10 Best Museums in Corfu
Where to Discover Corfu’s History, Art and Culture?
The best museums in Corfu celebrate the rich history of this fascinating Mediterranean island and its people. Most of the museums are housed in buildings that are historical marvels in their own right and are certainly worth a picture.
Be treated to glimpses of the Corfu way of life through artefacts, art, poetry and folklore. You might learn the traditional way to make olive oil or about the influence of Asian art in the area. Visit a monastery that dates to 1228 or learn about important historical figures who called Corfu home. Certainly, these incredible museums will enlighten you as to why the island of Corfu is a special place.
1. Corfu Museum of Asian Art
Home to 15,000 works of Asian art
Ideal para: Famílias, História, Compras
The Corfu Museum of Asian Art has continued to grow since it was founded in 1928. Through contributions from private collections and individual item donations the museum now holds approximately 15,000 works of Asian art and is the only museum in Greece solely dedicated to the art and antiques of Asia.
Located in the historical centre of Corfu, the museum is easily accessible by bus and housed in the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, one of the first neoclassical buildings in Greece. After touring the museum, peruse its shop and its wonderful collection of postcards, posters, notebooks and guidebooks.
Localização: Παλαιά Ανάκτορα, Kerkira 491 00, Greece
Abre: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm
Telefone: +30 26 6103 0443
Corfu Museum of Asian Art
2. Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa
History within a centuries-old church
Ideal para: História, Foto
The Byzantine Museum is found inside the Church of Virgin Mary Antivouniotissa, which was constructed in the 15th century. Inaugurated in 1984, the museum’s exhibits feature Byzantine and post-Byzantine works dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Step inside of the museum and fall in love with its high pews and intricate painted wallpaper. Two of the featured artists are Michael Damaskinos and Emmanuel Tzanes, who were post-Byzantine Cretan painters, so be sure to check them out. Note that the church hosts religious services twice a year on days related to the Mother of God: 23 August and 26 December.
Localização: gesloten, Arseniou 25, Kerkira 491 00, Greece
Abre: Wednesday–Monday from 8.30 am to 3 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Telefone: +30 26 6102 0193
Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa
3. Archaeological Museum of Corfu
Featuring antiquities from the ancient city of Corfu
Ideal para: Famílias, História, Casais
The Archaeological Museum of Corfu has 1,600 exhibits that tell the vibrant history of the island of Corfu, dating back to prehistoric times. Perhaps the museum’s most famous exhibit is the Gorgon pediment from the Artemis Temple of Corfu. It’s the oldest stone pediment in Greece, dating to 590–580 BC.
The museum is spread out over 2 levels, and as you peruse the exhibits, you’ll find works of art in addition to objects of everyday use from centuries ago. Another exhibit to seek out in the small museum is the Lion of Menecrates, a statue of a crouching lion that dates to the end of the 7th century BC.
Localização: Vrela Armeni 1, Kerkira 491 00, Greece
Abre: Wednesday–Monday from 8 am to 8 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Telefone: +30 26 6103 0680
Archaeological Museum of Corfu
4. Serbian Museum of Corfu
Detailing the fate of Serbian troops in WWI
Ideal para: História, Viagens alternativas
The Serbian Museum of Corfu houses rare exhibits that tell the story of Serbian soldiers’ tragic fate during the First World War. After an Austro-Hungarian attack in 1915, approximately 150,000 soldiers retreated to Corfu after the collapse of the Serbian Front.
Visitors will see intriguing photographs from the Serbians’ 3-year stay in Corfu, and other exhibits feature uniforms and weapons of the Serbian army in addition to flags, artefacts and surgical tools from the Serbians’ time in Corfu. The museum is accessible by trolleys and buses, and group visits are available by appointment.
Localização: Moustoxidi 19, Kerkira 491 00, Greece
Abre: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm (closed on Sundays)
Telefone: +30 26 6102 6724
Serbian Museum of Corfu
5. Museum of Palaiopolis - Mon Repos
Museum on a grand, 19th-century estate
Ideal para: Famílias, História, Foto
You’ll find the Museum of Palaiopolis in Mon Repos, a magnificent mansion that was built by Lord High Commissioner Sir Frederick Adam, who fought in the Battle of Waterloo. The museum’s permanent exhibition on the ground floor is comprised of memorabilia from the period of British rule in the 1800s.
On the first floor, you can marvel at archaeological artefacts found during excavations in the Palaiopolis area. For temporary exhibits and educational activities for the little ones, head up to the second floor. After visiting the museum, take a scenic walk along the estate’s lush walking path.
