Highlights of this tour
- Kanoni
- Mon Repo Palace
- Panoramic drive Corfu Old Town
Your Wheelchair Accessible Kanoni and Mon Repo Palace tour starts from the cruise port, where you meet your English-speaking licensed guide. You find her by the sign she is holding with your name on it. The ride from the port to Kanoni goes through Corfu Town, which will take about 20 minutes.
Your drive to Kanoni follows a winding seaside road, passing traditional villages on the west coast of Corfu. From Kanoni, you admire the famous view of Mouse Island (‘Pontikonisi’). According to the legend, Mouse Island was formed by the ship that took Odysseus back to Ithaca, which is his home port. That is where Poseidon, the God of the sea, turned him into stone. He was angry at being defied by the Phaeacians. Under the Hill of Kanoni is the Convent of Vlachernas.
Optional: Mouse Island can only be accessed by small boats for environmental reasons. You have the possibility to take the boat to the Mouse Island, however these boats are not accessible.
Kanoni is a bathing place, located in Central Corfu at 5 kilometers from Corfu town. It is one of the most beautiful areas of Corfu town and is situated on the outskirts of the modern city. Right on the southern peninsula, where the archaeological area of Palaiopoli is situated. Kanoni, which means “battery,” is named after a battery gun that was installed by the French in 1798. On the square, you find a remaining cannon as a reminder of the past.
From the square you have a beautiful view over Pontikonissi (“mouse island”), which can be reached by means of a boat from Vlacherna. The small Vlacherna chapel, with a tiled roof, is connected to the land by a narrow strip of cement. A little further you find the green, characteristic island of Pontikonissi. Just below Kanoni is the lagoon of Halikiopoulos.
Tip: the Egret is a very endangered species. The bird often hibernates in the Halikiopoulos laguna. Who knows, you might discover him!
What makes Kanoni so unique, is that it is located above the runway of Corfu’s national airport. This way, you have the opportunity to spot planes that pass so close that almost feel as if you can touch them! The sunset is genuinely fantastic. If you are lucky enough to see the sunset at the same time that the moon rises, you experience pure magic that lets you enjoy Corfu in all its glory! The perfect way of ending your Kanoni tour
Next up is a visit to Mon Repo Palace, which is close to Kanoni. It can be found in Mon Repo Estate, a beautiful property where the Greek Kings used to spend their holidays, and the place where Prince Philip of Edinburgh (Queen Elizabeth’s husband) was born. There, lush nature has created a beautiful forest. This is wheelchair accessible until the Palace and back.
The Palace itself hosts a small but fascinating museum, in which the first floor has a collection of ancient Corfiot traditional costumes and furniture and an archaeological museum. The entrance is by means of a ramp in the entrance, and there is a lift to access the floors. Accessible toilet situated onsite.
At the end of the tour, you return to the port with a panoramic drive without stopping through the Old Town of Corfu. You will pass the main square, the Old Fortress, the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George, and the New Fortress. Some great photo stops before your driver and guide drop you off at the cruise port.
“…I am traveling with a group of handicapped people and taken some of their tours, but yours are MUCH better…” Read more
“We have just returned from a Baltic cruise with port tours organized via Mirjam in St Petersburg and Tallinn…” Read more
“We had a great trip!!! Every excursion was great, but the day in Rome was the best!! […]” Read more