Corfu Town is the island’s elegant capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of pastel Venetian lanes, two great fortresses, the arcaded Liston and the church of Agios Spyridon. Shaped by Venetian, French and British rule, its Old Town is one of the loveliest in Greece. This guide covers what to see and do, the fortresses, the Old Town and how to explore it.
The capital is the cultural heart of the island, a highlight in the wider Corfu tours and travel guide. It sits on the east coast facing the mainland. The sections below cover the visit.
What is the Old Town like?
The Old Town is a UNESCO-listed maze of cobbled, pedestrianised lanes lined with tall, pastel-hued Venetian buildings, now full of shops, cafés and apartments. Its oldest, most atmospheric quarter, the Campiello, is a warren of narrow alleys, carved wells and balconied houses.
The Old Town is the capital’s enchanting core. A labyrinth of cobbled, traffic-free lanes winds between elegant, shuttered houses painted in faded pastels, opening onto small squares and churches and lined with shops, tavernas and bars. At its heart, the Campiello, the oldest quarter, is a tangle of narrow alleys, or cantounia, with stone wells, hidden squares and tall buildings strung with laundry and balconies. Wandering here, with no particular destination, is one of the island’s greatest joys, set out in the wider things to do in Corfu. Two fortresses guard the town.
What are the two fortresses?
The two fortresses are the 15th-century Old Fortress on a promontory by the Esplanade and the 16th-century New Fortress on a hill above the port. Both were built by the Venetians against Ottoman attack, and both reward the climb with sweeping views over the town and sea.
The fortresses frame the town’s skyline and history. The Old Fortress, on a rocky headland just beyond the Esplanade, was raised by the Venetians during the 15th century atop earlier Byzantine defences and helped repel Ottoman sieges; today it holds small museums and a music school, and its summit offers one of the best views on the island. The New Fortress, begun in 1576 on a hill above the port, is a maze of levels, rooms and tunnels to explore. Together they tell the story of Venetian Corfu, set within the wider Corfu tours and a guided walk. The Liston and Esplanade are the town’s social heart.
What are the Liston and the Esplanade?
The Liston is an elegant 19th-century arcade of cafés modelled on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, fronting the Esplanade, one of Europe’s largest squares. Built by the French, the Liston’s tables and the green Spianada are the town’s favourite spot for coffee and people-watching.
The Liston and the Esplanade form the town’s grand social space. The Liston, a graceful colonnade of arches built under French rule and inspired by Paris, shelters rows of café tables looking out over the green, the perfect place to linger over a coffee or an evening drink. It fronts the Spianada, or Esplanade, a vast open square created by the Venetians for defence and now a leafy park with a bandstand, cricket pitch and monuments. Strolling and sitting here is part of the rhythm of the town, set out alongside the guide to Corfu food and wine. The town is rich in landmarks.
What are the main sights and museums?
The main sights include the 15th-century church of Agios Spyridon, holding the relics of the island’s patron saint, the unique Museum of Asian Art in a neoclassical palace, and the Byzantine and archaeological museums. The church’s bell tower is the town’s tallest landmark.
The town packs in churches, palaces and museums. The church of Agios Spyridon, with the island’s tallest bell tower, holds the remains of Saint Spyridon, the island’s patron, long credited with saving it from siege and plague, paraded through the streets on feast days. The Museum of Asian Art, set in the British-built Palace of St Michael and St George, holds over 15,000 pieces and is unique in Greece, while the Byzantine and archaeological museums add depth. These sights give the town its cultural richness, set out alongside a Corfu itinerary. Exploring is easy and rewarding.
How do you explore the town?
You explore the town on foot, since the Old Town is pedestrianised and compact, ideally on a guided walking tour to bring the history alive. Allow at least half a day, or a full day with the fortresses and a museum, and base here for a car-free first visit.
The town is made for walking. Its pedestrianised Old Town is small enough to cover on foot in a few hours, though its lanes invite getting lost, and a guided walking tour reveals the Venetian, French and British history behind the facades. Allowing at least half a day, or a full day to add the fortresses, a museum and a long lunch, does it justice. Basing in or near the town suits a first visit and those without a car, set out in the guides to where to stay in Corfu and how to get to Corfu. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Corfu Town known for?
Corfu Town is known for its UNESCO-listed Venetian Old Town, its two fortresses, the arcaded Liston and Esplanade, and the church of Agios Spyridon. Its pastel lanes blend Venetian, French and British heritage in one of Greece’s loveliest towns.
What should you do in Corfu Town?
The highlights are wandering the Old Town and the Campiello quarter, climbing the Old and New Fortresses, relaxing on the Liston by the Esplanade, visiting Agios Spyridon church and the Museum of Asian Art, and dining in the lanes.
How long do you need in Corfu Town?
You need at least half a day for the Old Town, or a full day to add the fortresses, a museum and a long lunch. Many visitors base here for a night or two, especially for a first visit or without a car.