A day trip to Corfu Town (Kerkyra) is an essential part of any visit to the island. An hour's drive south from the villa, the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that blends Venetian, French, and British influences into something entirely unique. Narrow marble-paved lanes, elegant arcaded squares, and imposing fortresses make for a fascinating day of exploration.
The Old Town
Start your visit in the Campiello, the oldest quarter of the old town. This maze of narrow alleyways — known as kantounia — opens onto tiny squares with neighbourhood cafés and artisan workshops. Look up and you'll see Venetian-era buildings with shuttered windows and wrought-iron balconies draped in bougainvillea.
Insider Tip
Park at the New Fortress car park — it's the most convenient for exploring the old town and costs just a few euros for the day.
The Liston & Spianada
The Liston is Corfu Town's most famous promenade, an elegant arcade built during the French occupation in deliberate imitation of the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. It overlooks the Spianada, a vast green esplanade that separates the old town from the Old Fortress. Sit at one of the Liston's cafés with a ginger beer (a Corfiot speciality) and watch the world pass by.
The Old Fortress
Cross the bridge over the moat to explore the Old Fortress, originally built by the Venetians in the 15th century. The climb to the summit is worth the effort — you'll be rewarded with panoramic views across the town, the Spianada, and the sea. The fortress also hosts occasional concerts and exhibitions during summer.
Shopping & Markets
For souvenirs with substance, head to the old town's backstreets. You'll find shops selling kumquat liqueur (a Corfiot speciality), high-quality olive oil, local honey, handmade soap, and traditional embroidery. The daily market on Odos Desilla is excellent for fresh produce, spices, and local cheeses.
Where to Eat
For lunch, seek out one of the tavernas in the backstreets of the old town rather than the more touristy spots on the Liston. The area around the Church of Agios Spyridon — Corfu's patron saint — has several excellent small restaurants serving authentic Corfiot cuisine at very reasonable prices.
Corfu Town is unlike anywhere else in Greece. The Venetian architecture, the Italian-influenced cuisine, the sound of cricket on the Spianada — it's a place that defies easy categorisation.
Allow a full day for Corfu Town. The drive south through the island's olive groves is beautiful in itself, and there's enough to see and do in town to fill the hours between. Head back in the late afternoon, stopping for a swim at one of the east coast beaches on the way home.
