Corfu: Beyond the Beach Resorts

Corfu Old Town: The UNESCO Heart

Corfu Town's historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007, and the designation is deserved. Unlike most Greek islands — which were shaped by Greek, Venetian, or Ottoman influence singly — Corfu's Old Town reflects four centuries of Venetian rule (1386-1797) followed by French and British colonial periods. The result is architecturally unique in the Greek world: Italian loggias, French Regency-style arcades, British neo-classical buildings, and Greek Orthodox churches, all within a few hundred metres of each other.

The Spianada (Esplanade)

The largest square in the Balkans — a vast open space between the Old and New Fortresses, with the famous Liston arcade along one side. The Liston was built by the French in 1807, modelled on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, and is where Corfiots promenade in the evenings and drink coffee under the arches. The cricket pitch in the middle is a legacy of British rule (1814-1864) — cricket is still played here. Extraordinary in its combination of scale and architectural history.

The Old Fortress (Paleo Frourio)

A Venetian fortress on a rocky promontory, separated from the town by a channel. The fortress dates from the 12th-13th century, modified by the Venetians, and survived multiple Ottoman sieges. The views from the upper battlements across the Adriatic and back toward Albania are exceptional. Entrance €6; allow 1.5-2 hours. Sound-and-light shows in summer (€12).

The Campiello Quarter

The heart of the medieval town — a dense maze of Venetian alleyways, stairways, and small squares. The architecture dates from the 15th-17th centuries: narrow buildings with washing lines between them, small Orthodox chapels at intersections, doorways with carved stone heraldry. Get deliberately lost here for an hour. This is the real Corfu Town, away from the tourist restaurants on the Liston.

The Best Beaches in Corfu

Corfu's beaches vary enormously — from turquoise Ionian coves with extraordinary water to crowded resort strips that could be anywhere. The northwest of the island has the best beaches for independent travellers.

Villages & the Interior

Corfu's interior is covered in olive groves — 3 million olive trees, many planted by the Venetians 400 years ago, still producing oil. The villages between them are among the most attractive in the Ionian islands, with architecture that reflects the island's complex history.

Pelekas: A hilltop village with a "Kaiser's Throne" viewpoint where Kaiser Wilhelm II reportedly watched sunsets during his visits to Corfu. Excellent panoramic views; local tavernas with Corfu specialities (sofrito, pastitsada). 14km from Corfu Town.

Gastouri & the Achilleion Palace: Built in 1890 for Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi), later used by Kaiser Wilhelm II. The palace is overwrought 19th-century romanticism, but the formal gardens with statues of Achilles and the sea views are genuinely beautiful. Entrance €10.

Ano Korakiana: A working village of 1,500 people with a baroque 16th-century church (Sts Merkourios and Georgios), local olive oil production, and a gentleness that the coastal tourist villages lack. The Sunday morning market is a slice of genuine Corfiot life.

Benitses: Once a major British package resort (1980s), now a quieter fishing village with an excellent beach, a Roman bathhouse (free, visible from the street), and significantly lower prices than Corfu Town.

Where to Stay in Corfu

Ionian Food: Corfu's Unique Cuisine

Corfu's food reflects its history — more Italian influence than any other Greek island, shaped by four centuries of Venetian rule and the proximity to the Italian coast (Albania is 3km away; Italy 80km).

• Sofrito: Corfu's signature dish — thin veal slices braised in white wine vinegar, garlic, and parsley. Tender, tangy, served with rice. Order it everywhere; every kitchen makes it slightly differently.
• Pastitsada: Slow-cooked meat (traditionally cockerel) in a rich tomato and cinnamon sauce, served over thick pasta. The Venetian influence is obvious — similar to Italian braised meat dishes. €12-18 in a local restaurant.
• Bourdeto: Spicy fish stew — scorpionfish or other firm white fish in a paprika-heavy tomato broth. A fisherman's dish, now a restaurant staple. Order with crusty bread to mop up the sauce.
• Kumquat liqueur: A unique Corfu product — kumquats (small citrus fruits) were introduced to the island in the 19th century and now appear in liqueurs, preserves, and sweets. The liqueur (gold, sweet, intensely citrusy) is the default Corfu souvenir.
• Corfiot olive oil: Produced from trees planted by the Venetians 400 years ago — mild, fruity, with low acidity. Buy directly from a producer in the interior rather than from tourist shops.

Getting There & Getting Around

Flights: Corfu Airport (CFU) — direct connections from Athens (1 hour) and numerous European cities. The airport is only 3km from town; the approach over the sea and mountains is one of the most dramatic in Greece. Summer flights book up early.

Ferry from the mainland: Igoumenitsa to Corfu (1.5 hours, €12-18; multiple daily crossings) — if you're driving through Greece, this is the route. Also connections from Patras and from Bari, Italy (overnight, 8 hours).

Getting around: Corfu Town is walkable. For the rest of the island, you need a car (€30-50/day) — the bus system covers the main north-south route but is inadequate for exploring the northwest beaches and interior villages. Scooters work for the east coast but the west coast roads are winding and sometimes steep.

Corfu Real Costs: 2026

Corfu is priced similarly to Rhodes — significantly cheaper than the Cyclades for equivalent quality. Field prices verified June 2026.