This is the largest square in Corfu and the heart of the town. The raised terrace was created for defensive purposes under Venetian rule and the square assumed its final form in more modern times under the French and British rulers of the island. Essentially it consists of two squares, divided in the middle by Viktoros Dousmani St. (where you will find a taxi rank, carriages for hire and a municipal parking area). The northern side of the Spianada is dominated by the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George, home of the Museum of Asian Art and the Municipal Gallery. In the garden, known as the People's Garden, you will find the municipal cafe, a classic meeting point in town with its fine view of Vido island.
Outside the Palace, right next to the People's Garden, there is another small garden, the Bosketo, with swings, benches and a view of the Ancient Fortress, which stands to the east of the square - to visit it you will cross the Venetian moat. The north-western side of the square is dominated by the Liston, the huge building complex, which stands out for its arcaded terrace, today full of cafes. It was built under French rule, to designs by the engineer Lesseps, in imitation of the Parisian Rue de Rivoli and ever since has featured on most of the postcards of corfu town.
There is a cricket green opposite the Liston, where you're always sure to catch a game. In the evening you should look for a table on the edge of the seating area, where you can smell the violets and listen to the frogs in the pond in front of the Palace. On the other (southern) side of the Spianada, the Upper Square, the island bands often play on the open-air bandstand and musical evenings are organised.
Just beyond the bandstand you can see the Maitland Peristyle, a circular building surrounded by Ionic columns, also known as the 'cistern', because it covers the opening of an old water reservoir. It was built under British rule, in honour of the High Commissioner Sir Thomas Maitland. Some of the fine old houses on Kapodistriou St., along the Spianada, have been converted into atmospheric hotels, such as the Covolieri and the new Arkadion.