About Corfu
Corfu (Kerkyra), located in the Ionian Sea off the northwest coast of Greece, is distinct from the Aegean islands with its Venetian heritage and lush, green landscape. It was never conquered by the Ottomans, remaining under Venetian, French, and British rule for centuries. This influence is vivid in Corfu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring two massive fortresses, elegant arcades (the Liston) modeled after the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, and a cricket pitch in the main square.
The island is covered in millions of olive trees, tall cypresses, and wildflowers, earning it the title of the "Emerald Island." Its coastline is dramatic, featuring the Paleokastritsa monastery perched on a rocky promontory above turquoise coves and the unique Canal d'Amour rock formations at Sidari.
Corfu has a rich musical tradition, with numerous philharmonic bands performing during Easter, which is celebrated here with a unique pot-smashing custom. From the Achilleion Palace built for Empress Sisi to the serene beaches of the south, Corfu offers a sophisticated and culturally rich Greek island experience.
Administratively the island forms the Corfu regional unit within the Ionian Islands region of Greece, and it has been part of the Hellenic Republic since 21 May 1864 when Britain ceded the entire Ionian archipelago as a diplomatic gift to King George I. The 43-kilometre Corfu-Igoumenitsa ferry route across the Ionian Sea handles roughly 1.2 million passengers annually between Kerkyra port and the Epirote mainland, making it one of the busiest short-sea passenger corridors in the eastern Mediterranean. During the First World War the island served as the exile refuge of the entire Serbian government and army following the great retreat through Albania in the winter of 1915-1916.