Attractions of Corfu: the most fascinating places of the Greek island. Corfu Island: Attractions and Interesting Facts What to visit in Corfu

About Corfu

Corfu is the northernmost and one of the most beautiful Greek islands. Its magnificent nature has inspired poets and artists since antiquity, and today Corfu has earned the reputation of a luxurious resort where everyone can find the kind of holiday that he likes.

From a height, Corfu seems emerald, the reason for this is the lush vegetation that covers the island with a continuous carpet. In spring, there is an intoxicating aroma from many flowering orange trees, and in summer it is very pleasant to hide from the hot sun in shady olive groves.

Since the island is washed by two seas at once, the color and temperature of the water in its different areas can vary significantly. In the northern part of Corfu, the water is cold and more suitable for diving enthusiasts than for bathers, but the southern beaches, covered with fine soft sand, are ideal for a beach holiday.

The wonderful nature and the gentle sea greatly contributed to the fact that Corfu began to attract a huge number of tourists from the century before last, and thus became perhaps the first resort island in Greece. However, far from the coast, there are still traditional Greek settlements that delight tourists with their idyllic beauty.

About the city of Kerkyra

Corfu is the European name for the island, the Greeks themselves call it Kerkyra. According to myths, Kerkyra was the daughter of the nymph Metope and the river deity Asop, once Poseidon saw her and fell in love with the beauty without memory. The god of the seas kidnapped her from her home, settling her on a beautiful emerald island. After some time, Kerkyra gave birth to a son and gave him the name Feak, in honor of which the people who later settled here began to call themselves feaks.

The city of Kerkyra was founded in ancient times, in the VIII century. BC. and has always been an important port at the crossroads of sea trade routes. It is this fact that has made it so attractive to the rulers of various states throughout history. At different times, Alexander the Great, the Romans, Byzantines, Ottoman Turks and Venetians tried to conquer the island and its capital, the latter succeeded in this matter the most and remained the masters of Corfu for four centuries. Such a difficult fate greatly affected the architecture of the island, which differs from others in a large number of defensive fortifications.

The capital of the island - Kerkyra is a large fortified settlement built in the heart of the citadel. The labyrinth of narrow streets paved with rough cobblestones now seems very romantic to us, but before it was a severe necessity. From the intricate curves of the streets, to the smallest detail, repeating the relief, one can judge how difficult this area was for construction. Today they seem very sweet, sunny and friendly.

The old city, which we can see today, dates back to the 13th century, and is the largest "living" medieval monument in Greece. It harmoniously combines elements of various cultures. Harsh military fortresses and graceful Venetian stairs, monumental temples of the Byzantine era and cozy quarters in the French style coexist perfectly next to each other.

Sights of Kerkyra

The most famous sights of Corfu are its two fortresses.

The old fortress - Paleo Frurio was built back in the Byzantine era on an artificially created island, and later, in the 16th century, it was rebuilt by the Venetians. Now its fortifications are slowly being destroyed by the constant impact of the waves, and quite large pieces of the once strong masonry often fall into the water. The interior premises, after a thorough restoration, are now used for various theatrical events, using light and sound effects. From the highest point of the fortress offers an amazing view of the city and the east coast of the island. And in its center, the church of St. George, which served as a garrison church for the British, who owned the island in the 19th century, has been preserved. At the gates of Paleo Frurio is an interesting Byzantine Museum.

Neo Frurio - New Fortress, was built on the coast at the end of the 16th century in order to protect the city from a possible Turkish invasion. Nowadays, only part of the fortress is open to the public, while the other part is used as a training base for the Greek military fleet. Tourists can visit the cellars and dungeons, climb the battlements and admire the magnificent view from them, and also visit a small cafe located at the highest point. Outside, the fortress is surrounded by a moat, along which the city market is located.

