Corfu is a beautiful island in Greece which is among the top beach destination in the Mediterranean. It is also known as Kerkyra in the local language. Corfu lies in the Ionian Sea and its main town of Corfu is the main city of the Ionian islands. The other islands of the Ionian are Othonoi, Ereikoussa, and Mathraki. Corfu is a lush green island with stunning beaches and historic remains of the bygone era. The island has seen the reign and influence of the Romans, Venetians, French, and British before becoming independent and a part of Greece.

Corfu is an island with rolling hills, olive groves and cypress trees and plenty of historic remains of the bygone eras. It has a coastline boasting crystal-clear blue waters that are perfect for sunbathing, snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming. Corfu’s north side is wider and mountainous with stunning beaches while the south side has powdery white sand beaches and a much more relaxing atmosphere. Corfu is popular because of its scenic beaches, boutique hotel, restaurants serving Greet food and ample round-the-year sunshine with a wonderful climate. Corfu also has several historic monuments and museums that charm history buffs. In this article, TravelUp presents a list of 9 best places to visit in Corfu Holidays

9 best places to visit in Corfu Holidays

1.       Corfu Old Town

2.       Corfu Museum of Asian Art

3.       The Achilleion

4.       St Spyridon Church

5.       Angelokastro

6.       Mount Pantokrator

7.       Canal D’Amour

8.       Kassiopi

9.       Paleokastritsa Beach

1. Corfu Old Town

Corfu Old Town is the picturesque capital of Corfu and the Ionian. The old city has a network of cobbled alleyways and elegant Venetian-era buildings. These historic buildings are now the setting of beautiful restaurants, tavernas, and souvenir shops around the Esplanade, a beautiful green square. The Old Town has several interesting sites and museums with pastel-coloured buildings decorated in Bougainville flowers. Check out the UNESCO-listed 16th-century fortresses and several historic churches like the famous Church of Saint Spyridon.

Visit the palace of Saint Michael and Saint George and don’t forget to visit the Archaeological Museum and Casa Parlante, a 19th-century mansion. The Corfu Old Town also has a waterfront that receives ferries from the Greece mainland and offers daily excursion boat tours to Albania as well.

2. Corfu Museum of Asian Art

The Corfu Museum of Asian Art is located inside the Palace of St. Michael and St. George. This is the only museum in the entire Greece that is devoted to art and antiquities from Asia. The museum was set up in 1928 as the Museum of Sino-Japanese Art. The Palace used to be the official residence of the British Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands.

It still retains the old ornate, period furniture and decorations. Inside, there are over 15,000 works of art from India, Pakistan, Thailand, Tibet, Japan, and China and is also known for several rare artworks and rotating exhibits. The museum also has several paintings, sculptures, ceramics, samurai swords, Indian sculptures, Central Asian art, Tibetan textiles and many more artworks.

3. The Achilleion

The Achilleion Palace is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Corfu and a must-visit attraction of Corfu Holidays. This imposing and elegant white Neoclassical villa was the summer home of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sisi. The Austrian princess was fond of the Greek hero Achilles, who served as the inspiration behind this beautiful neoclassical Palace. This grand villa is full of towering palm trees, exotic gardens, and beautiful statues.

This amazing palace was built in 1890 by Empress Elisabeth. Italian architect Raffaele Caritto designed the palace in a Neoclassical style. German sculptor Ernst Herter was employed to create beautiful statues inspired by Greek mythology on the ground. Today, visitors can take a tour of the gardens that are adorned with fountains, statues, palm trees, cypress trees, a colonnade, and balconies. Check out the museum which displays exhibits from the collection of the Austrian Imperial family and several memorabilia of Elisabeth of Bavaria, Franz Joseph II, and Kaiser Wilhelm II.

4. St Spyridon Church

Saint Spyridon Church is one of the most beautiful churches in Corfu. This ornate church was constructed in the 1580s and has the highest bell tower in the Ionian Islands and lies in the heart of Old Town Corfu. The church contains a collection of relics from Satin Spyridon and houses the remains of the sain in a sarcophagus inside the church’s crypt.

