- HOME
- Ionian Islands
- Corfu
- Mount Pantokrator Drive
Mount Pantokrator Drive
This Mount Pantokrator drive takes you to the top of Corfu’s highest mountain with wonderful views to Albania, mainland Greece, and around Corfu.
At 906m (2,972 ft), Mount Pantokrátor is Corfu’s highest mountain. This drive to the summit takes you along a winding but surprisingly good mountain road, through an ever-changing landscape and a handful of lovely old villages. At the top you’ll be rewarded with stunning views over the coastline in all directions, and a beautiful monastery to explore.
NOTE: Directions were correct at the time we did the drive but roads and signs can change.
Mount Pantokrator Drive
We start and end this drive at Nissaki, about 20 km (12.4 miles) north of Corfu Town on the east coast. It should take about 2.5 hours, and covers a total of 66 km (41 miles).
Leave Nissáki on the main coast road, heading south. After about 4 km (2.5 miles), take the right turn to Spartílas. This narrow, one-lane road passes through olive groves and stone-walled terraces, dotted with ruined buildings and wildflowers. At the stop sign, it joins the road coming up from Pyrgí. Turn right onto this road.
Spartilas
As you climb uphill, there are fine views back over Ípsos Bay. Five kilometers (3.1 miles) of sharp switchbacks bring you to Spartílas. The town is fairly large, with pretty homes and gardens surrounded by olive trees and wildflowers. The road narrows through the town centre, where it is lined with quaint old buildings. Here there is a picturesque pink bell tower with a red dome, the church and town hall. It’s worth a stop to walk back for a closer look.
Leave Spartílas passing more olive groves and beehives making mountain honey. After 1 km (0.6 miles), take the right turn towards Petália, also signposted to Pantokrátor. Now olive and cypress give way to lower growing shrubs and sage and other wild herbs along the roadside, and bright yellow gorse in spring.
After 6 km (3.7 miles) you reach the small village of Strinílas, with a shady taverna at its centre. Outside of town, where the road forks before reaching Petália, bear right to Pantokrátor.
Mount Pantokrator
From here it’s another 5 km (3.1 miles) to the summit. Soon the bald crown of Pantokrátor comes into view, topped by the plain façade of the monastery and unsightly broadcasting masts. As you near the top, park on the roadside.
Monastery of Ipsilos Pantokrátor
The Monastery of Ipsilos Pantokrátor is lovely inside, with a silver iconostasis and beautiful frescoes on the arched ceiling. But it has to compete with the marvellous views across the water to Albania and mainland Greece, and views all around Corfu. On a clear day you can even see the islands of Páxos and Antípaxos further south.
Return back down the mountain. At the fork, turn right into Petália. As you leave the village there are more views of Albania, looking northeast over the Bay of Apraos.
As the road descends towards the coast, the hillsides become more lush and are dotted with trees. Pass through the hamlet of Trimódi, where old stone houses cling to the hillside. Two kilometres (1.2 miles) urther on is the pretty village of Láfki.
Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides
To Acharavi
The coastal resort of Acharávi is signposted from the village on the road out of town. After the village of Ágios Martínos, 2 km (1.2 miles) ahead, you find yourself back in the olive groves and you can smell the sea. Follow the signs for Acharávi, which is 3 km (1.9 miles) away. Here you reach the main coast road. Turn right to return to Nissáki, 18 km (11.2 miles) away.
Print This Drive
If you want a print-friendly PDF of this drive to take with you in the car then click here.
Other Corfu Pages
North-West Corfu Beaches and Villages
North-West Corfu’s beaches and villages include busy resorts, quiet beaches, hill villages, and places ideal for watching the sunset,
Mount Pantokrátor
Mount Pantokrator is the highest mountain on Corfu and it’s easy to drive to the top for spectacular views of Albania, Corfu, and even sometimes to Italy.
Corfu Food and Drink
Information for travelers on Corfu Food and Drink including restaurants and tavernas, Corfiot specialties, desserts, wine and other Greek drinks like ouzo.
Corfu’s Marine Life
Corfu’s marine life includes dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and rare Mediterranean monk seals.
Where to Stay in Northern Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets picks where to stay in northern Corfu with budget and luxury hotels in Sidari, Daphnila Bay, Kontokali, Ipsos, Barbati and more.
Best Time to Visit Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Corfu, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Sidari
Sidari is a popular holiday resort on the north coast of Corfu with beaches and unusual rock formations as well as plenty of places to eat and to stay.
Corfu
Corfu or Kerkyra is the main island in the Greek Ionian islands with Corfu Town being one of the most attractive of Greek island capitals.
Fun Facts about Corfu
These fun facts about Corfu include how the island got its name, who wrote the Greek National Anthem, and the eccentric Englishman, the Earl of Guilford.
The Achilleion Palace
The Achilleion Palace is one of the most visited sights on Corfu and contains a museum and impressive gardens with wonderful views over the coast.
Where to Eat in Northern Corfu
This is the Greece Travel Secrets selection of where to eat in northern Corfu, from classy restaurants and traditional tavernas to beachside fish tavernas.
