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Corfu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe thanks to its beautiful beaches, rich history, and fantastic sunny climate. This Ionian island has been shaped by Byzantine, Venetian, French, and British influence over the last 1000 years and as a result, Corfiot architecture, art, culture, and cuisine are truly unique and distinct from that of Greece.
If you want to learn more about Corfu’s history and culture, be sure to explore some of these 14 must-see attractions on your next visit.
1. Corfu Old Town
The Old Town of Corfu is a maze of cobbled alleyways winding through elegant Venetian and neoclassical buildings, many of which are now home to traditional tavernas and eateries. The entirety of Corfu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you can happily spend hours wandering around taking in the historic architecture.
The following three sites are the main landmarks of Corfu Old Town and are not to be missed:
Old Fortress
- Address: Corfu 491 00
- Opening hours: Summer: 8 am – 8 pm daily / Winter: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm daily
The Old Fortress lies on the east side of Corfu Town beyond the canal. Its origins date back to the 6th century, but it was developed and strengthened multiple times over the following centuries by the Byzantines and the Venetians.
Some of the fortifications and bastions found here are considered masterpieces of engineering which is why the Old Fortress has such important historical significance.
New Fortress
- Address: El. Venizelou 13, Kerkira 491 00
- Opening hours: Summer: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm Wednesday to Monday / Winter: closed
The New Fortress protects the west side of Corfu Town. It was originally constructed by the Venetians in the 16th century but most of the buildings that currently exist within the fortress were constructed by the British during the 19th century.
The fortress is very impressive architecturally, and it offers fantastic views of the mountains, the Ionian Sea, and mainland Greece from its bastions.
Spianada Square
- Address: Pl. Leonida Vlachou, Kerkira 491 00
- Opening hours: 24 hours
The Spianada, which translates to “esplanade,” is a large, open area framed by beautiful buildings and monuments such as the Liston Complex and the Palace of St. Michael and St. George.
It was originally created by the Venetians in the 16th century to improve visibility around the Old Fortress, but in later years it was the French and the British that transformed the Spianada into a cosmopolitan meeting point.
2. Archaeological Museum of Corfu
- Address: Vrela Armeni 1, Kerkira 491 00
- Opening hours: Summer: Sunday 8 am – 8 pm Monday to Wednesday / Winter: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm Wednesday to Sunday
The Archaeological Museum of Corfu tells the history of Corfu from the prehistoric era up to late antiquity. It boasts 1,600 exhibits including the pediment from the nearby Temple of Artemis, which is the oldest surviving ancient Greek stone pediment.
3. St. Spyridon Church
- Address: Agiou Spiridonos 32, Kerkira 491 00
- Opening hours: 7 am – 8 pm daily
St. Spyridon is Corfu’s best-known church, and it has the highest bell tower in all of the Ionian Islands. Not only is the 16th-century architecture incredibly beautiful, but the church is also striking because it displays the mummified body of Saint Spyridon, Corfu’s patron saint. The mummy is encased in a silver casket to allow locals and pilgrims to pay their respects.
4. Achilleion Palace
- Address: Achilleio 490 84
- Opening hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily
Achillion Palace was constructed in the 19th century for Empress Elisabeth of Austria to serve as her summer residence. The impressive neoclassical property was designed by Raffaele Caritto, an Italian architect who used the Greek hero Achilles as the central theme.
The house and gardens are filled with stunning sculptures and artworks inspired by Greek mythology, as well as pieces of memorabilia related to Elisabeth and her husband Franz Joseph.
5. Old Perithia
- Address: Old, Perithia 490 81
- Opening hours: 9.30 am – 11 pm daily
Corfu is dotted with charming villages. However, Old Perithia, which has Venetian origins and once served as a hideaway from pirates, is unique in that it was completely deserted in the 1960s and is now trapped in time.
It lies in the mountains close to Mount Pantokrator and there are records of its existence as far back as the 14th century. It has a fascinating mix of architecture and although many of its structures are in disrepair, some of its buildings have been lovingly restored.
6. Paleokastritsa Monastery
- Address: Palaiokastritsa 490 83
- Opening hours: 7 am – 1 pm & 3 pm – 8 pm daily
Paleokastritsa Monastery was established on its northwest coast headland in the 13th century, on a site that was once home to a medieval castle. Just eight monks reside there today to provide masses and give tours of the grounds.
The building itself is beautifully cloaked with geraniums and bougainvillea. Wander around the small museum and sample the olives and olive oil grown and produced on the grounds by the monks.
