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Kerkyra — commonly known in English as Corfu Town or simply Corfu — is the capital of Corfu island and of the Ionian Islands regional unit. Sitting on the eastern coast of the island, the city faces the Albanian and Greek mainland across a narrow channel. Its position made it a crossroads of Mediterranean powers for centuries, and layers of Venetian, French, and British colonial rule have each left visible marks on the urban fabric.
The historic centre, known as the Old Town, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007. Its warren of narrow lanes — called kantounia — tall ochre-painted buildings with green shutters, and covered arcades called liston give it a character unlike anywhere else in Greece. Unlike the country's Aegean islands, Kerkyra has a distinctly Adriatic and Italian feel.
Beyond the architectural heritage, the city is a working Greek town with a university, a busy port, and a lively local culture. Travelers who look past the souvenir shops will find neighbourhood bakeries, neighbourhood churches, and a genuine civic pride rooted in a strong tradition of music, literature, and philharmonic societies.
Before You Go
Visas
Corfu is part of Greece and therefore the Schengen Area. Visa requirements vary by nationality. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official Greek immigration authority for current rules before you travel.
Health
No vaccinations are specifically required for Corfu beyond standard routine immunisations. EU/EEA citizens should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); travelers from other countries should ensure they have adequate travel health insurance. Tap water in the city is generally considered safe to drink, but verify locally if you have concerns.
Money
ATMs are widely available in Kerkyra town. Card payments are accepted at most hotels and larger restaurants, but smaller tavernas and market stalls may prefer cash. Notify your bank before travel to avoid card blocks.
Best time to visit
- May–June: Warm, green landscape after spring rains, manageable crowds, lower prices than peak season.
- July–August: Hot, busy, and most expensive; beaches and the Old Town can be crowded.
- September–October: Sea remains warm, crowds thin, and the light is excellent.
- November–March: Many tourist businesses close; the town is quiet and very local in character.
Getting There
By Air
Ioannis Kapodistrias International Airport (CFU) sits just 2 km south of the city centre and handles direct flights from many European cities, particularly in spring and summer. Year-round connections from Athens are also available. Check current airline schedules directly, as seasonal routes change frequently.
By Sea
Kerkyra is a major ferry port with regular connections to Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland (a short crossing of around 1.5 hours), Patras, and international routes to Brindisi, Bari, Ancona, and Venice in Italy. Ferry operators and timetables change seasonally — verify schedules and book in advance during summer. The main port is within walking distance of the Old Town.
By Road (via ferry)
Travelers driving from Western Europe often combine road travel through Italy with a ferry crossing to Corfu. The island has no land border; all vehicle access is by sea or air.
Getting Around
Within Kerkyra Town
The Old Town is compact and best explored on foot. Many of its lanes are too narrow for vehicles. Comfortable walking shoes are advisable given the cobblestones.
Around the Island
Green KTEL buses connect the capital with most villages and beach areas around the island. Timetables and fares are posted at the bus terminal near the New Port — verify current schedules locally or at the terminal, as they change seasonally.
Taxis
Taxis are available at the airport, the port, and designated stands around town. Agree on the fare or ensure the meter is running before departure.
Car and Scooter Rental
Multiple rental agencies operate in and around the city. A car gives the most flexibility for exploring the island's interior and northern beaches. An international driving permit may be required depending on your licence — verify before hiring.
Cycling
The terrain around the city is hilly. Cycling is possible but requires reasonable fitness outside the flat coastal stretches.
Things to See & Do
Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Wandering the kantounia is itself an activity. The Liston — a covered arcaded promenade modelled loosely on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris — lines the edge of the Spianada (Esplanade), one of the largest public squares in Greece. The Spianada also hosts a cricket pitch, an unusual legacy of British rule that remains in active use.
Fortresses
Two Venetian fortresses guard the approaches to the old town. The Old Fortress (Paleo Frourio) sits on a rocky promontory east of the Spianada and offers panoramic views across to the Albanian coast. The New Fortress (Neo Frourio) is slightly newer (also Venetian) and overlooks the New Port from the northwest corner of the old town. Admission fees and opening hours — verify on-site or at the local tourism office.
Antivouniotissa Museum
Housed in a 15th-century Byzantine church, this museum holds a significant collection of Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons and artefacts from across the Ionian Islands. It is considered one of the more important collections of its kind in Greece.
Achilleion Palace
About 10 km south of town, this late-19th-century neoclassical palace was built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria and later used by Kaiser Wilhelm II. It is open to visitors and is surrounded by formal gardens with classical statuary. Opening hours and admission fees — verify locally.
Beaches Near Town
- Kontokali and Gouvia: Resort beaches a short drive north; accessible by bus.
