Greece - Korina Miller [555]
Orientation
The older districts of Corfu Town lie in the northern section between the Spianada and the Neo Frourio, the monolithic ‘New Fortress’ begun in the 16th century. The southern section is more modern and is crammed with most services and shops. Its main focus is the brash and busy Plateia San Rocco, also known as Plateia G Theotoki Ioannou.
The Paleo Limani (Old Port) of Kerkyra lies on the northern waterfront. At the time of writing a new yacht marina was being built. The Neo Limani (New Port) with all ferry departures, lies west of the Paleo Limani with the hulking Neo Frourio between them. The local (blue) bus station is on Plateia San Rocco and the long-distance (green) bus station is on I Theotoki (formerly known as Avramiou) between Plateia San Rocco and the new port. The airport is just under 2km southeast of the Spianada.
Information
BOOKSHOPS
Tourmoussoglou (Map; 26610 38451; Nikiforou Theotoki 47) For international newspapers, and a range of guidebooks and paperbacks in Greek, English and German.
EMERGENCY
Tourist police (Map; 26610 30265; 3rd fl, Samartzi 4) Off Plateia San Rocco. There is a manned kiosk outside the entrance.
INTERNET ACCESS
The going rate for internet access is around €3 per hour.
Bits & Bytes (Map; 26610 36812; cnr Mantzarou & Rizospaston Voulefton) Convenient, but popular with games players.
Netoikos (Map; 26610 47479; Kaloheretou14) Near the Church of Agios Spyridon; with bar.
LAUNDRY
Laundry Service (Map; 26610 34857; Morpiki; per load €12; 8.30am-2pm Mon-Sat, plus 6-8pm Wed-Fri) Around the corner from Petrakis Lines.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Corfu General Hospital (Map; 26610 88200; Ioulias Andreadi)
MONEY
There are banks and ATMs around Plateia San Rocco, on Georgiou Theotoki and by Paleo and Neo Limanis.
Alpha Bank (Map; Kapodistriou) Behind the Liston.
National Bank of Greece (Map; Voulgareos)
POST
Post office (Map; 26610 25544; 26 Leoforos Alexandras)
TELEPHONE
Public telephones can be found on most major streets and squares. Prepaid telephone cards (from €4) are available from kiosks. The scratch card type is hugely better value than the slot-in type.
TOURIST INFORMATION
There is no national tourist office in Corfu Town. During high season, a municipal tourist kiosk (Map; Plateia San Rocco; 9am-4pm) may operate in Plateia San Rocco, though not on Sundays from April to October. This is the least effective location and the future of even this service may not be certain. A similar kiosk may operate at the ferry arrival port in high season. English-speaking staff at All Ways Travel (Map; 26610 33955; www.corfuallwaystravel.com; Plateia San Rocco) are very helpful. Many hotels stock free Corfu maps. The Corfiot (€2), an English-language monthly newspaper with listings, is available from kiosks and from shops that sell newspapers.
Sights & Activities
The Archaeological Museum (Map; 26610 30680; P Vraïla 5; adult/concession €4/2, Sun free; 8.30am-3pm Tue-Sun) gives top billing to the massive Gorgon Medusa pediment, one of the best-preserved pieces of Archaic sculpture found in Greece. It was part of the west pediment of the 6th-century-BC Temple of Artemis, a Doric temple that stood on the nearby Kanoni Peninsula. The splendid Lion of Menekrates from the 7th century BC is another plus, as is a fragment of pediment featuring Dionysus and a naked youth.
The Palace of St Michael & St George (Map), at the north end of the Spianada, houses the fascinating Museum of Asian Art (Map; 26610 30443; adult/concession €4/2; 8.30am-7pm Tue-Sun May-Oct, 8.30am-3pm Tue-Sun Nov-Apr) containing 10,000 objects, including prehistoric bronzes, porcelain plates, jade figurines, coins and artefacts in onyx, ivory and enamel, collected from China, Japan, India, Tibet, Nepal, Korea and Thailand. Apart from the museum, the palace’s throne room and rotunda have impressive period furnishings and art work.
Behind the eastern side