Things To Do in Corfu Town

This hotel, set in a converted palace, is just a short stroll from the old town and enjoys some great views – from the rooftop lounge bar you can see right across to mainland Greece and Albania’s mountains. The Cavalieri is a great place to spend a late afternoon in the sun with a cocktail and maybe a treat from their ice-cream bar.

The winding old-town streets are filled with little shops selling locally made jewellery, linens and leather goods. The gold jewellery, made by Corfiot craftsmen, is another must-buy. More affordable gifts take the form of olive oil, fig cakes and honey. Meanwhile, the new town has designer boutiques alongside familiar names like M&S.

This restaurant may be smaller than other seaside tavernas, but it’s worth seeking out for its well-priced, home-cooked meze – perfect for sharing. Seafood is a speciality, too, if you fancy oven-baked octopus or calamari fritti. And courgette balls and aubergine in tomato sauce keep veggies happy as well. The free watermelon that comes with the bill is a nice touch.

Corfiots have long been known for their musical gifts – a singer from Corfu was even praised in Homer’s Odyssey – and now, every September, Corfu Town puts modesty aside with a month-long celebration of Corfu’s music. All 18 of the island’s philharmonic orchestras usually get involved, plus the Corfu Choir, putting on shows at venues like the Venetian Old Fort and historic town square. You can pay on the door at most events – ask the tourist office for more information.

Owing to its Venetian past there are many Italian restaurants in Corfu Town. For fine Italian dining, the Campielo Quarter near the Old Port is the place to be. For traditional Greek cooking, stick to the seaside tavernas that serve local specialities like octopus, steamed mussels and karydópita, a Corfiot walnut cake. There are more restaurants along the elegant Liston colonnade – look out for rustic menus with rabbit stew and lamb casserole.

Faliraki Beach is a dinky bay to the north of Corfu Town, with its own church – Agios Nikolaos Chapel – sitting precariously at the water’s edge. It’s a good swimming beach, with the added bonus of great views over Mon Repos Palace and the fortress. Sunloungers and umbrellas are available for hire. A meal of grilled fish followed by an ouzo at the local café might round an afternoon off nicely. For a longer sweep of sand, you can get a bus to Blue-Flag rated Dassia Beach, about 13 kilometres away.

The most popular tourist bars and live-music venues cluster around the Italian-style Liston and the southern end of Spianada, the green space that runs alongside it. Here you’ll find stylish places where you can sample pastec, a refresher of a drink made from watermelon and vodka. For a livelier night still, try the bars in the north of town, or the clubs along the coast road towards Gouvia.