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The Invasion of Corfu
From Nero to Nicolas Cage, the invasion of Corfu goes back to Roman times and through to Hollywood today!
People have been so enchanted by Corfu that they have been visiting and settling there for thousands of years. Madonna has beenspotted house-hunting on the island, continuing a long tradition. The Roman Emperor Tiberius had a villa in Kassiopi, and the Emperor Nero visited the town as well. Today you might see a nightclub called Caesar's, but it doesn't quite date back to Roman times.
Sidari
You might also look at Sidari and see a modern holiday resort, but there were known to be people living here in 7,000 BC, no doubt enjoying the sun and the sea every bit as much as we do today, though of course the waterpark hadn't yet been invented. Even older than that, back in about 40,000 BC, Palaeolithic people were living in the area around Gardiki Castle, the oldest known remains on the island.
Since the first settlers arrived, wave after wave of people have coveted Corfu. The first known invasion was by the Corinthians in 734 BC, and they had more than package holidays in mind. They were fought off by the Corfiot people who defeated them in what was the first recorded sea battle in Greek waters, in 644 BC.
Some Cool Corfu Souvenirs
Paleokastritsa Luggage Tag
Corfu Cypresses Capri Leggings
Corfu T-shirt
Corfu Tote Bag
The Invasion of Corfu: The Romans
No sooner had the Corinthians been shown the way home than the Spartans arrived, in 375 BC. Then the Romans turned up on the shoreline, in 229 BC. The Romans were at least invited in, as the Corfiots sought their help to get rid of Illyrian invaders.
Having got rid of the Illyrians, the Romans obviously liked it on Corfu as they stayed for almost 600 years, during which time some of their Emperors and other dignitaries built villas here. It was also a popular spot for those who could afford it to come on holiday, so the island's first tourists go back about 2,000 years.
Later invasions by the Goths and Vandals didn't do much for the tourist trade, and the pizza parlours probably went out of business. In the 11th century it was the turn of the Normans, who took Corfu to use as a base while they tried to expand their empire into the Balkans, but in 1147 they were turfed out of Corfu by a coalition of Corfiot, Byzantine, and Venetian troops.
The Invasion of Corfu: The Venetians
In 1214 the Despot of Epirus invaded, Epirus being a country made up of what is now southern Albania and northern Greece. In 1267 it was the King of Naples' turn to rule the island, and in 1386 the Venetians took over. It is the Corfiots' proud boast that they were the only part of Greece not to be conquered by the Turkish armies, though it has to be said that the Turks are just about the only nation not to have conquered Corfu at some stage.
Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides
The Invasion of Corfu: The British
In 1797 the French took the island, and in 1814 the British took over for their turn, which lasted 50 years. Finally in 1864 Corfu gained its independence and became a part of the modern Greek state. Since then there have only been a brief invasion by the Italians in 1923, and again in 1941 when they controlled the island for three years alongside German forces.
Modern Times
In more recent times the island has had mainly peace and prosperity, with tourists as welcome guests. A million of them arrive each year between Easter and the end of October, when the season is in full swing. There is also a sizeable overseas community, mainly British and German, who live on the island all year round. Others have homes on Corfu which they use for part of the year.
Nicolas Cage fell in love with Corfu, which he visited after filming Captain Corelli's Mandolin on the nearby Ionian island of Kefalonia, and has subsequently been seen house-hunting here. So too have Richard Gere and Madonna. It seems the only invasion these days is from Hollywood.
Other Corfu Pages
Corfu Festivals and Events
Information for travellers to Greece on Corfu festivals and events including Easter, the Feast of St Spiridhon, Carnival and Name Days.
Angelokastro
Angelokastro is a 13th-century hilltop fortress with breath-taking views near Paleokastritsa on the Greek island of Corfu in the Ionian Islands.
Where to Eat in North-West Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets has its list of favourite places where you can eat in north-west Corfu, including in Paleokastritsa, Pelekas, and Ayios Stefanos.
A Lawrence Durrell Walk
This Lawrence Durrell walk takes you from Kaminaki Beach in northern Corfu to the White House in Kalami where the writer Lawrence Durrell lived for four year.
Corfu Town
Corfu Town is the capital of Corfu and of the Ionian Islands and has museums, two forts, several museums, churches, and many other attractions.
Drive to Palaiokastrítsa
This drive to Palaiokastritsa starts at Corfu airport and takes you across the Ropa Plan and through hill villages before returning to Corfu Town.
Southern Corfu Beaches and Villages
This guide to southern Corfu’s beaches and villages includes busy resorts, quiet beach, hill villages and the southernmost tip of Corfu at Cape Asprókavos.
Corfu Writers and Artists
Corfu writers and artists inspired by the island include both residents and visitors, like Gerald and Lawrence Durrell, Edward Lear, and Henry Miller.
Corfu’s Marine Life
Corfu’s marine life includes dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and rare Mediterranean monk seals.
Corfu’s Special Cuisine
Corfu’s special cuisine includes dishes like sofrito and pastitsade and the chance to try ginger beer and kumquats.
Corfu Food and Drink
Information for travelers on Corfu Food and Drink including restaurants and tavernas, Corfiot specialties, desserts, wine and other Greek drinks like ouzo.
Where to Stay in Southern Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets’ pick of where to stay in southern Corfu including hotels in Moraïtika, Paramonas, Messonghi, Agios Georgios, and near Benitses.
Mount Pantokrator Drive
This Mount Pantokrator drive takes you to the top of Corfu’s highest mountain with wonderful views to Albania, mainland Greece, and around Corfu.
Two Corfu Saints
The main two Corfu saints are Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu who saved the island four times from disaster, and Saint Theodora Augusta.
Corfu and Cricket
The history of Corfu and cricket goes back to 1823 when the island was under British rule, which left them with a legacy of loving both cricket and ginger beer.
Benítses
Benitses is a popular resort town south of Corfu Town with its own marina, remains of a Roman Baths, an old town, and plenty of walks inland.
Fun Facts about Corfu
These fun facts about Corfu include how the island got its name, who wrote the Greek National Anthem, and the eccentric Englishman, the Earl of Guilford.
Best Beaches on Corfu
The best beaches on Corfu, chosen by Greece Travel Secrets, include Paleokastritsa, Mirtiotissa, Sidari and Cape Asprokavos.
Corfu Beer Festival
The First Corfu Beer Festival took place in Arillas in North West Corfu and celebrated the beer of Bavaria and of Corfu, in the Ionian islands of Greece.
Northern Corfu Drive
There are two sides to every Greek island, the tourist and the traditional, and this drive from Corfu Town through northern Corfu shows the two faces of Corfu.
Kalámi
Kalami in north-west Corfu is a hidden gem which many people know about because writer Lawrence Durrell once lived here in The White House.
Best Time to Visit Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Corfu, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Mount Pantokrátor
Mount Pantokrator is the highest mountain on Corfu and it’s easy to drive to the top for spectacular views of Albania, Corfu, and even sometimes to Italy.
Where to Stay in Northern Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets picks where to stay in northern Corfu with budget and luxury hotels in Sidari, Daphnila Bay, Kontokali, Ipsos, Barbati and more.
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