Things to do in  Corfu

According to legend, the Greek village of Paleokastritsa (Palaiokastritsa) is where Odysseus was shipwrecked and met Nausicaa in Homer’s epic tale theOdyssey. It’s a suitable setting for mythical romance, with a string of beaches, olive groves, and cypress forests set against the glittering Mediterranean Sea.

This 14th-century Venetian fortress is a striking sight in Corfu, sitting atop the promontory between the Gulf of Kerkyra and Garitsa Bay and separated from the mainland by the Contrafossa moat. Today, the Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio) is home to a Byzantine art collection, Church of St. George, and panoramic lighthouse.

Built as a summer residence by Empress Elisabeth of Austria in 1890, Achilleion Palace in the village of Gastouri is among the top attractions on the island of Corfu. Visit the palace designed by Italian architect Raffaello Caritto in a Pompeian style to see paintings and sculptures of mythical gods, including art dedicated to Achilles.

Once the capital and heart of the Greek island of Corfu, today Kanoni is a quarter of Corfu town, the island’s modern-day capital. Kanoni has just two beaches but there is plenty else worth seeing, including the 17th-century church of Panagia Vlacherna, Mon Repos Palace, and the Byzantine Church of St. Jason and St. Sosipatros.

The main port on the sun-soaked Greek island of the same name, Corfu Cruise Port serves as a gateway to pristine beaches, verdant mountainous interiors, and Corfu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A popular stop on Adriatic Sea itineraries, Corfu Cruise Port is also the departure point for ferries bound for other Ionian Islands.

The capital of the Greek island of Corfu, Corfu Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Twin fortresses, known as the Old Fortress and the New Fortress, stand atop two hills overlooking the old town, where you’ll find cobbled lanes strung with clotheslines, squares, museums, and an astonishing number of churches for a city of its size.

Also known as the Esplanade, Corfu’s Spianada is the largest town square in Greece. Located in front of the Old Fortress and home to a mix of Venetian, French, British, and Greek buildings, the square’s construction dates back to the 19th-century French occupation and it is both a popular tourist attraction and the liveliest part of town.

Set around a boat-filled harbor facing across the sapphire channel to Albania, this once sleepy fishing village is now a lively tourist getaway. As well as ample tavernas and bars, Kassiopi also has beautiful beaches, tranquil headland trails, and a ruined Byzantine castle perched on a hillside overlooking the village.

Aqualand Corfu Water Park is the island’s largest, most popular water park, with themed areas catering to fun-seeking visitors of all ages. Stretching across almost 3 acres (1.2 hectares), this family-friendly spot is home to water rides and slides, lazy rivers, and swimming pools for an action-packed day in the sun.

The 16th-century St. Spyridon Church (Agios Spyridon is among the most impressive sights in Corfu town and houses the remains of its patron saint, Spyridon, said to have repeatedly saved the island from Ottoman attacks. In addition to the saint’s ornate silver casket, the church is known for its lavish frescoes and soaring bell tower.

The star attraction of the Paleokastritsa resort in northwest Corfu is Paleokastritsa Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful stretches of sand. Lapped by crystal waters and framed by a headland topped by the 13th-century Paleokastritsa Monastery, this crescent of sand is a hotspot for families, swimmers, and snorkelers.

Halfway between the main hubs of Heraklion and Chania, Rethymno (or Rethymnon) Old Town is arguably the most historic neighborhood on the island of Crete. Awash with 500 years of Venetian and Ottoman flair, you’ll find yourself meandering narrow cobblestone streets full of well-preserved architecture, delighting in local shops and tavernas, and enjoying a classic Cretan seafront promenade.

Fresh fish, fruit, and vegetables fill the stands under the simple, unassuming structure of this farmers market, directly outside the giant Venetian walls of Corfu Old Town. Plenty of locals shop here, but tourists visit too, and are more likely to be tempted by the market’s selections of traditional sweets and souvenirs.

Looming almost 3,000 feet (900 meters above Corfu, Mt. Pantokrator is the tallest peak on the island and offers endless views over the Ionian Islands–as far as Albania on a clear day. Drive or hike to the top to admire the panorama and visit the Moni Pantokrator monastery and Old Perithia, the most historic mountain village on Corfu.

Located on the western coast of Corfu, the resort town of Agios Gordios is a paradise of pastel-colored buildings surrounded by rugged mountains, olive groves, and cypress trees. Known for its sandy beaches, Agios Gordios is also a convenient jumping-off point for exploring nearby villages on foot, by bike, or by car.