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With majestic palaces, fortresses, romantic cantonments, arched arcades, incredible beaches and unique gastronomy, blue-blooded Corfu awaits you.
This stately Ionian island is identified with “mythical” images. The gentle Nausicaa, the daughter of King Alcinous who saved Odysseus when he was shipwrecked in the Land of the Phaeacians – which many identify with Corfu. Then Sissi, the sorrowful princess, and Achilleus, her palace of sighs. The summer mansion of the English Commissioner. Majestic images that parade before you.
In the Kaiser’s observatory… William II gazes at the sea. The emblematic mansions of the city of Corfu, Liston’s arcades, Spianada – the largest square in the Balkans. Italians, English, French, Russians, Greeks lived and worked on the island. They left their mark on every attraction that graces the island. Discover them in every note of the Old Philharmonic, in every glass of kumquat liqueur, in every stroll through the cantonments. Corfu will seduce you!
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Exploring the atmospheric old town of Corfu
The historical center of the island, the Old Town of Corfu. has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its majestic buildings with influences from neoclassicism and eclecticism dazzle: Michael and Georgiou Palace, Liston, Loggia Nobilei, Latin Metropolis, Thomas Maitland rotunda, Ionian Parliament, Kapodistrias Family Palace. In the famous cantons of Campiello with the laundry hanging over your head, but also in the emblematic hotels with the “high” guests, you will feel like the protagonists of a movie. Admire the city’s centuries-old fortresses
On the eastern side of the city, the two-pointed rocky outcrop gave Corfu the name that still exists on maps: Korifo-Corfu. Sixty meters, an iron bridge over the Contra Fossa, the sea ditch, and welcome to the Old Fort and… to the 16th century. The sights of Corfu offer you a fascinating journey through time: The Soranza Gate, the English Barracks, the winged lions of St. Mark, Madonna Del Carmine, the Savorgnan Bastion, the Sea Tower, the Doric-like Church of St. George temple. An open, but also living museum. At the northwest end of the capital, its other guardian: the New Fortress. Built in the period 1576-1645 by the Venetians. A masterpiece of fortification art.
Capture the much-photographed Pontikonissi
“Corfu with Pontikonissi”. The island’s trademark is another… island: the Lilliputian Pontikonissi in the Kanoni region. Above it is a Byzantine temple of the 13th century dedicated to Pantokrator. Next to it is the famous islet of Vlacherna with the 17th century Virgin Mary which is joined to the mainland by a narrow strip of land.
Tourist resorts and historical, Paleokastritsa and Angelokastro
In the most famous tourist resort of Corfu, Paleokastritsa, the green overflows in the six small bays, sheltering the wild rocks. It is said that this was the area of the mythical palace of Alcinous, where Odysseus was hosted. It is worth seeing the monastery of Panagia founded in 1225 and then continuing to the famous Angelokastro, built at the beginning of the 12th century with the church of Agia Kyriaki, hidden in a small cave.
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The Imperial Palace “Achillion”
Corfu is the island chosen by Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary, the legendary Sisi, to build the palace where she would find solace from the suicide of her son, Rodolfos. The elegant “Pompeian style” building with its strong neoclassical elements and luxurious salons can be visited and is one of the most impressive on the island. In its gardens you will admire the magnificent statue of Achilles the Dying.
Tour the aristocratic mansion “Mon Repo”
The summer mansion that the English Commissioner Frederick Adams built for his Corfu wife, Nina Palatianou. In a landscape of rare beauty and special archaeological importance: here was the ancient city of Corfu. The mansion houses the Paleopolis museum and the gardens, which you will tour, have more than 2,000 rare species of plants that came from the British colonies.
Beaches: cosmopolitan or peaceful, but all impressive
Glyfada, Dasia, Hermones, Paleokastritsa, Sidari. Kavos -famous for the wild parties of young tourists-, Kontokali, Benitses, Halikounas… The list of Corfu’s beaches is endless. Large sandy or picturesque coves. With few people or secular and organized, with beach bars, taverns, shops and possibility for all water sports. In many of them there are large hotel units.
Local culinary wonders
Corfu is famous for its traditional cuisine and delicious local dishes and products! During your vacation on the island, don’t forget to try pastitsada, sofrito, burdeto, bianco, savouro, mandolato, kumquat in various versions, such as liqueur, jam, fruit glace, spoon dessert are some of the most famous flavors of Corfu. You will enjoy them in restaurants and traditional cuisines and they will enrich your holidays with Ionian aromas and flavors.
Useful information and phone numbers for Corfu
• Phone line for ship schedules / Corfu Port Authority: 2661365200
• Corfu Port Authority: 26610 45551, 39824
• Lefkimmi Port Authority: 26620 23277
• Igoumenitsa Port Authority: 26650 99400
• Igoumenitsa Port Organization: 26650 99300
• Corfu General Hospital: 26613 60400
• Tourist Police: 26610 29168
• Intercity KTEL of Corfu: 26610 28900
The island of Corfu is connected to mainland Greece exclusively through the port of Igoumenitsa. Small boats and ferries ply the route at least 7 times a day or more frequently during the summer months. The duration of the trip Igoumenitsa – Corfu is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
sources discovergreece & ferryhopper