Tourist Attractions & Monuments Ionian Islands

Timetable

In high season, the opening hours of the main national museums and sites are generally harmonized. Between April¹ and October 31, they open at 8am and close around 8pm. The rest of the year, they often close as early as 4pm. In any case, and especially in summer, we strongly recommend you to be at the opening to avoid the crowds. But in other places of interest, such as smaller museums or places of worship, opening times are a regular source of anxiety for authors of travel guides to Greece: they change constantly, sometimes several times a year, and often, above all, they don't even really exist. So there's only one thing to remember: stay flexible! It's not uncommon for a museum to be closed during opening hours, especially on the smaller islands where visitor numbers are limited. So try your luck with the indications given in this guide, or call before you go: it's safer! Out of season, assume that the sites and museums are closed, but if you happen to come across the good old man in the village, you may be given the keys... For the rest, museums are closed on public holidays.

To be booked

To avoid queuing at the entrance, consider a combined ticket to Corfu's Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Museum, Asian Art Museum, Mon Repos Park and Old Fortress.

Budget & Tips

Inflation obliges, and Greece has decided to review its pricing policy. The country's most emblematic site, the Acropolis, will see its price rise from April¹ , 2025, from 20 to 30 euros in summer. by the end of 2025, a total of 350 sites and museums will be affected, including some on the Ionian Islands.

Nevertheless, your museum budget will often still be halved (as will the price of many admissions) if you travel between November and the end of March. Otherwise, keep an eye out on the sites for free admission days: March 6 (Melina Mercouri Day), June 5 (Environment Day), April 18 (Historic Monuments Day), May 18 (Museums Day), the last weekend in September (European Heritage Day) and, above all, the first Sunday of every month between November¹ and March 31.
And don't forget that many major sites, with their rather expensive tickets, are free for Europeans under 25 and minors.

Main events

Easter (in April or May, depending on the year) is undoubtedly Greece's most memorable and warmest popular festival, giving another dimension to the many religious monuments that come alive with ceremonies. In Corfu, in particular, religious celebrations and processions are a must, even for non-believers.

Guided tours

Greece, and Athens in particular, is increasingly offering off-the-beaten-track tours (see www. alternativeathens.com/en/ for example). For the services of a private English-speaking guide, you can contact the Association of Qualified Guides (+30 210 32 20 090, www.tourist-guides.gr). It has 1,500 members throughout Greece and covers 28 languages, including French.

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited in museums, including outdoor archaeological parks. In addition to public health issues, Greece is no stranger to fire hazards, especially in high season.

Tourist traps

The risks are reduced, as false guides can be heavily fined if they are inspected without accreditation.

What's very local

As with other religious sites in the region, "proper dress" is required at the entrance to some monasteries. This may come as a surprise to tourists, who are invited to wear one of the long skirts available (to be slipped on over their clothes). The injunction is the same for women in skirts or men in shorts.