Only a narrow ocean strait separates Corfu from the mainland of Greece and Albania. The most Northern of the Ionian Islands is also the greenest of all Greece’s islands, dominated by olive groves and dotted with protruding slender cypress trees. Farmers ramble with their mules through the villages which have preserved the charm of the Venetian epoch. The hilly landscape, rich in contrasts, constantly opens up new and breathtaking views. Kilometre-long, wide, sweeping sandy beaches hug the coastline.

5500 BC First traces of settlement
734 BC The Greek city of Corinth founds a colony on Corfu
664 BC Corfu attains independence
395–1204 Roman-Byzantine Era
1386 Venice assumes possession of Corfu
16th c. Under Venetian rule, Corfu averts two Turkish conquest attempts
1797–1815 The Ionian Island is occupied by Napoleon, independent under Russian and Turkish protectorate, 1807 again French and 1809 British

1815–1864 Corfu becomes the administrative headquarters of the British Protectorate over the Ionian Island
1864 The Ionian Island becomes a part of independent Greece
1941–1944 Occupation by Italian and German Troops
1980 Greece becomes a member of the European Union