On the steep slope of the eastern shore stands the ancient ancient temple of Kardaki, here the inhabitants of ancient Corfu worshiped their patron - the god Poseidon. Presumably, the temple was erected on this site in the early 500s BC. Inside, surrounded by ancient columns, the altar of the temple has been preserved, and a sacred spring beats nearby.

Later, already in the Christian era, Corfu had a new patron - St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky. According to legend, he saved the inhabitants of the island from imminent death more than once - four times they were threatened with famine, twice with plague, and on top of all the troubles, there was also the threat of Turkish conquest. The inhabitants of the island are very grateful to their saint, in whose honor a beautiful temple was built in the 16th century - Ayios Spyridon. The bell tower of the church is the tallest building in the city. Inside, in a beautiful silver shrine, the relics of the saint are carefully kept. To bow to them and ask the patron for healing, a lot of parishioners always gather in the temple. The scale of worship of this saint on the island is impressive, very often they swear by his name, thus expressing their devotion, and they also name children in his honor. The latter circumstance led to the fact that almost a quarter of the entire male population of the island bears the name Spiridon.

But Agios Spiridon is not formally the main church of the city. Panayia Spiliotissa - Temple of the Virgin in the Caves serves as the Cathedral of Corfu. It was also built in the 16th century, but in a completely different architectural style. This majestic building, unusual for temples, has a rich red color that bears the bright features of Byzantine architecture. The relics are also stored here, but already female, belonging to the blessed Empress Theodora, who became famous for the fact that icon veneration was restored in the Byzantine Empire under her. Her relics were brought to Corfu almost simultaneously with the relics of St. Spiridon, and now they occupy a worthy place at the altar of the main cathedral of Corfu. By the way, it became a cathedral not so long ago, only in 1841, when the main nave was significantly expanded as a result of perestroika.

There are many monasteries in Corfu, but two of them deserve special attention, especially since they are located very close to each other.

Vlaherna Monastery is located on a small island, connected with the city only by a concrete pier, and occupies the entire area of ​​this small piece of land. It all looks very picturesque - a snow-white church, surrounded on all sides by the blue sea. This monastery was built in the 17th century and got its name in honor of the miraculous Blachernae Icon of the Mother of God, which is kept here.

From a small pier, located next to the monastery, you can take a walk to the nearby islet of Pontikonisi, which translates as Mouse Island. This island is considered one of the main symbols of Kerkyra. Legends say that it was once the famous ship of Odysseus, turned into a rock by an angry Poseidon. In the XII century, the monastery of Pantokrator was built here. To get to the monastery, you need to climb a long narrow staircase, somewhat reminiscent of a mouse tail, it is because of it that the island got its funny name.

But Corfu is famous not only for its military and religious buildings. Throughout the 19th century, the island was ruled first by the French and then by the British. The city inherited from them the magnificent architectural ensembles of Spianada and Liston streets.

Spianada is the main and most beautiful square of the city. Here you can visit shops, sit in cozy cafes, or just wander along the shady alleys of the park, looking at the monuments erected in honor of the people who left their mark on the history of the island.

Rue Liston is a smaller copy of the Parisian Rue Rivoli. The lower floors of the houses here are a solid openwork arcade in the depths of which there are cafes and expensive shops. Previously, only representatives of the local aristocracy, included in a special list, had the right to move along this street. It is believed that this is where the name Liston came from. Opposite the galleries is a cricket field, which is loved by the locals. Every year at the beginning of autumn, an international cricket festival is even held here.

Neighborhood

Many interesting sights for every taste are located in the vicinity of Kerkyra.

Fans of antiquities and archeology will be very interested in visiting Paleopolis, an excavation area open to tourists. Here, in the midst of lush tropical vegetation, you can find two ancient temples of the Doric era, one of which is dedicated to Poseidon, and the second to Hera. Also located here is the Temple of Artemis, an early Christian basilica, and the neoclassical Reposvilla Palace, which now houses a museum.

