It towers above the northern part of the island and beyond. Mount Pantokrator, at 906m, seems omnipresent when you're walking around Corfu. What's more, it's always a good idea to leave the coast, its resorts and beaches behind for a while and explore Corfu's inland areas, where you'll find lush green landscapes, hundreds of olive trees and villages still in their original state...
In the northern part of Corfu, the coasts are dedicated to beautiful beaches and busy seaside resorts - in short, to tourism. Inland, however, the island takes on a completely different face, less lively but much more authentic. Such is the case on the slopes of Corfu's highest peak, Mount Pantokrator.
At 906m, the massive, craggy silhouette of Mount Pantokrator dominates the whole of Corfu. From up there, you can make out an exceptional panorama of the island, the Ionian Sea and its islets, the Greek and Albanian coasts... From time to time, when the atmosphere is clear, you can even see Italy!
The view is well worth the diversions, whether you choose to climb the summit by car or on foot, during a pleasant hike. It's also an opportunity to discover Corfu's oldest village, the enchanting Palea Perithia.
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The summit of Mount Pantokrator and its monastery
- © ernestos vitouladitis / ShutterstockMount Pantokrator, Corfu's highest point
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Panorama from Mount Pantokrator
- © Pani Garmyder / ShutterstockThe landscape quickly becomes more rugged as you approach the flanks of Mount Pantokrator. A winding and sometimes vertiginous road leads to the summit by car. It's a fine ascent, which ends in front of the monastery that sits atop the summit (and, unfortunately, some large mobile phone masts that spoil the picture a little). The monastery is also dedicated to the Pantokrator, the Almighty Christ.
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Mount Pantokrator in the background
- © CCat82 / ShutterstockThe view is simply incredible, but be sure to make the trip on a clear day: clouds sometimes cling to the summit, while in midsummer the heat haze limits visibility somewhat. Otherwise, this panorama is the most spectacular in the whole of Corfu. In high season, there's even a café on the summit where you can take a break to fully appreciate the setting!
Around Mount Pantokrator: walks and old villages
If you're feeling more sporty, you can opt to climb Mount Pantokrator on foot. Several hiking trails of varying difficulty enable you to reach the summit and its monastery in just a few hours' walk. As you can see, the views are worth the effort.
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Palea Perithia, on a mountainside
- © TravelNerd / ShutterstockThe main one is the Corfu Trail, a walking route that crosses the whole of Corfu from north to south. The trail is signposted throughout in yellow, and crosses Mount Pantokrator in particular. If you're a good walker (5/6 hours' walk), you can set off from the village of Spartilas to climb to the summit, via the chapel of the Taxiarches and a vast karstic plateau - the wildest spot on the island!
Another, easier starting point (2-hour walk), Palea Perithia is one of the most touching villages in the whole of Corfu: on the north-eastern flank of the Pantokrator, invisible from the sea to protect itself from pirates, the foundation of this venerable village dates back to the Venetian period, in the 14th century. Today, you can still admire the old houses that have fallen into disrepair, the village having been abandoned in the 1960s.
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Saint Spiridon in Palea Perithia
- © Ivo Pop / ShutterstockSome houses, however, are coming back to life: a few traditional cafés and tavernas, a renovated guesthouse... Palea Perithia has an inimitable charm, and an atmosphere all its own, at an altitude of 400m: without doubt the most beautiful village in the whole of Corfu... not to be missed!
![The Merchants House](https://ims.ev.mu/large_313819723_1d98dcf70b/large_313819723_1d98dcf70b.jpg)
The Merchants House
A timeless place with an incomparable style, a nugget of the island!👉 Mount Pantokrator, practical information
How do I get to Mount Pantokrator by car?
It's just over 1 hour's drive from Corfu or Paleokastritsa. Be careful, the road is quite steep and has no protective parapet in places, so you'll need to drive carefully!
Tips for hiking Mount Pantokrator:
- The best time to hike to the summit is between May and June, before the summer heat, and early October. These are also the periods when visibility is best.
- Be sure to check the weather forecast before your ascent.
- Get a trail map (e.g. Anavasi) or an online GPS tracker so you don't get lost along the way.
- Pay close attention to the signposts, otherwise you risk taking a long walk!
- Bring plenty of water and sun protection. There is little shade around the summit.
- Refreshments are available at the café on the summit of Mount Pantokrator.
How do I get to Palea Perithia?
- By car, it's a 1hr 10min drive from Corfu town via the resorts on the north coast.
By bus, there are a few green bus services (in English) from the capital.