5 Reasons to Visit to Corfu, Greece
5 Reasons to travel to Corfu, Greece
THE OLD TOWN AND THE FAMOUS VIEW
A UNESCO monument since 2007, the old town of Corfu can easily be characterized as an open-air museum. Its imposing buildings, the venetian architecture, the laundry hanging on the narrow paved streets, the cricket pitch and the street called “Liston”, the small Rue de Rivoli of Corfu, accessible only to the nobles during the venetian period of the island, are only some of the things that will make your visit an unforgettable experience.
The old capital Kanoni is worth a visit thanks to the natural beauty that surrounds it. And there’s this awesome view to the Vlahérna and Pontikonísi islets…
*The famous view Vlahérna and Pontikonísi
BEACHES
*Issos Beach
How many shades of blue are there? All you have to do is list them as you lay back on your sunbed and observe the waves breaking. Thirty beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag, adorning the 217km of Corfu’s coastline, set against a lush background of forest green. And there are many others, just as wonderful. Here they are to get you dreaming.
HISTORY AND CULTURE MUSEUM
*Museum of Asian Art of Corfu
If you are passionate about history, Corfu will satisfy your needs. The venetian, the french and the british rule of the island make it a unique crossroad of cultures, people and traditions. With numerous museums, historic sites, art galleries and temporary exhibitions, there is no doubt that Corfu has many things to tell you about its glorious past. At the top of the list is, of course, the “Achillion Palace”, which was owned by the empress Sissy of Austria and later by the german emperor Wilhelm II.
Achilleion Museum
Just outside Corfu town in the village of Gastouri, time seems to stand still and we are taken back to the era when emperors and princesses were the subjects of every fairy tale. 10 km south west of the town, you will see a well-preserved majestic palace which continues to attract the admiration of visitors. Achillion was the favorite esort of two famous figures of European history that the only thing they had in common was their worship for Corfu and Greece and its culture, the Empress of Austro-Hungary, Elizabeth, known as Princess Sissy, and the Kaiser of Germany, Wilhelm II. She built it to forget her pain. He bought it after her death, but the war he declared would not allow him to enjoy it. During World War I and II the palace was occupied, but it was unfortunately looted. After years of reconstruction and renovation, it gained most of its former glory and now houses the Achillion Museum which attracts many visitors each year.
The Capodistrias Museum
The life of the leading figure of Corfiot Count Capodistrias, first Governor of Greece and senior European diplomat, unfolds here in a unique museum dedicated to his great Corfiot and Greek heritage, and impact on European politics of the 19th century. In “Koukouritsa”, the family estate of Kapodistrias in the middle of Corfu, we follow the path of his life, in a narration that starts from his childhood in Corfu and culminates in his assassination in Nafplio.
Museum of Asian Art
The Museum of Asian Art in Corfu Town is brilliant with its collection of priceless artefacts (approximately 10,000 of them). Collected from China, Japan, India, Tibet, Nepal, Korea and Thailand, they make for quite the impressive exhibition. Then there’s the Archaeological Museum showcasing ancient Greek artefacts including a huge Gorgon pediment dating back to 590–580 BC.
NATURAL BEAUTY
*Erimitis
Either you prefer sandy or pebble beaches, with a coastline of about 217 km, Corfu will not let you down. Nature lovers will also find here what they are looking for, as the island is one of the greenest (if not the greenest one) of Greece. Millions of olive trees and cypress trees, Eucalyptus, Judas trees, Bougainvilleas, Araucaria, Jacarandas, and flowers as mimosas, roses and jasmines will satisfy all your senses with their vivid colours and their splendid aromas.
LOCAL PRODUCTS AND CUISINE
