Kérkira Town, Corfu's metropolis
If you plan on renting a holiday villa in Corfu in the not-too-distant future, there's every chance that at some point or other you'll end up visiting Kérkira, or Corfu Town. It is the capital of the island after all, and it's certainly a lively and entertaining place to stop off at. If you're intending to rent one of our luxury holiday villas, then you'll be pleased to know you won't have to travel far. It's only a few miles down the coast, south of Kassiopi. No holiday in Corfu is complete without a visit to this welcoming town.
The first thing you'll probably notice about Corfu Town is the scale of the tourism here. During the summer season the crowds of visitors can sometimes be overwhelming. Don't let that put you off though. Kérkira is a graceful and elegant town, sandwiched between a pair of forts. It boasts a gorgeous esplanade, the Spaniádha, one of the many British legacies, where Corfiotes still play cricket most Sundays. The town reminded Evelyn Waugh of Brighton, so it's got to be impressive, hasn't it?
If you stroll around the old parts of the town, you'll notice a fascinating blend of Venetian, French, British and occasional Greek architecture. The obvious places to visit first are the forts: Paleó Froúrio and Néo Froeúrio. These designations can be a little misleading, since what you see of the older structure was begun by the Byzantines in the mid-twelfth century, a hundred years before the Venetians began work on the new citadel. They've both been damaged by invading and occupying forces since, but are still a worthwhile place to visit.
The Spaniádha has a leisured and graceful air. It's easy to see why so many people get ensnared by one of the cafes facing the Listón, an arcaded legacy of the brief French occupation, built by the architect of the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. It's pleasant just to while away the hours with a coffee or a glass of ouzo and watch the world go by. Mind you, it can be expensive, so you might prefer to shop around for something cheaper. Try walking to the other side of the promenade, close to the fort, and sit in the flower gardens and watch the Corfiote women chatting and making lace. At the same end of the esplanade is the Palace of St Michael and St George, a solidly British edifice built as the home of the High Commissioner. Its former staterooms now house a large collection of Asiatic art together with Byzantine relics of the island.
Towards the south of the Spaniádha is the Maitland Rotunda, a graffiti-covered bandstand commemorating the first British High Commissioner. Just beyond stands the statue of Ioannis Kapodistrias ( 1776 – 1831) the first president of modern Greece and an agitator for the union of Greece with the Ionian Islands. Not far from here you can reach both the Archaeological Museum, and Mon Repos, the town's public beach, consisting of a sand and shingle strip with a little jetty and a snack bar.
Of course, if you'd rather not stroll around the town and admire the historic buildings, then there's nothing to stop you from sitting in the sun and people watching. Alternatively, you could always stay at your holiday villa and soak up the rays by the pool. That's the beauty of a villa holiday in Corfu: you set the agenda and choose the pace you want to travel at.
There are few more beautiful islands to visit than Corfu. If you're looking to take a leisurely break in the sun, then a holiday villa in Corfu is hard to beat. Whether you're searching for total seclusion, hoping to sample typical Island village life or looking for the complete Greek experience, Corfu will definitely satisfy your needs. Because of its temperate climate and light rainfall in the winter months, this particular region of Kékira is covered with wild flowers and beautiful shrubs throughout the year, unlike some of the other Greek Islands.
The first thing you'll probably notice about Corfu Town is the scale of the tourism here. During the summer season the crowds of visitors can sometimes be overwhelming. Don't let that put you off though. Kérkira is a graceful and elegant town, sandwiched between a pair of forts. It boasts a gorgeous esplanade, the Spaniádha, one of the many British legacies, where Corfiotes still play cricket most Sundays. The town reminded Evelyn Waugh of Brighton, so it's got to be impressive, hasn't it?
If you stroll around the old parts of the town, you'll notice a fascinating blend of Venetian, French, British and occasional Greek architecture. The obvious places to visit first are the forts: Paleó Froúrio and Néo Froeúrio. These designations can be a little misleading, since what you see of the older structure was begun by the Byzantines in the mid-twelfth century, a hundred years before the Venetians began work on the new citadel. They've both been damaged by invading and occupying forces since, but are still a worthwhile place to visit.
The Spaniádha has a leisured and graceful air. It's easy to see why so many people get ensnared by one of the cafes facing the Listón, an arcaded legacy of the brief French occupation, built by the architect of the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. It's pleasant just to while away the hours with a coffee or a glass of ouzo and watch the world go by. Mind you, it can be expensive, so you might prefer to shop around for something cheaper. Try walking to the other side of the promenade, close to the fort, and sit in the flower gardens and watch the Corfiote women chatting and making lace. At the same end of the esplanade is the Palace of St Michael and St George, a solidly British edifice built as the home of the High Commissioner. Its former staterooms now house a large collection of Asiatic art together with Byzantine relics of the island.
Towards the south of the Spaniádha is the Maitland Rotunda, a graffiti-covered bandstand commemorating the first British High Commissioner. Just beyond stands the statue of Ioannis Kapodistrias ( 1776 – 1831) the first president of modern Greece and an agitator for the union of Greece with the Ionian Islands. Not far from here you can reach both the Archaeological Museum, and Mon Repos, the town's public beach, consisting of a sand and shingle strip with a little jetty and a snack bar.
Of course, if you'd rather not stroll around the town and admire the historic buildings, then there's nothing to stop you from sitting in the sun and people watching. Alternatively, you could always stay at your holiday villa and soak up the rays by the pool. That's the beauty of a villa holiday in Corfu: you set the agenda and choose the pace you want to travel at.
There are few more beautiful islands to visit than Corfu. If you're looking to take a leisurely break in the sun, then a holiday villa in Corfu is hard to beat. Whether you're searching for total seclusion, hoping to sample typical Island village life or looking for the complete Greek experience, Corfu will definitely satisfy your needs. Because of its temperate climate and light rainfall in the winter months, this particular region of Kékira is covered with wild flowers and beautiful shrubs throughout the year, unlike some of the other Greek Islands.
