Corfu Town & Culture
A UNESCO World Heritage old town, about 10 kilometres from Ipsos
Corfu Town is the cultural heart of the island: a maze of Venetian lanes, elegant arcades, fortresses and squares, with a character found nowhere else in Greece. It is only about 10 kilometres from Ipsos, so it is easy to spend a full day there and be back for dinner by the sea.
Getting there
Easy from Ipsos
Corfu Town is around 20 to 30 minutes by car or taxi, depending on traffic. The public blue buses also run between the north-east coast and the town. Parking in the centre is limited, so many visitors leave the car near the old port or take a taxi.
What not to miss
Our favourites
The Old Town
UNESCO World Heritage SiteWander the narrow lanes, the Venetian buildings and the hidden squares. Allow time to get a little lost; it is part of the pleasure.
Old Fortress and New Fortress
Venetian fortificationsThe Old Fortress guards the entrance to the harbour and offers views over the town and the sea. The New Fortress is a good complement if you like history and panoramas.
Spianada and the Liston
The town's living roomSpianada is the large green square next to the old town, and the Liston is the arcaded street beside it, lined with cafés. This is the place for a coffee or an evening stroll. Cricket is still played here, a tradition left by the British.
Palace of St Michael and St George
Museum of Asian ArtA grand neoclassical palace on the edge of the Spianada, which houses a museum of Asian art.
Archaeological Museum of Corfu
Ancient treasuresHome to the famous Gorgon pediment from the Temple of Artemis, among other important finds from ancient Corfu.
Mon Repos
Palace and parkA neoclassical villa set in a green park by the sea, a pleasant walk away from the centre.
Beyond the town
If you have more time
The Achilleion Palace in Gastouri, built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, is a popular half-day trip south of Corfu Town. Combine it with the small seaside villages along the way.
Tips for the day
Make the most of it
- Go in the morning, while it is cooler and quieter.
- Try the local ginger beer and kumquat specialities in a café on the Liston.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the old streets are cobbled and sloping.
- Many museums have shorter hours in winter, so check before you go.
Stay 80 metres from the beach
Six individually designed apartments in Ipsos, a short walk from everything on this page. Tell us your dates and we will check availability.