A few kilometers south of the city is the amazingly beautiful Achillion Palace. It was built by order of the Austrian Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria, and combines the architectural features of the neoclassical and ancient German styles. Around the palace there is a beautiful garden where you can look at a very beautiful statue of the dying Achilles.

And finally, for those who are tired of contemplating ancient monuments, 6 km from Kerkyra there is a huge Aqualand water park, which is considered one of the most modern in Greece. It is definitely worth coming here if you are traveling with children.

Thus, the island of Corfu, as in the old days, remains one of the most attractive Greek resorts. Beautiful nature, magnificent views, a wide variety of attractions, and comfortable hotels make your stay on the Emerald Isle not only very comfortable, but also unforgettable.

Corfu is a very popular Greek island among tourists. To see all the sights and save money, a self-drive trip is great. Thus, you can see all the interesting places in order, spending time on each object at your discretion.

The length of the island of Corfu is only 65 km - even for a short vacation you can see many sights and have a wonderful rest.

Kerkyra

It is worth starting the trip from the main city - Kerkyra. It is here that the most famous street in Corfu - Liston is located. Previously, aristocrats could walk along it, but now it is available to everyone. The main part of the street is made up of two long buildings with open galleries below.

Along Liston Street you can get to the Church of St. Spyridon - there is no higher bell tower in the city.

Liston Street leads to Spianada Square (Esplanade, Spianada). In its northern part is the Royal Palace. Today it is notable for the Museum of Asian Art and the Municipal Gallery of Corfu.

From the square you can get to the old sea fortress, which began its history in the 6th century. The fortress is of interest not only from the inside - a panorama of the city opens from its top.

Turning off Liston Street, you can find the old town. It has the Venetian quarter of Campiello - being there, as if you are in the past.

Another attraction of Corfu is the New Fortress, represented by two massive bastions. The official name of the building is the fortress of St. Mark.

paleopolis

This archaeological zone is located next to Kerkyra - this used to be the center of ancient Corfu.

Its main attractions:

• temples of Poseidon, Hera, Artemis,
• early Christian basilica.

mouse island

South of Kerkyra is the Kanoni region - on this peninsula there used to be an ancient city. It is connected by a pier to a small plot of land where the Blachernae Monastery, built in the 17th century, stands. It houses the miraculous icon of the Mother of God.

From this monastery, you can take a boat to the islet of Pontikonisi, which, according to legend, was once the ship of Odysseus. Climbing up a long white staircase resembling a mouse tail, you can get to the Pantokrator Monastery, built in the 12th century. It is the highest point in Corfu.

Love channel

Sidari beach is located in the north of Corfu. It is attractive for its excellent infrastructure, warm and shallow water and active recreation. Romance to this place gives the "Channel of Love". It is separated from the main beach by a cape.

The Canal of Love attracts not only with warm water, but also with a small arch near the shore. Many legends are associated with it. According to one of them, in order to play a wedding, you need to swim under the arch, guessing the name of the second half. According to another belief, if lovers swim through the canal holding hands, they will never part.

Paleokastritsa and Angelokastro Castle

This most famous and picturesque place of the island is located in Liapades bay. The symbol of Paleokastritsa is the monastery of the Virgin Mary, built in the 18th century. There is also a small museum of ancient icons in this place.

In Paleokastritsa you can take a short trip by sea. The transparent bottom of the boat allows you to see all its inhabitants.

If your trip is with children, then you can look into the aquarium in the city. Although the oceanarium is loudly said. Exposure is not great.

From Paleokastritsa you can get to the castle of Angelokastro. Its other name is the fortress of the Archangel Michael. The building is a monument of the Byzantine era. Inside the fortress there are two churches - St. Kiriaki and Archangel Michael. At the top of the fortress, a stunning panorama opens up.

Viewpoint "Kaiser's Throne"

Not far from Paleokastritsa is the throne of the Kaiser. This place is a historical monument.

This throne was built by order of Wilhelm II, who admired the magnificent view of the sunset.

