14 Most Popular Sightseeings in Corfu
12 Most Popular Sightseeing in Corfu
In the heart of the Adriatic Sea is Corfu, one of the Ionian Islands. The Greek island of Corfu, also known as Kerkyra, has been under the control of many different cultures and nations, giving it a cultured and fascinating history. Corfu Town is the biggest town on the island, but there are many more historic landmarks, fishing villages, religious structures and beaches that attract visitors. Take a closer look at the top attractions in Corfu in order to understand all that this Greek island has in store.
1. Achilleion Palace
One of the most beautiful landmarks in Corfu is the Achilleion Palace. As the name suggests, the palace was built with the theme of Achilles himself, so there is an emphasis throughout the structure on beauty, symmetry and sculpture. The opulent palace was built in 1890 by Empress of Austria Elisabeth of Bavaria (also known as Sisi), a woman known to be obsessed with physical beauty. After the death of her son in 1889, she threw herself into the creation of Achilleion Palace, which served as a summer palace for decades. Visiting the palace today offers the chance to see inside the refurbished rooms as well as the sculpture garden, including the noteworthy sculpture of Achilles dying.
Opening hours, ticket prices, information
The Achillion museum is open daily from 08:00 am to 7 pm, and on Saturdays Sundays and holidays from 8 am to 2.30 pm
The ticket prices ranging from 2-10 €
More specifically, for children up to 14 years is 2 € , youngsters up to 18, students and large families is 5 €, and for all adults is about 7 €.
Full ticket with audio guide, etc. is 10 €
2. Vlacherna Monastery, and Kanoni
One of the most iconic landmarks, and one closely associated with the Corfu’s history, is the Vlacherna Monastery. The woman’s monastery is located on a tiny island off the coast. In order to access the island, which is almost entirely covered by the monastery itself, visitors have to walk along the narrow wharf that leads from the coast to Vlacherna. The bright white architecture of the Vlacherna Monastery, built at the end of the 17th century, stands out against the background of the blue waters surrounding it, creating an iconic image that is even more beautiful in person than in photographs.
3.Kanoni
The Kanoni is one of the most popular attractions in Corfu. It is a peninsula located south of the city of Corfu.
It is very close to the airport and is the ideal location if you like to observe the airplanes. The peninsula took its name from the cannon that exists there from 1798 until today. They placed it on the southern edge of the peninsula for the French to strengthen the protection of the island.
From the Kanoni you admire the magnificent view of Pontikonisi and the islet with the Vlacherna monastery.
In the area you will find everything from cafes, restaurants, clubs and the casino of the island to Casino Corfu.
The view of Mouse Island from Kanoni is one of the most recognisable scenes on the whole island, familiar from many photos. Of course the photos don’t show you that the airport runway is just off to one side – but it’s still a beautiful spot.
4. Old Fortress, Corfu Town
On the easternmost point of the peninsula where Corfu Town is located stands the Old Fortress of Corfu. Known to Greeks as the Paleo Frourio, this incredible medieval structure was built in 1546 when the Venetians ruled over the island. The history of the site goes back even further, however, as a Byzantine castle one stood where the fortress is currently located. Separated from the town by a moat, the Old Fortress boasts two small peaks, or korypha, that are responsible for the island’s name of Corfu. Inside the fortress, visitors will find several British structures, such as the Church of St. George, which were installed in the place of the original Venetian buildings. The opening hours of the Old Fortress of Corfu are 08: 00-20: 00 and there is no entrance ticket.
5. Saint Spyridon Church
Arguably the most beautiful of the churches on the island of Corfu is the Saint Spyridon Church, which was constructed in the 1580s. It boasts the highest bell tower in the Ionian Islands, and it is located in the heart of Old Town Corfu. The church houses a collection of relics from St. Spyridon, which belonged to the Voulgaris family until the 16th century. The church’s crypt also houses the remains of the saint himself in a double sarcophagus. Venetian silver and stunning paintings decorate the church, making it a truly breathtaking interior that even those without religious affiliation will appreciate.
6. Liston
Liston in Corfu was built on the initiative of the French emperors at the beginning of the 19th century. In the years that followed, the English gradually added the hearths and floors to the building that now houses homes and offices.
