Mon Repos Palace
Corfu Town - L. Dimokratias & Sosipatrou, Anemomylos
The adults-only Mon Repos Palace - Adults Only is located at the tip of Garitsa Bay, within 1 km from the scenic Old Town of Corfu.
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Corfu Town is the most European of the Greek island towns. The Venetians, French, Austrians and British have all passed through and left clear traces here… and before them all, the Byzantines.
Strolling through the streets of Corfu town centre will remind you a lot of a Saturday afternoon in a medium-sized European city spent window shopping, meeting friends, sipping coffee without the anxiety of the clock.
You will feel at home among the cobbled streets, neoclassical buildings and arcades. It takes a while for this holiday town of Venetian elegance and Parisian charm to reveal its Greek soul to you: you will find it in the joviality of the people, their zest for life, their deep connection with the sea and their exquisitely Mediterranean cuisine.
Perfect as a base for exploring the island given its central location, Corfu is a town that deserves an in-depth visit. Its unique location between twin hills, each dominated by an impressive fortress, is enough to make it a must-see destination.
Add to this a rich cultural heritage that includes interesting museums and more than 30 historical churches, a top-notch gastronomic scene, a vibrant nightlife and enchanting beaches in the surrounding area, and what does Corfu have to envy larger cities?
The list of things to see in Corfu Town is a long one and includes squares, gardens and streets to relax and socialise, prestigious history and art museums and sumptuous palaces.
Venetian by name but not by origin, the Spianada and the Liston are the nerve centre of city life, the places where Corfiots and tourists come to stroll, have a coffee with friends, laze around, spend the evenings.
The Spianada is a large green area that connects the town to the Old Fortress; it is criss-crossed by cobbled streets and adorned with statues of illustrious citizens and other monuments. It also includes a small cricket pitch, built at the time of British rule.
On the northern side of the Spianada is the Liston, an elegant arcaded palace built by the French on the model of the Parisian Rue de Tivoli in the early 19th century, during the brief period of Napoleonic rule.
It overlooks a lively pedestrian street: you can watch the hustle and bustle of people passing by sitting at the tables of the elegant cafés lined up under the arches of the building. They are a great refuge from the sun and – in case of bad luck – the rain!
The Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio) is a defensive citadel that includes numerous buildings, not only military ones. These include the Church of St George, built in the 19th century to meet the demands of British soldiers, the Venetian prison and the historical archive containing documents, sculptures, icons and Byzantine frescoes.
Built as early as the Middle Ages, the Old Fortress was later modified and reinforced by the Venetians. It is reached by crossing a bridge over the canal created by the Venetians for defence purposes. From the walls of the fortress you can enjoy beautiful views of the sea and the city.
The New Fortress (Neo Frourio) of Corfu is new in name, but in fact little more recent than the Old Fortress . Less visited and considered less attractive, it is instead another beautiful vantage point from which to view the city. It is also used as a venue for events.
Among the more than 30 religious buildings in Corfu, the Church of Agios Spyridon stands out. Considered an emblem of the Old Town, it is a small 16th century basilica dedicated to the patron saint of Corfu.
The remains of the saint are kept in a silver reliquary inside the church and only brought out in procession during local festivals.
Just 2 km from the old town is the Mon Repos Estate, a park of great historical and scenic interest. Here, ancient and recent history meet: the first urban settlement was founded here in ancient times and within the park is a neoclassical villa where Prince Philip of Greece, most famous as the husband of the Queen of England, was born.
Take a relaxing stroll through this lovely green area with views of the sea: woodland paths lead to impressive ancient ruins, including a Doric temple atop a low cliff; the villa is home to the Paleopolis Museum dedicated to the history of the city.
The idea of visiting a museum of Asian art in Greece may seem strange, but the Corfu Museum of Asian Art is worth seeing both for its prestigious collection and its elegant venue.
The museum is housed within the Palace of St Michael and St George, a majestic palace with a monumental staircase and neoclassical colonnade built in 1819 by the British to house the seat of the Ionian High Commission and Parliament.
If you are staying in town for more than a quick bite to eat, put the elegant Achilleion, the neoclassical palace where Austria’s Empress Elisabeth, better known as Sissi, used to come to appease her restlessness, on your list of things to see.
It is only 12 km from the centre of Corfu Town but seems light years away from the vibrant city atmosphere. Hidden among quiet olive groves and filled with harmonious marble statues and neoclassical decorations, it is an oasis of peace and quiet perfect for completely unplugging and experiencing Viennese charm.
If you still have time left after seeing the must-see sights, you can take a look at lesser-known but no less interesting museums and monuments.
Fans of ancient history will find in Corfu, as on all Greek islands, the inevitable Archaeological Museum: the one in the capital is a well-kept, recently renovated museum with a collection of more than 16,000 artefacts found on the island.
Other museums in Corfu that are worth a visit are:
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Although facing the sea, Corfu is not a seaside resort. The town’s beaches are small coves close to fortresses, unattractive and often crowded with locals looking for a bit of relaxation.
They are perfect for a short break or a refreshing dip, but if you want to spend a day at the beach, you can easily move to the resorts north or south of town, where you will find nicer beaches with more amenities.
Among the beaches closest to Corfu Town, we recommend Dassia and Ipsos. Also keep in mind that Paleokastritsa, one of the most popular beach resorts in Corfu, is only 25 km away.
Corfu is one of the most touristy Greek islands and its capital is one of the most visited towns, both by tourists passing through on their way to other places on the island and by those who choose it as a base for their holiday. This has resulted in Corfu Town developing a thriving hotel industry with a wide choice of accommodation to suit all budgets.
Those who want a holiday of comfort or sophistication can choose from modern hotels with contemporary décor, hotels in historic buildings, luxury flats and villas and even an adults-only spa hotel.
Budget-conscious travellers can opt for rooms in private homes, studios or simple family-run hotels.
The majority of hotels, B&Bs and flats are concentrated in the historic centre or in the immediate vicinity; many mid- to high-end establishments have an outdoor swimming pool. Despite the wide choice of accommodation, it is advisable to book well in advance, especially if travelling in July and August.
We offer a selection of hotels at Corfu Town to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Corfu Town, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Corfu Town. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Corfu Town are in high demand.
Getting to Corfu Town is really easy: the island has an international airport served by direct low-cost flights to/from many European cities and the airport is located about 2 kilometres south of the town centre. so close that in theory you can even walk there!
If you have heavy luggage with you, however, it is best to reach the centre of Corfu from the airport by local bus, taxi or hire car.
Corfu Town is located in the central part of the island of the same name in the Ionian Sea. It is located along the east coast, the coast facing Albania.
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