Paleokastritsa

Situated 25 km north from the city, Paleokastritsa is the most famous and busy beach of the island. Its beauty is still unequalled, despite all the changes made to improve tourist infrastructure. In fact it was the first place on the island to have experienced tourist development right from the period of British rule, which is why its infrastructure is of high standard.
The place is also famous because it is where archeologists situate the palace of king Alkinoos. According to local legends, the small island of Kalovri would be the other place where Poseidon petrified Ulysses’ ship, but another myth says that Kalovri was an Algerian Pirate ship, petrified thanks to divine intervention.
Paleokastritsa includes six villages next to six bays, called Haghia Triada, Platakia, Alipa, Haghios Spyridon, Haghios Petros and Ambelaki. The beautiful beach offers you many activities as water sport or fishing. You can also try spiny lobsters, the specialty of Paleokastritsa.

The monastery

Although Paleokastritsa monastery was founded in 1228, the current monastery was built in the 18th-19th centuries. It is an excellent sample of Greek monastery architecture, with its simple-aisled church, internal arcaded courtyard, cells and museum housing interesting portable icons dating from the 15th c. to the 18th c., vestments, holy objects and books.

Bellavista

Just before Paleokastritsa is the small village of Lakones. Just next to the village is Bellavista, where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Paleokastritsa and its bays. It is one of the 10 most beautiful views of Europe.

Aggelokastro

After Lakones, you find the imposing Aggelokastro, also known as Castle Michel-Angelo, named after its creator, Michel-Angelo II, Sovereign of Epirus. This Byzantine castle of the 13th c. is built on an inaccessible rock 120m high. It was the westernmost outpost of the kingdom of Epirus and played an important role until the end of the 16th century. It was also the headquarters of the island’s governor, elected by the Congress. Many heroic events have taken place there. Inside the castle is the chapel of the Archangels and, close to the north-western wall, St Kyriaki’s church. From here you can see all the way to the town of Corfu: the defenders of the fortress could send signals to the town if any enemy was approaching.

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