What is Corfu famous for? History, sights, and everything you need to know

Corfu is famous for its unique multicultural history, a legacy of the Venetians, French, and English who ruled the island for centuries without it ever being conquered by the Ottomans. Its Old Town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, combines Venetian fortresses, the Liston with its French arched cafes, and British cricket grounds in Spianada. At the same time, the island is renowned for its lush green landscape with olive groves and cypress trees, its crystal-clear beaches, as well as the Achilleion, the palace of Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

In brief

• Corfu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site
• It was never conquered by the Ottomans due to its Venetian fortifications
• Spianada is the largest square in the Balkans, featuring British cricket
• The Achilleion was built for Empress Sissy of Austria
• A lush, green landscape with olive groves and impressive beaches

What Corfu is famous for

The Venetian Old Town

Corfu's Old Town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007, thanks to its unbroken Venetian defensive architecture, which has remained largely intact for centuries. The narrow alleys, known as 'kantounia', the tall buildings with dark shutters, and the arched squares are more reminiscent of an Italian city than a typical Greek island, a result of four centuries of Venetian rule.

The Old and New Fortresses

Two imposing fortresses dominate Corfu Town, built by the Venetians to protect the island from Ottoman raids. The Old Fortress, built on two rocky hills, later served as a British garrison, while the New Fortress offers panoramic views of the city. Thanks to these fortifications, Corfu was the only Greek island never conquered by the Ottomans.

Spianada and Liston

Spianada is considered the largest square in the Balkans and combines British heritage, with a cricket pitch still in use, with the French-inspired Liston, an arcade with arches and cafes inspired by Rue de Rivoli in Paris. Residents and visitors gather here daily, making it the heart of the city's social life.

The Achilleion Palace

The Achilleion palace was built in the late 19th century for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sissy, inspired by the mythical hero Achilles. It was later acquired by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. The garden with its statues and the views of the Ionian Sea make it one of the most visited attractions on the island.

Saint Spyridon and religious tradition

Corfu's patron saint, Saint Spyridon, is honoured with processions of his relic four times a year, a unique event in Greek religious tradition. His church in the Old Town, with its distinctive bell tower, is a landmark, and the processions attract thousands of faithful and visitors.

The green landscape and olive groves

Corfu is famous for its dense vegetation, a result of the millions of olive trees planted by the Venetians, some of which are over five hundred years old. This landscape, combined with cypress trees and citrus groves, gives the island an appearance closer to an Ionian or Italian landscape than the typical dry image of other Greek islands.

Must-see attractions

Old Fortress

A Venetian fort perched on two rocky hills, known as Korifoi (Peaks), from which the city takes its name. It includes a lighthouse, a church, and views of the harbour and sea, symbolising the island's defensive history.

Museum of Asian Art

Housed in the Palace of Saints Michael and George, it hosts one of the most significant collections of Asian art in Greece, with objects from China, Japan, and India, donated by 20th-century collectors.

Church of Saint Spyridon

The most important church in the city, with its tall bell tower standing out in the Old Town panorama. It houses the relic of the patron saint, who is honoured with processions throughout the year.

Achilleion Palace

A neoclassical palace in Gastouri, built for Empress Sissy, with gardens full of statues inspired by Greek mythology and views of the Ionian Sea.

Pontikonisi (Mouse Island) and Vlacherna Monastery

A small wooded islet with a tiny church, visible from the Kanoni hilltop, next to the Vlacherna Monastery, which is connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, making it one of the most photographed images of the island.

Local gastronomy: what to try

• Sofrito — Beef cooked with garlic and vinegar, an influence of Venetian cuisine, one of Corfu's most characteristic dishes.
• Pastitsada — Braised meat with pasta and spicy tomato sauce, a staple dish for celebrations and Sunday meals.
• Bourdeto — Spicy fish cooked with red pepper, typical of Corfiot seafood cuisine.
• Tzitzibira (Ginger Beer) — A traditional carbonated ginger soft drink of the island, particularly popular in summer.
• Kumquat — A small citrus fruit cultivated on the island, used for spoon sweets and liqueurs, a typical Corfiot product.
• Corfu Olive Oil — A product from the island's ancient olive groves, a key ingredient in all local cuisine and a popular tourist souvenir.

