Corfu Old Town

The essential walk

Start at the Old Fortress on its sea-girt promontory — climb to the lighthouse for the view that explains four centuries of naval strategy, with the Albanian mountains closing the horizon. Cross to the Liston for a coffee under the arcades, then dive into the kantounia, the marble-smooth Venetian alleys where the town actually lives. Do not miss Saint Spyridon, whose red-domed campanile is the island's landmark and whose silver-cased patron saint is paraded through the streets four times a year.

The food stops write themselves: pastitsada and sofrito in the old-town tavernas, a scoop of artisanal ice cream in the alleys, and a bottle of kumquat liqueur — the island's Victorian-era citrus curiosity — from one of the old distillery shops. Serious visitors add the Museum of Asian Art in the British-built Palace of St Michael and St George.

Timing and the corridor angle

The Old Town absorbs cruise crowds in the middle of the day; go early morning or from late afternoon when the light in the alleys turns amber and the squares fill with locals rather than groups. From the Riviera side of the corridor, Corfu Town is a straightforward day trip via the Saranda ferry — 30 to 70 minutes depending on the boat — which docks a short walk from the Old Town. Few UNESCO pairings anywhere are as easy to combine as Butrint and Corfu Old Town in a single stay.