The observation deck of the throne is located above the village of Pelekas. This cozy village with local flavor and the beautiful beach of Kondoyalos. Nearby is also Glyfada - this beach is one of the most popular in Corfu.

Achillion

In the south of Corfu is the village of Gastouri, notable for the palace of Achilleion. It was built at the end of the 19th century for Elizabeth of Austria, who was impressed by the local nature and history.

In the park area of ​​the palace there is a monument to Achilles, after whom he was named. In addition to this monument, there are many statues and busts on the territory that speak of the rich Greek epic.

Inside the palace is a whole museum. The exhibits concern both the Empress and Greek history.

• Visiting is possible daily from 8.00-20.00. There is an audio guide.

Shell Museum

In the fishing village of Benitses in the south of Kofru, there is a museum of shells - they are collected from all over the world. In addition, among the exhibits there are some marine life.

Old Perisia

North of Pantokrator is the semi-abandoned village of Old Perisia, founded in the 14th century. Once upon a time, residents hid there from pirate raids, and today only a few people live. Once in this place, you can feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

Aquapark

• Opening hours: from May 14 to October 9 from 10.00 to 18.00
• Cost: for the whole day for children 5-12 years old 19 €, adults - 27 €; after 15.00 entry 14€ and 19€ respectively

Fans of entertainment on the water will be satisfied with a large water park with many different slides, different difficulty levels, pools and a quiet river.

For the kids there is a children's pool with entertainment.

Porto Timoni

From the village of Afionas, a footpath leads to Porto Timoni, the historic port and beach. You can get to it in less than half an hour, but the path is far from well-maintained. The view at the end of the path will make you forget about this inconvenience. Archaeologists believe that during the reign of King Alcinous there was a port of the ancient inhabitants of Corfu - the feacs.

Porto Timoni beach is little known to tourists, as it is located quite secluded, and you can only get to it on foot along an inconspicuous path. The area is surrounded by dense vegetation of hills.

In fact, Porto Timoni is two beaches. They are separated by a small strip of land. The color and temperature of the water are different.

Previously, there was a Venetian fortress on the peninsula - behind the beaches you can find the remains of its wall. The seclusion of the bay used to allow ships to hide from pirate raids.

From the beaches you can follow the path to the chapel of St. Stylianos. It is very tiny and almost invisible in the surrounding landscape, and the path to it lies past the cliff.

Rhoda

Not far from Sidari is Roda, one of the best beaches in Corfu. Here you can practice water sports, enjoy traditional Greek dishes and picturesque nature.

In the hills surrounding Roda there are Akoli waterfalls and Nymph Village - many stone formations.

Will be able to hold your inspiration for quite some time, however, they can also get fed up. So, if you feel that the strings of the soul no longer sound like that, it's time to go in search of new experiences. Fortunately, with interesting places on Corfu everything is in order and outside the capital of the island.

#1 Pontikonisi or mouse island

History, if it retained in its memory why the Mouse Island is called that way, then, apparently, it hid this knowledge deeper than others. Much more often, another legend is recalled here that Pontikoncy is supposedly the ship of Odysseus, turned into an island by an angry Poseidon. You will hardly be able to find any mice or, moreover, anything reminiscent of the cunning king of Ithaca on Pontikonisi, but what remains is a small church built by monks back in the distant XIII century.

Today, Pontikonisi is one of the visiting cards of the island, and to enhance the impression, it is photographed so that Blachernae Church also falls into the frame. The latter is located on another small island connected to Corfu by an embankment. Must see #1 in our symbolic ranking of the best places outside the capital of the island.

Mouse Island and Blachernae Church

№2 Achillion

Even if you are not a big fan of palaces, Achillion is unlikely to leave you indifferent. Although many figures have left very conflicting memories of him, there is no doubt that this is one of the most stylized points of Corfu with a number of unique features. Firstly, this is the image of Achilles, to whom, in fact, the palace is dedicated - sculptural and artistic images of the hero are found everywhere on the territory of the complex. Secondly, an amazing man-made park, stunning with its grace and views of the coast. Finally, the connection of the Palace with the surname of the Royal House of Habsburg, which in itself serves as a guarantee of impressions, because the building is made in the best traditions of the Austrian monarchs, who are prone to architectural delights.

