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I had one full day to spend in Old Town Corfu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I was so excited to explore this charming and historic city. Corfu stands out as somewhat unique among the various Greek islands because it has a strong Venetian influence. When people think of Greece, most naturally visualize the iconic white buildings adorned with bright blue round domes typically found in Santorini, but Corfu offers a distinctly different atmosphere and character.

Beginning in the 15th century, Corfu fell under Venetian control, remaining so for nearly 400 years. During this time, they constructed numerous fortresses across the island, strategically built to defend against potential Ottoman invasions. Once Venetian rule came to an end, Corfu experienced a series of transitions, governed by the French and British before finally becoming an official Greek island in 1864.

Old Town Corfu is undoubtedly the ideal spot to explore within a single day, as it is a wonderfully compact town where every fascinating site and attraction is conveniently located within a comfortable 10-minute walk or less.

GETTING TO OLD TOWN CORFU

You can fly to Corfu from many cities around the world, and Athens International Airport (ATH) offers daily direct flights to Corfu that only take about 1 hour. I personally flew in from Geneva via Swiss Air and that flight was 2 hours.

The island has one main airport, located just 2.6 km away from the charming Old Town of Corfu, known as Corfu Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport (CFU). It’s a short distance from the airport to Old Town, but due to heavy traffic during the high tourism season, it will most likely take around 20 minutes to reach your final destination.

I booked a car service via Booking.com when I booked my accommodation and that worked out great. Keep in mind that, like many historic towns in Europe, cars are generally not permitted to drive into the residential neighborhoods, so your driver will drop you off at the nearest accessible entry point.

You can also rent a car but parking in Old Town is very limited and can be challenging to find. Once you’re in Old Town, getting around is a breeze, and as I mentioned earlier, it’s truly a very walkable city, allowing you to enjoy its picturesque streets.

THINGS TO DO IN CORFU

I had one full day to explore Corfu, but I started my day pretty late in the morning around 11 AM since I got into Corfu late at night and didn’t get to bed until close to 2 AM. Even though I started the day later than I wanted to, I was still able to explore all the things I wanted in Old Town minus one thing but that was because I wasn’t aware of the operating hours.

OLD TOWN

Getting lost in the enchanting streets of Old Town was my most favorite thing to do during my visit to Corfu. The charming, old historic buildings, elegantly adorned with vibrant greenery and colorful plants, created a picturesque backdrop that was simply mesmerizing.

Pastel Colored Buildings of Old Town Corfu — Old Town Corfu

I could wander around the town for hours on end, soaking in the atmosphere and exploring every nook and cranny. The little shops and delightful cafes that I passed by were just as adorable, offering unique finds and inviting spaces to relax.

PORCELANI COFFEE AND TEA

If you need coffee to get your day started like I do, I highly recommend making a stop at Porcelani. This adorable café offers the perfect opportunity to savor your coffee in cool, cave-like surroundings that are full of relaxing vibes. In addition to their coffee and tea selection, they also feature a delightful breakfast menu, and everything is prepared fresh.

Inside the Porcelani Coffee cafe — Porcelani Coffee and Tea

NEW VENETIAN FORTRESS

Once you’re ready to explore, I suggest checking out the New Venetian Fortress first as it tends to have shorter operating hours compared to other attractions. They are open from 8:30 AM until 3:30 PM and closed on Tuesdays.

Even though this fortress is referred to as the “new” fortress, it is actually quite old, with its construction dating back to the 16th century. It’s just relatively new in comparison to the Old Fortress, which has origins that trace back to the 6th century AD.

Unfortunately, I was not able to visit the New Fortress since I arrived later in the day, but many reviews suggest that it’s often a brief stop, as there is not a significant amount of information available around the fort itself. However, visitors can enjoy some fantastic views of the charming Old Town.

OLD FORTRESS

The Old Fortress of Corfu is steeped in rich history that dates back to the 6th century AD, making it a remarkable landmark worth visiting. There is a substantial amount of ground to cover at this impressive fort, so I would recommend giving yourself a couple of leisurely hours to thoroughly explore the various areas of the site.

For an epic and breathtaking view of Old Town, consider climbing to the very top of the fortress. I chose not to undertake this climb, as the sun was blazing hot during my visit in mid August, and I had unfortunately forgotten to apply any sunscreen.

Instead, I decided to follow a couple of ladies who were carrying beach gear. I was curious to see where they were heading, as they didn’t appear to be at the fort for the purpose of sightseeing. To my pleasant surprise, their path led me to a lovely beach area where there were surprisingly few people. If I had brought my bathing suit with me, I would have undoubtedly dived right in to enjoy the cold, refreshing water.

Following a couple of ladies to the beach location

tourists hiking up to the top of the Old Fortress

THE LISTON

After exploring the two fortresses, you’ll most likely be hungry and luckily, The Liston is conveniently located right across the street from the Old Fortress. Here, you will discover a wide selection of restaurants to choose from, all offering plenty of seating to accommodate visitors.

I dined at Rivoli Corfu Bistro-Wine Bar for lunch and later at Liston Gastrotheque for dinner. Both establishments feature a diverse and extensive variety of food options that ensure you have plenty to eat.

The Liston of Corfu, Greece — The Liston

PAPAGIORGIS

After your meal, make sure to stop by Papagiorgis Patiserie-Gelateria for their amazing ice cream. This popular establishment is famous for its superb, homemade ice cream made from 100% fresh Corfiot milk, which is available in a delightful and wide variety of flavours, with the star attractions being kumquat and seasonal wild strawberry.

I chose to try the coffee ice cream and the presentation was lovely, complete with a perfectly placed waffle on top. You might think that you would pay a premium price for such a renowned ice cream shop, but to my pleasant surprise, it was only 2.50 Euros for a single scoop.

SUNSET IN MOURAGIA

The Greek islands are known for some of the best sunsets of the world and you can can catch an amazing sunset in Old Town Corfu in the picturesque area of Mouragia. I strolled along the scenic coastal road where you can get an amazing view of the Ioanian Sea.

The view here with the sun starting to set was absolutely breathtaking. I just kept on walking along the coast until the sun finally disappeared behind the distant mountains; it was a moment that truly encapsulated beauty.

Walking along the coast of the Ioanian Sea

Along the stroll, I noticed a couple of restaurants where you can sit outside and enjoy this enchanting view. One was Veranda Taverna and the other, Antranik. Both establishments offered prime locations for sunset viewing and would undoubtedly provide a delightful setting for a romantic dinner or a perfect conclusion to a beautiful day spent in Corfu.

TOURS IN OLD TOWN CORFU

If you want to dig deep into the history of Old Town Corfu and want to know more details about Corfu, you can take a 2-hour guided walking tour or if don’t want to walk, you can do a guided cycling tour. Another option would be to get on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus.