Corfu lies on the far northwest corner of Greece, just off the coast of the land border with Albania. Along with its small surrounding islands, it is the second largest Ionian islands. In history, Corfu was where a shipwrecked Odysseus sought refuge from the storms and where other travellers have rested. Its lush coastline, verdant hills, and sparkling bays have drawn visitors since the 8th century BC. Corfu holds a location of strategic importance and has been fought over for centuries.

Corfu town is the only Greek city whose castles surround the town, and one of the very few to have held off the Ottomans. Instead of succumbing to the Ottoman invasion, Corfu remained in Venetian hands which gives it a very different feel to some of the other Greek Islands.