Agios Mattheos: Village Paths and Mountain Destinations

A steep road leads from the village of Agios Mattheos to Pantokrator Monastery and Grava Cave. These mountain destinations provide a practical framework for finding your way around the area.

Paths and Culture Across Greater Corfu

Pantocrator Christ Monastery stands at the summit of the mountain and dates back to the 16th century. It is no longer in operation and is closed to the public. From there, you can enjoy views of the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding green landscape.

Grava Cave, also called the “Cave of the Sea,” is also located on the mountain summit. According to island residents, it is connected to the sea. Thus, the mountain destinations bring together the monastery’s historical context and a local legend about the cave.

Agios Mattheos is accessible by car; however, some parts of the village can only be reached on foot. When planning, distinguish between the drive to the area and the routes within individual parts of the village. Road conditions may change; check them before setting out.

The wider destination of Corfu offers further points of interest. Corfu Old Town has preserved almost all of its historic urban fabric; its buildings date from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The Old Town and its two fortresses are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This makes urban cultural heritage a distinct focus alongside the village and mountain destinations of Agios Mattheos.

Another cultural highlight in Corfu Old Town is the Museum of Asian Art. Its collection includes more than 11,000 objects from China, Japan, India, the Himalayas, and Central Asia. The museum can be reached from Corfu Port on bus line 2, on the Mantouki–Kanoni route. Check the timetable before your trip if you plan to use this connection.

The Archaeological Museum of Corfu was built primarily to display the Gorgoneion Medusa pediment from the great Temple of Artemis. The work was created in 585 BC and excavated in 1911 near the Aghioi Theodoroi Monastery.

Hiking and events are also part of the wider Corfu experience. In the municipal unit of Achilleion, ancient paths wind through the wooded mountains of Agii Deka, Stavros, and Garouna and are suitable for hiking. The villages of the municipal unit host numerous feasts and festivals, as well as cultural events organized by the municipality; individual programs vary. The 180-kilometer Corfu Trail passes through several settlements and includes Benitses as one of its 13 daily stage locations.

The Achilleion Summer Palace adds another distinct historical note: it was built in 1892 in Gastouri in the Pompeian style. The permanent exhibition of the Kapodistrias Museum explores the history of Corfu, Europe, and Greece through the life of Greece’s first governor, using significant artifacts and documents. The lush garden on the hill near the Kapodistrias Museum offers views of Corfu’s landscape and across the island.

Discover more destinations: Velonades, Viros, Potamos, Acharavi, Mesongi, Mparmpati, Afra, Othoni

For the wider travel overview: Corfu.