Corfu Guide

Corfu has been described as a cultural mix of Italy, mostly Venice with a touch of Naples, France, at its most elegant and England, for its eccentricities, but always Greek. A stroll through the narrow kantounia, the cobbled maze of streets in the Old Town, bears witness to the influence of the conquerors of this small island.

Corfu Town has much to offer even the most well travelled visitor. The art galleries and museums, of which there are more than a dozen, hold regular exhibitions. The town’s three brass bands, symphony orchestra, opera company, choir, contemporary and traditional dance groups and drama societies guarantee a full programme of musical and theatrical events that make Corfu Town a vibrant home for its 30,000 residents.

Add to this the sporting and sailing events, cricket pitch, historical monuments and churches that sit next to artisan boutiques selling original pieces of jewellery, clothing and objet d’art make a day in Corfu Town exciting and interesting. As the sun sets the cafes and restaurants are perfect for absorbing the cosmopolitan atmosphere that makes Corfu Town unique.

Mouse Island or Pontikonissi, is a small, hilly and densely wooded island that legend says was formed when the ship that had taken Odysseus back to Ithaki returned to its home port. Poseidon, who was angry at being defied by the Phaeceans, turned the ship to stone. The 13th century Monastery of Pantocrator on Mouse Island, has a winding, white staircase that from a distance looks like a mouse's tail, is another explanation for its name. The chapel houses the memorial tablets of Empress Elisabeth of Austria and her husband Rudolfo

At 906m high Mount Pantokrator is the highest point on Corfu. On a clear day at the summit, and despite it being 130km away, it is possible to see Italy, as well as the whole of Corfu and Albania. At the top is café for tourists who have reached the summit either on foot or by car, a well and a telecommunications tower. The church dates from 1689; however in 1347 the first monastery was built with the help of the Perithians, inhabitants of the village below.

Once inhabited by 1200 people the settlement began when people left the coastal properties for the safety of the mountains, away from pirate attacks. By lighting beacons they could warn others of imminent invasions. Old Perithia is one of the oldest inhabited villages on the island, with records dating back to the 14th century Of the 130 houses that were built, most are now derelict, but many are being restored. At 400m above sea level and surrounded by eight churches, it is tucked beneath the mighty Mount Pantokrator, it is a Heritage Protected Village and a Designated Area of Natural Beauty.

Mon Repo Palace is on Analipsis Hill on the edge of the ancient city of Corfu. Built by the British Commissioner Frederic Adams as a gift for his Corfiot wife in 1826. It is a small but very beautiful building with stunning gardens. In 1864 after the Unification of Greece it became the summer residence of the Greek Royal family and was the birth place of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh in 1921. The people of Corfu stood as his Godparents at his baptism.

Located in the village of Gastouri, the route to the Achillion Palace takes you along coastal roads and through a landscape of orange, lemon and olive groves. Built in 1890 by the tragic Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the magnificent palace was designed with the mythical hero Achilles as its main theme. Massive sculptures dominate the grounds, and paintings throughout the palace pay homage to Achilles. After the First World War the Achillion was returned to the Greek state as part of the Treaty of Versailles. It was used as a military head quarters during World War II.

1000ft up a steep cliff on the north west coast is the Fortress of Angelokastro. The exact date of its construction is unknown although the first documented evidence of its existance is 1272. It was one of the most important fortifications and formed a defensive triangle with Kassiopi Castle on the north east coast and Gardiki Castle in the south. It afforded a strategic vantage point for its inhabitants ensuring that it never fell to pirates .
From 1387 until the end of the 16th century it was the capital of Corfu and seat of the Governor of the Ionian Islands and Commander of the Venetian Fleet, which was stationed on Corfu. It was used as a look out post by the Republican French and as a semaphore station by the Imperial French during their occupation of Corfu. Now the crumbling walls and battlements lie scattered amongst the rocky terrain.

Located in Agios Ioannis, the Aqualand Waterpark is 75000 square metres of fun for everyone. For the fearless there are 47 different water slides. Jump into one of the different pools or wait in the Wave Pool for the madness to start! Qualified lifeguards are never far away and a service is available for those guests with special needs. There are plenty of free sunbeds and umbrellas, spacious changing rooms, with secure lockers, and showers. There is an excellent selection of food outlets; fast food, a la carte restaurant, gelateria and a wet and dry central bar. (don´t change anything)

Opened in 1971 the Corfu Golf Course is considered one of the best kept in Europe. With some challenging holes that rival Augusta in the USA, it is a fair test for all handicaps. The fairways are lined with Eucalyptus and Poplar trees and there is plenty of water in the form of lakes and meandering streams.
In high summer there is a cooling breeze that blows in from the sea making for comfortable play throughout the year. The course blends seamlessly with the picturesque surrounding countryside.

The Corfu Golf Club is beautiful 18-hole course (Par 72-SSS 72, length 6,803 yards). There are no weak holes and the cleverly designed hazards make it a fair test for both low and high handicap players. It is perfect for golfers who wish to practice their favorite sport during their holidays.

