Mirtiotissa beach, also known as Myrtidiotissa, is found on the Corfu west coast , approximately halfway along the island between Ermones beach, Glyfada beach and in the middle between the Plekas village and the Vato village.
Unique of its kind, we can almost define it as a "secret" beach for several reasons.The first is undoubtedly the difficulty in reaching it which immediately discourages the less adventurous and second, the few road signs that allow it to be found easily. In doing so, however, it was able to preserve its pristine and magical appearance.
Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, it has a narrow coastline of soft golden sand with rocks and rocks scattered here and there, high cliffs behind it dotted with Mediterranean scrub and wild vegetation crossed by streams that reach the coastwhich separate it from other wonderful coasts, crystalline waters, clear and not very cold, a sea that fades from turquoise to sparkling blue from the seabed that slopes slowly. A true oasis of beauty as well as a paradise for naturists given its considerable distance from modern civilization. Obviously nothing is equipped with amenities such as sunbeds, umbrellas or the classic tavern, you come here to enjoy Mother Nature by spreading out your towel and at most by planting your own umbrella. As always we recommend that you have the utmost respect for these last paradises, collect the rubbish and do not leave anything around that could harm the environment.
Given the infinity of rocks that sometimes seem to magically emerge from the sea and its cliffs, if you are a snorkeling enthusiast, don't forget to bring all your equipment and lose yourself in discovering the underwater world. One of the natural waterways that runs through the cliffs and its vegetation, flows right between the rocks and is used as a shower by swimmers.
But in addition to the beautiful beach, Mirtiotissa is also known for its ancient monastery which you cannot avoid visiting. Built in the 15th century by the will of the monk Daniel, originally from Persia, who later converted to Christianity, the story goes that Daniel, one night, had a vision that told him to reach the Myrtles mountain in the area called Kondrakas as he would find a stone in a cavein the shape of a dove and a cross as well as a sacred icon of the Virgin Mary. He then went on a search and, having found the image, he began to build the Monastery.
We find it a few tens of meters above the sea in an externally wild area made up of pine and olive trees. Large rocks seem to hang menacingly above the Monastery, almost giving a sense of concern which, however, is immediately replaced by a sense of peace and tranquility.
It is a real shelter for cats (after all, Greece is the homeland of these wonderful animals) who will come pawing to welcome you as soon as you enter the walls. Going along the long corridor you arrive at the cave and don't be scared if you hear strange screams, they are the peacocks that also live free inside the complex . A veranda with a large table where you can sit for a break, the church where the sacred icon is kept inside and an ancient oil mill used by monks in the past is all you will find in addition to a relaxed and blissful atmosphere.
To date, only one monk lives there, Father Daniel of Greek origins but born and raised in Germany who in 2006 decided to move to give new life and splendor to this wonderful place of worship.His daily commitment consists in trying to restore the entire structure, enriching the fauna of the region by breeding animals such as hares, rabbits and goats and then releasing them into the forest and repopulating the territory and operating the oil mill which dates back to 1896 to allow theproduction of the delicious oil also involving local farmers for the production of yellow gold in a way