Achillion is surrounded by a stunningly beautiful park

#3 Paleokastritsa

Paleokastritsa is one of those places whose beauty cannot be expressed in words. And it’s not so easy to capture a fairly large bay with a camera. Therefore, all that remains is to put a place on the map by putting a large cross and believing in the word. At one time, Sir Frederick Adam, the British High Commissioner, was so impressed by the beauty of Paleokastritsa that he ordered a separate road to be built here from the city of Corfu, which, having survived a series of reconstructions, remains the best on the island to this day.

Paleokastritsa is one of the main natural pearls of the island

A beautiful bay with stunningly clear water, surrounded by huge rocks, overgrown with pine needles and cypresses - Paleokastritsa leaves an indelible impression. What the Greeks did not do well was with transport - there could have been more buses connecting the resort with the city of Corfu. Grekoblog wrote more about the resort - we highly recommend it.

#4 Sidari

Located in the north of the Island, Sidari is famous as one of the main resorts of northern Corfu. The popularity of Sidari was brought by an excellent beach and bizarre rock ledges. You can go here in a rented car in order to lie on the beach and dine in one of the many taverns. The sea in Sidari is shallow, and the water is much warmer than in the same Paleokastritsa.

As the sea recedes in Sidari, the narrow strip of sand beneath the cliffs turns into a beach.

#5 Peroulades

Another amazing place in Corfu, located, by the way, not far from Sidari. The place is famous for its huge stratified sandstone cliffs. Sometimes the water comes close to the rocks, leaving no room for swimming. But if you are lucky, and a narrow strip of sandy beach is free from the power of the sea, then the time spent here will surely be remembered for a long time. However, you can come to Peroulades for another reason - to enjoy a stunningly beautiful sunset while drinking coffee on top of a huge cliff.

The crossroads of East and West, washed by two seas, has always attracted close attention. If you believe the myths, Jason looked here, returning with the Golden Fleece from Colchis. Here Odysseus met his beautiful savior Nausicaa.

Paid tribute to the beauty of the island Oscar Wilde and Goethe. Gerald Durrell with his trilogy ("My Family and Other Animals", "Garden of the Gods", "Birds, Beasts and Other Relatives") has increased the number of fans of the island.

Corfu is the Italian version of the name of the island. By the way, Italy is within easy reach, and many tourists take the opportunity to go there for a couple of days. The Greek name for the island is Kerkyra.

Some general information about Corfu

• This is the westernmost island of Greece, the second largest in the Ionian Sea (after Kefalonia).
• The capital of the island is Corfu or Kerkyra (Corfu Town)
• The climate is typical Mediterranean, with warm winters and sunny summers. Thanks to the breeze, even in summer there is no suffocating heat, unless you decide to stay in the center of Corfu.
• A well-developed tourist infrastructure, a huge selection of hotels, a variety of beaches - all this has made the island very popular among tourists and, as a result, not the cheapest place to stay in Greece.

The best resorts of Corfu

The coast of the island can be conditionally divided into 4 resort areas, which differ in nature, beaches, seasonality, and tourist infrastructure. In total, there are about 30 towns and villages focused on receiving tourists. Let's stop at the most popular resorts of Corfu.

Map of Corfu with the main resorts

Resorts of Corfu on the East Coast

Here are perhaps the most populous resort towns and villages of Corfu.

Kerkyra

Resorts of Corfu - Kerkyra

It is located 2 km from the airport, a picturesque place that you need to visit regardless of which resort you settled in.

When visiting Kerkyra, do not forget to ask St. Spyridon for the fulfillment of your most cherished desire.

