The centre of Corfu Town with the maze of narrow winding streets has a very special feel. It is a treasure trove of artisan and fashion shops, foods sellers of local produce including spices and exotic kumquat jam - a Corfu delicacy, jewellery, knick-knacks, hand made olive wood craft and linen - all mixed in with tavernas, cafes and numerous Greek Orthodox Churches.

Old Town of Corfu, 2008 © Limes.Media/Tim Schnarr

Head to Liston, to enjoy a cup of coffee and fresh orange juice in one of the cafes. It is a convenient meeting point and a welcome break between the headiness of the old town and the vast expanse of Spianada ("Esplanade") square culminating in the imposing Old Fort. Liston was built during French rule in the beginning of the 19th century, to imitate rue de Rivoli and is also reminiscent of St Marks Square and its arched colonnades.

Spianada, Liston Corfú, 2011 © Joanbanjo

The Old Fortress is a UNESCO heritage site offering stunning views of the island and across the Ionian Sea, if you are brave enough to climb up.

The Fort was built by the Byzantines in 6th century AD in what was then the old city of Koryfa (which gave its name to the island). During the subsequent fifteen hundred years it was enlarged, particularly during Venetian times, which helped with its defence against the Ottoman attacks on the island.

Inside the Fort there are two barracks, a former military hospital (now a music school) and the church of St. George. There is a small exhibition space for the Byzantine collection near the gate.

Old Town of Corfu, 2008 © Limes.Media/Tim Schnarr

Away from the crowds and near the Old Ford lies small Faliraki Beach with lovely cafes and restaurants, usually less busy than the main town.

Faliraki Bathing Beach, Kerkiras, Corfu, 2018 Maksim Kozlenko

The Corfu museum of Asian Art, housing more than 15,000 works of art from private collections is at the North end of the Spianada. It was built during the short British rule of 1814-1864 as the residence of Lord High Commissioner, Sir Thomas Maitland. https://matk.gr

Archeological Museum of Corfu is a compact, informative and very well organised museum, and, importantly, air-conditioned. It is tucked away in a small street off the embankment, to the South of Spianada. The museum houses a huge Gorgon pediment from the Artemis temple, excavated in Corfu in the beginning of the 20th century. https://archaeologicalmuseums.gr/

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