Corfu Old Town
The UNESCO-listed old town of Corfu, a maze of arcaded lanes, pastel Venetian houses, French-style arcades and Greek churches between two fortresses.
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Corfu
Corfu is the green island of the Ionian Sea, set just off the coast of Albania and long a crossroads of Venetian, French, British and Greek culture.
Its capital, Corfu Town, is one of the most beautiful historic centres in the Mediterranean: a UNESCO-listed old town of arcaded lanes and pastel houses between two Venetian fortresses, with a grand French-style arcade, the Liston, facing a vast green square where cricket is still played. Around it lie the royal estate of Mon Repos, the famous view from Kanoni across the tiny island of Pontikonisi, and, on the west coast, the cliffs, coves and sea caves of Paleokastritsa. Boat trips reach the small islands of Paxos and Antipaxos and, across a narrow strait, the Albanian port of Saranda, though many of these are summer-season activities. The island's cooking mixes Greek, Venetian and British traditions, with dishes such as pastitsada and sofrito, olive oil from groves planted centuries ago and local sweets made with kumquat. This guide shows what to book, what is open in November and the quieter months, how to divide your time and where to stay, from a seafront hotel near Kanoni to a boutique hotel by the old port.
Don't miss
Corfu Old Town
The UNESCO-listed old town of Corfu, a maze of arcaded lanes, pastel Venetian houses, French-style arcades and Greek churches between two fortresses.
Old and New Fortress
Corfu's two Venetian fortresses guard the old town: the Old Fortress on its rocky headland with sea views and a lighthouse, and the New Fortress above the old port.
Paxos and Antipaxos Cruise
A full-day sea trip from Corfu to the small islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, known for turquoise water, sea caves and the harbour village of Gaios. A summer-season trip.
Mon Repos and Palaiopolis Museum
A neoclassical villa in a leafy estate south of the old town, with a museum of ancient Corfu and walking paths through woods to the ruins of old Palaiopolis.
Things to do in Corfu
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Old and New Fortress
Corfu's two Venetian fortresses guard the old town: the Old Fortress on its rocky headland with sea views and a lighthouse, and the New Fortress above the old port.
Paleokastritsa Monastery and Sea Caves
Corfu's most beautiful bay on the west coast, with a clifftop monastery, turquoise coves and sea caves that are explored by small boat in season.
Liston and Spianada Square
The elegant arcade of the Liston and the vast Spianada green beside it: the living room of Corfu Town, made for coffee, people-watching and evening strolls.
1 to 2 hoursDetails →
Mon Repos and Palaiopolis Museum
A neoclassical villa in a leafy estate south of the old town, with a museum of ancient Corfu and walking paths through woods to the ruins of old Palaiopolis.
FreeKanoni and Mouse Island (Pontikonisi)
The famous view from Kanoni across Vlacherna and the tiny Pontikonisi islet, with planes landing close overhead and small boats crossing the water.
1 hourDetails →
Paxos and Antipaxos Cruise
A full-day sea trip from Corfu to the small islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, known for turquoise water, sea caves and the harbour village of Gaios. A summer-season trip.
Albania Day Trip by Sea (Saranda and Butrint)
A day trip from Corfu across the narrow strait to Albania, with the seafront of Saranda and, depending on the tour, the UNESCO ruins of Butrint. Reduced winter service.
Corfu Old Town Food Tour
A small-group walking food tour through the old town, tasting local specialities and learning how Venetian, Greek and British influences shaped Corfiot cooking.
Cooking Class and Olive Oil Tasting
A hands-on Corfiot cooking class paired with an olive oil tasting, and a good rainy-day activity in the island's olive country.
Achilleion Palace
The neoclassical palace in Gastouri that Empress Elisabeth of Austria built as a private retreat, with terraced gardens and the Dying Achilles statue, currently under restoration.
Corfu Town Coastline Cruise on a Pirate Ship
A short sightseeing cruise on a pirate-style boat along the Corfu Town coastline, with views of the fortress, the old port and the shoreline from the water.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Divani Corfu Palace
Nafsikas Street, between the old town and Kanoni
A large four-class seafront hotel on Nafsikas Street between the old town and Kanoni, with gardens, two restaurants, a seasonal pool, a gym and free parking.
Check rates →
$$$Cavalieri Hotel
Old Town, beside the Spianada
A fifty-room four-class hotel in the heart of the old town beside the Spianada, with a free breakfast buffet, a bar and restaurant and a terrace.
