Corfu Central Market
Corfu, Ionian Islands
Fresh fish, fruit, and vegetables fill the stands under the simple, unassuming structure of this farmers market, directly outside the giant Venetian walls of Corfu Old Town. Plenty of locals shop here, but tourists visit too, and are more likely to be tempted by the market’s selections of traditional sweets and souvenirs.
The basics
With all of its fresh local goods, the Corfu Central Market is a common starting point for food tours, as participants help collect ingredients they’ll be using. Unfortunately, walking tours don’t regularly visit the market, since they tend to focus on the Old Town’s attractions inside the city walls.
A casual wander through the market shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes, though you can sit down at a café in the middle and enjoy some people-watching while you sip and snack on your purchases.
Things to know before you go
- The small cafés in the market’s central seated area sell some basic and affordable dishes using market produce.
- Kumquat jam and olive products are two of the market’s specialties.
- Many places in the market accept credit cards as well as cash.
- There is limited street parking across the road from the market, with two accessible parking spaces at the market’s northern entrance.
How to get there
Despite its name, the Corfu Central Market isn’t inside the central walled part of Corfu Old Town, where you might expect it to be. But you can easily walk to its location north of Saroko Square from the historical center, or ride the #2B or #15 bus from Corfu Port to right outside the market when arriving in Corfu by boat.
When to get there
The market is open Monday–Saturday from morning to mid-afternoon. Visit first thing in the morning or in the early afternoon to avoid the pre-lunch rush, when the market gets even busier than usual. As locals still very much use the market for their shopping, Saturdays can be the worst day to go for a leisurely walk-through.
Corfu specialties to find when shopping and dining
While browsing the market or exploring Corfu Old Town, keep an eye out for local Corfiot specialties to try. Mantolato is a local nougat made with almonds, while the bitter citrus fruit kumquat is used in everything, including Corfu’s signature kumquat liqueur, often used in local cocktails and as a digestif. Ginger ale or tsitsibira is another popular local drink to try, should you want something alcohol-free.
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