- Kanoni and Mon Repos: South of town; the area around Mon Repos includes a Regency-era villa in parkland (birthplace of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh).
- For better swimming, most visitors travel further from the city.
Music and Culture
Kerkyra has a long philharmonic tradition and is home to the oldest conservatory in Greece. Open-air concerts and cultural events take place on the Spianada and at various venues, particularly in summer — check local listings on arrival.
Food & Drink
Local Cuisine
Corfiot cooking shows strong Venetian influence and differs noticeably from mainland Greek food. Key dishes to look for:
- Sofrito: Veal or beef cooked in a white wine and garlic sauce — considered the signature dish of Corfu Town.
- Pastitsada: Slow-cooked meat (traditionally cockerel) in a spiced tomato sauce served over thick pasta.
- Bourdeto: Fish stew made with onions and hot red pepper.
- Bianco: White fish stew with garlic, lemon, and potato.
Drinks
- Kumquat liqueur: Made from tiny kumquat oranges introduced to Corfu in the 19th century; produced only on the island. Available in sweet, dry, and white varieties. Worth trying in small amounts — quality varies by producer.
- Local wines: The island produces wine, though production is modest; ask at restaurants what is available from local vineyards.
- Tsitsibira: A local ginger beer with roots in the British colonial period; now rare but occasionally found.
Where to Eat
The area around the Liston has cafés and restaurants aimed at tourists; prices reflect the location. Better-value and more local-feeling tavernas are found in the residential neighbourhoods west and north of the Old Fortress. The market area (Agora) near the New Port has traditional food shops. Ask locally for current recommendations, as the restaurant scene evolves each season.
Shopping
The main commercial streets of the Old Town — particularly around the Liston, Nikiforou Theotoki, and Guilford Street — are lined with shops selling olive wood products, local ceramics, olive oil, kumquat preserves and liqueur, and leather goods. Quality varies; it pays to compare before buying.
For everyday goods and a more local experience, the covered market (Agora) near the New Port sells fresh produce, cheese, olives, and local pantry items. This is a more authentic environment than the tourist-facing souvenir strip.
Kumquat products (liqueur, jam, chocolate-coated fruit) make practical gifts that travel well and are genuinely specific to Corfu. Look for producers that list the island as the origin.
Practical Information
Emergency Numbers
Greece's general emergency number is 112 (EU standard, works across the country). Police: 100. Ambulance: 166. Fire: 199. Verify that these numbers are current on arrival.
Medical
Kerkyra General Hospital is located in the city. For minor issues, pharmacies (farmakeio, marked with a green cross) are common and pharmacists are often able to advise on straightforward ailments.
Electricity
Greece uses 230V / 50Hz with Type C and Type F (Schuko) sockets. Travelers from the UK or North America will need an adaptor.
Internet and SIM
Free Wi-Fi is available at many cafés and hotels. EU visitors with an EU SIM roam at domestic rates. Non-EU travelers may wish to purchase a local prepaid SIM — available at phone shops and some kiosks in the city centre.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Rounding up the bill or leaving small change at cafés and restaurants is customary.
Safety
Kerkyra Town is generally a safe destination for tourists. Petty theft — pickpocketing in crowded market areas and on busy streets — is the most commonly reported issue, as in most popular European tourist cities. Keep valuables secured and be aware of your surroundings in the port area and on busy festival days.
The sea around the island can have strong currents in certain spots; observe posted warnings at beaches and avoid swimming where it is not advised. Jellyfish presence varies by season — ask locally.
Road safety on the island warrants attention: roads can be narrow, winding, and poorly lit outside town. If renting a vehicle, drive cautiously, especially in mountainous inland areas.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Kerkyra has a marked sense of civic identity that sets it apart from other Greek island capitals. The city's philharmonic tradition is taken seriously — two philharmonic orchestras (one of which claims to be the oldest in Greece) have long held a central place in local life, and funerals are traditionally accompanied by brass band music, a custom that continues today.
The island's patron saint is Saint Spyridon, whose relics are housed in a church dedicated to him in the Old Town. Four times a year — including Easter Saturday and the first Sunday in November — elaborate processions carry the saint's relics through the streets; these are significant local events, not merely tourist displays, and should be observed respectfully.
Greek Orthodox Easter is the most important religious and social event of the year. Corfu's Easter traditions are especially elaborate: on Holy Saturday morning, residents throw clay pots from windows and balconies in a ritual called Botides, which is unique to the island. If your visit coincides with Easter, be aware that schedules shift considerably and book accommodation well in advance.
Dress modestly when entering churches and religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). Outside these contexts, Corfu Town is relaxed about dress, as befits a warm-weather destination.
