Kanoni- Holidays

You’ll find Kanoni just south of Corfu Town, right next-door to the airport. It was named after the cannons that once protected the city at the entrance to the lagoon. These days, it’s still home to a handful of historic sights. The 17th-century Vlacherna Monastery’s one of the most famous – it perches on its own island, connected to the harbour by a narrow pier. From here, you can take a boat out to nearby Pontikonissi – better known as Mouse Island – where you can nose around the 13th-century church of Pantokrator and grab a souvenir from the gift shop.

Corfu’s nicknamed Greece’s Emerald Isle, and Kanoni fits the description well. It might be small, but it isn’t short of a beauty spot or two. Along the east coast, you’ve got a couple of rocky beaches backed by steep, tree-carpeted cliffside. Snorkellers will find the waters teeming with colourful fish. And further inland the rugged hillside’s peppered with vantage points offering sweeping sea vistas. Speaking of views, Kanoni’s also popular with plane spotters thanks to its position by the runway at Corfu’s airport.

One of Kanoni’s best features is its laidback vibe, but if you fancy a change of pace you can hop in a cab and be over in Corfu Town in around 10 minutes. Its UNESCO-protected old quarter’s packed with Venetian charm. A wander through the narrow, paved streets is a must – they’re sprinkled with quaint cafés, cosy bars and tiny shops. And if history’s your thing, you can pay a visit to the Old Fortress or Saint Spirydon Church, where a red-domed belltower stretches up above the rest of the town’s rooftops.