Corfu walking tour & city guide

The old town

The Liston, an elegant arcaded promenade built by the French and modeled on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, faces the Spianada, one of the largest squares in Greece. Behind it, narrow lanes called kantounia wind between tall houses with laundry hanging overhead, opening onto small squares and churches.

The Church of Saint Spyridon, with its red-domed bell tower, holds the relics of the island's patron saint and is the spiritual heart of the town. Corfiots carry the saint through the streets in processions several times a year.

Fortresses and palaces

The Old Fortress stands on a rocky promontory separated from the town by a sea moat, and climbing to its lighthouse gives a sweeping view. The New Fortress on the other side of town was built by the Venetians to strengthen the defenses. The Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George, built for the British, now holds a museum of Asian art.

Outside town, the Achilleion palace of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the views from Kanoni over the tiny Mouse Island, and the turquoise bays of Paleokastritsa are classic excursions.

Visiting tips

Corfu is greener than most Greek islands because it gets more rain, so spring is especially beautiful. The town is easy to explore on foot, while a car or local bus is best for the coast. Easter in Corfu is famous for its unique traditions, including throwing clay pots from balconies.