Corfu Through the Ages

by bus & on foot

Discover Corfu’s remarkable cultural evolution on this immersive walking tour that explores the island’s ancient origins, Byzantine spirituality, Venetian refinement and British grandeur. This experience showcases the very best of Corfu’s rich architectural and historical heritage.

Join your bus at the port, and make the short journey to the Archaeological Museum of Corfu, home to a superb collection of artefacts spanning from prehistoric settlements to the Classical and Roman eras. Highlights of the exhibition include exquisite sculptures, intricate pottery and the monumental Gorgon Pediment, one of the earliest and most iconic works of ancient Greek temple art.

Continue on foot into the heart of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, to the Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa, housed in one of the city’s oldest churches. Here, you will view a remarkable collection of icons, manuscripts and ecclesiastical artworks, some of which date from the 15th century, and which provide a window into Corfu’s spiritual roots and its connection with Constantinopole and the Ionian School of Iconography.

From here, stroll with your guide through the Campiello district, the Old Town’s most atmospheric neighbourhood. Wander through its picturesque ‘kantounia’ - narrow Venetian alleys lined with stone staircases, small workshops and hidden courtyards – before reaching the stately Town Hall (San Giacomo), once the elegant Lodge of the Nobles.

Continue to the Church of St. Spyridon, Corfu’s most revered religious landmark. Dedicated to the island’s patron saint, this richly decorated church houses precious icons and silverwork, while its distinctive red bell tower dominates the town’s skyline.

Your walk then proceeds to the majestic Esplanade (Spianada), one of the largest squares in Europe, framed by imposing neoclassical buildings and leafy promenades. Pass beneath the arcaded terraces of the Liston, inspired by Paris’ Rue de Rivoli, to reach the Grand Palace of St. Michael & St. George, built during the British Protectorate and a masterpiece of early 19th century architecture.

Your exploration concludes at the Old Fortress exterior viewpoint, where Corfu’s dramatic defensive structures rise up with a backdrop of sweeping sea views. Marvel at the moat, ramparts, clock-tower and Doric-style Church of St. George, before concluding your visit with some free time. Enjoy approximately 45-minutes of time at leisure to browse the shops, relax in a local café with a refreshment or simply watch the world go by in one of the squares, before rejoining your bus at the designated meeting point for the return transfer back to the port and your awaiting ship.