• Beaches: sand and pebble
• Night life: the most active on the island, all establishments are concentrated in the city center.
• Who is the resort for?: for young people, for those who travel for an active nightlife

Gouvia, Kammeno, Dassia, Kontokali

Resorts Corfu - Dassia

The villages are located 12 - 14 km from the airport, north of Kerkyra. There are a large number of hotels of various levels, including elite ones (in Kommeno), many bars, restaurants, and discos. From here it is convenient to get to any point of the island for visiting excursions.

• Beaches: narrow strips of sand and pebble beaches with convenient entry into the sea, very picturesque, clean.
• Night life: despite the presence of discos, for fun at night, many go to the center of Kerkyra.
• Who is the resort for?: depending on the hotel, any category of tourists is comfortable here. Young people most often choose hotels in Gouvia and Kontokali. An ideal place for a family holiday is the green and picturesque Dassia.

Corfu Resorts on the South Coast

This part of the coast is very fond of young people - there is where to have fun and the prices are more democratic.

Messonghi, Moraitika, Benitses

Corfu Resorts - Messonghi

Resort villages are located 18-22 km from the airport south of Kerkyra. Very lively resort towns, it is possible to walk outside the hotels, promenade, shops, bars, taverns. Convenient for excursions.

• Beaches: a narrow coastal strip, sandy-pebble and sandy beaches, with a gentle entry into the sea, well equipped.
• Night life: for this they go to Corfu or Messonghi.
• Who is the resort for?: depending on the hotel, any category of tourists is comfortable here.

Kavos

Resorts Corfu - Kavos

The resort is located 45 km from the airport south of Corfu. This southernmost resort in Corfu has long been mastered by English and Scandinavian youth, so be prepared for noisy parties in the bars. The hotels here are inexpensive, there are many apartments on offer.

• Beaches: narrow coastal strip, sand and pebble, with a comfortable entry into the sea.
• Night life: Quite active in Kavos itself.
• Who is the resort for?: for youth, for party-goers.

Corfu Resorts on the West Coast

The most picturesque beaches of Corfu are located on the western side of the island. Beautiful nature, cozy bays, the purest Ionian Sea, rich underwater world - all this attracts many tourists here.

glyfada

Resorts Corfu - Glyfada

The resort is located 15-17 km from the airport to the west of Kerkyra. Quiet and peaceful place with excellent Blue Flag beaches.

• Beaches: sandy (considered one of the best on the island), with a comfortable entry into the sea.
• Night life: for nightlife you will have to go to Corfu.
• Who is the resort for?: Great for families

Paleokastritsa, Liapades

Corfu Resorts - Paleokastritsa

These are perhaps the most beautiful resorts in Corfu. The distance to the airport is 22-24 km.

• Beaches: sand and pebble, small, with numerous bays near the hotels.
• Night life: Paleokastritsa has a small number of bars.
• Who is the resort for?: an excellent choice for couples, for a romantic relaxing holiday.

Corfu resorts on the North coast

Resorts in this part of the island are not crowded, with good infrastructure and a comfortable sandy coast.

Barbati, Nissaki, Cassiopi

Resorts Corfu - Nissaki

These resort villages are located 19-30 km from the airport north of Kerkyra. Hotels are located in small bays, often with their own beach.

• Beaches: as a rule, small sand and pebble beaches at hotels in bays.
• Night life: for nightlife you will have to go to the center of Corfu.
• Who is the resort for?: a good choice for a relaxing holiday for couples, for families.

Acharavi

Corfu Resorts - Acharavi

The resort is located 40 km from the airport north of Kerkyra. It is considered the center of youth recreation in the north of the island - the city has many bars, it is lively. Hotels here tend to have large areas.

• Beaches: wide sandy, the sea is quite often restless here - surfers have chosen this area.
• Night life: everything in the center of Acharavi you can find everything you need for nightlife.
• Who is the resort for?: for any category of tourists, the main thing is to choose the right hotel.

