▲Set on the seafront near Corfu Old Town, this noted institution houses a collection of priceless acquisitions, including the Gorgon Medusa Pediment (pictured), which dates from 590 BCE. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

▲Home to an astonishing collection of ecclesiastical art, the museum's exhibits include unusual icons of the 15th to 18th centuries. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

▲Built as a summer residence for the Former British Lord High Commissioner Frederick Adam, this 19th-century villa is notable for being the birthplace of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The building today functions as an archaeological museum. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

▲Certainly worth exploring is this Neoclassical palace, built in the late 1890s for Empress Elizabeth of Austria.

▲Also known as "Shipwreck Beach" for the wreck of the MV Panagiotis, which ran aground here in 1980, Navagio is a favorite sightseeing cruise destination.

▲Hidden away on Lefkada's remote south-western coast, this is where to escape the crowds on one of the longest beaches in the region.

▲Make the effort to summit Mount Pantokrator, at 906 m (2,972 ft), Corfu's highest mountain, and be rewarded with a jaw-dropping panorama of the Ionian Sea and its islands.

▲A geological wonder, this is one of several amazing subterranean caves located near the town of Sami. Drogarati is believed to be more than one million years old.

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Swim the length of the "Channel of Love" and meet the love of your life. Well, so the saying goes. Whatever the case, this is probably one the most romantic places you'll ever take a dip in.

▲Open to the public, the palace's opulent interior brims with artifacts from the Habsburg era.

▲The resort village of Agios Gordios is famous for The Pink Palace hotel and youth hostel complex. After dark, the only place to party is the Palladium Nightclub.

▲One of Corfu's most well-known landmarks, the tiny monastery sits on its rocky perch close to the southern tip of the Kanoni peninsula.

▲Arguably the most beautiful and picturesque village on the island, Assos nestles in a natural amphitheater of azure-hued water surrounded by luscious green forest.

▲The iconic St. Theodore Lighthouse warns shipping of the approach to Argostoli, the island's bustling capital.

▲Distinguishing the northwesternmost point of Corfu is this weird-looking rock formation, which at certain tide times can be admired by boat.

▲Regularly cited as one of Europe's most stunning beaches, Porto Katsiki is renowned for its clear blue sea and imposing landscape.

▲Join an organized sightseeing excursion and delve into this famous natural attraction, so named for the icy blue reflections dancing in the water. Tip: opt for a glass-bottomed boat and check out the marine life below!

▲Bobbing yachts on shades of blue typify the serene bay at Lakka.

▲For a change of scenery away from the beach, head inland to Paleokastritsa, a village steeped in Greek myth and legend. The monastery (pictured) dates back to 1225.

▲How turquoise can a harbor bay get? This scenic destination has been identified with the ancient town of Panormos, mentioned by the 5th-century BCE Greek historian Herodotus.

▲An aerial view of the capital's waterfront and marina. Lefkada Island is, in fact, attached to mainland Greece by a long causeway and floating bridge.

▲Corfu's diminutive satellite island, Antipaxi, is blessed with a pretty town, bays, and beaches.

▲Melissani cave-lake is one of the great natural wonders of the Ionian Islands. Enjoy a boat ride and discover this mythical subterranean marvel.

▲The Old Town of Corfu is proud of its UNESCO World Heritage status. The destination has its roots in the 8th century. However, while its urban makeup is partly from the Venetian period, what you see is mostly 19th century.

▲This celebrated double beach is located near Afionas, on the island's west coast. Beachgoers can follow the sun here, lounging on one beach in the morning before moving over to another one mid-afternoon.

▲With its terraced arcades and fashionable cafes, Liston square is Corfu town's trendy hangout zone. Sip coffee, nibble cake, and watch the world go by.

▲An Ionian island vacation means sampling mouth-watering Greek cuisine influenced by Italian gastronomy. Dishes like bourdeto, a spicy fish broth. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Easily the most rewarding way to discover the Ionian Islands is by yacht. Many of the islands are served by first-rate marinas, and there are dozens of sheltered bays to drop anchor in. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Golden beaches, a fragrant countryside, sparkling seas... Corfu seduces the senses with its serene beauty and captivating charm. Steeped in Greek myth and legend, it's one of several islands moored in the Ionian Sea, a collection of verdant stepping stones just waiting to be explored.

Browse this gallery and island-hop some of the most popular Ionian destinations.