Liston is a meeting point for both locals and tourists and is the most cosmopolitan point of the island. It is an ideal destination for enjoying your morning or afternoon coffee especially if you do not visit the island in the heart of Summer.
7. Corfu Old Town
Arguably the most popular sight in all of Corfu is the Old Town, which is definitely the hub of the island and the spot where visitors will find the greatest concentration of noteworthy historic attractions. Of particular significance is the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, or Palaia Anaktora, which was built in the 19th century and now houses the extensive collections in the Museum of Modern Art. Also in Corfu Old Town is the Esplanade, a promenade and park built by the French when Napoleon was in power. Truly reminiscent of France, the Esplanade is a popular spot in which to stroll and take in the beauty of the Old Town
8. The Esplanade
Between the tightly packed buildings of the old town and the Old Fortress, the Esplanade (Spianada) is a vast green space and claims to be the second largest square in Europe. Corfu’s main public gathering space, it is overlooked by the arcaded Liston, built by the French in the 19th-century, and home to a row of pricey cafés that are ideal for people-watching.
Locals play cricket (a game passed down to them by the British) on the carefully tended lawns of the Esplanade, and there is also a bandstand where brass bands occasionally play.
9. Mon Repos
Set in a beautiful park and approached along a winding tree-lined avenue is the Neoclassical palace of Mon Repos, birthplace in 1921 of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Built in 1831 for the British High Commissioner, it was later used as the summer home of the Greek royal family.
Sadly, the palace is falling into a state of disrepair, and the garden is overgrown in places. Besides being a tourist attraction, it is used to host conferences. You’ll find it in the Kanoni area of town, a pleasant 30-minute walk from the center, and also served by public bus.
The entrance ticket to the museum costs 4 euros the whole and 2 euros reduced. It runs from 08:00 to 15:00 except Mondays. To get to Mon Repo and the museum you can take Corfu’s bus line 2, which runs every half hour.
10. The Royal Palace: Museum of Asian Art
Commissioned in 1816 as the Royal Palace for the British Lord High Commissioner, the Museum of Asian Art is one of the top things to do in Corfu Town. Today, the Neoclassical mansion at the north end of the Esplanade is a remarkable museum.
It features an impressive collection of Chinese, Japanese, and Indian paintings, porcelains, and sculpture, dating from the Neolithic era through the 19th-century. There’s also a lovely courtyard café with fantastic views across the sea channel to Albania.
Address: Plateía Spianáda, 49100 Corfu Town (Kérkyra)
11. Paleokastritsa Beach
Paleokastritsa, which translates to the place of the old castle, is a small village in the northwest of Corfu Island. Although there are several monasteries and churches of historic significance located there, the biggest attraction is the main beach. A paved promenade hugs the coast, offering the chance to walk alongside the sand and enjoy views of the water. The beach is a fantastic spot for swimming or sailing, and several restaurants are just steps from the water, serving up coffee, drinks or Corfu’s many culinary specialties.
12. Kassiopi
The northeast section of Corfu is home to Kassiopi, a scenic coastal resort that is popular with travelers from around the world. Brits, in particular, gravitate to the resort’s large beaches, fantastic eateries and relaxed atmosphere. Kassiopi is said to have been founded in the third century BC, and a Byzantine fortress still stands on a hill overlooking the town and its beaches. On the pebble beach, all kinds of recreational activities are available, letting visitors enjoy parasailing, horseback riding, scuba diving and swimming.
13. Canal D’Amour, Sidari
On the western side of the island are several popular resort areas, most of which are busy year-round thanks to international tourism. One, called Sidari, is especially popular thanks to its proximity to a natural landmark known as the Canal de l’Amour. Accessible on foot right at one end of the beach, the Canal de l’Amour is a series of narrow inlets created by sandstone cliffs. Each of the inlets offers something unique, ranging from a pristine strip of white sand to paths that lead to gorgeous stone archways or hidden caverns. Thanks to the cliffs, the inlets are protected by the winds, making them a great place to soak up the sun on cooler days.
14.Find Corfu’s best beach at Porto Timoni
If there’s only one spot you visit in Corfu, make sure it’s Porto Timoni, which is my favourite beach and coastline on the island. If you’re arriving by car, park up in the village (or just outside) and take the 20-minute stroll down to the beach itself.