Κέρκυρα

Cosmopolitan Kerkyra (Corfu) is one of the biggest islands in terms of the tourism trade – and not without reason. The city, with its Venetian and even Napoleonic-era British influences, has the perfect mix of historical periods – large, open squares adorned with monuments of Venice’s power and wealth and surrounded by Napoleonic era public buildings lead off to small narrow streets that run among houses, mazelike, built with Italian effect and influence, among relics of the Byzantine Empire, small churches and places of worship. The city offers the visitor the chance to experience the vast history of the island interwoven with modern everyday life. Mostly, in Corfu, you will enjoy the feeling that comes from this unique intermix of cultural heritage that is directly reflected in the island’s life, music and even cuisine.

The city of Kerkyra is considered one of the most beautiful in Greece. The city was planned during the Venetian rule which left its marks on public buildings, place names, streets and culture of the island. A main characteristic of the island is the Spianada, the greatest square in all the Balkans, the wide city avenues and the picturesque cobbled streets. The ‘old city’ forms a large part of Kerkyra and still holds the traditional aura. The Spianada is the center of life any time of the day, or night, with numerous cafes, restaurants, bars and of course shops around it. The Spianada is dotted with various statues and monuments from the islands entire history. The eastern part of the city is dominated by the old Fortress. Last, one shouldn’t miss the Napoleonic era English buildings of the city which begin from the Ionian Academy and finish on the old harbour, in the area of the ‘new Fortress’. The city was renovated relatively recently for a 1994 high profile EU convention and has kept up its polished good looks since then.

The city can be divided into several distinct areas. The Historic Centre, the area enclosed by the Old Port and the two fortresses is made up of several smaller quarters – Campiello, the oldest, overlooks the harbour, Kofineta stretches towards the Spianada, Agioi Apostoloi stretches west from the Greek Orthodox cathedral, the Mitropolis while close to the new fortress is Tenedos and the remains of the Jewish quarter. This is Corfu’s historic centre and its mazelike alleys hide some of Kerkyra’s most beautiful architectural delights. Other areas of the city are Mantouki, the commercial and dormitory area – well worth exploring for lodging away from the tourist bustle of the center.