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Museums of Corfu

Museums of Corfu

This is a Private Tour
Other options of the same trip:

Museums of Corfu
For museums lovers, historians or other sophisticated travelers this is the best private tour made just for you, where you will visit the most important museums on the island.



Level:
Easy
Duration:
1/2 Day
Type:

This tour includes:

  • Professional English (or your chosen language) speaking tour guide. Transportation from your resort is included in the price for resorts that are in radius of 25 km from centre of Corfu town. If you are staying in remote resorts please contact us for additional transfer rates.
  • Visit to three most important museums of Corfu
  • Free time for shopping and/or dining in Corfu Town

This private tour is specially designed for history lovers. During your visit to the three most important museums, you will gain a better insight into ancient and modern Corfu. As all three museums are located in old Corfu Town you will have enough free time in the town’s centre to walk around, shop or dine in one of the traditional tavernas.

The Archaeological Museum  

Originally built to house the archaeological finds from the Temple of Artemis, the Archaeological Museum overlooks the Bay of Garitsa and is home to all the ancient artifacts relating to the island. The west pediment of a Doric Temple, dating from 590-580BC and dominating the Main Hall is the most impressive exhibit in the collection.  It is one of the largest surviving sculptural groups in Greece of its kind.

The Gorgon Pediment, depicting Medusa, that adorned the Temple of Artemis, at 56ft long is one of the best preserved archaic sculptures in Greece.  One of the most beautiful pieces is the lion from the Tomb of Menecrates dating from the 7th century BC. There are also artifacts from the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Apollo, found at the Mon Repos estate.

The Museum of Asian Art

Housed at the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, the Museum of Asian Art is unique to Corfu. Rich and interesting collection of artifacts dating from the Neolithic Age to the 19th century.  The collection of over 10,000 Sino-Japanese exhibits was donated by Grigoris Manos to the Greek Government in 1928. The collection includes bronzes from the Chou (1027-256 BC) and Han (206BC-220 AD) dynasties and classical pieces from the Sung (960-1276), Ming (1368-1644) and Ch’ing (1644-1912) dynasties.

A large Japanese collection of artifacts include porcelain, masks of the “No” theatre, Samurai armour, Utamaro wood-cuts, silk and rice paper Kakemonos from the 18th century, and illustrated books.  The Helleno-Buddhist Collection from the 1st to the 5th century AD, has sculptures from Ghandhara, Pakistan showing the Hellenistic influence on Buddhism in the region. Recently, the entire collection has been enlarged with a donation of nearly five hundred pieces from Japan, India, Nepal, Tibet, Thailand and Korea.

The Byzantine Museum of Corfu ‘Antivouniotissa’

This is one of the most important museums in Greece and housed in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Antivouniotissa. The architecture of the church is unique as the basilica is surrounded by a narthex on three sides.

The church is one of the oldest and richest in Corfu, and was entrusted by the owners to the Greek state, who carried out extensive restoration works in preparation for the New Museum. The collection consists of early Christian sculptures, Byzantine frescoes, paintings, silver ware and religious icons dating from the 16th to 18th centuries.

The tour continues with a short walk into centre of Corfu Town where you will have some free time to visit the Old Town, where the narrow, cobbled streets are known as Kantounia, the Espianada and the cricket ground.  You can stroll along the Liston arcades, visit one of the Fortresses or the old Church of Saint Spyridon, with its priceless collection of icons and gifts offered to the Patron Saint of Corfu.

Prices
Main services Price
Price For up to 2 persons 160.00 €
Price For up to 4 persons 240.00 €
Price For up to 8 persons 400.00 €
Price For up to 12 persons 500.00 €
Days of operation
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Dates of operation
1 Apr 2024 - 31 Oct 2024
Departures (Local Time)

This tour is a private tour therefore the starting time is flexible.

Please state the desired starting time on the reservation form.

Special Instructions

 

  • Food, beverages, entrance fees, and gratuities are not included in the price of this tour.
  • The entrance fees to all three museums is 9€ per person.
  • The use of cameras and video-cameras may be possible at some museums only with the purchase of a special pass. Flash photography may be forbidden.
Restrictions

The Archaeological Museum is undergoing major renovation. The opening date has still not been confirmed. The provisional opening date is June 2014.  We can substitute this museum with a visit of Achillion Palace (entrance fee 8 euro per person) or any other place of your choice (please state your choice on the request form).

This Tour is not available on Mondays.

If you have any disability or other special request, please state it in your reservation form or call us at: 0030 6945 265 048.

This tour is rated as ‘moderate’. Walking around the town during on a hot summer day might be difficult. Feel free to ask your guide to change the program or to skip certain places.

Meeting Instructions
Meeting instructions will be provided after the payment together with the booking voucher.