Kanoni, Vlacherna Monastery and Pontikonisi

Kanoni is a small peninsula about 4 km south of Corfu Town in Kerkyra, Greece, known for one of the island's best-known views. A narrow causeway extends across the Chalikiopoulou lagoon to the whitewashed Vlacherna Monastery, which sits on a tiny island linked to the shore and appears in many postcards of Corfu. Beyond it, in the water, lies the wooded islet of Pontikonisi, or Mouse Island, with a small Byzantine chapel of Pantokrator among the trees. A short boat shuttle runs between the shore and Pontikonisi, for a small fee. The name Kanoni comes from a cannon placed on the hill by the French during their occupation, and the viewpoint near the cafes still looks over both islets. Beside the lagoon, the runway of Corfu airport reaches almost to the shore, so aircraft pass low overhead during landing and take-off, a spectacle that adds to the scene and draws plane-spotters. Visitors can walk across the causeway to the monastery, step inside the small church and take photographs, then climb to the terrace cafes for a view over the water. The whole outing normally takes between 1 and 1.5 hours, including the boat trip. Early morning is quiet and the light is soft, while sunset brings crowds to the viewpoints and the best colours over the lagoon. Tour buses stop here for short photo breaks during the day, so the causeway can be crowded around midday. The Kanoni peninsula also contains the ruins of ancient Corcyra nearby, and the Mon Repos estate lies a short distance further on. The area is reached by city bus or taxi from Corfu Town. The causeway and the viewpoint are open at all hours, while the monastery is open in daylight.