I visited this WHS in Spring 2022 as a day trip by ferry from Sarande, Albania. I booked my ticket online one day before to depart with the earliest fast ferry to Corfu to beat the cruise liner crowds that tend to arrive between breakfast and lunchtime, which turned out to be a wise choice. There's also a slower ferry that transports cars too but it really isn't worth the time and money as the Old City and fortifications of Corfu are at walking distance from the ferry drop-off point.

Corfu is well on the beaten track and is famous for its 19th and 20th century British Neoclassical housing as well as its two Venetian fortresses. As such, it is comparable to Trogir, Croatia or Kotor, Montenegro, but also to Valletta, Malta or Dubrovnik, Croatia. The fortifications of Corfu and the views from both fortresses are fine but if truth be told I was a bit underwhelmed by the rest of the buildings which were very scrubby and in quite a bad shape (I even managed to spot a rusty bike hanging outside one of the window sills of the higher buildings!). I started off by visiting the New Fortress of Corfu with the Venetian Lion gate. The Baroque church hidden just besides it was a pleasant sight and a good stopover point half way of the uphill road leading to the new fortress. Apart from the high massive fortification walls and a number of rusty cannons, the highlight here is undoubtedly the panoramic views over the city and harbour. Since the entrance here was free of charge I came again in the afternoon to enjoy the great views before heading back to the harbour to catch my fast ferry back to Sarande, Albania.

Next I headed to the worthwhile Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa seeking some shade too, before checking out the narrow roads and countless churches of the old city. The most noteworthy are the Church of St Spyridon, the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Virgin Mary Spilaiotissa, Saint Blaise and Saint Theodora Augusta, and the Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Mandrakina (close to the Old Fortress entrance). Before heading to the Old Fortress, I tried out some street food savoury pies and Corfu beer, and enjoyed the 19th and 20th century British Neoclassical buildings opposite Spianada Square. Overall, the area closer to the Old Fort is in a much better shape than the area around the New Fort. I particularly liked the Maitland Monument which reminded me of the Alexander Ball Monument in Valletta and the great views opposite the Savorgnan Bastion. The UNESCO WHS plaque is hidden inside the main town hall building of (Platia) Dimarchiou Square.

The Old Fortress is quite large and worth the entrance ticket. The Venetian Lion is visible on the fortifications over the sea moat near the entrance gate. The best views of the old city are from both Savorgnan and Martinengo Bastions and from both Sea and Land Towers (the latter require quite an uphill walk; pay attention on your way back as the small steps are very slippery!). Apart from the Clock Tower, the Venetian well and the several iron cannons, the most noteworthy building is the Church of St. George (different concerts and events are organised just in front of it during most of the summer months).

All in all, I enjoyed my day trip to Corfu and I'm glad I chose to sleep over in Ksamil, Albania instead of staying longer in Corfu as it was much more quiet. The berthing place of cruise liners should be relocated further away from the old city as they literally take over and swamp it. Also, I witnessed very close manoeuvring of cruise liners especially before they depart from Corfu which could be described as very risky. Perhaps a similar approach as Venice adopted recently would be ideal also for Corfu but I don't see that happening any time soon.