Check rates →Bella Venezia Hotel
Old Town, Napoleontos Zambeli Street
A characterful four-class old town hotel on Napoleontos Zambeli Street with seven room types, a garden, a terrace and a free breakfast buffet.
Check rates →Siora Vittoria Boutique Hotel
Near the Old Port
A highly rated four-class boutique hotel near the old port with a free breakfast buffet, a restaurant, a garden and terrace, bike rentals and a concierge.
Check rates →Konstantinoupolis Hotel
Old Port, Zavitsianou Street
A budget two-class hotel on Zavitsianou Street at the Old Port, with sea and city views, an elevator, a bar and a 24-hour front desk, within walking distance of the old town.
Check rates →Corfu Palace Hotel
Seafront, southern edge of Corfu Town
A long-established seafront hotel on the edge of Corfu Town, about a third of a mile from the Old Fortress, with sea-view rooms, a spa and a buffet breakfast.
Check rates →Arcadion Hotel Corfu
Corfu Old Town
A good-value three-class hotel in Corfu Old Town with an on-site restaurant and breakfast, very well reviewed by guests and an easy base for the Liston and the lanes.
Check rates →The Calliston Corfu
Corfu Old Town
A modern three-class hotel in Corfu Old Town that guests rate close to perfect, with fresh rooms and a position in the lanes near the Spianada.
Check rates →Albergo Botti Corfu
Corfu Old Town
A small old town hotel with sea views and complimentary breakfast, highly rated by guests and tucked into the historic centre of Corfu Town.
Check rates →Kontokali Bay Resort and Spa
Kontokali, north of Corfu Town
A five-class beachfront resort at Kontokali, about 3.7 miles from the old town, with a spa, Turkish baths, tennis, private-pool suites and a children's club.
Check rates →Corfu Imperial Resort
Coast north of Corfu Town
A five-class resort on the coast north of Corfu Town, about 4.4 miles from the old town and among the highest-rated luxury stays on the island.
Check rates →MarBella Corfu
Beachfront, outside Corfu Town
A beachfront five-class resort with private plunge pools, sea-view rooms, a hammam and spa, 24-hour room service and kayaking, very highly rated by guests.
Check rates →Mon Repos Palace Adults Only Corfu
About a mile from Corfu Old Town, near the airport
An adults-only four-class hotel about a mile from the old town and close to the airport, with buffet meals and bus stops nearby.
Check rates →Angsana Corfu Resort and Spa
Beachfront, south of Corfu Town near Achilleion
A beachfront five-class resort on the coast south of Corfu Town near the Achilleion Palace, with private beach access, a spa, private pools and sea-view dining.
Check rates →Arion Hotel Corfu
About 1.1 miles from Corfu Old Town
A budget-friendly three-class hotel about 1.1 miles from the old town, with breakfast, a nearby park and beaches, and a very large number of guest reviews.
Check rates →Corfu guides
First Time in Corfu: What to Book, How to Get Around & What Is Open in Winter
The practical primer for a first visit to Corfu: how long to stay, what to book ahead, how to get around the island and which boat trips and sights are seasonal.
Where to Stay in Corfu: Old Town, Old Port and the Kanoni Side
A neighbourhood guide to Corfu Town: where to base yourself for the old town, the old port and the seafront near Kanoni, matched to hotels at different budgets.
Corfu in Three Days: An Itinerary for Town, Coast and Sea
A practical three-day plan for Corfu: the old town and fortresses, Mon Repos and Kanoni, then the west coast or a day on the water, with notes for the shoulder seasons.
Eating and Drinking in Corfu: Pastitsada, Sofrito, Kumquat and Olive Oil
A guide to Corfiot food and drink: the Venetian-influenced dishes to try, olive oil and wine, kumquat sweets and ginger beer, and how to turn a food tour or cooking class into a highlight.
Best Time to Visit Corfu: Month by Month and Season by Season
When to go to Corfu: what each season offers, when the boat trips and beaches run, what changes in winter, and the festivals and Orthodox Easter traditions that shape the calendar.
Day Trips from Corfu Town: Islands, Albania, Villages and the West Coast
The best day trips from Corfu Town: Paxos and Antipaxos by sea, Saranda and Butrint in Albania, Paleokastritsa and the north west, Old Perithia, and the Achilleion Palace, with seasons and tips.
