They are a postcard motif and the most famous landmark of the island of Corfu: the white Vlacherna Monastery with Mouse Island in the background. Even the Austrian Empress Sisi was so taken with the scenery that she is said to have swum here often to enjoy the peaceful silence of Pontikonisi.
But the silence of yesteryear is long gone: every quarter of an hour, holiday jets thunder over the two mini-islands of Corfu, delighting the hearts of aviation fans. Below, we tell you what a visit to these two popular Corfu sights is like:
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#1 Getting to the Monastery and Mouse Island
Corfu’s Mouse Island and the picturesque Vlacherna Monastery are located at the southern tip of the Kanoni Peninsula, only about a 20-minute drive from the capital Kerkyra. A visit is worthwhile at any time of day.
The Vlacherna Monastery is within walking distance via a narrow causeway. Directly behind it lies Mouse Island (Pontikonisi), which can be reached by boat from here. The taxi boats to Mouse Island depart several times a day from the causeway by the monastery. There are several options for getting there from Corfu Town.
By taxi or rental car to Vlacherna: About a 20-minute drive to the port of Kanoni, where free parking is available. You can find cheap car rental offers for Corfu with our partner Discover Cars*:
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By public bus to Vlacherna: Line 2A runs regularly from Corfu Town to Kanoni. Timetables at: Corfu City Buses
Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island are located just outside Corfu Airport (CFU). The runway runs parallel to the Halikiopoulou Lagoon, just a few hundred metres from the Kanoni Peninsula.
Best time to visit Vlacherna Monastery
We recommend that you visit Vlacherna in the morning before most of the day-trippers arrive. The most beautiful light for photos of Mouse Island and Vlacherna Monastery is in the evening, when the setting sun bathes the scenery in a magical, warm glow.
#2 Parking at Vlacherna Monastery
You can park directly at the small Port of Kanoni in a large free parking area. Due to the one-way system on the peninsula, it makes sense to first drive down to the harbor and visit the Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island.
In the low season, you can take the vehicle up to the Kanoni Plateia and the cafés, but there are only about 20 parking spaces here. Due to the limited parking, it is advisable to visit the cafés on foot and enjoy the magnificent view without having to search for a parking space.
By the way: If you don’t want to travel with your own rental car or public bus, you can also book a guided tour to Vlacherna and Mouse Island. Through our partner GetYourGuide* you will find many offers — let yourself be inspired:
#3 Vlacherna Monastery
The image of the gleaming white monastery on a small offshore island is the postcard motif of Corfu, and if you were lucky, you probably already caught a glimpse of it when you landed. Because Vlacherna Monastery Island with the church »Panagias tou Vlachernon« is located right in front of the runway of Corfu airport.
From the fishing port of Kanoni you can walk along the pier and then across a concrete causeway to the well-known most visited monastery on Corfu. The 17th-century monastery presents itself in brilliant white with its striking bell tower, and was inhabited by nuns until 1980.
In 1981, it even served as a backdrop for the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only”. Today, the cultural landmark is used as a tourist attraction and for weddings, church festivals and occasional trade fairs. Light a candle in the small church and take a break in the leafy courtyard. To the left of the monastery entrance is the Vlacherna Souvenir Shop with all kinds of knick-knacks.
By the way, from the port of Kanoni you can cross the lagoon of Halikiopoulos via a narrow concrete dam, called the Kanoni Perama Bridge, at the northern end of which the airport is located. But be careful with arriving planes — the suction is extreme!
- Opening hours Vlacherna Monastery Corfu: open during the day all year round, free admission
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#4 Mouse Island Corfu (Pontikonisi)
Afterwards you take a small boat, usually a fisherman’s kaiki, and in 5 minutes you arrive at the neighboring Islet Pontikonisi (also Pondikonisi). Literally translated, it means Mouse Island (Greek pontiki = mouse, nisi = island) and is a floating green oasis and a place of silence — if only airplanes didn’t regularly thunder over it.
The only buildings on Mouse Island of Corfu are the white Pantocrator church “Metamorfoseos tou Sotiros” (built in the 11th–12th century) and a kiosk with an attached handicraft shop.
In about a quarter of an hour you can circumnavigate the small island (110 x 100 m) with its dense cypress forest. If you pay close attention, you may even spot turtles and peacocks in the thick bushes of Mouse Island.
Even Austrian Empress Sisi (1837–1898), who was an ardent fan of Corfu and even had the famous Achilleion built, loved Mouse Island and visited every time she came to Corfu. A memorial plaque commemorates her. Note that Pontikonisi is not suitable for swimming.
The round trip to Mouse Island costs about €3 per person. The small boats to Pontikonisi depart from the monastery pier every 10 minutes throughout the season from May to October. Outside of season, departure times may vary.
The exact origin of the name Mouse Island remains a mystery to this day. Some believe the island looks like a mouse. Other sources point to Greek mythology — for example, the sea god Poseidon is said to have transformed the ship of the hero Odysseus in a fit of rage, preventing him from returning to Ithaca, and the ship has been petrified in the sea ever since.
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#5 Plane-spotting at Café Kanoni
The best spot to enjoy a stunning view of the Vlacherna Monastery and Mouse Island is from Café Kanoni, ideally with a cool Freddo in hand — especially refreshing on hot summer days. A light sea breeze adds a pleasant touch on warmer afternoons. Alongside locals and holidaymakers, plane-spotting enthusiasts regularly gather here to watch aircraft land up close and capture the perfect shot.
Rarely do you get this close to a plane in mid-air. The aircraft thunder just a few metres above the heads of amazed spectators before touching down with a loud thud on the mere 2.4-kilometre-long runway of Corfu Airport.
Incidentally, the name of the Kanoni Peninsula (also known as the Analipsi Peninsula) comes from the iron cannon of Russian design that stands at Kanoni Plateia and probably dates back to the British occupation period. The British ruled Corfu from 1815 to 1864 and left their mark on many places, including the cricket field in the old town and the courthouse and prison in the new town.
#6 Hotels nearby
Due to the persistent aircraft noise on the Kanoni Peninsula, we cannot recommend hotels or apartments in the immediate vicinity of Vlacherna Monastery. We advise you to stay directly in Corfu Town and from there take a day trip to Vlacherna Monastery and to Mouse Island.
Below we have 5 great places to stay in Corfu Town. Click on the links from Booking.com* to see prices and availability:
We present the most beautiful hotels and apartments on the island of Corfu in this article: Best Corfu Hotels
→ You can find more articles and numerous travel tips for the island of Corfu here:
- Corfu Highlights
- Corfu Holidays – 11 important things to know
- Corfu Beaches – our top bathing spots
- Canal d’Amour – Important information for your visit
- Paleokastritsa – Holiday resort on the west coast
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