Corfu Old Town: What to See, How to Visit, and How Long to Stay

Corfu Old Town is a UNESCO-listed maze of pastel buildings, arcaded cafés, Venetian forts and neoclassical mansions. Most of the main sights sit close together, so a day or two on foot covers a good deal of the Old Town.

What is Corfu Old Town?

Picture narrow cobbled alleys with little balconies, laundry strung overhead, stone staircases and shaded squares. Some buildings are freshly painted and some are crumbling, and that mix is a big part of the charm. Here and there the alleys open onto wide, bright spaces by the sea.

The town guards the mouth of the Adriatic Sea, and its history stretches back to the 8th century BC. Venice ruled Corfu for about four centuries. The island then passed to the French, the British and finally Greece, and each left its mark. Renowned Venetian engineers designed the three forts to defend Venice's sea trade against the Ottoman Empire. The houses are mostly neoclassical, some from the Venetian period and many from the 19th century. The buildings of the arcaded Liston were designed under the French, and a grand palace began life as a British governor's mansion. UNESCO singles out the whole port and town for its authenticity and integrity.

What should you see first in Corfu Old Town?

The Old Fortress

Start here, early. You cross a small bridge over a sea channel the Venetians dug. The climb to the top rewards you with terracotta rooftops, the blue Ionian Sea and, on a clear day, Albania. Allow about two hours. Saint George's Church sits inside, and there's a restaurant if you get hungry. Next to the entrance, the shady Boschetto Garden has benches, busts of poets and writers, and views over the water.

2026 prices: entry to the Old Fortress is €10, or €5 reduced. From April 1 to October 31 it's open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with last admission twenty minutes before closing. Visitors under 18 must come with an adult. The shop at the entrance is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The combined ticket for Corfu's museums and sites has been discontinued, so you buy a separate ticket at each one. The fortress is closed on January 1, March 25, December 25 and December 26, the Greek public holidays when state museums and sites stay shut.

Liston and Spianada Square

Walk across to the Liston, an arcaded street lined with cafés, for a freshly squeezed orange juice or a late breakfast at an outdoor table. Right beside it, Spianada Square is the largest square in Greece, with palm trees, fountains, a cricket field and views back toward the fortress.

Churches and squares

You'll spot the tall, red-domed bell tower of the Church of Saint Spyridon from all over town. The church honors the island's patron saint, whose relics rest inside in a silver coffin, and many locals believe he has protected Corfu through the centuries. Step in for the icons and ornate details. Afterward, lose yourself in Campiello, the oldest quarter, where tiny Kremasti Square has a Venetian wellhead and a few cats lounging in the sun.

The New Fortress, the Jewish Quarter and the market

The New Fortress, built by the Venetians between 1576 and 1645, stands at the other end of town near the port. It has been under renovation, so check that it's open before you go. Nearby, the small Jewish Quarter holds the Scuola Greca Synagogue, which is among the few synagogues in Greece still standing after World War II. Just outside the New Fortress walls, the Corfu Central Market sells fresh fish, olives, honey, dried herbs and sweets.

Museums

The Museum of Asian Art fills the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, a neoclassical building worth admiring even from outside. Just behind it, the Garden of the People offers a peaceful spot with views across to the Old Fortress and the water. The Archaeological Museum is small but packed with finds from ancient Corcyra, including a huge Gorgon pediment from the Temple of Artemis.

At the Archaeological Museum, full admission is €10 and reduced is €5. From April 1 to October 31 the museum is open daily except Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum is at Armeni Vraila 1, a 15-minute walk from the Liston and 5 minutes from San Rocco Square, the hub for the Blue and Green buses.

How many days do you need in Corfu Old Town?

One day covers the highlights at a brisk pace: the fortress in the morning, the Liston for lunch, churches and alleys in the afternoon. Two days let you add a museum, the market, a swim and a slow evening. Corfu Town is the island's main port and a regular cruise stop, and on busy days in autumn a couple of large ships can unload at once. The Old Town gets crowded when they come ashore, so check which ships are in port and plan the busiest sights around them.

When is the best time to visit Corfu Old Town?

Fall brings sunny, pleasant days and fewer people, and early October is a sweet spot. Spring is the other good window for avoiding crowds. Corfu is green for a reason, though, and it rains a lot outside the main season, so pack an umbrella or a raincoat. Summer is hot and crowded, and locals say the population quadruples. Music festivals, religious celebrations, food events, carnival and Corfu's Easter customs fill the calendar throughout the year.

What else is there to do in and around Corfu Old Town?

Watch the sunset from the old sea walls facing Garitsa Bay. From the Old Fortress, a flat, easy waterfront path runs past an old windmill all the way to Mon Repos. As you wander the Old Town, you'll often come across Greek street musicians.

For a swim, head to Faliraki, a small beach through the Gate of Saint Nicholas, where stone steps lead straight into the sea and drinks and food are served by the water. In summer, get there early to claim a spot. Just south of town, Mon Repos Palace, where Prince Philip was born, is now the Museum of Palaiopolis. A little boat to Mouse Island leaves from beside the Holy Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna. For a full day out, a boat tour from the Old Town visits Paxos and Antipaxos, two nearby islands with far fewer visitors.

Where should you stay in Corfu Old Town?

For a short stay, the Old Town makes an easy base. The alleys, cafés and landmarks are right outside your door, and the port is close by. Expect some noise and plenty of stairs, steep and narrow in some buildings, so ask about access before booking if mobility is a concern. Bella Venezia, a boutique hotel in a 19th-century neoclassical mansion on the edge of the old quarter, is a lovely choice. On a budget, look at the Mandouki area near the port: less charming, but practical and still walkable to the sights.

You won't need a car. The historic center is compact and pedestrian-friendly, though some lodgings can't be reached by taxi at the door. Pack comfortable shoes for the cobblestones and steep stairs, and read recent reviews before you book.

What should you eat in Corfu Old Town?

Try pastitsada, a slow-cooked beef stew in a spiced tomato sauce, along with sofrito and bourdeto. At the tiny Dairy Shop of Alexis, locals line up for homemade rice pudding and thick Greek yogurt. Kumquat is a Corfiot specialty, and you can taste it in liqueur or in ice cream at Papagiorgis, where three generations have served sweets since 1924. Save room for loukoumades, fluffy fried dough balls topped with honey or cinnamon and sugar.

How do you get to Corfu Old Town?

By air, Corfu Airport sits about 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of the Old Town. The flight from Athens takes 1 hour 15 minutes, and from Thessaloniki 55 minutes. Taxis wait outside arrivals, and since the ride is short, agree on the fare before you get in. A bus to town leaves from the stop in front of Terminal Building A, and you can also pre-book a private transfer.

By sea, the ferry port is about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) from the Old Town, a 20 to 25 minute walk depending on your luggage. Taxis and local buses also make the trip, and the official taxi stand is next to the international terminal. Ferries arrive from Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland in roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, and from Saranda in Albania in about 30 minutes. From Italy, they sail from Brindisi, Bari, Ancona and Venice, with Brindisi the shortest crossing at about 7 hours. Schedules vary, so check the timetable for your dates before you go.