Started in 1577 and completed in 1588, the New Fortress was built on the Hill of St. Mark and is on two levels. The lower was to protect the port and the upper to protect the city. As a Naval look out point and protected by a deep moat, the New Fortress was instrumental in protecting Western Europe from Turkish invasion. There are tunnels that link the Old and New Fortresses, but are not open to the public. The gates of the New Fortress are decorated with a carving of the Lion of St. Mark, the emblem of Venice. Recently restored, the New Fortress is a venue for concerts and exhibitions as well as housing the Corfu Naval Station.

Only 13km from Corfu Town on the West Coast of the Island is Pelekas. The village is small but quite busy, with a nice choice of restaurants with good sea views. Although the beach is small it is quite unspoilt and has a few facilities. Above the village is The Kaiser’s Lookout, where Kaiser Wilhelm II often went to admire the view and watch the stunning sunsets.

On the south west coast, next to Halikounas Beach is Lake Korission. A long strip of golden sand separates the lake from the sea. The lake is a protected area of natural beauty because of its rare combination of Cedar forest, sand dunes, lake and sea. It is popular with bird watchers and is a sanctuary for 126 different species of bird.

Thought to be named after the two peaks of the peninsula it stood on, (koryphi in Greek), the capital of Corfu lay within the walls of the Old Fortress from the 6th – 13th Century after the original capital at Kanoni was destroyed by the Goths. The two peaks were castellated and a moat separated the island which enabled Corfu to repel three attempted invasions by the Ottomans in 1537, 1571 and 1731.
The Venetians built the main fortifications. The impressive bastions were a masterpiece of military architecture. The western, higher, peak was called Castel a Terra or Castel Nuovo and served as residential quarters for military personnel, politicians and the aristocracy. The eastern peak that overlooks the sea Castel a Mar or Castel Vecchio and was later used as a gun powder store. It was hit by lightening in 1718. After this catastrophe and the Corfiots destroying building prior to the unification in 1864 means none of these original buildings has survived. The ones you will see today were constructed during the British occupation.
The Church of St. George, built in 1840 in the Doric style, was used by the British garrison. It was converted for the Orthodox religion in 1864. It is the only Greek Orthodox Church in the style of an ancient temple. What once were the British Barracks now houses the Public Library of Corfu

Also in the Bay of Kanoni is Vlacherna Monastery. The Vlacherna Womens Monastery was founded many centuries ago on the little rocky tip of the Kanoni peninsula. The present chapel was built in 1685 and the oldest gravestone dates from 1785. When Corfu was under the rule of the Democratic French it belonged to the family of the Greek composer N C Mantzaros, the composer of the Greek National Anthem.

Given its name by the French, the small Islet of Vidos lies opposite Corfu Town. Originally known Ptyhia or Hera, today it is a protected nature reserve and has many rare types of flora and fauna. There are 3 beautiful beaches and a taverna and cafeteria for refreshments.
The remains of a fort that was built be the French can be seen and it is said that underwater tunnels connected the island to the fortresses on Corfu.
During the First World War the island served as a hospital for Serbian soldiers who had retreated after their country was invaded by Austro-German-Bulgarian Forces, but continued to defend Corfu. The sick and near dying soldiers were treated on Vidos to prevent epidemics. More than a thousand soldiers died on the island and the Serbian Mausoleum was erected to honour them.
Vidos is a ten minute boat ride from Corfu, with boats leaving every hour during the summer months.

The Canal d’Amour is 32km from Corfu town, close to the village of the Sidari on the North West coast of the island.

Nature, by way of the sea and wind, created the Canal d’Amour. The sandstone has been eroded by the elements and the grooves that scarred the rock face formed the channel.

There are legends attached to these stunning rock formations, the most famous being that if a couple swim together in the Canal they will stay together forever and if the Canal is in shade whoever swims in the water will always be lucky in love.

The water here is shimmering shades of blue that contrast with the yellow hues of the rock. As well as the canal there are some interesting caves and secluded coves along this stretch of coast

High above the beaches of Paleokastritsa, on the promontory farthest north is the 13th century Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Byzantine church, a single nave basilica is at the centre of the monastery complex however, the monk’s cells and the courtyard date from the 18th century. The Monastery is home to eight monks, who hold traditional masses and are very hospitable. The museum has Byzantine and Post Byzantine icons; the most notable is the beautiful Dormition of the Virgin Mary.

The Esplanade is a beautiful open public park full of trees, wide paths, benches, a band stand, fountains, monuments and a cricket field. At one end of the Esplanade is the Royal Palace of Corfu also called St Michele and St Giorgio Palace which is now home to the Museum of Asian Art. Designed by Colonel George Whitmore in 1819 it is an imposing neoclassical building, with its beautiful Doric Colonnade, wide archway and Georgian style.
In the middle of the Esplanade you will find a fountain, this was originally a Venetian spring. Facing away from the Old fort towards town you will see the large colonnade building known as the Liston.