Corfu
« Greece was a muse. It inspired creativity in magical ways that I can’t even begin to understand or explain » - Joe Bonamassa
Corfu is one of the largest Greek islands and has all the requirements of a paradise, between mountains and forests, timeless village and azure blue beaches. Greek but with Italian influences due to its geographical position and history, Corfu has always made tourists dream but has known through the centuries to inspire writers and artists such as Goethe, Alfred Sisley or Lawrence Durrell.
Today, Corfu is a true cultural melting pot, with Venetian influences in its architecture, Italian and French flavours in its cuisine and a typically British lifestyle. For many years, Corfu Town has been overlooked by tourists heading straight to the beach, which has probably saved this beautifully preserved Venetian town from the property developers. Don't leave without seeing the Gorgon pediment from the Artemis Temple (580BC) in the Archaeological Museum and the spectacular art collection in the Museum of Asian Art.
Activities
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Angelokastro, Corfu
This Byzantine castle is on the highest peak of Corfu’s shoreline on the north west coast, near Paleokastritsa. It formed a defensive triangle with the castles of Gardiki and Kassiopi, which covered Corfu's defences to the south, northwest and northeast.
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Archaeological Museum of Corfu
The museum exhibits the finds from several excavated sites across the island, from places like Paleopolis, Kanoni, Garitsa and Kassiopi. It is beautifully curated.
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Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa, Corfu
The Antivouniotissa Museum is in the former church of the Holy Mother of God Antivouniotissa, one of the oldest and richest religious monuments on Corfu. It includes post-Byzantine religious art of the Cretan and early Heptanese schools in Corfu.
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Casa Parlante Museum, Corfu
Slap bang in the centre of Corfu town, a few meters from Liston and Spianada Square, is this 19th-century town house which has been turned into a museum to show how a noble Corfu family lived at that time. It may sound like a tourist trap but the visit is actually very informative and enjoyable.
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Gardiki Castle, Corfu
A 13th-century Byzantine castle which was one of three castles which defended the island during the Venetian era (1401–1797).
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Kardaki Temple, Corfu
This Archaic Doric temple, built around 500 BC, is in the grounds of the villa Mon Repos on Analipsis Hill in the east of Corfu. You can wander around these extraordinary ruins at your will.
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Lake Antiniotissa, Corfu
On the north-east coast of Corfu, near Agios Spiridon beach, Lake Antiniotissa is an important wetland area that is enclosed with a Natura 2000 nature protection area.
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Maitland Monument, Corfu
This neoclassical monument at the end of Spianada Square was built in the early 19th-century to honour British military officer Sir Thomas Maitland.
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Mon Repos, Corfu
On top of Analipsis Hill, two kilometres south of Corfu town, this villa includes the Paleopolis Museum. Under stated are the ruins of The Temple of Hera or Heraion which you can wander around in the grounds.
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Saint George's Church, The Old Fortress, Corfu
The neoclassical Saint George's church with its striking white marble pillars was built in 1840 as an Anglican church for British soldiers who were stationed at the Old Fortress.
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Saint Spyridon Church, Corfu
In the centre of Corfu Old Town, this Greek Orthodox church was built in the 1580s. It houses the relics of Saint Spyridon. It is a single-nave basilica and its bell tower is the highest in the Ionian Islands. It is the most famous church in Corfu.
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Serbian Museum of Corfu
In the Serbian Consulate in Corfu Town, this small museum houses rare exhibits tracking the Serbian soldiers' tragic fate during the First World War. It is well worth a visit.
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The Achilleion Palace, Corfu
Perched on a rock with stunning views over the sea, the palace was built as a holiday home for Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the 19th-century, after the death of her only son. Its architecture was inspired by the ancient palace of Phaeacia in Greek mythology, reflecting Elizabeth’s admiration and love for Classical Greece.
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The Monastery at Arkoudilas, Corfu
'Arkoudilas' on Corfu's South West Coat is usually known for its beautiful unspoiled beach which is a few kilometres from the resort town of Cava. A well kept secret is it beautiful 18th century monastery.
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The Monastery, Palaiokastritsa, Corfu
The monastery of the Holy Theotokos, also known as Paleokastritsa Monastery, is one of the oldest in Corfu, dating back to 1225. It is above the town of Palaiokastritsa. It's a fascinating place to explore with a beautiful little Byzantine church and monastery and a fabulous view over the sea below.
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