How to get to Corfu

By plane:

• The island has an international airport. During the high season there are direct flights from Moscow.
• with a short connection at a very affordable price, you can buy tickets with a flight through Athens.

Find flights to Corfu

Cheap tickets to Corfu

• you can get to the island by sea from Patras, Igoumenitsa, Venice, any island in the Ionian Sea

Hotels in Corfu

Holidays in Corfu are considered not the cheapest in Greece, but despite this, here you can choose accommodation options for a wide variety of wallets. The range of prices can be from 35-40€ per room in apartments to 500-800€ in deluxe hotels.

Corfu is a Greek island located in the waters of the Ionian Sea. The historical flavor of the area and developed infrastructure have made the island a real tourist Mecca. The capital of Corfu welcomes the guests of Corfu, named after the nymph, stolen and taken to the island by Poseidon. The city is the air and sea gate of Corfu. Some travelers go from here to the resorts of the island, but often tourists spend their entire vacation in Corfu. The local beauty and sights are very attractive.

The first information about the settlement dates back to the 8th century BC. It was founded by the Corinthian colonists, but after 2 centuries, the locals managed to achieve complete independence.

The city of Kerkyra was often conquered and found itself under the protectorate of different countries. In the 3rd century BC, it was included in the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, it was considered the territory of the Venetians, which the Ottomans later tried to capture.

In 1797, for a couple of years, the town became French, but after Ushakov's campaign, it passed under the Russian protectorate. Russian influence lasted 8 years, after which the territory again becomes French. In 1815, Ionian Greece and Corfu fell under the British protectorate, which lasted almost 50 years. Only in 1864 Corfu, together with the capital, was transferred to the revived Greek state.

The history is reflected in the architectural style of the local streets. Particularly unique in this regard is the Old Town of Kerkyra. Buildings of French, Venetian, Italian and British architectural styles coexist in the area. Here are the famous monuments, for the inspection of which the majority of tourists come.

Modern Kerkyra for travelers is not only the gateway to Corfu and its resorts, but also unique sights from different eras. Each region of Greece has a unique cultural heritage, but such a variety of styles is perhaps not found anywhere else.

Kerkyra - where is it and how to get there

Kerkyra and Corfu are the westernmost points of Greece. The area of ​​waters washing this territory is divided by the border with Albania on the eastern side of the island, and the Italian border on the west. Corfu can only be reached by air and sea.

Direct flights depart from Moscow, landing at Corfu International Airport, which is located 3 km from Kerkyra. The flight will take just over 3 hours. In the absence of tickets for a direct flight, you can fly to the Greek mainland and make a transfer in Athens. From here to the island is only an hour flight, and up to 8 flights fly a day.

Public transport runs from the airport to the city. Be careful, as buses run in two directions: blue cars go to Kerkyra, and green ones take passengers to the resorts of the island.

Getting on the right flight is easy. To the right of the exit from the terminal there is a bus stop, from which route No. 19 leaves for the city. The bus runs every hour, and the journey time to the bus station takes 10-15 minutes. The cost of the trip will be 2€.

If there is no desire to adapt to the schedule of public transport, then you can order a taxi or a transfer from the airport. But it is worth considering that there are no parking lots near Corfu Airport, so it is better to book a car in advance. The cost of such a trip is also high: you will have to pay more than 20€.

If you are heading to Kekira from other cities in Greece, then you will not miss the ferry crossing. The sea route is very interesting, beautiful and not too long. From the mainland to the island, the ship will deliver passengers in 1 hour.

The ferry runs from the port of Igoumenitsa (345 km from Athens). In summer, about 10 flights are made per day. Please note that inclement weather may change the schedule. A ship ticket will cost 11 euros. For passengers with a car, the crossing will cost about 45 euros.

The path from the port to the center of Corfu is 1.5 km. You can cover this distance on foot or take a taxi. The price for the trip will not exceed 10 euros.

When is the best time to visit this city?

