How big is Corfu?
Corfu is the second largest island of the Ionian Islands. To give you perspective, Santorini is about 29 (76 square kilometers) miles total. Crete, a much bigger island is 5,179 (8,336 square kilometers) and Corfu is 225 miles (585.3 km²). So it's a sizeable island, but with a car, it's easy to see the entire island in about a week.
How many islands are there in Corfu?
Northwest of Corfu there are three small islands, named Othoni Mathraki and Erikoussa respectively, known as the Diapontian islands, and to the south are the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos. All together they form the Prefecture of Corfu.
What is the coastline of Corfu Greece?
Corfu's coastline spans 217 kilometres (135 mi) including capes; its highest point is Mount Pantokrator (911 metres (2,989 ft)); and the second Stravoskiadi, at 849 m (2,785 ft). The full extent of capes and promontories take in Agia Aikaterini, Drastis to the north, Lefkimmi and Asprokavos to the southeast, and Megachoro to the south.
Is Corfu the only city in Greece to be surrounded by castles?
Two of these castles enclose its capital, which is the only city in Greece to be surrounded in such a way. As a result, Corfu's capital has been officially declared a Kastropolis ("castle city") by the Greek government.
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How many miles long is Corfu?
39 milesThe island of Corfu is located off the West coast of Greece. Its relative size is 597km² (230sq miles) approximately 63km (39 miles) Long and 28km (17 miles at widest point) Wide. Corfu's highest mountain, Mount Pantokratoras is 906m high.
How long does it take to drive around Corfu?
It took us 4 days.
Is Corfu big or small?
Corfu eventually fell under British rule following the Napoleonic Wars, and was eventually ceded to Greece by the British government along with the remaining islands of the United States of the Ionian Islands....Corfu.Native name: ΚέρκυραArea610.9 km2 (235.9 sq mi)Highest elevation906 m (2972 ft)AdministrationGreece17 more rows
Is Corfu a small island?
Corfu - Small Islands Corfu is surrounded by small islands, some close to the coastline while others more remote which are also the borders of the country.
How much money do you need in Corfu?
How much money will you need for your trip to Corfu? You should plan to spend around €90 ($95) per day on your vacation in Corfu, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €25 ($26) on meals for one day and €44 ($47) on local transportation.
Do you need a car on Corfu?
The best way to get around Corfu is by bus or on foot. Renting a car is also an option if you're itching to explore the island and want more flexiblility. If you just plan on lounging by the beach your whole vacation or are staying central to Corfu Town, your own two feet should suffice.
Is there a bridge to Corfu?
Corfu Kaiser Bridge Named Kaiser's bridge after its owner, the bridge made reaching the beach easier, which otherwise required traveling through the main connecting road on the island.
Is Corfu a large island?
Corfu (593 km2)[SEE MAP] Of the seven Ionian Islands, Corfu is the second largest. Not only is it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, but it's also one of the most historically significant.
Is Corfu boring?
The Old Town of Corfu might be a UNESCO World Heritage site but don't let that fool you into thinking it is quiet and boring. Corfu's town is brimming with life and activity, from its cobbled streets all the way down to the sparkling ocean.
What is Corfu best known for?
Corfu is known for its beaches but you can't miss the Canal d'Amour, where a natural passage created by the smooth rocks forms a tunnel to swim down. Let us know if you find your soulmate at the end of it, as legend promises. Meanwhile, at Sidari you'll enjoy spectacular sandy beaches with sandstone formations.
Do they speak English in Corfu?
Many people speak English, some very well, but even just a few words in their native language will always be appreciated.
Is Corfu worth visiting?
Corfu is the Perfect Place to Get Away from it all Not all holidays are relaxing. But Corfu is the perfect European island escape. There are large stretches of uninterrupted coastline with little-used beaches, hiking trails and picture-perfect views to go with.
Where is Corfu in Greece?
Corfu is one of the most popular of the Ionian Islands, the island chain off the west coast of mainland Greece in the Ionian Sea. It is the norther...
Does Corfu island have an airport?
Yes, Corfu has an airport with seasonal international flights and domestic flights from Athens throughout the year. The airport is found 2.5km outs...
How do you get to Corfu by ferry?
There are daily ferries to Corfu from the port of Igoumenitsa, in north-western Greece, about 485km (5hrs30mins) from Athens and 325km (3hrs45mins)...