The Corfu Trail
The Corfu Trail runs from the southernmost point of Corfu at Cape Asprokavos and winds for 220km (137 miles) to the northernmost point near Andinioti Lagoon.
Best Things to Do on Corfu
The best things to do on Corfu include visiting Palaiokastritsa, a day trip to Albania, seeing the Achilleion Palace, and the museums in Corfu Town.
Visiting Albania from Corfu
Donna Dailey of Greece Travel Secrets visits Albania by boat from Corfu Town, staying overnight and seeing archaeological sites with Sipa Tours.
Paleokastritsa, Corfu
Paleokastritsa is on the west coast of Corfu and is one of the most popular holiday spots. This page gives information on beaches, boat trips, weather and map.
The Invasion of Corfu
From Nero to Nicolas Cage, the invasion of Corfu goes back to Roman times and through to Hollywood today!
Best Beaches on Corfu
The best beaches on Corfu, chosen by Greece Travel Secrets, include Paleokastritsa, Mirtiotissa, Sidari and Cape Asprokavos.
Corfu Offshore Islands
There are three islands off the northwest coast of Corfu, Erikouusa, Othoni and Mathraki, popular with day-trippers from resorts like Sidari.
Where to Stay in Southern Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets’ pick of where to stay in southern Corfu including hotels in Moraïtika, Paramonas, Messonghi, Agios Georgios, and near Benitses.
Corfu Olives
Corfu olives are an important part of this Greek island's economy, with an estimated 3-4 million trees producing olive oil of exceptional quality.
Two Corfu Saints
The main two Corfu saints are Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu who saved the island four times from disaster, and Saint Theodora Augusta.
Corfu Climate: Sun, Rain, Winds
The Corfu Climate page describes the hours of sun, the rain, the winds, to help you plan the best time to visit this Ionian island.
Corfu Festivals and Events
Information for travellers to Greece on Corfu festivals and events including Easter, the Feast of St Spiridhon, Carnival and Name Days.
Angelokastro
Angelokastro is a 13th-century hilltop fortress with breath-taking views near Paleokastritsa on the Greek island of Corfu in the Ionian Islands.
Latest Posts
-
Syros’ Hidden Soul: The Timeless Charm of Apano Meria
Apano Meria, rich in geology and Cycladic history, captures the timeless charm of the Greek islands. -
Santorini Remains on Cruise Schedules as Companies Monitor Seismic Activity
Royal Caribbean, the world’s second-largest cruise operator, confirmed it will not cancel itineraries to Santorini at this time, despite recent seismic activity on the island. -
Athens Taxis to Strike for 24 Hours on Wednesday, February 19
Taxi drivers in Athens will hold a 24-hour strike beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, in protest of changes to street mobility regulations and increasing competition from ride-hailing apps. -
Kastoria’s Hidden Delights: 3 Must-Visit Stops in Western Macedonia
From world-famous giant beans and crisp mountain apples to alpine-raised beef and legendary chestnuts, Kastoria is a food lover’s paradise waiting to be explored. -
Kerameikos: An Oasis in the Ancient City
The Kerameikos archaeological site provides a peaceful escape, transporting visitors to the history-rich northwestern gates of ancient Athens. -
Greece Tops Mediterranean in Hotel Satisfaction Ratings
Greek hotels lead the pack with 87% guest satisfaction, surpassing Spain, Italy, and France, but challenges remain in peak-season management. -
Frygana Honey: The Rare Wild Lavender Honey of Serifos
The honey derived from the wild lavender of Serifos is a premium Greek product. Beekeeper Nikos Kokolakis produces one of the finest varieties on the island. -
Top 5 Archaeological Discoveries in Greece in 2024
From a mysterious Minoan structure to a rediscovered ancient city, these five archaeological finds from 2024 offer fresh perspectives on Greece’s rich history. -
Food Tours in Athens
Greekality is a Greek company offering food tours in Athens including street food tours, wine and nightlife tours, vegan tours and cooking classes. -
Patras – Pyrgos Motorway in Western Peloponnese to Open by December 2025
The 75-kilometer-long Patras–Pyrgos Motorway in the western Peloponnese is expected to be completed and open to traffic by December 2025, significantly upgrading the region’s road transport system and…
Why not sign up for our Greece Travel Secrets newsletter? Each week you'll get emailed our regular Greece Travel Secrets Magazine for news, information, and inspiration for planning your travels in Greece.
As a welcome gift you'll also get a free e-book, Heaven on Earth. This contains 19 of Mike's favourite stories that he's written about travelling in Greece for newspapers and magazines over the years.
You'll find it over at Substack. Check out one of the Archive issues to find the Subscribe button.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, but at no cost to you.
BUY A JOURNAL TO RECORD YOUR OWN GREECE TRAVEL SECRETS!
LEARN A LITTLE GREEK BEFORE YOU GO!
FOLLOW OUR GREECE VIDEOS
ON YOUTUBE
No words or images to be used without prior permission.
We do not sell personal information: see our Privacy Policy.
California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA: Sale Of Personal Information
Greece Travel Secrets does not sell any information it gathers for any reason. It has not collected or sold any personal information in the last twelve months or ever in the past.
This website was built using Site Build It!
