Paleokastritsa

Located on Corfu’s northwest coast, Paleokastritsa is usually included on most island tours or Corfu shore excursions. The island’s small size makes it easy to visit Paleokastritsa along with highlights such as Corfu Town, Achilleion Palace, and the Hill of Kanoni. Most Paleokastritsa tours make a beeline for the hilltop Monastery of Virgin Mary of Paleokastritsa, which offers panoramic views of the coastline.

• Paleokastritsa is a must-see for beach, culture, and history lovers.

• Bring sun protection; temperatures can reach over 86°F (30°C) during summer.

• The beaches of Paleokastritsa have showers, sunbeds, and parasols for rent, and there are plenty of places to purchase food and drinks.

• Dress modestly if you plan to visit the monastery.

Paleokastritsa is located on Corfu’s northwest coast, roughly 16 miles (25 kilometers) from Corfu Town. Buses run regularly between the two towns and take around 40 minutes, but if you plan to explore the surrounding villages and beaches, it’s a good idea to join a guided tour or organize private transport.

Summer (July through August) is the island’s busiest season, so arrive early to secure a good spot on the beach. Shoulder season (April through May or September through November) is a particularly good time to visit, when temperatures are still ideal for swimming and there are fewer crowds. During winter the water is typically too cold to swim, and many hotels and attractions may be closed.

The coastline around Paleokastritsa is lined with sand and pebble beaches and the cool water is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and watersports. Boat trips around the bay allow you to cruise around small caves and rock pools, while during summer speedboats and water taxis hop between beaches.

Yes, many day trips and shore excursions to Paleokastritsa include a boat tour along its coastline. Tours typically start with the village and its beaches, before a boat takes visitors to see the sea caves around Paleokastritsa. Not all tours include a boat trip, so do check first if you’d like this to be included.

The village of Paleokastritsa is known for its beaches: Agios Spiridon and Agia Triada are two of the most popular. Other local beaches—such as Verderosa Beach, Alipa Beach, and Ampelaki Beach—are considerably smaller and a little less scenic, but likely to be quieter.

Yes, you can go diving in Paleokastritsa. There are two diving centers in the village—one for scuba diving and one for free diving—both of which cater for a range of abilities, from beginners to experienced divers. Snorkeling from boats at Paleokastritsa is quite common, thanks to its caves and small coves, and can be arranged at the diving centers.

Yes, there are several walking routes in the area around Paleokastritsa. The most popular hike from Paleokastritsa is along the Donkey Path, a trail that leads up to the village of Lakones in the hills above. Visitors can also explore overgrown trails that lead to the ruins around the Chapel of Agios Georgios.

The most famous viewpoint of Paleokastritsa is found midway up the road that leads to the Monastery of Paleokastritsa, offering vista of Agios Spiridon Beach, the hills, and the next cove along. This peninsula also features several other viewpoints, including the Metal Cross viewpoint, which looks along the coast in the other direction.

The main historical site in Paleokastritsa is the Paleokastritsa Monastery, which dates back to the 13th century and houses a small museum of Byzantine relics. The monastery is still home to monks today, and their quarters are the only areas not open to visitors. On the neighboring peninsula are some abandoned village ruins, shown on the map as Palaiochora.