Good to know
Good to Know
- Corfu Old Town is genuinely walkable and compact; most central museums and sights are within ~10 minutes of each other on foot.
- The Archaeological Museum and Byzantine Museum both close on Mondays; plan accordingly if visiting midweek.
- Several sources report the Old Fortress admission recently increased to €10 (from €3–4 historically); confirm current pricing on arrival.
- Free admission Sundays applies to the Municipal Art Gallery; other museums may offer reductions.
- The Achilleion Palace is temporarily closed for interior restoration, though gardens remain accessible; check status before traveling.
- Corfu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site; early morning visits (before ~9–10 AM) offer fewer crowds and better photography light.
- The island's archaeological sites are scattered; day trips to Angelokastro, Kassiopi, and Paleokastritsa require car rental or organized tours.
- Mon Repos grounds are lush and peaceful; visit features both royal history and legitimate ancient temple archaeology on the same estate.
Must See Sites
Corfu Old Town
- Location
- Central Corfu Town
- Admission
- free
- Highlights
- Liston Promenade (French-style arcades), Spianada Square (one of Europe's largest public squares), dense network of kantounia (narrow alleys with pastel-colored buildings)
- Description
- UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring Venetian architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and a blend of Venetian, French, and British influences. The historic core is ideal for walking exploration.
Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio)
- Hours
- Wed–Mon 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (summer); varies by season
- Location
- Eastern edge of Corfu Town, adjacent to Spianada Square
- Admission
- €10
- Highlights
- Lighthouse, panoramic views of Ionian Sea, Venetian architecture, British Neoclassical buildings nearby
- Description
- 15th-16th century Venetian fortification dominating the eastern side of Corfu Town. Offers panoramic views from the lighthouse and various exhibitions.
Museum of Asian Art
- Hours
- Mon–Sun 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Location
- Palace of St. Michael and St. George, Corfu Old Town (city center)
- Admission
- €6.00
- Highlights
- Unique collection of Asian art and culture, serene palace gardens with Old Fortress views
- Description
- The only Asian art museum in Greece, housed in the Palace of St. Michael and St. George. Contains over 11,000 items including Chinese porcelain, Japanese prints, and Indian sculptures.
Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM; Closed Mondays
- Location
- Antivouniotissa Church, Corfu Old Town (near port)
- Admission
- €4.00
- Highlights
- Historic church setting, post-Byzantine religious art, original liturgical context
- Description
- Museum housed in a 15th-century church featuring post-Byzantine religious art including rare icons, frescoes, and liturgical artifacts dating from the 15th–19th centuries.
Archaeological Museum of Corfu
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM; Closed Mondays
- Location
- 1 Vraila Armeni Street, Corfu Town (near Garitsa Bay)
- Admission
- €6.00
- Highlights
- Gorgon pediment, ancient temple remains, artifacts from multiple excavation sites including Paleopolis and Kassiopi
- Description
- Houses findings from ancient sites across the island, including the famous Gorgon pediment from the Temple of Artemis, plus bronze and marble statues, pottery, coins, and jewelry from prehistoric to Hellenistic periods.
Municipal Art Gallery
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Closed Mondays; Free on Sundays
- Location
- Palace of St. Michael and St. George, Corfu Old Town
- Admission
- €4.00
- Highlights
- Local 19th-century artistic heritage, Heptanese School transitional art
- Description
- Located in the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, featuring 19th-century Corfiot painters and works from the Heptanese School (bridge between Byzantine tradition and modern Greek art).
Mon Repos Palace
- Hours
- Wed–Mon 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Closed Tuesdays
- Location
- Analipsi, south of Corfu Town (3 km)
- Admission
- €4.00
- Highlights
- Royal connections, archaeological exhibits, lush park setting with views, ancient temple remains on-site
- Description
- 19th-century neoclassical villa built in 1826 by British High Commissioner Frederick Adams. Birthplace of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Includes archaeological museum and ancient ruins within grounds.
Achilleion Palace
- Location
- South of Corfu Town (day trip distance)
- Admission
- Temporarily closed for restoration; gardens accessible
- Highlights
- Sissi-related history, Austrian-German royal heritage, classical art collection, panoramic gardens
- Description
- Neoclassical palace commissioned as a summer residence by Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi) in 1890. Later purchased by Kaiser William II. Features classical statues, gardens, and a viewing terrace.
Church of Saint Spyridon
- Hours
- Open daily; hours vary by season
- Location
- Corfu Old Town (behind Liston, near Spianada Square)
- Admission
- free (donations appreciated)
- Highlights
- Iconic red dome visible from sea, Venetian architecture, most important religious site on island
- Description
- Late 16th-century church with the largest bell tower in Corfu. Contains the reliquary of Corfu's patron saint, Saint Spyridon, and a priceless collection of icons and votive offerings.
