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The whitewashed Vlacherna monastery and the islet of Pontikonisi

Landmark & Viewpoint

Vlacherna Monastery & Pontikonisi

Corfu · Ionian Islands

QUICK INFORMATION

CATEGORY
Landmark & Viewpoint
COUNTRY
Greece
REGION
Corfu · Ionian Islands
DURATION
3–4 days

ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION

Every Corfu postcard is this view. The 17th-century convent of Vlacherna stands on its own islet tied to the Kanoni peninsula by a narrow causeway; beyond it, the tree-crowned islet of Pontikonisi — “Mouse Island” — carries the tiny Byzantine chapel of Pantokrator. Planes land impossibly close overhead as they come into the airport beside the bay. Boats shuttle across to Pontikonisi in season; the cafes of Kanoni exist to hold the view.

HISTORY & BACKGROUND

The story behind it

More here soon — the road is still being mapped.

WHAT TO SEE

What to see here

01

The Vlacherna monastery and its causeway.

02

Pontikonisi island and its Pantokrator chapel.

03

The planes descending over the bay — aviation theatre with your coffee.

MAP & LOCATION

Vlacherna Monastery & Pontikonisi

Vlacherna Monastery & Pontikonisi, Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece

39.5942, 19.8494

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MORE ATTRACTIONS

More to see in Corfu

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Old Town & UNESCO

Corfu Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage)

A medieval town of Venetian lanes, arcades and hidden campielli — the only Greek old town UNESCO lists in its entirety.

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The Old Fortress rising above Corfu old town and its harbour
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Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio)

The Venetian citadel on its own rock island, ringed by the Contrafossa moat — the reason the Ottomans never took Corfu.

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The New Fortress dominating Corfu town from its hill above the old port
Fortress

New Fortress (Neo Frourio)

The 16th–17th-century Venetian fortress above the old port — vaulted casemates, sea tunnels and the best rooftop views across the roofs.

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The red-domed bell tower of Saint Spyridon church above the old town lanes
Church

Church of Saint Spyridon

The island’s beloved patron, whose silver reliquary rests beneath the tallest bell tower in Corfu — the tallest in the Ionian.

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The neoclassical Achilleion palace above its terraced gardens
Palace & Gardens

Achilleion Palace

Empress Sisi’s marble shrine to Achilles, later Kaiser Wilhelm II’s retreat — terraced gardens, mythological statuary and views to the Albanian coast.

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The cypress-headland bays of Paleokastritsa
Coast & Monastery

Paleokastritsa

Forest-green headlands plunging into a chain of sapphire bays — Corfu’s postcard coast, with the 13th-century Theotokos monastery crowning the cape.

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THINGS TO DO

Things to do nearby

01

Walk the Corfu Trail

02

Climb Mount Pantokrator

03

Kayak and paddle the west coast

04

Sail to Paxos and Antipaxos

05

Kitesurf the Korission dunes

06

Cycle the Ropa valley and the west villages

07

Camping on Corfu — Paleokastritsa, Dassia & Dionysus

FOOD & DRINK

Where to eat nearby

01

Rex Restaurant, Kapodistriou — a Corfu institution for pastitsada and sofrito in a 1930s-era townhouse.

02

Avli, old town lanes — Slow-food Corfiot cooking in a courtyard off the kantounia.

03

Taverna Ipsia, Gastouri — family taverna above the Achilleion famous for bianco fish stew.

04

Klimataria, Benitses — the island’s classic seafood table by the harbour since 1937.

Explore destination

HOTELS & STAYS

Where to stay nearby

01

Old town boutiques around Campiello — restored Venetian palazzi, best for a car-free stay.

02

Kontokali and Gouvia marina resorts — mid-island, handy for both coasts.

03

Paleokastritsa hillside hotels and the campsite — green, cool and central for the west coast.

04

Agios Stefanos northeast — quiet cove stays within reach of Kassiopi.

Explore destination

ITINERARIES

Day-by-day routes

Corfu Island Loop — Corfu3 days

Corfu Island Loop

View itinerary

NEARBY DESTINATIONS

Continue the journey

Patras

Patras

Western Greece

Ioannina

Ioannina

Epirus

INTERESTS

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BeachesPhotography

PART OF

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