Greece - Korina Miller [557]
Sleeping
Hotels in Corfu Town are not cheap, with ‘budget’ being relative to the general high prices. The nearest camping ground is Dionysus Camping Village, 8km away. Book ahead for all options in high season. The hotels mentioned are open all year.
BUDGET
Hermes Hotel (Map; 26610 39268; www.hermes-hotel.gr; Markora 12; s/d/tr €50/60/75; ) Located in a busy part of the new town, just up from Plateia San Rocco and near the market, the Hermes has had a complete makeover in recent years and has pleasant, well-appointed rooms with double glazing. Breakfast is €7.
Hotel Bretagne (off Map; 26610 30724; www.corfuhotelbretagne.com; K Georgaki 27; s/d/tr €50/60/80; ) Close to the airport and about 1.5km from the town centre, but a good budget option with trim, well-maintained rooms; those at the back face onto a small grassy garden.
MIDRANGE
Hotel Astron (Map; 26610 39505; hotel_astron@hol.gr; Donzelot 15; s €75-105, d €80-110, tr €95-125; ) Overlooking Plateia Palaio Limani (Old Port Sq), and patiently waiting for the Old Port marina to be completed, the Astron is steadily updating its airy, good-sized rooms and installing a gym and a spa. It may rename itself the City Marina. Breakfast is €10.
Hotel Konstantinoupolis (Map; 26610 48716; www.konstantinoupolis.com.gr; K Zavitsianou 11; s/d/tr incl breakfast €88/98/118; ) Bright decor enhances the refurbished rooms at this atmospheric old Corfiot hotel overlooking Plateia Palaio Limani.
TOP END
Prices quoted here represent high season rates (reduced at other times) and include breakfast.
Hotel Arcadion (Map; 26610 37670; www.arcadionhotel.com; Vlasopoulou 2; s/d/tr €110/150/170; ) Right on the Liston’s busiest corner, the Arcadion has been updated in recent years and its prices likewise.
Bella Venezia (Map; 26610 46500; www.bellaveneziahotel.com; N Zambeli 4; d €170; ) Housed in what was once a girls’ school, the Venezia has comfy rooms and a stylish ambience. The gazebo breakfast room in the garden is delightful.
Siorra Vittoria (Map; 26610 36300; www.siorravittoria.com; Stefanou Padova 36; s €170-235 d €235-315; ) Expect luxury and style at this 19th-century mansion where traditional architecture and modern facilities meet. It’s in a quiet location and rooms are well appointed. There’s a peaceful garden for breakfasting, beneath an ancient magnolia tree.
Eating
An enduring Corfu experience is people watching and gossiping at the Liston’s many cafes, although you’ll pay around €3.50 to €5 for a coffee or fresh juice here. Corfiot cuisine has been influenced by many cultures, particularly Italian.
Starenio Bakery (Map; 26610 47370; Guilford 59; snacks under €3) This bakery has a huge selection of homemade gourmet pies, breads and the best of best cakes.
Evergreen (Map; 26610 28000; Voulgareos 86; snacks €3-7; 24hr) A useful pit stop, this street-side place does decent fast food.
Mikro Café (Map; 26610 31009; cnr N Theotoki 42 & Kotardhou; snacks €3.50-6) A little cafe-bar at the heart of the old town, Mikro has a leafy raised terrace and seating that clambers up a narrow lane. There’s live entertainment at times and you may catch anything from acoustic riffs to very accomplished slackliners walking the wobbly walk on a shaky line slung between buildings.
En Plo (Map; 26610 81813; Faliraki; mains €5.50-12) A stylish place in a blissful waterside location looking across to Palaio Frourio, En Plo is reached down a slip road at the northern end of Kapodistriou, beyond the Palace of St Michael and St George. They do a fine seafood risotto, and mezedhes plates of meat or fish as well as pizzas and daytime snacks.
La Cucina Guilford (Map; 26610 45029; Guilford 17; mains €5.50-22); Moustoxidou (Map; 26610 45799; cnr Guilford & Moustoxidou) A long-established restaurant, La Cucina shines for its well-run ethos and its creative cuisine, with hand-rolled pasta dishes to the fore – cajun shrimp with cherry tomatoes, spring onions and mascarpone sauce