Corfu Town: What to See and Do

Corfu Town is far more than the place you pass through between the airport, port and your resort. It is one of the most rewarding places on the island to explore on foot, with Venetian fortresses, elegant arcades, narrow old-town lanes, churches, museums, cafés and sea views packed into a surprisingly compact area.

The Old Town of Corfu has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Its character reflects centuries of Venetian rule followed by French and British influence, and that mixture is visible everywhere, from the fortifications and pastel-coloured buildings to the grand squares and neoclassical architecture.

Whether you have a few hours from a cruise ship, a full day from a beach resort or several nights based in town, this guide will help you decide what to see, what to skip and how to make the most of your time.

The best things to do in Corfu Town at a glance

• Walk across Spianada Square and stop beneath the arcades of Liston.

• Explore the Old Fortress and climb for panoramic views over the town and sea.

• Visit the Church of Saint Spyridon, dedicated to Corfu's patron saint.

• Get deliberately lost in the kantounia, the narrow lanes of the Old Town.

• Visit the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George and the Museum of Asian Art.

• See the New Fortress above the old port.

• Stop for coffee, lunch or dinner rather than rushing through the town as a checklist.

• Walk down towards Faliraki and the waterfront for a different view of the Old Fortress.

• Add Mon Repos and Palaiopolis if you have extra time.

• Stay into the evening if you can, when the heat and day-trip crowds begin to ease.

Start at Spianada Square and Liston

For a first visit, Spianada is the easiest place to get your bearings. It is the great open space between the Old Town and the Old Fortress and acts as a natural meeting point for many of Corfu Town's best-known sights.

Along one side is Liston, the elegant arcaded promenade built during the period of French rule and influenced by Parisian architecture. Today its cafés make it one of the most recognisable places in Corfu Town. It is touristy, but that is not a reason to avoid it. Sitting beneath the arches with a coffee while the town moves around you is part of the Corfu Town experience.

Spianada itself is worth walking rather than simply crossing. The broad green areas, monuments and open views give you a sense of how the historic town sits between its two great fortresses.

Explore the Old Fortress

If you choose only one paid historic attraction in Corfu Town, the Old Fortress is the strongest candidate. The site occupies the rocky eastern edge of the town and incorporates layers of Byzantine, Venetian and later British military history.

You enter across the bridge over the sea moat and then climb gradually through gates, stone passages and open areas. The Church of Saint George, built during the British period in the style of a classical temple, is one of the unexpected sights inside. The real reward, though, is the changing view as you climb: across Corfu Town's rooftops, towards the New Fortress, across the Ionian Sea and along the coast.

Do not underestimate the heat. In summer, the exposed stone and uphill sections can feel much hotter than the shaded lanes of the Old Town. Take water, wear sensible shoes and, if possible, visit earlier in the morning or later in the day.

Old Fortress visitor information for 2026

• The Greek Ministry of Culture currently lists summer opening from 1 April to 31 October as 08:00 to 20:00.

• Winter opening from 1 November to 31 March is currently listed as 08:30 to 15:30.

• The standard 2026 ticket is listed as €10 and includes the Byzantine Collection housed at the fortress entrance.

• Opening times can change around holidays or special circumstances, so check the official information shortly before visiting.

Visit the Church of Saint Spyridon

The tall red-topped bell tower of Saint Spyridon is one of the landmarks that helps you orient yourself as you wander the Old Town. The church, erected in 1589, is at the heart of religious life on Corfu and houses the relics of Saint Spyridon, the island's patron saint.

You do not need to be religious to appreciate the importance of the church to Corfu. It is a living place of worship rather than simply a historic attraction, so dress and behave respectfully, especially if a service is taking place.

Get lost in the kantounia of Corfu Old Town

Some of the best moments in Corfu Town happen when you stop following the map. The narrow lanes of the Old Town, known locally as kantounia, twist between tall buildings with shutters, washing lines, tiny squares, churches, bakeries, shops and hidden courtyards.

The Campiello area is particularly atmospheric, but there is no need to chase one exact photograph or street. Wander slowly, turn down lanes that look interesting and look upwards as often as you look ahead. Corfu Town works best when you allow it to reveal itself rather than treating it as a list of landmarks.

See the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George

At the northern end of Spianada stands the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George, one of the most important buildings from the British period. Built in the early 19th century, it now houses the Museum of Asian Art.

The museum is unusual in a Greek island setting and is the only museum in Greece dedicated exclusively to Asian art. Its collections include thousands of objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas and Central Asia. Even if the museum is not normally the sort of attraction you would choose on holiday, the setting inside the palace makes it worth considering, particularly on a very hot afternoon or a rare wet-weather day.

Museum of Asian Art visitor information for 2026

• Summer opening from 1 April to 31 October is currently listed as 08:00 to 20:00.

• Winter opening is currently 08:30 to 15:30, with Tuesday closed during the winter period.

• The standard 2026 ticket is listed as €10.

• Check the museum's current information before travelling, particularly outside the main summer season.

Walk up to the New Fortress

The New Fortress rises above the old port on the north-western side of the historic centre. Despite its name, it is still centuries old, having been developed by the Venetians as Corfu's defences expanded.