What are the top sites in Corfu?
The entire Old Town of Corfu is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, filled with monuments (Venetian, British, French) and museums, such as the Archaeol...
Where is the island of Corfu?
The southeast side of the island lies off the coast of Thesprotia, Greece. Its shape resembles a sickle ( drepanē, δρεπάνι ), to which it was compared by the ancients: the concave side, with the city and harbour of Corfu in the centre, lies toward the Albanian coast.
What is the name of the Greek island in Corfu?
Corfu ( / kɔːrˈf ( j) uː /, US also / ˈkɔːrf ( j) uː /) or Kerkyra ( Greek: Κέρκυρα, romanized : Kérkyra, pronounced [ˈcercira] ( listen)) is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the margin of the northwestern frontier of Greece.
What was the name of the French colony that occupied Corfu?
By the 1797 Treaty of Campo Formio, Corfu was ceded to the French, who occupied it for two years as the département of Corcyre, until they were expelled by a joint Russian -Ottoman squadron under Admiral Ushakov. For a short time it became the capital of a self-governing federation of the Heptanesos ("Seven Islands"), under Ottoman suzerainty; in 1807 after the Treaty of Tilsit its faction-ridden government was again replaced by a French administration under governor François-Xavier Donzelot, and in 1809 it was besieged in vain by a British Royal Navy fleet, which had captured all the other Ionian islands.
What is the island of Corfu called?
Corfu's nickname is the island of the Phaeacians . The name Corfù, an Italian version of the Byzantine Κορυφώ (Koryphō), meaning "city of the peaks", derives from the Byzantine Greek Κορυφαί (Koryphai) (crests or peaks), denoting the two peaks of Palaio Frourio.
What are the mammals that live in Corfu?
Around 40 species of mammals live on the island and in the sea around it. Fin whales, sperm whales, Cuvier's beaked whales, common bottlenose dolphins, short-beaked common dolphins, striped dolphins and Risso's dolphins are the regularly present cet aceans. Monk seals appear from time to time without breeding here any more. Eurasian otters still survive in the lagoons and streams of Corfu. The golden jackal was very common till the 1960s but after persecution it became extinct, with the last individuals observed in the first half of the 1990s. Wild boar were exterminated after 2000 after farmers complained about crop damage. Red foxes, beech martens, least weasels, European hares, northern white-breasted hedgehogs are quite easy to see as some of the smaller mammals as well as the bats. Coypus, fallow deer, Indian crested porcupines, Siberian chipmunks have been observed recently but they are escapees and only the coypu has viable population.
What are the plants that Homer describes in Corfu?
Homer identifies six plants that adorn the garden of Alcinous: wild olive, pear, pomegranate, apple, fig and grape vine. Of these the apple and the pear are very inferior in Corfu; the others thrive, together with all the fruit trees known in southern Europe, with addition of the kumquat, loquat and prickly pear and, in some spots, the banana. Olive trees dominate and their combination with cypress trees compose the typical Corfiot landscape. When undisturbed by cultivation, the high maquis is the major natural vegetation type followed by deciduous oak forests and to a lesser extent, pine forests. In total more than 1800 plant species have been recorded.
Where are the Diapontia Islands?
The Diapontia Islands (Greek: Διαπόντια νησιά) are located in the northwest of Corfu, (6 km away) and about 40 km from the Italian coast. The main islands are Othonoi, Ereikoussa and Mathraki .
How wide is Corfu in miles?
The island of Corfu is located off the West coast of Greece. Its relative size is 597km² (230sq miles ) approximately 63km (39 miles ) Long and 28km (17 miles at widest point) Wide.
Is Corfu a big island?
The principal city of the island (pop. 32,095) is also named Corfu. Corfu is home to the Ionian University. The island is bound up with the history of Greece from the beginnings of Greek mythology. Corfu.
What is Corfu Greece known for?
Corfu is known as Greece’s emerald island because Corfu is one of the greenest islands in Greece. There are more than 2 million olive trees on the island of Corfu adding to its lushness and the food tables.
Is Corfu a party island?
With its vivid nightlife, a mix of lounge bars, traditional taverns and all-night clubs Corfu is a great Greek Party Island destination and one of the Best Party Holiday Destinations In Greece. Areas like Sidari, Benitses, Dasia also have many nightclubs.