Free Attractions
Spianada Square
- Description
- One of the largest public squares in Europe and a vibrant gathering place. Historic cricket pitch (British legacy), bordered by Liston and the Old Fortress.
Liston Promenade
- Description
- Elegant 19th-century French-style arcade with graceful colonnade. Perfect for evening strolls with local atmosphere, shops, and cafés.
Corfu Old Town Walking Routes
- Description
- Explore dense network of narrow Venetian streets, kantounia alleys, pastel-colored buildings, historic churches, and architectural remnants from Venetian, French, and British periods.
Mandraki Harbour & Old Port Views
- Description
- Historic waterfront areas with free viewing and atmospheric local scenes.
Archaeological Sites
Paleopolis (Ancient Corfu)
- Location
- Kanoni Peninsula, south of Corfu Town (4 km)
- Admission
- free
- Highlights
- Ancient city remains, Temple of Artemis ruins, residential district vestiges, important commercial hub site
- Description
- Archaeological site of the ancient city founded in the 8th century BC by Doric Greeks from Corinth. Contains remains of ancient walls, temples, and buildings from multiple periods.
Temple of Kardaki
- Location
- Mon Repos Estate, Analipsi
- Admission
- included with Mon Repos admission (€4)
- Highlights
- Doric columns, architectural fragments, integrated within palace grounds
- Description
- Best-preserved ancient temple in Corfu, built around 500 BC and probably dedicated to Poseidon. Features Doric columns and decorative elements.
Monument of Menecrates
- Location
- Cyprus Street, Garitsa (south of Old Town)
- Admission
- free
- Highlights
- Outstanding workmanship, archaic inscription, 5-row limestone blocks with domed top
- Description
- Circular limestone cenotaph dating to 600 BC, believed to have one of the most ancient inscriptions in Greece. Honors Menecrates, an ancient ambassador to Corfu.
Angelokastro
- Hours
- Wed–Mon 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Location
- Northwest coast near Paleokastritsa (day trip)
- Admission
- €10
- Highlights
- Dramatic coastal views, cave church, Byzantine military architecture, scenic panorama
- Description
- Byzantine fortress from the 13th century perched on a clifftop in the northwest. Contains cave church, chapel, and cistern. Offers magnificent panoramic views.
Kassiopi Castle Ruins
- Location
- Kassiopi, northeast coast (day trip)
- Admission
- free
- Highlights
- Roman and Venetian construction periods, dual-port history, panoramic views, walking paths along walls
- Description
- Remains of Venetian and Roman fortification on the northeast coast. Mostly external walls remain with views from the castle path overlooking two historic port beaches.
Museums And Collections
Banknote Museum (Ionian Bank Museum)
- Location
- Neoclassical Ionian Bank building, Platia (Square) of Heroes, Corfu Old Town
- Admission
- varies; typically €3–5
- Highlights
- Unique in Greece, production process exhibits, historical currency displays, first Greek and National Bank notes
- Description
- The only museum in Greece devoted to currency display. Shows the history of Greek money from 1839 onwards, including production methods, rare coins, and notes from the Ionian State period.
Dionisios Solomos Museum
- Location
- Arseniou Street, Mouragia district, Corfu Old Town
- Admission
- free or minimal donation
- Highlights
- Poet's personal belongings, historical documents, inspiration site for Greek national anthem
- Description
- Home museum of Greece's national poet, featuring furniture, personal items, photographs, and manuscripts from his 30-year residence on the island.
Philharmonic Society Museum & Mantzaros Museum
- Location
- Nikiforos Theotokis Street 10, Corfu Old Town
- Admission
- minimal admission
- Highlights
- Rare musical instruments, sheet music, first recordings, composer of national anthem legacy
- Description
- Museum honoring composer Nicholaos Mantzaros (composer of Greek and Olympic anthems). Displays the history of the Corfu Philharmonic Society (founded 1840), musical instruments, and rare recordings.
Kapodistrias Museum (Centre of Kapodistrian Studies)
- Hours
- Wed–Mon 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Closed Tuesdays
- Location
- Evropouli village, Koukouritsa estate (3 km from town)
- Admission
- €3.00
- Highlights
- Ancestral home setting, governor's personal documents, tranquil grounds with panoramic island views
- Description
- Museum dedicated to Ioannis Kapodistrias, first governor of independent Greece and Corfu native. Displays personal belongings, documents, furniture, and letters.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.