CRUISE THROUGH THE GREEK ISLANDS. STAGE 3: CORFU

A cruise through the Greek islands without visiting any Greek island is a bit silly, isn't it? We have already made stops in Venice (Italy) and Split (Croatia) ... it's the turn of the Hellenic country! And to start with it is not bad: Corfu. It is the first island that is leaving the Adriatic Sea and entering the Ionian Sea and is aligned with the border between Albania and Greece, in fact ferries arrive from these two countries. Next we tell you everything you have to see and do in Corfu in a few hours visit. And you know, at the end of the article you have all the useful information to prepare the visit.

The Greek name of the island and its capital is Kerkyra, according to mythology the god of the sea Poseidon fell in love with the daughter of the god Asopo and the nymph Methodus and after abducting her he took her to the island. The young woman's name was Corsica, from which the current name was derived. They were parents of Féax, the hero who gave name to the mythical people of the feacios, an important part of the Odyssey.

But not only Corfu is the protagonist in mythological stories, for centuries it has been a place of continuous battlesProof of this are the numerous castles and fortifications that rise throughout its territory. Although there is a people that influenced above the rest was the Venetian, master and lord of the Adriatic Sea, it is not difficult to distinguish it in the buildings and palaces of its capital.

Corfu is a large and very populated island, although for the time limit we only visit its capital. The city did not disappoint us at all, it maintains that Authentic village air in less visited areas, with decadent buildings of colorful facades shelled by the passage of time and clothes hanging on the balconies. But It also has an area with more atmosphere where merchants and artisans invite you to buy souvenirs with a smile.

If you only have a few hours, here we propose a walking tour of Corfu that you might find interesting:

The bus will leave you in Spilia, from where we start the tour of Corfu, also there you can take a tourist bus. To your right, at the top of a hill at 55 meters high, is the New Fort, built by the Venetians in the year 1576 and key to the defense of the city in the Turkish attacks of 1716. We saw it from the outside, although if you have the possibility to visit it it seems worth it, it is a giant with many attractions like underground cisterns, rooms, and beautiful views of the entire city.

We enter the historic center through the Spilia Gate to wander until we reach the Synagogue, a large building at the end of the city. We will pass through the square M. Theotoki with the Catholic cathedral and the old town hall, from 1663 and in Venetian style, before entering the heart of Corfu.

From there we can continue until we reach the church of Saint Spyridon, the most important in the city, with beautiful interiors (you can enter) and its red dome. If we keep wandering we will find very interesting corners, on the way to the Faliraki Beach. If you have time and want to bathe in another place that is not sharing the cruise pool do not forget the towel! Although it is a tiny cove the water is crystal clear and is perfectly suitable for bathing.

From the beach we will distinguish along the coastline of Fuerte Viejo, although to get there we will have to go through the Palace of Saints Michael and George, the most important building that the British left in their passage through the island. It was built between 1819 and 1823 and is truly impressive. It currently houses the Asian Art Museum and the Art Gallery (€ 3).

Following the front will open the largest green space in the city, the park Esplanade, the old square of arms of the Venetian army, where the little one stands out Mandrakinas chapel and from where the fort is accessed a little later.

If you cross the Puerta Mayor you will reach the Old fort, the symbol of Corfu. It served as a defense stronghold both in the Ottoman era and subsequently under Venetian control. In its territories, different buildings are erected, such as the Castel a Terra, on top of the promontory, from where there are beautiful panoramic views. Admission is € 6. At the other end of the fort there is another Beach accessible, in case you were left wanting more.

From here you will have to cross the entire city again, to do this through the lively shopping street Nikiforou Thetoki, before you look at the beautiful arcades of the avenue of The Ribbon which is in front of the park, a good place to take a break and have a coffee in one of its terraces. It dates from the period in which the French occupied the island and remembers the rue from Paris.

The truth is that we enjoy Corfu, it is a city that can be done perfectly on foot, tiny and with a lot of charm. It was like a load of Greek vitamin that we missed after our visit to Athens a few months ago.

If you have some more time and want to explore the surroundings of Corfu, you can use the € 5 daily bus voucher and approach the Achillion, known as the Sisi Palace, with line 10, or Pondikonisi, an islet with a monastery in the south of Corfu, with line 2a.

These are the best things to see and do in Corfu in a few hours, with a visit traveling on a cruise. Enjoy it to the fullest!

Video: SAILING GREEK ISLANDS Day 1 & 2. Med Experience Greece Cruises (April 2024).