Holiday in Corfu

What makes Corfu special as a destination?

Corfu, the greenest of the Greek islands, bears the marks of four centuries of Venetian rule in every alley and every palace. The old town of Kerkyra (UNESCO World Heritage) impresses with its unique mix of Venetian arcades, French-style esplanades, and British colonial buildings — an architectural kaleidoscope that is unmatched in Greece. The narrow Liston promenade with its elegant cafes resembles the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. The Achilleion Palace, once the summer residence of the Austrian Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), sits atop a hill south of the city and offers breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea from its gardens. Paleokastritsa on the west coast combines six turquoise bays between steep cliffs — ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and boat tours to hidden caves. The Canal d'Amour near Sidari, with its bizarrely shaped sandstone cliffs, is considered the most romantic bathing spot on the island. Corfu's landscape is surprisingly lush: olive groves (over four million trees), cypress forests, and orange plantations shape the hinterland. The 906-meter-high Mount Pantokrator offers views as far as Albania and the Greek mainland on clear days. The Corfiot cuisine reflects the Venetian influence: Sofrito (meat in garlic white wine sauce), Pastitsada, and kumquat liqueur are local specialties. Corfu combines Greek ease with Italian elegance — a combination that is addictive.