Localização: Κτήμα Mon Repos, Kerkira 491 00, Greece
Abre: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm
Telefone: +30 26 6104 1369
Museum of Palaiopolis - Mon Repos
6. Paleokastritsa Monastery
Monastery built atop a remote hill
Ideal para: História, Foto, Aventura
The gate in front of the bright and cheerful Paleokastritsa Monastery indicates that it dates to 1228. The current complex, which dates from the 18th century, has a small museum with rare Byzantine icons, holy books and other relics. It also has a traditional olive oil press.
Entry is free but be aware that the monastery may ask you to cover any bare shoulders and legs with provided skirts and shawls. The walk up the hill to the monastery is somewhat steep, but it is manageable for most people and ultimately rewarding. Once you arrive, be sure to admire the views and to take some stunning photos.
Localização: Palaiokastritsa 490 83, Greece
Abre: Daily from 7 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 8 pm
Telefone: +30 26 6204 1210
Paleokastritsa Monastery
7. Solomos Museum
Dedicated to Dionysios Solomos and other poets
Ideal para: História, Famílias, Casais
In the impressive pastel-yellow house where the Greek poet Dionysios Solomos lived for 20-plus years until his death in 1857, you’ll find The Solomos Museum. Among Solomos’ most important works is the Hymn to Liberty, which was later set to music and adopted as the Greek national anthem. The Solomos Museum features memorabilia, a library of Solomos’ publications, the poet’s office and photographs.
If you’re curious, the museum’s ground floor is a mausoleum that has hosted the bones of Solomos since 1968, as well as the bones of poet Andreas Kalvos and his wife. Access to the Solomos Museum is easy for visitors of Corfu: it’s an 11-minute walk from Corfu’s central bus station.
Localização: Arseniou 1, Kerkira 491 00, Greece
Abre: Thursday–Friday from 9.30 am to 2 pm (closed on Saturday–Wednesday)
Telefone: +30 26 6103 0674
Solomos Museum
8. Banknote Museum of Alpha Bank
A collection of Greek currencies
Ideal para: Famílias, História, Viagens alternativas
The Banknote Museum of Alpha Bank, formerly known as Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank, celebrates the history of Greek currencies. Its exhibits display sketches and printing plates of Greek banknotes, as well as various currencies dating from 1822 to the present, including the Greek drachma, which was replaced by the euro in 2002.
Established in 1981, the museum, which is located on Agiou Spyridon Square in Corfu, showcases more than 180 years of currency history spread out over 2 floors. A wheelchair lift is available, and admission is free. Watch out for the special workshops, which give you the chance to use metal printing plates yourself.
Localização: Nikiforou Theotoki 32, Kerkira 491 00, Greece
Abre: Tuesday–Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm (closed on Mondays and Sundays)
Telefone: +30 26 6104 1552
Banknote Museum of Alpha Bank
9. Folklore Museum of Central Corfu
A place to learn about Corfu’s traditional way of life
Ideal para: História, Famílias, Casais
The fascinating items in the Folklore Museum of Central Corfu were collected by Nikos Paktites, an educator and researcher who devoted his life to preserving the local area’s folk tradition. Items on display include farming implements, traditional garments, pottery and works of art so take your time examining the details.
Located in a traditional 2-story house in the village of Sinarades, the museum’s rooms are furnished in the style of a typical middle-class household at the end of the 19th century. The building itself is a traditional Corfiot house, and its marble staircase leads to the first floor, which is the main body of the collection. The museum is open from May to October.
Localização: Sinarades 490 84, Greece
Abre: May–October: daily from 9 am to 3 pm (closed November–April)
Telefone: +30 26 6105 4962
Folklore Museum of Central Corfu
10. Olive Oil Museum
A celebration of extra virgin olive oil in a stone house
Ideal para: Alimentação, História
The Olive Oil Museum is approximately a 20-minute drive from the city of Corfu, and is in a lovely, traditional stone house owned by the Mavroudis family. There is an incredibly interesting olive mill next door that serves as an example of a pre-industrial, horse-powered mill.
The Mavroudis family are always on hand to explain the stages of production and the different qualities of olive oil, so you’ll have expert insights when it comes to tasting the varieties of oil. Multiple tours are available daily, and they include locally baked fresh bread, in addition to olive oil, of course.
Localização: Βραγκανιώτικα-Αλευροπάρι, Kerkira 490 80, Greece
Abre: Monday–Saturday from 8.30 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm
Telefone: +30 26 6107 6759
Olive Oil Museum
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