6 must-visit landmarks in Corfu
Corfu is the island which although has developed into a modern holiday destination, remains timeless and unaffected, almost as if stuck in a time capsule. Its primaeval monuments and castles, rich cultural heritage, striking landmarks, shimmering blue sea and all-year-round sunny climate fuse into one marking Corfu one of the hottest Mediterranean destinations of our times. There is a surplus of reasons to visit Corfu and get a taste of this marvellous haven-like island floating in the Ionian shimmering blue sea, but we have put together 6 of the most impressive you must visit!
Corfu’s Old Town resembles a picture taken from a history book. The UNESCO World Heritage Site unfolds a world of the past, mixed with Renaissance, Classical and Baroque features. Ancient castles and forts, public Venetian buildings, remote squares and the maze-like cobbled lanes (kandunia) invite all to explore and get lost within its mystical alleys.
The aristocratic Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George, built-in 1824 by the British, is a building you cannot ignore even if you wanted to! The palace is a perfect addition to Corfu’s architecturally cosmopolitan island. Saint Michael and Saint George’s Palace is presently home to the island’s Museum of Asiatic Art and Municipal Library.
Officially the largest square in the Balkans, Spianada Square lies in the heart of Corfu town, decorated with 19th-century French architecture. This is the spot to catch a cricket game or enjoy musical performances!
British Commissioner Adams built Mon Repos Palace for his wife-a local Corfiot. Although smaller than other palaces in Corfu, it is equally beautiful and perfect to enjoy a stroll within its flourishing gardens. At present, the palace runs as a museum. In 1922, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was born in the castle!
Mouse Island was named as such due to its vague resemblance to a mouse. As legend has it, the green island is actually Ulysses ship, which was turned into stone by Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. Within the isle’s flourishing forests stands the church of Pantokrator, constructed in the 13th century.
Soaring high into the blue skies, Mount Pantokrator is the highest point in Corfu. The mountain is so high, it is visible from anywhere you stand on the island. During winter, the snowy slopes are great for those up for a winter adventure in the cold forests of the mountain. In summer, thousands of visitors seek to explore the slopes by cycling or hiking!
As for your hospitality, Kerkyra Golf and Louis Ionian Sun are our top picks!