Corfu

Corfu is an Ionian island in the northwest Aegean region of Greece, known for a long indented coastline, fertile interior and a main town with layered historic fortifications. The island covers roughly 592 km2 and has been an important maritime and cultural hub in the Ionian Sea.

Key attractions include the historic port town with Venetian-era bastions and narrow lanes, neoclassical villas and seaside villages with beaches and bays. Visitors use ferries and an international airport to reach the island, and there are numerous coastal viewpoints and archaeological sites.

Corfu’s strategic location led to successive periods of Venetian, French and British control, each leaving architectural and cultural marks. Agricultural production, olive groves and tourism have been important parts of the island economy.

The island lies off the northwest coast of mainland Greece in the Ionian Sea, a short ferry crossing from the mainland port of Igoumenitsa and connected by regular services to other Ionian Islands.

• Size and access: Island area is about 592 km2 with a long indented coastline; ferry and air links connect the island to the Greek mainland and international destinations.
• Cultural heritage: Major historic influences include Venetian fortifications and Ottoman and British periods, visible in architecture and town layout.

What to See #

• Corfu Town (Kerkyra): The fortified old town with narrow streets, Venetian-era bastions and a historic citadel that forms the island's main urban centre and principal port.
• Achilleion Palace: A late 19th-century neoclassical palace built for a European empress, featuring gardens and classical-themed decoration open to visitors.
• Paleokastritsa: A series of coves and beaches with steep coastal hills and clear waters, popular for swimming and coastal views.