Discover Afra in Corfu

Afra is located on Corfu and can be understood through specific cultural features of the village: these include an association dedicated to local heritage, a stone arch bridge with distinctive architectural features, and the villa of the Kourkoumelis-Rodostamaos family. If you are planning a stay on Corfu, these local themes may play a role in choosing where you would like to stay. At the same time, it is helpful to distinguish Afra’s local cultural features from other attractions on Corfu.

Cultural history in Afra

The Μορφωτικός Πολιτιστικός Σύλλογος Άφρας was founded on 25 May 1984 and is based in Afra on Corfu. Its aim is to preserve and promote local heritage. To this end, the association runs educational programs and events involving young people from the surrounding area. Alongside buildings and places, the association’s work is also part of Afra’s cultural profile. For travelers interested in local culture, this focus offers another perspective on the village: it is about both preserving heritage and sharing it.

The stone arch bridge

A stone bridge in Afra has a single elliptical arch. Finely crafted relief projections sit on the piers at the springing of the arch; above them runs a slightly projecting cornice with carefully hewn voussoirs. These details draw attention to the arch, its transitions to the piers, and the upper finish. This makes it possible to examine the structure through its individual elements, rather than viewing the bridge simply as a general attraction.

Corfu in the broader travel picture

Corfu’s Old Town has preserved almost all of its historic urban fabric; its buildings date from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Together with the two fortresses, the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A digital guide to the Old Town is aimed at residents and visitors and offers high-quality audiovisual material about more than 80 sights within the city. Check whether the digital guide is available before your trip.

The museums on Corfu also offer different perspectives. The Museum of Asian Art in the Old Town comprises more than 11,000 objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas, and Central Asia. The permanent exhibition at the Kapodistrias Museum presents the history of Corfu, Europe, and Greece through the life of Greece’s first governor, using important artifacts and documents. One museum’s collection is organized by region of origin, while the other offers a biographical approach to history.

Bus line 2 on the Mantouki–Kanoni route is listed as connecting the port of Corfu with the Museum of Asian Art. Check the timetable before traveling. Corfu also has hiking trails in the municipal unit of Achilleion: ancient paths pass through the wooded mountains of Agii Deka, Stavros, and Garouna. The 180-kilometer Corfu Trail passes through several settlements; Benitses is one of its 13 daily stages. Alongside Afra’s local association and architectural history, Corfu offers other cultural and hiking interests to explore.

Discover more destinations: Ermones, Róda, Vatos, Boukaris, Gaios, Aghios Georgios, Gimari, Agios Gordios.

Back to the main travel overview: Corfu.