The smallest of the Diapontia islands, Mathraki is an ideal place to live out your Robinson Crusoe fantasies. With pristine beaches and traditional villages, this hidden gem offers a tranquil getaway away from the crowds.
With few accommodations and almost no traffic, visitors explore this peaceful island by foot or with a private means of transportation. Among the most popular things to do on Mathraki are visiting Portello beach and hiking.
Portello Beach
Located on the northwest coast of Corfu, Mathraki is one of the island’s small and quieter islands. The secluded island offers its visitors total isolation, and is a paradise for those who want to enjoy peaceful vacations away from the noisy crowds. The pristine nature and crystal clear water are the main attractions on this amazing island. It is also home to a few traditional villages and taverns that offer delicious Greek food.
Almost all the activities on the island are done by boat, as there are no cars on this island. There is a small path that connects the port and the village, and from this you can walk to different parts of the island like beaches, bays, and little harbours.
The main beach on the island is Portello, and it can be found on the north side of the island. The secluded and pebbled beach has beautiful waters that are perfect for swimming. It is a great spot to relax and spend an afternoon sunbathing or simply enjoying the breathtaking views. You can also visit the nearby Portello cove, which used to be the entrance of the castle town of Monemvasia, but now serves as a unique swimming experience.
Another popular activity on the island is hiking. The island has many old footpaths that lead to tiny chapels, small settlements, secluded beaches, and hilltops with spectacular views. Hiking is best in autumn or spring when the weather is not too hot.
If you are a fan of fishing, you can try your hand at fishing in the calm and clean waters of the Ionian Sea. You can fish for fresh seafood, which is a favorite local dish on the island. There are also a few bars and restaurants that can serve you drinks and snacks.
Another interesting thing to do on the island is to try its famous olive oil. It is produced in the traditional way and has a unique taste. You can find it in most of the taverns and restaurants on the island. It is a must-try when you are visiting Mathraki.
Hiking
If you’re a fan of hiking, you’ll enjoy the secluded beaches and nature trails of Mathraki. The island is home to old footpaths that lead to tiny chapels, a few settlements, and gorgeous views of the sea. The best time to hike is in the autumn and spring, when the weather is warm but not too hot.
If you want to avoid sunburn, wear sunscreen every day and drink lots of water. You can also bring your own snacks and drinks to save money, but make sure they’re appropriate for hiking. Having the right equipment is essential for a successful hike, so it’s best to buy your gear from reputable shops in Nepal.
Mathraki Island is a peaceful destination that’s a great escape from the busy tourist spots on other Greek islands. The coastline offers rocky cliffs and secluded coves, which are ideal for swimming and snorkelling. It’s also a popular place to hike, with many paths to explore and olive groves to admire. The island is also home to two tavernas and can be reached by boat from the port of Plakes or from Chorio village.
The secluded beach of Portello is located on the eastern side of the island and features crystal-clear water. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece and is perfect for relaxing and spending some time with your loved ones. Besides the beach, you can also explore the other secluded beaches on the island.
The secluded island of Mathraki is only accessible by boat from Corfu, making it the perfect getaway for those who want to spend their vacation away from the hustle and bustle. This island is home to an old lighthouse, which you can climb to get amazing views of the surrounding sea and coastline. You can also visit the island’s traditional houses and taste the local produce. The island is a hidden gem that you won’t find anywhere else!
Fishing
With a lot of untouched nature and crystal clear water, Mathraki is the perfect destination for a relaxing vacation. This small island is also a great spot for diving and snorkeling. Its coastline is dotted with sandy beaches, as well as rocky ones such as Arvanitiko and Fyki.
The most famous attraction of the island is fresh fish, which can be found at most restaurants and taverns. It is gathered from the sea and then brought back to the island to be prepared and cooked in a variety of ways. The most popular dish is stuffed mussels, but there are plenty of other choices, too. The island is also known for its olive oil. It is gathered manually, and the oil is sent to Corfu to be pressed. The resulting olive oil is used in many dishes on the island, as well as to make its famous local wine.
Due to its secluded location, Mathraki only receives a very limited number of tourists during the summer months. Despite this, there are still plenty of things to see and do on the island. In addition to a sandy beach, there are two villages: Ano and Kato Mathraki. Both are beautiful, and there is a large amount of vegetation and flowers throughout the island.
As there are no buses at Mathraki, most visitors explore the island by walking. The only road is located around the port of Plakes. It is not very long, but it takes visitors to all the main locations on the island. Those with cars can park them at the port and visit the rest of the island by car.
Getting to Mathraki is easy with Moovit. The all-in-one transit app helps you find the best route to any place, no matter where you are. With real-time updates, Moovit will give you accurate arrival time information so you can plan your trip accordingly. You can even use it to avoid the busiest times of the day. Moovit has over 1.5 million users, including those in Corfu, and it is free to download.
Olive Oil
The smallest of Corfu’s Diapontia Islands, Mathraki is the perfect place to spend a holiday full of tranquility and nature. Its main port, Plakes, is surrounded by trees and offers a laidback lifestyle with locals who are more than happy to teach you some of their famous dialect that is a mixture between Greek and Italian.
On your tour around the island, don’t miss to visit an olive oil factory, which is a great way to learn about this very important product of Mathraki. The factory is owned by Terra Creta, and a guide will take you through the entire process of making olive oil from the start to the end.
First, the olives are ground into paste with millstones (traditional method), or a blade or disk mill (modern technique). This is followed by a long stirring of the paste in a special container, called malaxation, to gather all the small drops of oil together, which will facilitate the mechanical extraction of the oil from the pomace.
Once the paste is ready, it will be pressed with great force by a press, which will squeeze the water and oil out of it. The oil will then be separated from the pomace and stored in barrels to mature before bottling. In order to guarantee the best quality, the oil is only extracted when the pomace is at its ripest.
The taverns of Mathraki are filled with delicious dishes made with locally produced olive oil and other ingredients. However, the most popular product is fresh fish. In the summer, the locals offer fishing trips from the pier of Portello.
Tourist facilities on the island are few, as the island receives a limited number of visitors. There are a few traditional houses and rooms with simple amenities, which are enough to accommodate the few visitors who make it to this beautiful little island.