Overview Corfu is one of the Greek islands, located in the Ionian Sea (right off the coast of Albania). The main town on the island of Corfu is also named Corfu, or Kérkyra in Greek.
The island of Corfu has a long history, filled with battles and conquests. There are also many connections to Greek mythology. As a result of its battle-filled history, there are many influences that can be noticed, derived from non-Greek cultures including the Byzantines, Venetians, French and British in particular. In fact, many of the names (including the name Corfu itself) comes from derivatives of the Italian language.
The town of Corfu is a bit maze-like, filled with colorful (and narrow) cobblestone streets and alleyways. This is the most popular area of the island that cruisers visit while in Corfu. It can be quite crowded in this area during the peak travel season of this region (July & August).
Destinations Corfu is often included on various European cruise itineraries.
Cruise Lines Departing Here
Corfu is not a cruise departure port.
Currency The official currency is the Euro. ATM machines are available, but make sure you use one that works with the card you're using. ATM machines will usually give you a better exchange rate than a bank or hotel. Using a credit card is a great way to avoid having to exchange currency.
Language The official language of Greece is Greek. However, you'll find a decent number of people that speak some English in the tourist areas.
Tourist Attractions Corfu has a long and open area known as the "Liston," where various restaurants and cafes are located. This area is located between the town and citadel and has a definite French influence. The old citadel, known as Palaio Frourio) is an ancient Venetian fortress that today hosts concerts and various events. St. George's church lies at the bottom of the observatory.
There are quite a few popular beaches in Corfu, including Agios Stefanos-Avliotes and Agios Spyridonas.
The Palaia Anaktora is a few large buildings (of Roman style) that used to be the home of the King of Greece. Today these buildings house various art exhibits, including the Museum of Chinese Art. There are a few other museums in Corfu, including the Serbian Museum, the Reading Society of Corfu, the Archeological Museum and the Kapodistrias Museum.
Located in the old city, the Saint Spyridon church houses the preserved body of the patron saint (Saint Spyridon) of the island of Corfu. Many of the houses in the old city are of from Corfu's Venetian era. There is an island right off the cost of the old city, known as Pontikonisi Island (or mouse island), that is home to the monastery of Pantokrator.
Corfu has a great tradition in music. In fact, Corfu is the home to three marching wind bands, including the Philharmonic Society of Corfu.
Angelokastro is a fortified Byzantine castle, located on the highest peak of the coastline of Corfu. This was a very important area, during wartimes especially.
Aqualand is a popular waterpark located in Corfu. You'll notice a lot of advertisements for it while walking around Corfu. It's usually open 7 days a week, but check before going there if you're not traveling in peak season or if it's a holiday.
Port Location Cruise ships dock in Liman, the new port of Corfu. It's about a 25 to 30 minute walk into the town of Corfu from the port. Free shuttles are usually provided by the cruise line to the passenger services terminal. A few cruise lines also offer shuttles from the terminal to the town of Corfu.
