Paleokastritsa, or Palaiokastritsa, is also one of my favorite places to see in Corfu. It is a small port located about 25 kilometers west of Corfu town. The relative proximity to the city also explains why there are so many people … You have many things to do at Paleokastritsa. Go to one of the many beaches, visit the monastry, rent a boat or a little bit further visit Angelokastro, an old byzantine castle.
Paleokastritsa Beaches
The easiest option is clearly to go to the beach of the small port, at the end of the road leading to Palaiokastritsa, just below the monastery. On the other side of the parking lot you will also find a dive center. But it would be a pity not to explore some more secluded beach. Some of them are only accessible by boat, some are accessible by land.
La Grotta
La Grotta is a very small beach club in a very small cove. There is no access fee but you will have to pay for sun beds and of course food or drinks. It’s nice to go there early during high season or any time during low season. Because it can be very crowded in the middle of the afternoon during high season. There is a diving board and even if you don’t dive yourself you will enjoy the show ! Even more daring and experienced divers climb along the cliff to dive from higher.
You can rent a boat from La Grotta to explore Paleokastritsa bay and the nearby beaches.
Other Beaches accessible by land
Liapades Beach and Rovinia Beach are accessible by land and also by boat. Many families are going to these beaches because they are easy to reach. But it is a better option than Agios Spiridon, Agios Petros and Ampelaki beach which are just next to the parking lot and therefore crowded.
Rent a boat and explore more secluded beaches
You can rent at La Grotta or pretty much everywhere in Paleokastritsa a small boat that you can drive without a licence.
What I like to do is to start going East, crossing the bay towards Limni Beach. It is a kind a double beach separating the main land an a small peninsula. You can then follow the coast, pass by Liniodoros cave and then go to Chomi beach. It is a very spectacular beach at the bottom of a huge cliff. It is nice to spend some time here, swim, and have lunch if you brought some food and drinks. Many boats are going there but the beach is so large that you will easily find a nice an quiet spot.
I usually leave Chomi beach after lunch and aim to Paleokastritsa monastry. You can have a look at the Blue Eye cave, go around the monastry and it may be time to bring back your boat.
Paleokastritsa Monastry
The monastry is a very charming and peaceful place. During high season it is better to park your car at the main parking lot and walk to the monastry. During low season you can try to drive up till the monastry but there is only a few places to park.
The monastry is nice to visit and offers awesome view of the bay. You will find a small museum inside. And you can also buy some home made products like olive oil.
Angelokastro
Angelokastro, or Castel Sant’Angelo in Venitian, is a Byzantine castle, built during the 13th century. From 1387 to the end of the 16th century, Angelokastro was the official capital of Corfu. Angelokastro is one of the most important fortified complexes of Corfu. It was an acropolis which surveyed the region all the way to the southern Adriatic and formed a defensive triangle with the castles of Gardiki and Kassiopi.
Angelokastro is located at the top of the highest peak of the island’s shoreline in the northwest coast at 305 m above sea level. The castle is now in ruins but deserves a visit.
