Corfu Town

Old Fortess

Corfu has been called "a delightful mish-mash". Here one can see Italianate architecture, Venetian monuments, Byzantine churches, The Liston - a French arcade that is the center of cafe life, a museum of Asian art in an English palace, a cricket field on Spianada - the town green, and all of this is under the watchful eyes of two old fortresses, one dating back to the 6th century.

New Fortress

We will have from 7 Am until 6 PM on the island of Corfu. The problem with this port is deciding exactly what we want to do there.

We can spend the day roaming through the city.

Like museums? Then try the Archaeological Museum where you can see the Gorgon Pediment (C. 585 B.C.) from the temple of Artemis. Or perhaps you might like The Museum of Asiatic Art housed in the Old Royal Palace. It holds a superb collection of Chinese, Japanese and Indian art from the Neolithic era through the 19th century. For more information about museums in Corfu check the Greek Cultural Ministry's website.

Churches, you say? Try Ayios Spyridon Church, the most important church in the Ionians. It is dedicated to Corfu's patron saint, whose body is kept in a sarcophagus next to the altar. Or, if you prefer, Saint Theodora Augusta Cathedral in Corfu town contains the remains of the saint as well as a fine collection of Byzantine icons. More Byzantine art and icons can be seen in The Corfu Byzantine Museum, housed in the Church of Our Lady Antivouniotissa. The museum contains about 90 icons dating back to the 15th century.

Shopping? You can do that, too. Try the old town near The Liston, an arcade lined with cafes perfect for people watching. Shops are generally open from 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM and again from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM on Thursdays.

The Liston

Palaces, eh? Well, how about the birthplace of The Duke of Edinburgh, none other than Prince Philip of England? You know, the guy married to QEII. The Mon Repos Palace is a 15-minute walk on the promenade south of Old Town and was built in 1828 for the second British Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands, Sir Frederic Adam. The Duke of Edinburgh was born in 1921 and baptized there. Mon Repos houses some of the best preserved archeological ruins on the island. Among the remains: Roman baths, an ancient dockyard, a Doric temple and an early Christian basilica. The gardens there are also worth a good exploration. If Mon Repos isn't what you're looking for in palatial yumminess then you might try the Old Royal Palace of St. Michael and St. George, presently the home of the Asiatic Art Musueum.

Mon Repos Palace

Itching for sand between your toes? Mon Repos Beach just by the palace is a local favorite with its imported sand, taverna, bar and changing rooms.

Swimmers at Mon Repos Beach

For a list of shore excursions offered by Royal Caribbean check link in the Corfu list on the right side of the page.