The relics of Saint Spyridon were brought to Corfu from Constantinople in the 15^th century. Inside the church, visitors will be inspired to see the Venetian silver and stunning paintings that make it a must-visit attraction for the Corfu holidays. The ceiling is full of gilded stuccowork around paintings which have undergone a painstaking process of restoration over the years.

5. Angelokastro

Angelokastro is a 13th-century Byzantine Castle that is perched on top of a steep cliff in Corfu. It lies on the island’s northwest coast on rocky and hard-to-reach terrain as a protection measure against invaders. Over the centuries this castle remained in operation and defended Corfu against three Ottoman sieges and pirate attacks. In its course of operational history, it was never breached by any invading forces.

Under the Venetians, Angelokastro used to be the Corfu’s official capital. Today it is in ruins with a small church dedicated to Archangel Michael and has several frescoes dating to the 17^th century. To reach the castle, visitors need to climb the steep and rocky trail that winds up through cypress trees. However, the views from this castle’s ruined rampant are breathtaking with sprawling views over the entire northwest coast.

6. Mount Pantokrator

Mount Pantokrator is the highest point on the island of Corfu. It rises to 906 metres high with a road that goes to the top. At the top of Mount Pantokrator lies a 14th-century Pantokrator Monastery, a telecommunication station, and a charming cafe. The top of Mount Pantokrator is a popular attraction in Corfu which is known for its stunning panoramic views of the Ionian islands of Albania to its east, the islands of Paxos and Anti Paxos to the south and the islands of Mathraki, Erracusa, and Othondi to the north.

On a clear day, visitors can also see the southern tip of Italy. To reach the top of Mount Pantokrator, visitors often take a two-hour-long trek from the village of Perithia. However, if you wish to avoid the trek, there is also the option to drive all way to the top of the mountain.

7. Canal D’Amour

Canal D’Amour is one of the most picturesque natural wonders of Corfu which lies in the small village of Sidari. This small village lies on the western side of Corfu and is a highly popular resort because of its natural wonder and landmark of Canal D’Amour. This beautiful natural wonder is known for its impressive sandstone rock formations that create natural inlets into the sea from its small beach.

These sandstone cliffs form a natural canal that juts out into the Ionian Sea. The small beach has a narrow strip of white sand beach with warm waters ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Visitors can also climb the rocky cliffs and jump into the sea and swim through the tunnel and caves. The sandstone cliffs also offer protection from cold winds, making them ideal for enjoying the sun even on colder days.

8. Kassiopi

The small traditional fishing village of Kassiopi lies in the northeast of Corfu. This traditional village has managed to retain its old-world look and feel despite being a popular tourist attraction in Corfu. This fishing village of Kassiopi has a quaint village centre along with the remains of an old Byzantine fort. It is also known for its top-quality restaurants and luxury villas.

It has a charming harbour that is full of traditional wooden fishing boats and plenty of tavernas and cafes which attract British and Italian travellers. The village also has several small coves with pebble beaches and deep blue waters. Take a hike up to the castle for sweeping views over the region. Another option is to rent a boat and sail along the coast of Kassiopi. This area is also popular for scuba diving and snorkelling.

9. Paleokastritsa Beach

Paleokastritsa Beach lies on the west coast of Corfu. It is 25 kilometres northwest of Corfu Town. This amazing beach is worth visiting for its crystal-clear waters and amazing views of the towering cliffs and sparkling sea. This beach is located beside a small village and a 13^th-century monastery with a courtyard garden, church, and a small museum. The beach has several bars and taverns serving delicious and fresh seafood.

The beach has soft golden sand which allows visitors to enjoy a swim, sunbathe and simply relax under a parasol while sipping cocktails. The water is calm and clear which is perfect for families with kids to swim and have fun on the beach. This is also a very good spot for snorkelling and scuba diving as the clear water allows excellent underwater visibility. The limestone coastline is full of sea caves and is best explored by boat.

Check out: Top 10 Best Beaches to visit in Corfu Holidays