8 Best things to see & do in Corfu

A UNESCO Heritage site, the Old Town (Xopoli) lies between the Old and the New Fortress and grew horizontally inside the fortified walls along twisted, narrow cobbled alleys (kantounia). Great for a lazy wander.

Built in 1890 by the Empress Elisabeth of Austria and subsequently bought by Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II, this is a Victorian folly dedicated to Achilles with classically inspired statues, murals, colonnades and gardens but, admittedly, breathtaking views.

The Kanoni peninsula is one of the most photographed tourist spots in Greece. Climb up Analipsis hill to reach the small square, from where you can enjoy the view to a the wooded island of Pontikonissi, and the 17th-century Vlachairna monastery in the middle of the bay, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway.

A protected natural monument and twitcher’s paradise, comprising 126 bird species nesting among salt cedars, reed beds and tamarisk groves. It lies by the small village of Agios Matthaios near Corfu’s two best beaches, Chalikouna and Issos.

Art museum exhibiting over 10,000 pieces from China, Japan, Korea, India, Central and Southeast Asia – all bequests from wealthy Greeks. It’s housed in a remarkable building – the Palace of St. Michael and St. George – an early 19th-century Georgian-style palace and seat of the British High Commissioner.

This charming, unassuming fishing village, with its quiet Blue Flag beach, has become famous because of the Durrell family who used to live there.  Their family mansion, The White House, is now a popular museum. Book a boat tour along the eastern coast; it includes a stopover at a small private beach.

A neoclassical mansion, originally built by the British High Commissioner, later summer residence of the former Greek Royal Family and birthplace of Prince Philip, it now houses the Museum of Palaiopolis. Palaiopolis was the ancient Corfiot capital whose ruins– including the Agora and the Temple of Apollo (c. 500 BC) – are within the Mon Repos estate.

This seaside village enjoys a spectacular setting amid olive groves and pine forests facing off a jagged coastline spanning no fewer than six coves, each with golden sandy beaches and crystalline turquoise waters. Climb the hill to the monastery of Panagia Theotokos for some breezy views; then book in for exceptional seafood at seaside taverna Vrahos.