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A cultural tour in the historical center of Corfu old town

Highlights

  • Admire Famous Sights: Breathtaking views of Kanoni & Mouse Island
  • Cultural tour in the historical center of the old town of Corfu.
  • Coffee break: Taste greek coffee at the cosmopolitan Liston square.
  • Feel the Relaxation: Walking around the Espianade, the largest square of Greece
  • Kampielo: Let's takes us a journey to the oldest neighborhood of the island
  • Lunch break: Enjoy your lunch at a historical restaurant
Source: The Corfu Experience

Description

The old town center of Corfu, belonging to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, constitutes a unique, world-famous site that never fails to captivate visitors.

Different nations, cultures, as well as customs and traditions of three distinct states, having occupied the island of Corfu in the last centuries, meet in the maze-like alleyways of the old town center. Brits, Venetians and French left their imprint on Corfu’s society, but Corfiots have managed to adopt some aspects of those cultures, maintaining their own traditions and habits and create the perfect culture mixing.

The old town of Corfu boasts numerous impressive and world-famous sites, each having its own unique historical development: tall fortresses, considered to be unapproachable, which contributed to the defense of the island against potential conquerors and magnificent palaces, still maintaining their power and magnificence; museums of historic significance and great architecture, old mansions and colorful houses constructed with the Venetian style, famous cosmopolitan squares and magnificent churches, indicating the strong religious beliefs of Corfiots.

Explore us Campiello the oldest district of the historic city of Corfu inspires a huge charm to all those who visit it throughout the year. The picturesque cantounia, those little narrow streets as the locals call them with the laundry spread are reminiscent of an old Greek cinema. The best possible way to turn Campiello is to walk in its alleys and get lost through the beauty of this mosaic of culture and civilization.

Join us and let yourself wander the paved alleyways of the old town center of Corfu, trying to reveal its secrets, meet hospitable locals in the neighborhoods and listen to their interesting stories and experience the culture and history of this island, enjoying the cosmopolitan feel of this place.

A walk through the old town of Corfu will satisfy even the most demanding visitor!

Source: The Corfu Experience

Itinerary

1) Admire Famous Sights

Enjoy the breathtaking views of Kanoni & Mouse Island

At the entrance of the Halikiopoulos lagoon is located one of the most famous sights of Corfu, but also of the whole of Europe, which is none other than the much photographed Pontikonisi – Mouse Island. It’s name impresses even after so many years of fame. The area of Kanoni and Mouse Island has been for centuries a source of inspiration for many artists while at the same time there has been a scene in major productions of Greek and foreign cinema.

This picturesque church was built in the 17th century and around 1980 it was abandoned by the last monk who lived there. This is a very small religious church with a two-storey bell tower that “floats” on the footbridge. It is worth mentioning that Mouse Island was a source of inspiration for the German artist Becklin to paint “The Island of the Dead”.

A unique place to start your day where will have the chance to watch planes landing and taking off right over your head, as Kanoni is located right next to the airport runway. Imagine how lovely pictures you are going to take and impress everyone one the social media.

2) Experience the Culture

Cultural tour in the historical center of the old town of Corfu.

A pleasant walk through the historic center of Corfu, where three nations meet, connecting the East and the West.

The old town center of Corfu, belonging to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, constitutes a unique, world-famous site that never fails to captivate visitors.

The old town of Corfu boasts numerous impressive and world-famous sites, each having its own unique historical development: tall fortresses, considered to be unapproachable, which contributed to the defense of the island against potential conquerors and magnificent palaces, still maintaining their power and magnificence; museums of historic significance and great architecture, old mansions and colorful houses constructed with the Venetian style, famous cosmopolitan squares and magnificent churches, indicating the strong religious beliefs of Corfiot’s.

Old Fortress

The Old Fortress was built during the 6th century on a tiny island, which is the first point that someone can see while approaching Corfu by sea. The construction was completed by Corfiot’s, with the use of the ancient town’s ruins, caused by enemy invasions. The Old Fortress blends into two hilltops (koryfes in Greek) and thus the island was named after them, it is called Corfu. The Old Fortress is being connected to the mainland by an iron bridge, while the entrance arch ends at the interior of it.

The Palace of Saint Michael & Saint George 

This Palace is considered to be the most impressive structure has ever constructed on the northern part of EspIanade square and Corfu town in general. It was built in 1819, at the request of the British Lord High Commissioner, Sir Thomas Maitland, by the architect Sir George Whitmore and is dedicated to Sts Michael and George. When the Ionian Islands and Greece were reunified, the Palace was the house of the Royal Family. Nowadays, the Museum of Asian Art is housed in this neoclassical building, that was built with the use of Maltese stones and boasts two amazing entrance gates. This palace is undoubtedly a magnificent structure, the most significant building of the period of the English rule.

