Corfu Old Town

Corfu Old Town, known locally as Kerkyra, is the historic centre of the capital of Corfu island in the Ionian Sea, and it is listed by UNESCO for its blend of Venetian, French and British architecture. Narrow lanes called kantounia run between tall pastel buildings, with laundry lines overhead and small squares opening off the alleys. Unlike most Greek towns, it was never ruled by the Ottomans, giving the architecture a distinctly Italian feel. Visitors usually begin at the Spianada, one of the largest town squares in Europe, with the Liston arcade beside it, modelled on Paris's Rue de Rivoli and lined with cafés. Two Venetian fortresses guard the town: the Old Fortress on a rocky promontory, reached by a bridge over a moat, and the New Fortress above the harbour, whose tunnels and ramparts offer views of the old town roofs and across to Albania. Other sights include the Church of Saint Spyridon, the island's patron saint, whose red-domed bell tower dominates the skyline, the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George housing the Museum of Asian Art, and the Byzantine Museum. Walking the lanes is the main pleasure: visitors browse small shops selling kumquat liqueur, local soaps and olive wood, and sit in tavernas that serve Corfiot specialities such as sofrito and pastitsada. A full tour of the old town, including a fortress and a museum, takes four to six hours, while a quick walk can be done in two. Cruise ships dock below the Old Fortress, and the lanes fill between late morning and mid-afternoon in the high season. Early morning and the evening, when the Liston and squares come alive, are the best times for a calmer visit and soft light for photographs. Easter is a distinctive time to visit, with brass bands and processions through the streets, and the pots thrown from windows on Holy Saturday. The old town in Corfu, Greece, is mostly pedestrianised, so visitors should plan to arrive on foot from nearby parking or the bus station.