Corfu has a mild Mediterranean climate. Spring and autumn are dry and warm here, while winters are cool and rainy: precipitation peaks in January and February. In summer, the weather in Corfu is sunny and hot.

It is difficult to answer the question when it is better to come to Corfu. The peak season is usually July-August. But rest in the capital of the island is mainly excursion, so it makes no sense to come here in the hottest months.

A good time for sightseeing is spring or autumn Kerkyra: the weather during this period is most comfortable for Europeans. The air temperature is +25-27°С, and the water warms up to 22-24°С.

You can relax on the island in winter. Yes, the weather is noticeably cool and often windy, but the city is not crowded and festive New Year's Eve. In December, St. Spyridon's Day is celebrated here and pilgrims from all over the world come to this colorful celebration. And then the Christmas week begins with sales and festive events.

The city of Kerkyra is rich in architectural delights. Most of the historical monuments are located in the center of Corfu - the Old Town area. There are such unique sights here that this part of the city is even taken under the protection of UNESCO. You can get to the Old City by bus number 2, departing from Saroko Square (central city station).

The Cathedral of St. Spyridon (Agios Spiridon) with the highest bell tower in the city is the most popular place in Corfu. The church was built in 1589, and since then it has become a symbol of the city. Every year, religious celebrations are held here, which attract thousands of pilgrims. Also noteworthy are the Church of the Virgin Spiliotissa and the Church of Saints Jason and Sosipater.

For many people, a walk around Kekira is not complete without stopping by the Old Fortress and its younger "sister" New Fortress. The fortifications were erected by the Venetians in the Middle Ages, but are well preserved to this day. Particularly impressive is the New Fortress, with its network of tunnels and massive battlements.

Another popular tourist spot is Liston Street. The layout was carried out by the Frenchman de Lesseps, and the alley itself was intended for walks of the nobility. Only people on a special list could make the promenade. From this came the name Liston, i.e. " listed". The street is incredibly beautiful, and on Easter there are still bright processions.

In general, a walk along any of the streets of Kerkyra, where there are interesting monuments, is remarkable. Recently, a tourist train has been running around the Old Town. His path runs along the most important city attractions. A ticket for such a mini-tour costs 6 euros.

Sea and beach

We have already noted that in the capital of Corfu the main entertainment is excursions, but relaxing by the sea is also possible here. This is facilitated by the Mediterranean weather in Corfu and high air and water temperatures.

Near the fortress wall there is a "wild" beach. Mostly people come here just to take a dip and leave. But 2 km from the coast there is an island with comfortable sandy beaches. You can get to them by boat.

A comfortable beach area is located on the outskirts of the city, near the Mon Repos park. There are paid and free beaches, as well as a wild coast. For families with children, the first option is more acceptable. There is a well-groomed sandy shore with shallow water, trees, a playground and a restaurant.

The free beach is located by the road and is just a strip of sand. Also behind the park is another "wild" beach where you can swim in solitude.

Entertainment and food

Tourists are not limited to hotel accommodation, excursions and beaches. Part of the rest is shopping, going to restaurants, entertainment and walking around the city.

To buy products, it is better to go to the market where local farmers trade. Also in Kerkyra there are large shops and small shops with food. Shoppers will love Liston's main street, where shoe boutiques, clothing stores and souvenir shops are located.

There are many cafes in each area, but if you are looking for only the best taverns, then focus on the locals. If there are a lot of Greeks in the restaurant, then the restaurant's cuisine is really worth your attention. Often cafes are located very close to each other, so you can always find inexpensive options for a bite to eat.

Hotels in Corfu

There are no problems with housing in the capital of Corfu either: there are both expensive hotels and budget apartments. According to traveler reviews, the best hotels in Corfu:

The beauty of local hotels is that almost all rooms in them overlook the sea. A comfortable room with a beautiful view from the window is an excellent foundation for a successful holiday. Fascinating trips and vivid impressions!

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