Corfu’s old villages hide colourful houses, stone mansions and flower-filled courtyards. Read to the end for my top three — and No.1 is also my personal favourite.
10Pentati – Traditional Houses Above the Ionian Sea
Best for: traditional houses, sea views, sunsets and a quieter side of west Corfu.
Pentati is a small traditional village on Corfu’s west coast, built above the sea between Agios Gordios and Paramonas.
The village still preserves much of its traditional character, with old houses, narrow lanes and views towards the Ionian Sea and the distinctive Ortholithi rock offshore.
Pentati developed higher on the hillside partly because earlier coastal settlements were more exposed to pirate raids. Natural springs in the area also played an important role in the choice of location.
Where does the name Pentati come from?
The story behind the name is particularly interesting. According to local historical research, Pentati was once surrounded by large numbers of oak trees, and collecting acorns became an important local activity.
The name is said to come from a tax imposed by the Venetians on people collecting acorns for export. The acorns were valuable because they were used in dye production, tanning and other industries.
Village facts
Population: approximately 235 residents, according to 2021 population data.
Location: west Corfu.
From Corfu Town: approximately 18 km.
Altitude: around 200 metres above sea level.
Best for: traditional houses, sunset views and quiet village photography.
What else can you see nearby?
- Ortholithi rock
- Agios Gordios
- Paramonas Beach
- Sinarades
- Kato Garouna
- Agios Mattheos
The Church of Panagia Odigitria, built in 1845, is also worth seeing, and its courtyard offers beautiful views towards the sea.
About 1.5 km away, in the Paramonas area, are the remains of a property once associated with the family of Nikolaos Mantzaros, the Corfiot composer who wrote the music for the Greek National Anthem. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Local tip: Visit Pentati in the late afternoon. You can photograph the village first and then stay for the west-coast sunset.
