Kato Korakiana: Art and Medieval Traces

An art destination and medieval buildings shape Kato Korakiana in different ways. The Corfu Annex of the National Gallery of Greece opened in the Kato Korakiana area in 1993. It is housed in the two renovated historic buildings, Kastelino and Kasteleto. This brings an exhibition venue together with a remarkable local history.

Art and Towers in Kato Korakiana

On 27 September 2026, temporary exhibitions were on view at the annex; the permanent exhibition was scheduled to reopen after the second half of 2027. If you plan to visit the annex, check the current exhibitions in advance. The exhibitions and the history of the two historic buildings give the place its own cultural focus.

Another trace leads to the medieval Tower of the Polylades, also known as Villa Mimbeli and Castello. A little outside Kato Korakiana stands the partly ruined medieval knight’s tower of Garoufa. This tower is linked to a story about the Greek national poet Dionysios Solomos: he came there to relax and write. The two towers thus offer different points of interest—from a building’s traditional name to its literary connection with Solomos.

For a trip focused on art and architectural history, this is a specific point of interest. When choosing a holiday apartment, consider whether you mainly want to explore these local themes or also include other cultural and natural attractions on Corfu.

Corfu as a Wider Travel Horizon

Corfu broadens the picture with the old town of the island’s capital. Its historic urban fabric is almost entirely preserved; the buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Corfu Old Town and its two fortresses are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Museum of Asian Art is also located in the old town. Its collection comprises more than 11,000 objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas and Central Asia.

From Corfu Port, the Museum of Asian Art can be reached by bus line 2 on the Mantouki–Kanoni route. Check the timetable before travelling. To find your way around the old town, you can check before your trip whether a digital guide is available. It is aimed at residents and visitors and combines information about more than 80 sights in the city with high-quality audiovisual material.

Hiking and local events are also options for shaping a trip to Corfu. In the municipal unit of Achilleion, ancient paths run through the wooded mountains of Agii Deka, Stavros and Garouna and are suitable for hiking. The 180-kilometre Corfu Trail passes through several settlements; Benitses is one of its 13 daily-stage locations. The villages of the municipal unit of Achilleion host numerous festivals and traditional celebrations, as well as cultural events organised by the municipality. Programmes vary, so it is worth checking specific event dates in advance.

When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to decide on a clear focus: do you mainly want to explore the art and history of Kato Korakiana, or should Corfu Town, hiking trails and events on the island also be part of your trip? Choose your location based on the places you want to include; check exhibitions, bus timetables and event dates before travelling.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Paramonas, Kentroma, Chlomos, Potamos, Petriti, Kassiopi, Agios Gordios, Katsimatika.

For the overall travel guide: Corfu.