Is Corfu expensive?
Corfu On a Budget Like many beach destinations in Europe, Corfu can be expensive due to higher tourist demand and limited space on the island. But Greece is still a fairly affordable country compared to other places in Europe, so deals can be found.
Is Corfu too touristy?
Corfu is a magical island that is filled with cultures and histories. It was one of the hidden gems of the world; however, it has now become a hot spot for tourists.
What language is spoken in Corfu?
Language. English is widely spoken, though many locals also speak some German and Italian.
Why is Corfu considered a popular destination in Greece?
Corfu’s imperial past is one of the reasons it is considered one of the most glamorous destinations in Greece. Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary, the legendary Sissi, chose the island to build her palace, a place where she found consolation after her son Rudolph’s suicide.
What is Corfu known for?
The island of Corfu is known for its spectacular beaches and the Venetian aura of its Old Town. It has a unique cuisine that is a product of its many cultural influences, particularly Italian.
What is the food that is served in Corfu?
Pastitsada (beef in a rich tomato sauce with pasta), sofrito (battered beef cooked in olive oil and wine) and bourdeto (fish stew) are among the regional delicacies you can enjoy in kitchens, traditional tavernas and restaurants of Corfu. They will enrich your holidays with the aromas and flavours of the Ionian.
What is the Easter celebration in Corfu?
The island’s Philharmonic Society accompanies the procession of Christ’s epitaph on Good Friday and crowds follow the remains of the island’s patron, St Spyridon, the following morning. And then, on Holy Saturday, it rains botides – clay jars thrown into the streets from people’s balconies. Just make sure you keep looking up!
When is the best time to visit Corfu?
Most travellers prefer to visit Corfu in the summer but spring months, such as April and May, and early and late summer and autumn months (June and September-October) are also popular when it is not as hot, prices are lower and there are fewer tourists.
Is Corfu a Mouse Island?
Two trademark views on Corfu are actually other islands – the diminutive Pontikon isi, which translates as Mouse Island, just large enough to hold the Pantokrator Monastery, and right next to it, the famous Vlacherna islet, with its 17th-century monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Mass is held here on Easter Monday.
Is Corfu an open air museum?
Corfu’s Old Town is often characterised as an open-air museum and each sight is a journey through time. Towering above the northwest border of the capital, the other guardian, the Neo Frourio (New Fort), is a masterpiece of military architecture built by the Venetians between 1572 and 1645.
What is the name of the island in Corfu?
According to legend, the island was Scheria, home of the Phaeacians in Homeric epic.
What is the name of the ancient town of Corfu?
Venetian fort in Corfu, Greece. The name Corfu is an Italian corruption of the Greek koryphai (“crests”) and is often a more familiar moniker to visitors than the Modern Greek name.
What are the most popular products of Corfu?
Exports include olive oil, fruit, grain, and wine; Corfu’s manufactures include soap and textiles. Britannica Quiz.
Where to visit in Corfu?
The top places to visit in Corfu are Achillion Palace, the former retreat of princess Sissi of Austria, Mon Repos palace, where Phillip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II was born, the iconic Panagia Vlacherna and Pontikonisi island. They will make you fall even deeper in love with Corfu!
Where is the most famous spot in Corfu?
Kanoni and Mouse island. Kanoni is the most famous spot of Corfu Town. From the hill of Kanoni visitors get a wonderful view of Mouse island and the small church of Panagia Vlacherna. Old fortress. The old fortress of the Town is located only few steps from Spianada Square.
What is Corfu Town famous for?
Strongly influenced by the Venetians, the French and the English, Corfu Town is a brilliant base for exploration. Get lost in the narrow cobblestone alleys, the so-called “kandounia”, visit museums, such as the Museum of Asian Art, walk down the famous Liston promenade, stroll around the huge Spianada square….
What is the most romantic island in Greece?
