10 things you must experience if you visit Corfu

I was lucky enough to visit Corfu for the first time this year, following years of pining for the island after seeing the idyllic scenes in ITV’s series based on the Durrell family. It’s safe to say my expectations were exceeded and being in Corfu felt as blissful as I imagined it would. Now I recommend you immerse yourself in this too! Here is a list of the 10 things you must experience when you travel to Corfu.

By Catherine Gregson

@_xcatherinex_

1.      Take a leisurely stroll through Corfu old town

Corfu old town is steeped in history and beauty. As you walk the streets you’re surrounded by historic buildings, enticing restaurants and shops selling items such as local olive oil and soap, to handmade rugs and items made out of olive wood. You will also find numerous shops selling the two main traditional liqueurs produced on the island: Limoncello and Kumquat. 

Walking through the backstreets and seeing people’s laundry hanging from lines between windows adjacent to gorgeous purple Judas trees and bright pink bougainvillea really is a sight to experience. There are so many things to see in Corfu old town (some of which are listed below), however, some notable mentions are: The Liston, Spainada Square, the Holocaust Memorial and the archaeological museum. 

The town is a great place to purchase any souvenirs or gifts for friends and family.  And don’t forget to have an ice cream from one of the many cafes selling them whilst you’re there!

2.      Savour some of the tasty local food and delicacies 

Corfu has numerous local delicacies which you must ensure to try whilst you’re here! Baklava, a Greek sweet treat made from layers of filo pastry, filled with honey or syrup and nuts such as walnuts, almonds or pistachios tastes delicious. Many restaurants serve it as a dessert option, but you will be able to find it in local bakeries and supermarkets too. 

The fresh tomatoes, feta, olives and olive oil sold on the island are like you’ve never tasted elsewhere. Make sure to make or order a Greek salad at least once! Kolokithokeftedes (Greek courgette fritters) are often seen on restaurant menus in Corfu and they are not to be overlooked! Not to mention how amazing the halloumi tastes in Corfu too! 

To sum up: make sure to visit restaurants which serve all this delectable food so you can experience it for yourself.   

3.      Take a dip at the Canal D’Amour

The Canal D’Amour is a scenic coastal spot, surrounding rare rock formations which naturally created small bays filled with inviting turquoise-blue water. You can climb up the rocks in some areas for a gorgeous view of the bay, yet the best way to experience the canal is to swim! There are some spots of sand, yet you will also find many people laying out their towels higher up on the rock which naturally juts out. 

You will additionally see people jumping off the numerous rock faces into the water below, so watch out if you choose to swim near them! 

4.      Visit the Church of Saint Spiridon

The Church of Saint Spiridon is situated in Corfu town and was built in 1590. Saint Spyridon resided in Corfu and inside the church, you can view his remains, which are carried around the town four times a year to celebrate his miracles which include: Palm Sunday, Good Friday, August 11^th and the first Sunday of November). The bell tower of the church is the highest point of the town. 

Make sure to look up when you visit – the ceiling is adorned with religious paintings which are awe-inducing.

5.      Make your way up the Old Fortress for some amazing views of Corfu Town

The Old Fortress boasts some brilliant views of Corfu town and is well worth a visit if you can manage the short climb up to the top. The Fortress exists as part of the old defenses for the city, which the Venetians developed from the old Byzantine fortifications in the 15^th century. The bastions designed by Venetian military engineers are considered masterpieces of military engineering. The Fortress managed to evade 3 major Ottoman sieges. It was also used by the Nazis in the 20^th century to imprison Jewish people from the island, before transporting many of them to Birkenau. Today, the Public Library of Corfu can be found in the fortress, and it often showcases various art exhibits.

6.      Visit the British Cemetery in Corfu Town

The British Cemetery is worth a visit in Corfu Town. It is a well maintained old garden full of the beautiful nature Corfu has to offer. The cemetery opened in 1814 and contains hundreds of graves of British people, who can still be buried here. It contains 13 First World War graves and 16 Second World War graves. The cemetery additionally contains unidentified victims of the collision of the H.M.S. Orwell in 1903. The graveyard is a peaceful place to walk around, with a pond near the entrance gate which contains various breeds of fish. If you’re lucky you may also spot some tortoises walking around amongst the bushes (as I did) too!

7.      Immerse yourself in the history of the Durrell family

The Durrell family stayed in Corfu for four years after World War One. Gerald Durrell was a famous British naturalist and writer, who developed a keen interest in animals during his time on the island and became closely acquainted with Theodore Stephanides, a Greek doctor, scientist and philosopher. There are numerous sites you can explore on the island which link to the family’s time there. The most famous of them is The White House, which is open to the public and is well worth a visit. Additionally, The Danilia Park and Museum is amazing to explore. It’s where a lot of the scenes from the ITV series about the family were set. Danilia is a recreation of a traditional early 20^th century Corfu village, which was created in 1978. It includes an interesting museum of the historic ways of life of residents of Corfu.  

8.      Climb up to Angelokastro medieval castle in Krini

The Angelokastro castle is a Byzanite castle in Krini, which is the highest peak of the island’s shoreline on the northwest coast. The castle was formed as part of Corfu’s defenses, and was one of three main castles which defended the island before the Venetian era. In the castle, you will find the Church of the Acropolis, which is dedicated to Archangel Michael, the circular tower, anthropomorphic graves and a chapel in the rock formation of the castle (some paintings here are from the 18^th century). The views from the top of the castle are amazing and it is well worth a visit to see this history.

9.      Visit Arillas

Arillas is in the northwest of the island. It is a beautiful village with many lovely restaurants and shops to visit. Moreover, the beach in Arillas is calm and is situated between St. George and St. Stefanos bays, which means you can easily travel to these beaches if you wish. It’s a stunning place to relax and take a dip.

10.   Appreciate the wildlife and nature Corfu has to offer

Corfu is full of nature, there is over 600 sq. km of countryside to explore, as well as the gorgeous crystal clear waters of the coast. You will drive past extensive olive groves, and many citrus and cypress trees as you explore the island; they’re not a sight to be missed. Moreover, there are over 150 species of birds on the island! 

There are so many beautiful species of butterfly, with all their different patterns on their wings for you to see amongst the plants as you walk around. Not to mention, all the cute stray cats you’ll see. They are said to have been brought onto the island to regulate the mice, rats and snake population as they were a serious threat to inhabitants’ health. 

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