There are many Greek islands and one of the most interesting groups is that of the islands of the Ionian Sea. Among them today we will highlight the island of Corfu, located just off the coast of the Greek and Albanian Epirus.
Corfu is the second largest island in the group, important for centuries, present even in Greek mythology and history. Since 2007 the capital city is a World Heritage Site, so let's see what to see in corfu.
Corfu
After Kefalonia the island it is the second largest of the Ionian Sea islands. It is separated from the mainland by the Straits of Corfu. Have 85 kilometers long with an average width of 18 kilometers. Its geography is rugged, with mountains and plains.
Corfu city is the capital and is in the center of the eastern coast. Although it is centuries old Greek, today it looks like a typical Italian port city since it was long in the hands of the old Republic of Venice.
Since 2005 the island has lived on tourism, but for a long time before it was chosen for vacations by rich people. For example, the famous Empress Sissí had a house here which can be visited today. As it also has a good deep-water port, ferries arriving from Bari or Brindisi, in Italy, are common.
Let's see now what to see in corfu without fail:
Corfu old town
Here you can breathe its long and rich history. Let's start with the museums, then. You can visit the Corfu Archaeological Museum, built in the middle of the XNUMXth century, with objects from, among others, the Temple of Artemis. There is also the Solomos Museum, more contemporary, dedicated to the life and work of the author of the Greek national anthem, Dionysios Solomos. It works in the old house of the poet.
El Ionian Parliament it is on Moustoxides street, the widest street in the old town. Here, the unification of the Ionian Islands with the rest of Greece was voted for in the XNUMXth century, after being a British protectorate for more than fifty years. He is followed by Town hall, on the square, which was previously a gentlemen's club. There is also the Theater of San Giacomo and the XNUMXth century cathedral. The square itself is surrounded by cafes and restaurants.
La Parliament House It is on Nikiforou street, a XNUMXth century mansion that today is a museum that recreates the life of a nobleman in the golden period of the island of Corfu. The Church of Agios Apyridon it is from the XNUMXth century and has a beautiful bell tower, with the relics of the patron saint of the island, Spyridon. The city's main square has a XNUMXth-century colonnaded promenade, built to resemble the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. It is beautiful to walk here.
La old fortress it is built on a hill at the eastern end of the city. Its construction was started by the Byzantines and finished by the Venetians. You cross the canal, you go through the gates and you go through the Church of St. George. Then you climb up the path towards the fortress and its magnificent panoramic views. Beside are the Boschetto Gardens.
In Corfu were the Knights of the Order of Saint George and Saint Michael. The building later became the British Governor's Mansion and the summer residence of the Greek Royal Family. Works here today Asian Art Museum. It is in the Faliraki district, with its little beach and good views of the medieval fortress.
The oldest and most vibrant neighborhood is El Campiello, with its labyrinthine layout of streets, small squares and tall buildings with balconies. from the Dionysios Solomos Museum you can also walk to the New Fortress, the Venetian fortress built in the XNUMXth century, on the hill of San Marco, above the old port, once connected to the Old Fortress by a wall. And finally, the Jewish quarter.
El Achilleion Palace it is also one of the most popular attractions on the island. Was the summer residence of Empress Sissi, Elizabeth of Austria, after the tragic death of her son. Although it is an imperial palace, the villa looks like an ancient Greek house, a temple too. It is located in the village of Gastouri and It was built in 1890. Sissí was murdered in 1898 and the house was empty until 1907.
The villa has a beautiful garden and in the time of the Empress it had many classical statues, but when it was inhabited by the German Kaiser (he bought it in 1907), he remodeled everything. Since the end of World War II, the building has been public and can be visited. james bond movie, For your eyes only, was filmed here.
Excursions and tours by boat and by land
The Ionian Sea is blue and beautiful and in a short boat ride we can get to know the surrounding islands of Othonoi, Pontikonissi, Ereikoussa, Mathraki and Paxoi. Even close to the northeast coast is Albania.
The rides can be by boat wooden, very traditional, departing from the port of Corfu, on well-organized tours that include food and local wine. Making a cruise is very romantic, ideal for couples or groups of friends. You will get to know the sea and little-known islands that are charming.
On land, we can rent a quad and go out to discover its beaches and mountains, stopping whenever you want, enjoying the views from the cliffs, going to enjoy the sun on the beach or getting to know small lost villages, all at your own pace.
So you can know, for example, the Palokastritsa village, on the northwest side of the island. It is a very historic site, with a coastline, where Odysseus is said to have landed and met Nausicaa for the first time. It has seven beaches and the largest and most beautiful is the agios spyridon beach, but there is also the ampelaki beach which is quieter and can only be accessed on foot.
El Theotokos Monastery, built in 1225, is another unmissable visit. The building is impeccable, with its museum, its courtyard and its Byzantine icons.
Corfu Beaches
Many say that the beaches of the Ionian Sea are the best of the Greek beaches. In the case of Corfgu we can recommend the sidari beach, well organized with sun loungers, umbrellas, cafes and restaurants. The sand is golden, the waters are calm and there is a good range of water sports. Another lovely beach is the Gryfada beach, extensive, just 16 kilometers from the center. A beach Blue flag of clean and deeply blue waters.
It is followed by kassiopi beach, one of the most private, but with rocks. If you are looking for tranquility this beach is ideal. If you want to snorkel, too. And finally we have the Canal del Amor beach, a super romantic destination. It is of precious natural beauty, but the best time is to go early in the morning.
We can add the Agios Georgios Pagon BeachThat of Ermones, the remote myrtiotissa, Men, the little Kouloura, Dassia with its transparent waters and great views of the mountains, or the wild Arkoudilas. If you kitesurf, we recommend the Halikounas beach. If you want to see migratory birds, the Korisson Lagoon it's great
Finally, among all that there is what to see in corfu, it must be said that the island also has vineyards, between the city and Ermones. It is not very famous for its wines but its varietals, Moscato, Katigioirgis and Cabernet Sauvignon, are worth savoring. You can take a walk through the Nicoluzo winery and through Theotoky.