Corfu Greece is one of the most beautiful and romantic islands of the Ionian island group. From lush green hills to noble mansions and from idyllic Corfu beaches, to interesting museums, this island has everything it takes to please any type of traveler.#N#Strongly influenced by the Venetians, the French and the English, Corfu Town is a brilliant base for exploration. Get lost in the narrow cobblestone alleys, the so-called “kandounia”, visit museums, such as the Museum of Asian Art, walk down the famous Liston promenade, stroll around the huge Spianada square… The whole Corfu town squeezes out a nostalgic charm! You’ll see the glorious past of Corfu on imposing palaces, noble mansions, beautiful museums, and charming squares. Moving away from Corfu Town, you’ll discover picturesque seaside villages, tiny verdant islets, luxurious Corfu resorts, and wild natural landscapes. It’s amazing how the different sides of this idyllic island coexist in harmony!#N#If you manage to peel yourself away from the enchanting Corfu Town, move to the coasts of Corfu, where beautiful Corfu beaches are nestled! The beaches in Dassia, Paleokastritsa, Glyfada, Kontokali, and Kavos are must-visits. Nestled in sandy coves, surrounded by green forests and mountains, they are some of the best beaches in Greece!
Where is Agios Gordis Beach?
Agios Gordis beach. Located on the western side of this Ionian island, Agios Gordis is a large sandy beach with amazing waters. It is lined up with many beach accommodations and taverns. Canal d' Amour.
What is the history of Corfu?
General information about Corfu. Corfu is something you can't understand immediately, but you have to discover it slowly, day after day, as “Feaci” did in ancient times. Thousand years ago they landed in Corfu with their legendary boats and little by little they started to discover its colours, its perfumes, its sounds and sensations.
What is the name of the sea between Corfu and Epyrus?
Between Corfù and the near coasts of Epyrus and Albany the sea is known as “Kerkyraiki Sea” and in the Northern part it is called Aghios Stefanos “stretto” (just 2 Km). From a geologic point of view Corfu is similar to the near mainland coast.
How long does a cat's prophylaxis last in Corfu?
The certificate should be valid more than 12 months, more than 6 months for cats and it has to be made at least 6 days before arrival. Health: in Corfu town you can find St. Irini hospital where you can ask for help.
What is the phone number of Greece?
The telephone code to call in Greece is 0030. Money: being as well member of the European Community, the currency in Greece is Euro. The most famous credit cards can be used in Corfu to pay accommodation, restaurants, rentals... and the traveler cheques can be changed in every bank or exchange office.
Where to leave a boat in Corfu?
For those who own a boat there are many places where to leave it around the island like Gouvia Marina, North to Corfu town, which is a well organised harbour for small and big boats.
What is the wind direction in Corfu?
Very often there’s a fresh wind called maestros in all Corfu. This wind starts normally in the afternoon and follows a North-South direction.
When is the best time to visit Corfu?
When to come. May: The Summer season starts with hot days and fresh evenings. The island of Corfu is still empty with few tourists and it’s the perfect period to find lonely and relaxing beaches. The sea is mostly flat as there aren't strong winds and Kerkyra has a gorgeous nature full of flowers.
What is the food in Corfu?
This is reflected in the food, so you'll find a wide variety of cuisine for every taste bud. Seafood is a staple, but some of the famous Corfu dishes are “Bourdeto”, which is usually served with scorpion fish cooked in a spicy tomato sauce and potatoes.
How big is Santorini?
To give you perspective, Santorini is about 29 (76 square kilometers) miles total. Crete, a much bigger island is 5,179 (8,336 square kilometers) and Corfu is 225 miles (585.3 km²). So it's a sizeable island, but with a car, it's easy to see the entire island in about a week.
Is Corfu a part of Greece?
Corfu was occupied by the Venetians, unlike mainland Greece, which was occupied by the Ottoman Empire. Corfu is also the one part of Greece never conquered by the Turks.
Where did Corfu get its name?
Corfu’s history can be traced back all the way to Ancient Greece and Greek mythology. Corfu is known as Kerkyra in Greek, a name derived from the nymph Korkira. In Greek mythology, Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, falls in love with Korkira, kidnapping her and hiding her away on the island that now bears her name.
What is the best place to visit in Corfu?
Paleokastritsa one of the best-known sites on cosmopolitan Corfu. On most of the beaches, there are taxi boats, sun beds, umbrellas, motor boats, and canoes for rent. It is well worth it to visit all the beaches, which number approximately 15, with most reached only by boat. The famous Paleokastritsa caves are also best seen by boat.
How long was Corfu under Venetian rule?
