CORFU TOWN
Area: Corfu
Country: Greece


Location:
Halfway down E coast, facing Greek mainland. 5 miles N of Perama. 2 miles N of airport.

Telephone code from UK:
30 26610

Website:
http://www.terrakerkyra.gr

Position:
Built on promontory projecting into sea and divided into N and S halves. Gently sloping in parts.

Description:
A colourful mix of cultural influences and marvellous blend of architecture make Corfu Town a fascinating place to explore, with its spacious squares, French arcade, traditional Venetian mansions, Byzantine church, British-built 19th-century palace and numerous monuments. There is also the old fortress jutting into the sea to the E, cut off from the town by a moat. The town has an atmosphere reminiscent of an Italian town, as shopping streets alternate with narrow alleys and washing hangs from balconies. With a population of 45,000, almost trebled with visitors in the high season, the town bulges with the influx of tourists and traffic jams are frequent _ pedestrian areas provide a welcome escape.

Suitability:
Cosmopolitan, appealing to wide market range, but unsuitable for beach holiday. Practically anyone holidaying on Corfu would find a day in town, shopping and sightseeing, highly rewarding.

Accommodation:
B&Bs to de-luxe hotels.

Shopping:
Generally sophisticated with chic boutiques. Stylish international imports alongside shops with local leather and crudely printed T-shirts. Popular buys include natural sponges, jewellery, lace and olive-wood articles. Out of town there are bone-china and leather warehouses on the road to Paleokastritsa.

Beach:
Mon Repos Lido, just under 1» miles along coast, is a small public man-made shingle beach for which there is a minimal entry charge.

Entertainments:
Daytime: sightseeing, archaeological museum, two fortresses and numerous historic buildings for the culturally inclined. Horse-drawn carriages around town; sightseeing "train", leaving from Liston in the old town; glass-bottomed boat trips. Nightlife: bouzouki nightclubs, discos, bars and tavernas.

Eating:
Plenty of choice, from Greek tavernas through fast food to international cuisine. The pedestrianised street, Liston, houses a line of (pricey) pavement cafes and is a popular place to people-watch.

Public-transport:
Hub of the island system, with buses to all parts. There are two principal bus stations: one for blue buses (local routes) at Sanrocco Square and the other for green buses (island routes) near the waterfront on the W side of the new fortress. Timetables can be obtuse and repay careful study; there are also unmarked stops.

Local-excursions:
Half day: scuba diving; folkloric trip to Danilia village; flamboyant Achillion Palace; Greek night at village of Korakiana. Full day: boats to islands of Erikoussa, Mathraki and Othoni; hydrofoils and ferries to Paxos and Kefalonia; short classical/traditional boat trips to mainland; organised island tours including Paleokastritsa and picturesque Mouse Island; golfing at Ermones.