Its position gives you a different perspective from the Old Fortress. Instead of looking back from the sea towards the town, you rise above the rooftops and look across the Old Town, port and surrounding coastline. Even if you do not spend as long here as at the Old Fortress, the surrounding Spilia and old-port area are worth including in a walking route.

Take a break at Faliraki and the waterfront

One of the pleasures of Corfu Town is how quickly the streets can open onto the sea. Faliraki, below the old town walls near the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George, gives you a waterfront view back towards the Old Fortress and is a good place to slow down.

In warmer weather you may see people swimming from the small bathing area. Even if you are not planning to swim, the waterfront is a useful contrast after several hours in the busy lanes and squares.

Eat and drink like you actually have time

A common mistake on a day trip is to spend the entire visit walking and then grab the quickest food available before the bus home. Build a proper stop into your day. Corfu Town has everything from bakeries and casual cafés to traditional tavernas and more contemporary restaurants.

If you have not tried Corfiot dishes elsewhere on the island, look for pastitsada, sofrito and bourdeto, alongside Greek classics, seafood and local produce. For something simpler, stop for coffee, a pastry or gelato and use the break to watch the town rather than staring at a map.

The most obvious streets around Liston are convenient, but it is worth walking a few lanes back from the busiest areas too. Some of the most enjoyable places are tucked into small squares and side streets.

Visit Mon Repos if you have more time

Mon Repos is around two kilometres from the centre and works well as an extension to a full day in town or as a separate half-day visit. The neoclassical villa was built during the British period and now houses the Museum of Palaiopolis, while the surrounding estate gives you a greener, quieter change from the historic centre.

The museum displays material connected with British rule and antiquities from Palaiopolis. Current 2026 information lists opening as 08:30 to 15:30, Tuesday closed, with a standard ticket of €10. If your priority is the Old Town itself, however, do not rush through the centre simply to squeeze Mon Repos into the same day.

What if you only have half a day in Corfu Town?

With three or four hours, stay focused rather than attempting every museum and fortress. A strong first-time route is:

1. Begin at Spianada and Liston.

2. Walk through the Old Town to the Church of Saint Spyridon.

3. Spend time wandering the kantounia around Campiello.

4. Choose either the Old Fortress or the Palace and Museum of Asian Art as your main paid attraction.

5. Finish with a drink or meal before heading back rather than trying to add one more sight.

A one-day Corfu Town itinerary

Morning

Arrive early and start with the Old Fortress before the strongest heat. Allow enough time to climb, explore the fortifications and enjoy the views rather than racing straight to the top.

Late morning

Cross back to Spianada and Liston, then walk into the Old Town. Visit Saint Spyridon and wander through the kantounia towards Campiello.

Lunch

Choose somewhere in the Old Town and sit down properly. This is your chance to try a Corfiot dish or simply escape the midday heat for a while.

Afternoon

Visit the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George and the Museum of Asian Art, or walk towards the New Fortress and old port if you would rather stay outdoors.

Late afternoon and evening

Head towards Faliraki or return to Spianada as the temperature begins to drop. If your transport allows it, stay for dinner. Corfu Town feels noticeably different once many day visitors have left.

Corfu Town museums worth knowing about

You could easily turn a Corfu Town visit into a museum day, but first-time visitors rarely need to see everything. In addition to the Museum of Asian Art and the Byzantine Collection at the Old Fortress, the town and nearby Palaiopolis have several museums covering archaeology, Byzantine art and different periods of Corfiot history.

Museums become especially valuable in July and August when a couple of hours indoors can break up the hottest part of the day, or during unsettled weather in spring and autumn. Check current opening days before building a day around several museums, because seasonal schedules and weekly closing days can differ.

Practical tips for visiting Corfu Town

• Wear comfortable shoes. Attractive stone lanes can be uneven and polished smooth in places.

• Carry water in summer, particularly if you are visiting either fortress.

• Do the Old Fortress earlier or later in the day during very hot weather.

• Parking around the historic centre can be difficult at busy times, so public transport can be easier if your resort has a convenient connection.

• Cruise-ship days can make the central streets noticeably busier. Early morning and evening are usually more relaxed.

• Do not rely on old screenshots for museum opening hours. Check current official information before your visit.

• Allow time to sit down. Corfu Town is more enjoyable when you stop for coffee, lunch or dinner instead of spending the entire day moving.

• If mobility is limited, be aware that the fortresses involve slopes, steps and uneven surfaces even though much of the central town is relatively compact.

Is Corfu Town worth a full day?

Absolutely. For a first trip to Corfu, we would treat Corfu Town as one of the island's essential experiences rather than an optional shopping excursion. A full day gives you time for one major historic attraction, the Old Town streets, Saint Spyridon, a proper meal and enough unplanned wandering to enjoy the atmosphere.

If you love architecture, history, museums and food, you can easily justify staying overnight or returning for a second visit. If beaches are your main priority, even half a day will give you a very different side of Corfu from the resort coast.

Final tip: do not try to complete Corfu Town

Corfu Town rewards curiosity more than efficiency. See the Old Fortress, walk Liston and visit Saint Spyridon, but leave room to turn down a lane because you like the look of it, stop at a bakery you had not planned to visit or sit by the sea for half an hour.

The landmarks give you the history. The unplanned moments are usually what make people want to come back.