Liston, Corfu (must see)
Liston's name is up for debate. Depends who you ask. Scholars will point to the Venetian lista鈥攁 term for a grand promenade. Locals with a taste for legend prefer the tale of a literal 鈥渓ist鈥� of aristocrats who alone were allowed to strut along here before Corfu joined Greece in 1864. Whichever story you choose, the walkway has been Corfu鈥檚 living room ever since.
The French put their stamp on the place between 1807 and 1814, shaping the arcades to mirror Paris鈥檚 Rivoli street. With its neoclassical arches stretched along the edge of the Spianada, the Liston gave Corfu a dose of cosmopolitan flair. Today, those same arches frame caf茅s that never seem to empty, their terraces packed with conversations and clinking cups.
Geography keeps the Liston at the heart of it all. It links Spianada Square to the Old Town, just steps from the Old Fortress, the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George, and Saint Spyridon鈥檚 Church. At Easter, the arcades glow purple with lanterns, processions wind past, and locals toss clay pots from balconies in a thunderous ritual that rattles the air. On quieter days, you might hear folk music, watch a cricket match on the lawn, or stumble into a street exhibition.
And then there鈥檚 the simple pleasure: sipping coffee under the shade, nibbling kumquat sweets, or raising an eyebrow at the polished chaos of traffic and cricket sharing the same square. The Liston is a performance that never ends, starring whoever happens to be passing through, which today, happens to include you.
The French put their stamp on the place between 1807 and 1814, shaping the arcades to mirror Paris鈥檚 Rivoli street. With its neoclassical arches stretched along the edge of the Spianada, the Liston gave Corfu a dose of cosmopolitan flair. Today, those same arches frame caf茅s that never seem to empty, their terraces packed with conversations and clinking cups.
Geography keeps the Liston at the heart of it all. It links Spianada Square to the Old Town, just steps from the Old Fortress, the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George, and Saint Spyridon鈥檚 Church. At Easter, the arcades glow purple with lanterns, processions wind past, and locals toss clay pots from balconies in a thunderous ritual that rattles the air. On quieter days, you might hear folk music, watch a cricket match on the lawn, or stumble into a street exhibition.
And then there鈥檚 the simple pleasure: sipping coffee under the shade, nibbling kumquat sweets, or raising an eyebrow at the polished chaos of traffic and cricket sharing the same square. The Liston is a performance that never ends, starring whoever happens to be passing through, which today, happens to include you.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Corfu. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Liston on Map
Sight Name: Liston
Sight Location: Corfu, Greece (See walking tours in Corfu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Corfu, Greece (See walking tours in Corfu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Corfu, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Corfu
Creating your own self-guided walk in Corfu is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Corfu Old Town Walking Tour
Poseidon, the god of the sea, was obsessed with the beautiful nymph Korkyra, the daughter of the river god Asopus. Poseidon abducted Korkyra and carried her off to an unnamed island. He called the island Korkyra, after his lady love. This island later became Corfu.
By the 8th century BC, the Greek city Corinth had claimed it as a colony, and its ships became key players in the Peloponnesian... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
By the 8th century BC, the Greek city Corinth had claimed it as a colony, and its ships became key players in the Peloponnesian... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Paleopoli Ancient Ruins Walking Tour
The Archeological sites trace the history of ancient Corfu from the 8th century BC to the 6th century AD. The Temple of Artemis Gorgon, located near the monastery of Agoi Theodori Stratias, dates from circa 590 BC. The pediment is thought to be the oldest stone pediment found.
Artemis, in the form of Gorgon, is running as she faces the observer. Her children, Chryssaor and Pegasus, are by her... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Artemis, in the form of Gorgon, is running as she faces the observer. Her children, Chryssaor and Pegasus, are by her... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
10 Things To Do In Corfu, Greece
Greek Islands, such as Mykonos, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, and many others, are a popular destination for people trying to escape the chaotic lifestyle back home. Corfu is one island that has it all: great weather, tasty food, relaxed atmosphere and an abundance of places to explore. The island...