Kardaki Temple and a swim at Mon Repos beach. · The ticket is included in the €15 multi-site pass. · Wear walking shoes for the park paths.
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9
Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa
Small museum in a 15th-century church on the Old Port, with Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons from Corfu, including works from the Cretan and Heptanese schools of painting.
Tip: Buy the ticket at the booth behind the museum, not at the church door. · Check the weekly closing day, reported as Tuesday. · The museum closes at 15:30, so visit in the morning. · The ticket is part of the €15 multi-site pass. · Look at the gold-background icons from different angles to see the detail.
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10
Kanoni, Vlacherna Monastery and Pontikonisi
Peninsula south of town, where a causeway links the whitewashed Vlacherna Monastery to the shore. Pontikonisi (Mouse Island) sits nearby and is reached by a short boat shuttle; planes land over the lagoon.
Tip: Visit at sunrise or early morning to avoid the tour-bus crowds. · Take the short boat shuttle to Pontikonisi for a small fee. · Plane landings are frequent, so keep a camera ready. · Wear a head covering or shawl for the monastery, as modest dress is expected. · Take a city bus from Corfu Town for the cheapest option.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio)
Venetian fortress on a rocky peninsula east of the Spianada, separated from the town by a man-made moat.
New Fortress (Neo Frourio)
Venetian fortress built in the 1570s on St Mark's Hill to defend the town's western flank after the 1537 Ottoman siege.
Spianada Square and Liston
The Spianada is the largest square in Greece, a former military glacis between the Old Town and the Old Fortress.
Angelokastro
Byzantine fortress of the 12th-13th century, perched on a high cliff above the sea north of Paleokastritsa, with views from the Paleokastritsa coast to the Diapontia Islands.
Kassiopi Castle
Ruins of a medieval fortress on the headland above Kassiopi's harbour, with Byzantine and Angevin phases and views toward Albania.
Corfu Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage)
The Venetian-built core of Kerkyra, inscribed on the UNESCO list in 2007, with the Liston, narrow kantounia alleys, the Campiello quarter and the two fortresses.
Museums
Museum of Asian Art (Palace of St Michael and St George)
Greece's only museum dedicated to Asian art, housed in the neoclassical palace built by the British in the 1820s as the residence of the Lord High Commissioner.
Archaeological Museum of Corfu
Museum whose centrepiece is the Gorgon Pediment from the Temple of Artemis (c.
Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa
Small museum in a 15th-century church on the Old Port, with Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons from Corfu, including works from the Cretan and Heptanese schools of painting.
Mon Repos Estate and Museum of Palaiopolis
Neoclassical villa built in 1828-31 for the British Lord High Commissioner, later a Greek royal residence and the birthplace of Prince Philip in 1921.
Religious
Church of Saint Spyridon
Orthodox church of the island's patron saint, built in 1589 and recognisable by its red-domed campanile, the tallest in the Ionian Islands.
Paleokastritsa Monastery (Panagia Theotokos)
Monastery founded in the 13th century on a headland above Paleokastritsa's bays, with a flower-filled courtyard, a small museum and an olive-press room.
Corfu Synagogue (Scuola Greca)
The only functioning synagogue on the island, in the old Jewish quarter, rebuilt after damage in the Second World War.
Corfu Metropolitan Cathedral (Panagia Spiliotissa)
Orthodox cathedral in the Campiello district of the Old Town, housing the relics of Saint Theodora Augusta.
Nature
Mount Pantokrator
At 906 m, the highest peak on Corfu.
Kanoni, Vlacherna Monastery and Pontikonisi
Peninsula south of town, where a causeway links the whitewashed Vlacherna Monastery to the shore.
Canal d'Amour (Sidari)
Sandstone cliffs and narrow channels carved by the sea on Sidari's coast, linked in local lore to a love legend.
Kaiser's Throne (Pelekas)
Hilltop viewpoint above Pelekas village where Kaiser Wilhelm II is said to have watched the sunset; 360-degree views take in much of the island.
Villages_and_palaces
Old Perithia
Mostly abandoned mountain village on the northern slopes of Pantokrator, dating to about the 14th century, with stone houses, eight churches and a few seasonal tavernas.
Achilleion Palace
Neoclassical summer palace built in 1889-91 at Gastouri for Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) and later owned by Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- State museums and archaeological sites generally open 08:00-20:00 in summer and 08:30-15:30 in winter; churches and viewpoints are open access
- Fees
- Old Fortress €10 ($11.50), Archaeological Museum €10 ($11.50), Achilleion €7 ($8.05), New Fortress €5 ($5.75); a 3-day multi-site ticket costs €15 ($17.25)
- Best Times
- May-June and September-October for good weather and fewer crowds; early morning in July-August
- Booking
- Tickets for state sites are sold at the entrance; the 3-day multi-site ticket covers Palaiopolis-Mon Repos, the Archaeological Museum, Antivouniotissa, the Old Fortress and the Museum of Asian Art
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Buy the 3-day multi-site ticket if visiting more than two state museums
Free-entry days at state sites include Mar 6, Apr 18, May 18, Oct 28 and the first and third Sundays from November to March
Wear covered shoulders and knees at monasteries
Visit Angelokastro and Paleokastritsa on the same morning by car
Rent a car for Pantokrator and the northern villages
Frequently asked questions
How many days are needed for the main attractions of Corfu?
Three days cover Corfu Town, the Achilleion and a west-coast day; five days add the north.
Is there a combined ticket for Corfu museums?
Yes, a 3-day ticket at €15 ($17.25) covers five state sites in and near Corfu Town.
Do I need a car?
Corfu Town sights are walkable; Angelokastro, Pantokrator and Old Perithia are easiest by car or taxi.