Said to be where Odysseus met Nausicaa for the first time, Paleokastritsa is a coastal village in Corfu’s north-west. In addition to its pebbly beaches and spectacular sea caves, it’s home to a Byzantine monastery and a large Georgian church dating back to the 19th-century English Protection of Corfu.
Things to do in Palaiokastritsa
Perched atop a promontory to the south of the village is the Monastery Paleokastritsa, which offers magnificent views across the Ionian Sea. Dating from the 13th century, the monastery is surrounded by cypress and olive trees, with a traditional olive oil press among the complex’s highlights. Be sure to visit the small on-site museum where religious treasures are exhibited.
On the adjacent promontory is the historic Church of Agios Georgios, which was built in the 18th century to serve the English soldiers who were stationed on Corfu. Designed in a Georgian style and built using materials from demolished houses, it is fronted by six Doric columns that support a triangular crown. Nestled at the base of the surrounding sandstone cliffs is the Blue Eye Cave, which is named for its aquamarine waters.
Spend a day relaxing on the sands of bustling Agios Spiridon, which boasts clear waters for swimming and snorkelling, plus an abundance of waterfront eateries. Nearby is the Corfu Aquarium, where you can get up close to moray eels, lobsters and octopi, as well as a variety of Mediterranean fish species. The Corfu Aquarium overlooks Agios Petros, a cliff-backed cove with beach umbrellas and sun loungers for rent.
Getting around Palaiokastritsa
Paleokastritsa is around 30 minutes’ drive from Corfu Town and Corfu Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Paleokastritsa and the village is compact enough to explore on foot.