Discover Agios Mattheos

A steep road leads from Agios Mattheos to the Pantokrator Monastery and Grava Cave. The two destinations represent different themes: the history of a monastery and a maritime tradition of the island’s inhabitants. The routes through the village also play a part in planning your trip.

Monastery, mountain and local tradition

The Pantocrator Christ Monastery dates back to the 16th century and sits on the mountain summit. It is no longer in operation and is closed to the public. From there, you can look out over the Adriatic and the surrounding green landscape. The closure is important when planning your visits: the monastery is not open to the public.

Grava Cave, also known as the “Cave of the Sea,” is on the mountain summit. According to local tradition, it is connected to the sea. Its English nickname and the local story give the cave a maritime association, while the monastery’s history offers a different emphasis. Thus, the two named sites bring architectural history and island tradition together.

Weighing up the location and a holiday apartment

Agios Mattheos is accessible by car, but some parts of the village can only be reached on foot. When choosing a holiday apartment, therefore, consider your preferred part of the village together with how you plan to get around. The road to the monastery and cave is steep; as road conditions can change, check them before driving. This guidance helps you take the location into account when planning your trip without treating the different parts of the village as the same.

Corfu: Old Town, museums and walking routes

Corfu’s Old Town offers a distinct cultural and historical focus. Its historic urban fabric is almost entirely preserved; the buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The Old Town and its two fortresses are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. A digital guide to the Old Town provides residents and visitors with information on more than 80 sights within the city and offers high-quality audiovisual material. Check whether the guide is available before your trip.

Also in the Old Town, the Museum of Asian Art houses more than 11,000 objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas and Central Asia. From Corfu Port, you can reach the museum on bus route 2, which runs between Mantouki and Kanoni. For specific travel planning, it is advisable to check the timetable in advance. A visit to the museum and the historic Old Town appeals to different interests than the mountain destinations near Agios Mattheos, helping you distinguish between cultural highlights for your trip.

If you would also like to explore routes through a wooded mountain landscape on Corfu, the municipal unit of Achilleion has ancient hiking trails through the mountains of Agii Deka, Stavros and Garouna. Festivals, village fairs and cultural events are also part of village life there; the specific programme varies. Corfu therefore offers a choice of different themes, including urban history and collections, as well as hiking and local events.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Episkepsi, Lakones, Kato Pavliana, Spartilas, Kentroma, Kanakades, Gaios, Agnitsini.

Back to the main travel overview: Corfu.