One of the finest walks follows the shore from the Old Harbour to Faliraki and the Spianada. Set off from Old Harbour Square and walk along parallel to the impressive Venetian tenements. Gradually the road (Arseniou St.) grows narrower and the buildings come closer to the sea. We are now in Mouragia, one of the most picturesque quarters of the town, stretching along the sea walls with a view of the little islands of Vido and Lazareto (a boat leaves the Old Harbour for Vido approximately every hour; there is a superb view of the town from the municipal cafe on the island). It's worth stopping at the Dionysios Solomos Museum (3rd turning off Arseniou St. - watch for the sign). The museum is in the house where the great poet lived from 1828 to 1857 and has a number of his personal belongings, photographs, library, etc.
A little farther down there are steps which lead you up to the Church of Panagia Antivouniotissa, which houses the Museum of Post-Byzantine Ecclesiastical Art with its remarkable collection of icons from the 15th to the 19th century. As you walk along Arseniou St. you will pass a number of ouzo restaurants (ouzeri). The end of the street is overshadowed by the Kapodistrias House (at the beginning of the street of the same name). It was built under the period of British rule, on the site of the house where the first Greek governor was born. It later became the building of the Ionian Senate, and now houses part of the Ionian University. Just opposite a road leads down through the Agios Nikolaos Gate (one of the gates in the town walls) into Faliraki, a little bay with the Agios Nikolaos Church and a tiny beach, known as 'bania t' Alekou', where you can swim and enjoy an ouzo in the municipal cafe with its view of the Ancient Fortress.
Returning along Kapodistriou St. you will find on the right at No. 120, just before the Spianada, an imposing building with a bontzo - an external stairway leading to a covered veranda. This is the home of the Anagnostiki Etaireia, the oldest cultural institution in modern Greece (1836), famous for its vast library on the Ionian islands, and for the conferences, exhibitions and other events it organises. Walk a little farther on through an imposing arch, part of the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George, and you are back at the Spianada.