Saint Jacob (Catholic Cathedral)

Saint Jacob Catholic Cathedral constitutes one of the most magnificent structures of great architectural significance on Corfu. It boasts a curved Baroque façade, a pediment, a tower of Gothic art and an extremely tall bell tower, resembling those of the churches in Venice. It was built during the 16th century and houses numerous Byzantine relics, such as Jesus Crucified and an icon of Virgin Mary.

3) Live like a Local

Coffee break: Taste greek coffee at the cosmopolitan Liston square.

Under the shade of the trees, we will enjoy a short break for a Greek coffee or a traditional Corfiot ginger beer at the cosmopolitan Liston Square. Enjoy your morning coffee or your natural refreshment exactly where the “elite” and the Levantines of the island did during the Venetian times…

4) Feel the Relaxation

Walking around the Esplanade, the largest square of Greece

Esplanade is the central square of Corfu, the largest in the Balkans and one of the largest within Europe. European Royal Gardens have strongly affected the way EspIanade appears nowadays. EspIanade is a fabulous square, with dense vegetation and the central meeting point of Corfiot’s. At this square several cultural events and concerts take place, while even cricket games are still organized there, since Corfiot’s are in the habit of playing cricket since Corfu has gone under British rule.

5) Feel the Relaxation

Kampielo: Let's takes us a journey to the oldest neighborhood of the island

During our short walk in Kampielo, you will realise that the sense of smell is distracted by the smells emanating from the kitchens of the houses, but also the hearing is very often delighted by the melodies that are projected behind a half-open window. It is not at all unusual in many of the small squares of the area, which give the district its name (Campiello = square in Italian), to meet improvised choirs that entertain passers-by with their songs.

In the short time we have available before our lunch, you can buy authentic local products, herbs and Corfiot herbs, handmade decorative items from olive wood or any other souvenir, from the varied market of Corfu town.

During our short walk in Kampielo, you will realise that the sense of smell is distracted by the smells emanating from the kitchens of the houses, but also the hearing is very often delighted by the melodies that are projected behind a half-open window. It is not at all unusual in many of the small squares of the area, which give the district its name (Campiello = square in Italian), to meet improvised choirs that entertain passers-by with their songs.

6) Experience the Hospitality

Lunch break: Enjoy your lunch at a historical restaurant

After our short walk we end up for lunch. The traditional restaurant we have chosen, especially for you, is located in one of the most picturesque and distinctive streets of Corfu Town and it is awarded for its traditional Corfiot recipes and the pure ingredients. You will enjoy and taste Corfu like a local eating among the historical buildings of Corfu, which have been constructed during the French occupation and you will have the opportunity to see plenty of paintings, in the restaurant, which represent the glory and the beauty of Corfu since 1932.

You will enjoy traditional dishes as they offer a big variety of food, and we guarantee the quality of service and cooking. You will also have the opportunity to taste local wines and handcrafted Corfiot beers completing the lunch with original Corfiot desserts.

Source: The Corfu Experience

What's Included

Lunch is included in a handpicked local famous restaurant to enjoy the traditional cuisine of Corfu.

See which facilities are also included.

Included

  • Pick-up from and return to your desired place.
  • Luxury Mercedes bus (depending on the size of the group), glass roof, offering air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, leather seats, TV monitors, first-aid kit, and mini-bar (water, juice, and refreshments) throughout the tour.
  • Experienced & professional driver.
  • Experienced English-speaking Tour Guide of “The Corfu Experience” Tourism Agency.
  • Tour Leader of “The Corfu Experience” Tourism Agency.
  • All rental and accommodation expenses for the places we visit.
  • All costs for each partner that offers services.
  • Entrance fees for museums and historic sites (when needed).
  • All coffee break expenses (snack, coffee, ice cream).
  • All expenses for a full lunch (appetizers, salads, side dishes, mainly dishes, desserts, drinks).
  • All taxes.

Not included

  • ONLY your own expenses concerning personal items, souvenirs, or any other service you may choose
Source: The Corfu Experience

Additional Information

We create 100% Private Luxury Experiences in Corfu – Not just a Transfer.

Our local escorts are well trained to provide you 5-star services and offer you exclusivity. Enjoy your private or tailor made designed tour and win our benefits such as the privacy, safety, top services and of course route flexibility. Save money, time and energy by having an experienced local guide by your side who will share with you all the local “secrets”. Take the chance of being a privileged skip the line guest as we have taken care of everything so that your experience is comfortable and that you enjoy every moment without stress or fatigue.

Everything is included in One Price!

Source: The Corfu Experience

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About the provider

The Corfu Experience

The Corfu Experience is aTravel Experience Tourism Agency organising personalised and tailormade private luxury experiences in Corfu, Greece . Our mission is to...

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