The island has a long tradition as a tourist destination being the summer resort of Empress Sissy of Austria, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany and other royalty before World War I.
Corfu town the capital of the island has retained its medieval architectural heritage mainly of Venetian origin with some French and English influence and has been named a UNESCO world heritage site.
Due to its strategic position on the entrance of the Adriatic it has been the aim of many imperial powers and has been amongst others under Venetian, French and English occupation. What remains of this period are the two magnificent fortresses of the town and a lot of state buildings some of which are today used as Museums.
Corfu boasts the biggest museum in Europe of Chinese and Japanese art housed at the former palace of the British high commissioner in the Ionian Islands, an archeological museum with important exhibits, a museum of religious art, a museum of local history housed in the former Greek royal family's summer residence, and some smaller ones.
For the cruise visitor it offers excursions in some beautiful sites as Paleokastritsa at the seaside, or “Achillion” Sissys and then Kaisers palace, but also in the medieval villages of the interior.
The interesting town offers, apart the architectural beauty, ample opportunities for shopping or enjoying a coffee at the esplanade which is a copy of the rue de Rivoli in Paris.
On the other hand Corfu port which is situated in walking distance from the city (cruise terminal to old town 1600 meters) is a very safe port both as regards protection from the elements but also from a security point of view with full control systems.
It has a fully equipped terminal offering regular bus service to the town, taxi office,duty free shop and internet access.
Corfu has an International airport with direct connection to a lot of European cities and the port authority aims at attracting more cruise ships to choose Corfu as home port.
In the constant effort of modernizing the port there is in construction an extension of the pier for cruise ships that will offer another two to three berths, hopefully operational by the summer of 2013. Also there is in the planning stage a new modern terminal with direct access to the ships via covered corridors and a parking space for the buses underneath.
THE MOST VISITED SITES
1. ACHILLION PALACE
2. PALAIOKASTRITSA MONASTERY
3. PALACE OF ST.MICHAEL & ST.GEORGE
4. OLD AND NEW FORTRESS
5. MONASTERY OF VLACHERAINA & PONTIKONISI ISLAND
PORT FACILITIES
International terminal
Corfu port which is situated in walking distance from the city (cruise terminal to old town 1600 meters) close to visitor attractions, offering all the essential services.
Tour buses can be positioned on the pier to carry passengers on their shore excursions along with two (2) shuttle buses to transport free of charge passengers from pier to terminal.
There is a Tourist Information office, a taxi office to book excursions,a car rental stand, and bicycle hire also wi fi internet acces.
The terminal is wheel chair accessible. .
BERTHING FACILITIES
- Quay 1: Length 340m, Draught over 10m
- Quay 2: Length 290m, Draught over 8m
- Quay 3: Length 250m, Draught over 6m
- Quay 4: Length 120m, Draught over 4m
- Quay 5: Length 250m, Draught over 8m
Vessels to any size may anchored up to 13-15 meters with passengers tendered out.
Able to accommodate 5-7 vessels simultaneously.
SECURITY SERVICES
Corfu is a very safe port both as regards protection from the elements but also is fully compliant with ISPS code security measures.
CONNECTIONS
Access to Corfu International Airport I. Kapodistrias (3Km) which has direct connections with almost all European countries during summer and the CPA SA aims to attract more cruise vessels to choose Corfu as home port.
Ferry connections daily with many Italian ports.
Emergencies can be treated at the Corfu General Hospital (7km-10min) or at private health clinics (2km-3min)