7. The Douglas Column
- Address: Leof. Dimokratias, Kerkira 491 00
- Opening hours: 24 hours
The Douglas Column is a monument dedicated to Howard Douglas who was the English High Commissioner of Corfu and the Ionian Islands. He contributed to the construction of many public roads, buildings, and services during the 1830s, including the Ionion Bank which was the first bank in Greece.
8. Angelokastro
- Address: Paleokastrites 490 83
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5.30 pm daily
Angelokastro is a 13th-century castle set on a steep rocky spur 980 feet above the sea. It was the official capital of Corfu under the Venetian rule of the 14th century. Little of the castle remains except for its walls and a tiny church, but there are incredible views across the island and out to sea from its grounds.
9. Mon Repos
- Address: Dairpfela 16, Kerkira 491 00
- Opening hours: Winter: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm Wednesday to Monday / Summer: 8 am – 8 pm Wednesday to Monday / 8 am – 4 pm Tuesday
Mon Repos is a neoclassical villa on the east coast of the island that was constructed in 1831 to serve as the summer residence of British High Commissioner Frederick Adam and was later used as a Royal Palace for both British and Greek monarchies. The mansion is now a museum packed with impressive art and ancient artifacts uncovered on the grounds during archaeological excavations.
10. Vlacherna Monastery
- Address: Paleopolis 163, Kerkira 491 00
- Opening hours: 8 am – 8.30 pm Monday to Friday / 8.30 am – 7.30 pm Saturday & Sunday
Vlacherna Monastery is a picturesque attraction set on an islet off the southern end of the Kanoni Peninsula, south of Corfu Town. One of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of Vlacherna Monastery is to spend a few hours on a self-guided walking tour of this southern tip of Kanoni.
First, grab a coffee from one of the cafes at the top of the rocks to admire the views of the islands. Then, wander down to the pier and take the small footbridge to the monastery.
From there, briefly retrace your steps and take the Kanoni-Perami footbridge right across to Pontikinisi Beach, which offers fabulous views of the pretty Pontikinisi Island (Mouse Island) and is a great spot for watching planes fly into Corfu International Airport.
11. Kassiopi
The traditional fishing village of Kassiopi lies on the northeast coast and offers views across the North Strait of Corfu to Albania. There are several pretty beaches to relax on, but the village’s crowing glory is the partially-ruined Byzantine Kassiopi Castle which dates back to the 6th century.
12. Corfu Museum of Asian Art
- Website: matk.gr
- Address: Palace of St. Michael & St. George, (Palea Anaktora), 491 00
- Opening hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily
The Corfu Museum of Asian Art is Greece’s only museum solely dedicated to artworks from across Asia. It was originally founded as the Museum of Sino-Japanese Art in 1928 but has since expanded its collection and now boasts around 15,000 artworks from many Asian countries, including Thailand, Tibet, Pakistan, and India.
13. Paxos and Antipaxos
Paxos and Antipaxos are two islands that lie south of Corfu and are accessible by boat only. Their isolated position has allowed them to remain relatively unspoiled and they’re renowned for their charming villages and gorgeous beaches with warm blue waters. Take a day cruise to the islands to explore, and be sure to check out the mystical Blue Caves on the west coast of Paxos.
14. Corfu Beaches
Corfu Island has countless beaches to explore, from quiet, isolated coves to bustling stretches of sand or pebbles. Let’s take a look at four of the best beaches on the island:
Paleokastritsa Beach
Paleokastritsa Beach is situated between high walls of rock at the end of a long inlet, which means its waters are incredibly calm and ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Although the beach is narrow it has golden sands rather than shingles which makes it easy to spend a full day lounging here.
Issos Beach
Issos Beach is a Blue Flag beach which means it’s incredibly clean, safe, and suitable for families. Despite being very popular, the beach is long enough that you can beat the crowds by walking west to find a secluded spot.
Glyfada Beach
Glyfada Beach on the east coast is considered one of the best on the island, thanks to its fine golden sand and backdrop of lush green hillsides. It has great facilities, including cafes, tavernas, water sports rentals, and boat trips.
Canal d’Amour Beach
Sidari is a popular party resort, but the nearby creek of Canal d’Amour (Tunnel of Love) is a scenic escape with fascinating rock formations. Local superstition says that couples who swim through the tunnel together will never part.
Plan Your Corfu Sightseeing Schedule
These are some of the top attractions that Corfu has to offer, but there are plenty more gems to be discovered once you arrive. Which popular sights do you want to see when you visit this scenic Greek island?
