What to do in Paleokastritsa
Land
What to visit
Paleokastritsa provides numerous options for nature and history lovers. We are certain that you will love our picturesque village, and the delightful environment surrounding it. Apart from the natural beauty the historical sights won’t let you down, as there are many sights dating back to the Byzantine era.
Angelokastro
Angelokastro
It’s a ruin at the end of the day but quite a nice one. However, it’s definitely worth the hike up to it – it’s situated at the top of a rather large rock – because you’ll be Angelokastrorewarded with a spectacular view of the bays around this beautiful part of Corfu.
The fortress dates back to the Byzantine era and sits about 700 meters high, joined to the mainland by the narrowest of channels. It has a shrine, a chapel and a hermit’s cell. It’s pretty spectacular at sunset.
Monastery
Monastery
A 17th century monastery in Paleokastritsa is a popular tourist attraction for visitors who want to do a bit of exploring Monasteryduring the cool hours of the day. It’s a beautiful building as most Greek churches are and untouched for four centuries.
It’s quite nice to take a book for a relaxing read when you reach it.
Hiking
Hiking
Exploring the area around Paleokastritsa on foot is the best opportunity to experience the natural beauty. There are plenty of rural tracks and mountain footpaths to choose from, depending on the level of difficulty and the distance you wish to cover.
Some renowned routes are Paleokastritsa-Lakones, Paleokastritsa-Aggelokastro and Paleokastritsa-Liapades. All routes will definitely reward you with astonishing views, the tranquility of walking through olive groves and the images of the traditional villages you will meet along the way.
Sea
What to do
Explore the nearby caves or visit the secluded beaches with clean and amazingly blue water by hiring a boat from Agios Spyridon beach, get recommendations for amazing diving points from the diving center or get a strong dose of watersports like parasailing, canoeing and banana rings.
Boat day tour
Boat Day Tour
You can take a boat trip from jettie at Agios Spyridon beach in Paleokastritsa, a great way to explore the many caves and nooks in Boat tripsthe surrounding cliffs. I remember being told that an Allied submarine hid in one of the cliffs waiting to ambush a German boat during WW2.
I can believe it because some of them are enormous. It ‘s also possible to visit Nafsika caves and St. Nicholas caves, these caves also go by the name Blue Grottoes. The trip is worth taking for a different perspective on the island, which is extremely picturesque from the sea as much as it is from land.
The operators of these boats also run sea-taxis to neighbouring beaches. The beaches are clean and have amazingly clear blue water, it couldn’t be more idyllic. You can also hire a boat with a little board motor and take off with a cool box .
You can hire a boat at Ambelaki beach ,Alypa port and Agia Triada beach but remember to check how long the gas in the tank is going to last with the boatman before you set off.
Diving
Diving
Here the water of the sea assumes amazing colours from blue to green; for this reason Paleokastritsa is one of the Divingbest places in Corfu for snorkeling. If you like diving, a diving center is available both for beginners and for experts of the sport.
You can find it both in Agia Triada and Ampelaki beach. We suggest you not to miss a swim near Skeloudi small islet, just in front of Paleokastritsa, which is also a great diving point.
Find out more at the diving center’s website.
Fun & Sea sports
Fun & Sea sports
Small bays, emerald waters, bare rocks jutting out of the sea (can you see Ulyssesʼ vessel turned to stone?), verdant slopes Sportsreflected in the waters, gorgeous grottoes just waiting to be explored.
Boats and water taxis s are available from the main harbour Alipa at Agios Spyridon the main beach, and Ambelaki a small beach to the right of the main bay. Apart from the grottoes, also ask the boatman to take you further on to one of the virgin beaches towards Liapades or below Angelokastro.
Here, in Palaiokastritsa, you can get a strong dose of watersports, as the resort has diving school , water ski in Agios Petros beach next to Paleokastritsa parking and bus terminal, parasailing , canoeing, banana rings, sea pedal boats and many more…
Around
Where to go
Paleokastritsa has a plethora of options that will keep you on a busy schedule during your stay. But what about the rest of Corfu island? You don’t have to get too far, to reach more exceptional sites and picturesque villages. We guarantee your your time will be worthwhile.
Lakones
Lakones
Lakones village is located on the slopes of a lush green hill. It is ideal for hiking adventures, you can use several paths that lead to Paleokastritsa and enjoy the superb view to the sea. The houses in Lakones are mostly traditional, and there are many beautiful churches and traditional shops.
Doukades
Doukades
Doukades is located about 6km east of Lakones and very close to Paleokastritsa. Doukades will definitely surprise you when visiting, as it is a traditional Corfiot village with its own venetian style. You should definitely make a stop at the village square for a drink/coffee or for lunch.
Pantokrator
Pantokrator
If you wish to take a break from the beaches you should definitely visit Mount Pantokrator. At 906 meters tall, it is Corfu’s highest mountain. You can either drive or hike to get to the top, and along the way you can pause and explore many traditional Greek villages. The monastery at the top will be worth visiting as you can enjoy panoramic views for the island and it’s surroundings.
