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The New Fortress dominating Corfu town from its hill above the old port

Fortress

New Fortress (Neo Frourio)

Corfu · Ionian Islands

QUICK INFORMATION

CATEGORY
Fortress
COUNTRY
Greece
REGION
Corfu · Ionian Islands
DURATION
3–4 days

ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION

Despite the name, the New Fortress is no spring chicken: the Venetians built it between 1576 and 1588 to seal the landward side of the town after the Ottoman threat proved persistent. Its ramparts ride the hill above the old port; beneath them run vaulted casemates and tunnels, some linked to the sea. Under British rule the fortress served as garrison and prison. Today much of the complex is open — the terraces give the best roofscape views of the old town, and the parade ground hosts summer concerts.

HISTORY & BACKGROUND

The story behind it

More here soon — the road is still being mapped.

WHAT TO SEE

What to see here

01

The Venetian main gate with the lion of St Mark.

02

The vaulted casemates and their temporary exhibitions.

03

The upper ramparts for views over the tiled roofs to the sea.

MAP & LOCATION

New Fortress (Neo Frourio)

New Fortress (Neo Frourio), Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece

39.6256, 19.9197

Open in OpenStreetMap

MORE ATTRACTIONS

More to see in Corfu

The Liston arcade on Spianada square, Corfu old town
Old Town & UNESCO

Corfu Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage)

A medieval town of Venetian lanes, arcades and hidden campielli — the only Greek old town UNESCO lists in its entirety.

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The Old Fortress rising above Corfu old town and its harbour
Fortress

Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio)

The Venetian citadel on its own rock island, ringed by the Contrafossa moat — the reason the Ottomans never took Corfu.

View attraction
The red-domed bell tower of Saint Spyridon church above the old town lanes
Church

Church of Saint Spyridon

The island’s beloved patron, whose silver reliquary rests beneath the tallest bell tower in Corfu — the tallest in the Ionian.

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The neoclassical Achilleion palace above its terraced gardens
Palace & Gardens

Achilleion Palace

Empress Sisi’s marble shrine to Achilles, later Kaiser Wilhelm II’s retreat — terraced gardens, mythological statuary and views to the Albanian coast.

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The cypress-headland bays of Paleokastritsa
Coast & Monastery

Paleokastritsa

Forest-green headlands plunging into a chain of sapphire bays — Corfu’s postcard coast, with the 13th-century Theotokos monastery crowning the cape.

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The ruins of Angelokastro castle on its sea cliff
Castle & Viewpoint

Angelokastro

A 13th-century Byzantine castle on a 300-metre sea cliff that never fell — the most dramatic ruin on the island.

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THINGS TO DO

Things to do nearby

01

Walk the Corfu Trail

02

Climb Mount Pantokrator

03

Kayak and paddle the west coast

04

Sail to Paxos and Antipaxos

05

Kitesurf the Korission dunes

06

Cycle the Ropa valley and the west villages

07

Camping on Corfu — Paleokastritsa, Dassia & Dionysus

FOOD & DRINK

Where to eat nearby

01

Rex Restaurant, Kapodistriou — a Corfu institution for pastitsada and sofrito in a 1930s-era townhouse.

02

Avli, old town lanes — Slow-food Corfiot cooking in a courtyard off the kantounia.

03

Taverna Ipsia, Gastouri — family taverna above the Achilleion famous for bianco fish stew.

04

Klimataria, Benitses — the island’s classic seafood table by the harbour since 1937.

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HOTELS & STAYS

Where to stay nearby

01

Old town boutiques around Campiello — restored Venetian palazzi, best for a car-free stay.

02

Kontokali and Gouvia marina resorts — mid-island, handy for both coasts.

03

Paleokastritsa hillside hotels and the campsite — green, cool and central for the west coast.

04

Agios Stefanos northeast — quiet cove stays within reach of Kassiopi.

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ITINERARIES

Day-by-day routes

Corfu Island Loop — Corfu3 days

Corfu Island Loop

View itinerary

NEARBY DESTINATIONS

Continue the journey

Patras

Patras

Western Greece

Ioannina

Ioannina

Epirus

INTERESTS

Explore by what you love

BeachesHistory

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