Beaches, nature, and landscape

Paleokastritsa Beach

A series of coves with turquoise waters on the western side of the island, surrounded by green hills and the Paleokastritsa Monastery. Popular for boat trips to nearby caves.

Kanoni and Pontikonisi

A hilltop south of the city with views of the small islet of Pontikonisi and the Vlacherna Monastery, one of the most iconic landscapes of the island, ideal for sunsets.

Agios Gordios Beach

A sandy beach in the southwest, known for its rock formations and views of the 'Five Brothers', also popular for sunsets.

Lake Korission

A wetland in the south of the island with significant birdlife, separated from the sea by sand dunes, ideal for those seeking wilder nature.

When to visit

The best time to visit Corfu is from May to mid-October, with June and September offering warm weather without the large crowds of July and August. Due to its location in the Ionian Sea, the island receives more rain in winter compared to the Aegean islands, which explains its lush green landscape. The processions of Saint Spyridon in August and November attract many people to the Old Town, while Easter with its Corfiot customs, such as the breaking of the 'botides' (clay pots), offers a unique experience.

How to get there

Corfu has an airport with direct flights from Athens lasting approximately 50 minutes, as well as many international flights in summer. It is also connected by ferry from Igoumenitsa in about 1-1.5 hours and from Patras in about 7-8 hours, while there are also routes from Italy, from Bari, Ancona, and Brindisi. KTEL (intercity bus service) offers connections to Athens via Igoumenitsa.

Where to stay

Corfu Town offers the most central base, close to the Old Town and museums, ideal for those who want to explore history on foot. Paleokastritsa suits those who desire nature and sea, while Kanoni and Gouvia are preferred by those seeking tranquility near the city. The northern side, with areas like Sidari, attracts a younger crowd and families.

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Practical tips

• Visit the Old Town early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds of visitors.
• Book your ticket for the Achilleion online in summer to avoid waiting in queues.
• Check the dates of Saint Spyridon's processions if you wish to attend them.
• Rent a car to reach beaches such as Agios Gordios and Paleokastritsa.
• Try pastitsada or sofrito in a traditional tavern in the Old Town for an authentic taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Corfu famous for?

Corfu is famous for its Venetian Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for the fact that it was never conquered by the Ottomans, for the Achilleion palace of Empress Sissy, as well as for its green landscape with ancient olive groves and the picturesque beaches of the Ionian Sea.

How many days are needed for Corfu?

Four to five days are enough to see the Old Town, the Achilleion, Paleokastritsa, and some beaches. If you want to explore the northern and southern parts of the island at your leisure, it's a good idea to allow for a week.

Why was Corfu not conquered by the Ottomans?

Thanks to the strong Venetian fortifications, the Old and New Fortresses, as well as the naval power of the Venetian Republic which controlled the island for over four centuries, Corfu managed to repel repeated Ottoman sieges and remained the only Greek island outside Ottoman control.

Is the Achilleion worth visiting?

Yes, the Achilleion is one of the island's most popular attractions due to its history with Empress Sissy, its gardens with statues inspired by Achilles, and its views of the Ionian. A visit usually takes one to two hours and can be easily combined with other sights in southern Corfu.

When do the Saint Spyridon processions take place?

The processions of Saint Spyridon's relic take place four times a year, with the most well-known occurring on Palm Sunday, Holy Saturday, 11th August, and the first Sunday of November, attracting crowds of worshippers to the Old Town.

Is a car needed in Corfu?

For the city and the Old Town, no, as everything can be explored on foot. However, to visit beaches such as Paleokastritsa, Agios Gordios, or Sidari in the north, a car or KTEL buses significantly facilitate travel around the island.

Corfu combines a rare multicultural history, with Venetian fortresses, French arcades, and British cricket grounds, with one of the greenest landscapes among the Greek islands. From the Old Town and the Achilleion to Paleokastritsa and Pontikonisi, the island offers experiences that fully justify its reputation as one of the most distinctive destinations in the Ionian Sea.