Introduction

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Corfu Town is one of the prettiest towns in the Mediterranean. A mixture of Italian, French and British influences combine to make the town unique in Greece, almost a half-way-house between the East and the West.
The old town, which runs between two ancient fortresses, along the sea coast and inland in a maze of cobbled streets and steep steps, has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status, and is full of delights for the visitor and resident alike. There are myriad churches, squares and alleyways to explore, the famous esplanade - Liston - modelled on the Rue de Rivoli - is famous for its coffee shops and restaurants where you can sit and watch the world go by. In the summer the wide pavements and adjoining park are thronged with visitors, and in winter the locals congregate here to exchange news and views and gossip while their children play. In the evenings as the dusk falls and the house martins whirl and swirl amongst the rooftops, groups of teenagers gather to pass the time on their way to and from extra lessons or music practice. Totally Mediterranean in this respect, Corfiots live their lives outside and the climate encourages the visitor to join in and pretend to be Greek. There are many top quality restaurants serving a wide variety of local specialities and dishes from other countries as well as smaller local tavernas, intimate bars, coffee and cake shops. The town is the centre of island life not only because of its many shops, but because it is here that you will find doctors, banks, accountants and all the essentials for daily living. Ferry boats to and from the mainland ply the narrow straits - it takes just 1.5 hours to reach the Greek port of Igoumenitsa which then connects with various mainland locations via wide and largely empty motorways. Cruise ships regularly dock and unload their passengers to explore the island, and the airport is located on the edge of the town.

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Driving to Corfu and parking

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To go to Corfu Town, take the main road north towards Town, until you reach traffic lights. Do NOT follow signs for Centre - take signs for AIRPORT. Go past the airport, 1km takes you to the sea, turn left and PARK ALONG HERE. (Garitsa Bay) Then keep walking along the bay to your left as you face the sea, past Corfu Palace Hotel, (total about 300m) and you will come to the park. Keep walking another 100m and you will see the cricket pitch and Liston coffee shops over on your left. Turn Left here, and this will take you into the old part of Town. When you leave Corfu Town, simply turn around and retrace your route past the airport. This saves you from getting stuck in the complex one-way system in the centre of the Town. (Also use this route if you are heading to the north of the island - Paleokastritsa / Kassiopi / etc.)

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​10 places to see in Corfu Town

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• Kanoni - a picture postcard panorama and a unique view of Corfu Airport

• Banknote Museum - a collection of Greek currency from 1822 to the present day

• Vidos Island - opposite the port and a tranquil haven away from the bustle of the city

• The Fortresses - spectacular views reward the climb to the top of the battlements

• British Cemetery - reminder of the British occupation and a haven for rare orchids

• Cavalieri Hotel - stunning panoramic views of Corfu Town from the rooftop bar

• Vegetable Market - fresh fruit, vegetables and fish displayed in a riot of colour

• Jewish Quarter - the island's Jewish community dates back to the 12th century

• Corfu Sailing Club - somewhere completely different for lunch or just a drink

• Monument to Kostas Georgakis - who died in 1970 protesting the military dictatorship

• Panayiapoula Church - a tiny church with an historic icon dating back to at least 1650