Corfu

Corfu Town, also called Kerkyra, is the capital of the Ionian Islands and one of Greece's most distinctive historic cities. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town combines Venetian fortifications, British-era palaces and French-designed arcades, while the Spianada and Liston promenade form the heart of everyday life.

Settled since antiquity as Korkyra, the town grew into a major naval power before passing through Byzantine, Venetian, French and British rule. It joined modern Greece in 1864, and this layered history remains visible in the Old Fortress, New Fortress and a dense network of narrow lanes known as kantounia.

The Old Town's neighbourhoods, including Campiello and Kofineta, reward slow wandering among pastel townhouses, churches and small squares. Beyond the centre, the Kanoni peninsula offers views toward Mouse Island and the Vlacherna Monastery, while the Mon Repos estate and the nearby Achilleion palace add further historical interest.

Cultural highlights include the Museum of Asian Art inside the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, the Archaeological Museum and the Church of St. Spyridon, which houses the relics of the island's patron saint. The town's working harbour and marina also make it a busy year-round hub.

As the Ionian Islands' administrative and tourism centre, Corfu Town draws both leisure visitors and business travellers. Its cruise and ferry links, university, conference facilities, taverna scene and seasonal events support a lively economy, with beaches and resorts only a short drive away.