Corfu - Greece's Northern Gem – A Weekend Adventure

Hello friends. I want to share our visit to Corfu, Greece's northernmost and most Italian-style island. The locals call this island Kerkyra. This time we really set off on a journey because, unlike our usual trips, we didn’t fly to Corfu. We drove there. However, since Corfu is an island driving alone wasn’t enough, so we headed toward the city of Igoumenitsa. From there we took a ferry to the island with our car.

We visited Corfu for two days only this time, so our main focus was Kerkyra, the island's capital. We saw breathtaking and incredibly impressive views. And then our fun mountain journey came to an end as we arrived in Igoumenitsa. The ferry took us to Corfu Island, a trip that lasted about an hour and ten minutes. We boarded the ferry along with our car.

This island was ruled by the Venetians for four centuries, so when you visit, you’ll immediately notice the dominance of Italian architecture. When you get there, you’ll see that this is absolutely true. Also traveling by ferry is a unique experience. Thanks to the beautiful seagulls, you get to enjoy amazing views, breathe fresh air and even try feeding the birds.

Soon Kerkyra appeared on the horizon. The capital of the island was waiting for us. As we docked at the port we were eager to start our adventure. But first we enjoyed a delicious Greek coffee and a lovely breakfast.

In the meantime this wasn’t just an experience for our bodies but also for our minds and souls. During our weekend on this island, we witnessed an amazing performance.

It was time to rest a bit. We stayed in a hotel in a very central area, just a few steps from the city's main street. Our room was quite spacious and had everything we needed, even our favorite San Pellegrino water. The only thing missing was a coffee or tea maker. However, there was a minibar with water. The room had a bed a work desk and chairs. There were four windows because it was a corner room overlooking two main streets. Since this area is pedestrian-only, there was no vehicle traffic. The decoration was modern and fresh, making the room quite pleasant, though a bit noisy. Even with all the windows closed, we could still hear the sounds of the lively streets. I usually use earplugs, so I recommend them to you as well.

Finally we arrived in Kerkyra, the capital of Corfu. This city is actually a kind of compromise. Corfu is an Italian word, while the city is called Kerkyra in Greek. A balance has been found by using both names. The city's main pedestrian street is Liston Street. Some compare this boulevard to Rivoli Street in Paris, but in my opinion it doesn’t resemble Paris at all. Its architecture is distinctly Italian-Venetian with a hint of Zurich's influence. It’s a fantastic place and I was very pleased with my impressions.

We began exploring the city. Our first stop was Kerkyra’s historic center and from there, we slowly wandered through the streets of the old town. In 2007 Kerkyra’s historic center was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The influence of the Venetian Empire is evident here. The city was under Venetian rule from 1204-1210 and again from 1386-1797 for nearly 400 years.

We visited the New Fortress, also known as the New Venetian Fortress of Saint Mark. Of course, it’s not as large as the Old Fortress, but it was still built by the Venetians in the 16th century. Next to the Greek flag, we saw the emblem of Venice, the Lion of Saint Mark. The fortress has two levels: the lower level protected the port, while the upper level safeguarded the city.

Corfu is a great place to experience island life. Life on the islands is a little different from life on the mainland. Everything moves at a slow, enjoyable pace, which we love about Greek culture. You can watch the sea and the seagulls, embrace a sense of zen, walk along the waterfront and admire the beautiful boats. I really enjoy this kind of atmosphere.

We continued our city tour, enjoying stunning sea views on one side and incredibly beautiful architecture on the other. For instance, the Palace of St. Michael and St. George was absolutely stunning.

We also visited the city’s main street and its most famous landmark: the Church of Saint Spyridon. This church houses the remains of Spyridon, preserved in an elaborate silver sarcophagus. People come here to pray for healing and miracles. Unfortunately, photography and video recording inside the church are not allowed. However, I will share some photos I found online to give you an idea. We wanted to respect the rules, but in general, the church was fascinating and unique. You could really feel its history. It was mesmerizing both inside and out.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the Ottoman Empire attempted to conquer Corfu. Much of Greece was under Ottoman rule for nearly 400 years, but Kerkyra never surrendered to its enemies. Later at the end of the 18th century, the city came under the protection of the Russian Empire, followed by British control in the early 19th century.

One of the best things to do here is to enjoy delicious food and wine tasting. We left the city center, heading from Liston Boulevard toward the Old Fortress, known as Palaiokastro. The Old and New Fortresses are the city's most important structures. The Old Fortress, built for defense, has a special feature: it is actually located on a small island. What was once a moat has now become a canal, separating the fortress from the rest of the city.

From here you get fantastic views of the city. You can see the old town, the coastline, yachts, piers and even the Church of Saint Spyridon in the distance. It’s a place that will delight both architecture lovers and nature enthusiasts. In my opinion, it’s an absolute must-visit spot at sunset.

The influence of the Venetian empire is strongly felt here. Anyone who has been to Italy will immediately recognize the resemblance in the architecture. However, it’s important to remember that the city was originally founded by Greek settlers in the 8th century bc. If I hadn't known I was in Corfu, I would have thought I was in Italy! It looks so much like Venice and southern Italy.

Yet many cultures coexist in Kerkyra: Greek, British, French and, of course, Italian. I absolutely loved the green shutters and the architectural style. It truly feels like stepping into a little Italy, far from the typical Greek atmosphere. I highly recommend visiting this city. It left an unforgettable impression on me.

Our time was up, so we boarded the ferry once again. We waved goodbye to this wonderful city.