From the 15th century, Corfu was under Venetian rule for some four centuries, then passing to French, British and Greek governments. At various occasions, it had to defend the Venetian maritime empire against the Ottoman army.
What is the name of the Greek island in 2021?
Corfu: Everything You Need to Know About the Idyllic Greek Island. By Thomas Kissel. July 17, 2021. Paleokastritsa, Corfu. Credit: Greek Reporter. Corfu is one of Greece ’s most beautiful and storied islands. It shares its name with its most populous city, Corfu, which also serves as the capital of the Ionian Island archipelago along the coast ...
Why were fortresses built on Corfu?
In fact, many of the fortresses were constructed in order to protect the island from further conquests. The Old Fortress in Old Town is the most staggering example: it overlooks the sea on the promontory where the ancient town of Corfu once was situated during the Byzantine Era.
When did Corfu become a French state?
Corfu became a part of the French state in 1797 after Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Venice.
Is Corfu a UNESCO site?
The Old Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. UNESCO writes on it’s website: “The ensemble of the fortifications and the Old Town of Corfu is located in a strategic location at the entrance to the Adriatic Sea. Historically, its roots go back to the 8th century BC and to the Byzantine period.
Overview
Corfu or Kerkyra (Greek: Κέρκυρα, romanized: Kérkyra, pronounced [ˈcercira] (listen)) is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the margin of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered by three municipalities with the islands of Othonoi, Ereikoussa, and Mathraki. The princip…
Name
The Greek name, Kerkyra or Korkyra, is related to two powerful water deities: Poseidon, god of the sea, and Asopos, an important Greek mainland river. According to myth, Poseidon fell in love with the beautiful nymph Korkyra, daughter of Asopos and river nymph Metope, and abducted her. Poseidon brought Korkyra to the hitherto unnamed island and, in marital bliss, offered her name to the place: Korkyra, which gradually evolved to Kerkyra (Doric). They had a child they called Phaia…
Geography
The northeastern edge of Corfu lies off the coast of Sarandë, Albania, separated by straits varying in width from 3 to 23 km (2 to 14 miles). The southeast side of the island lies off the coast of Thesprotia, Greece. Its shape resembles a sickle (drepanē, δρεπάνι), to which it was compared by the ancients: the concave side, with the city and harbour of Corfu in the centre, lies toward the Albanian coast…
Biodiversity
Homer identifies six plants that adorn the garden of Alcinous: wild olive, pear, pomegranate, apple, fig and grape vine. Of these the apple and the pear are very inferior in Corfu; the others thrive, together with all the fruit trees known in southern Europe, with addition of the kumquat, loquat and prickly pear and, in some spots, the banana. Olive trees dominate and their combination with cypress trees compose the typical Corfiot landscape. When undisturbed by cultivation, the high
History
The earliest reference to Corfu is the Mycenaean Greek word ko-ro-ku-ra-i-jo ("man from Kerkyra") written in Linear B syllabic script, c. 1300 BC. According to Strabo, Corcyra (Κόρκυρα) was the Homeric island of Scheria (Σχερία), and its earliest inhabitants were the Phaeacians (Φαίακες). The island has indeed been identified by some scholars with Scheria, the island of the Phaeacians describ…
Architecture
Corfu's urban architecture influence derives from Venice, reflecting the fact that from 1386 to 1797 the island was ruled by the Venetians. The architecture of the Old Town of Corfu along with its narrow streets, the kantounia, has clear Venetian influence and is amongst the World Heritage Sites in Greece. Other notable Venetian-era buildings include the Nobile Teatro di San Giacomo di Cor…
Urban landscape
The Old Town of Corfu city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In several parts of the old city, buildings of the Venetian era are to be found. The old city's architectural character is strongly influenced by the Venetian style, coming as it did under Venetian rule for a long period; its small and ancient side streets, and the old buildings' trademark arches are particularly reminiscent of Venice.
Archaeology
In the city of Corfu, the ruins of the ancient city of Korkyra, also known as Palaiopolis, include ancient temples which were excavated at the location of the palace of Mon Repos, which was built on the ruins of the Palaiopolis. The temples are: Kardaki Temple, Temple of Artemis, and the Temple of Hera. Hera's temple is situated at the western limits of Mon Repos, close to Kardaki Temple and …