Paleokastritsa holidays

How to reach Paleokastritsa

Flight time: Flights to Corfu take about 3 hours 15 minutes from London and other major UK airports.

Transfer time: Corfu International Airport is within a 30- to 40-minute drive of Paleokastritsa. If you make the journey by bus (the feasibility of this option depends on your arrival time), changing to a Green Bus service for Paleokastritsa in Corfu Town, you’ll be on the road for about an hour.

Price: Taxiing from the airport to Paleokastritsa will cost about €50–€60. The bus option should cost around €5.

Best time to visit Paleokastritsa

The best time for your Paleokastritsa holidays depends on the type of holiday you have in mind.

• April to June experiences temperatures ranging from 16 to 24°C and around 7 to 11 hours of daily sunshine. Some rain is likely, but it gets drier as the months wear on. These months are perfect for outdoor activities.

• July to August sees temperatures soar to around 28°C, up to 12 hours of daily sunshine and minimal rainfall. With sea temperatures hovering around 24°C, these are the best months for a classic beach holiday. This is Paleokastritsa’s busiest period, so book early to secure accommodation.

• September to October is ideal if you like things less hot (24 to 19°C), less crowded and don’t mind some short-lived showers. You’ll get around 8 hours of daily sunshine, and the sea will still be warm enough for a dip.

• November to March is the off-season. With most accommodation, restaurants and shops shuttered until spring, Paleokastritsa will be quiet. Expect temperatures to drop from around 15°C in November to about 10°C in January before climbing to 13°C in March, and some heavy spells of rain.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Greek is the official language, but English is widely spoken in Paleokastritsa.

• Currency: Greece is in the eurozone.

• Getting around: Paleokastritsa is not a village per se; it is more of a series of bays and beaches linked by road, but it’s easy enough to get around on foot. If you’d prefer not to walk everywhere, there are a couple of local taxi and car hire companies. Taxi fares vary depending on how far you travel, while the average price for a car rental is €40 per day. Alternatively, you can move around using the A9 Green Bus. As a guide, a one-way bus ticket to Corfu Town costs €2.50.

• Electricity and plug types: The standard voltage is 230V 50 Hz. Plugs are two-pin Type C and F.

• Time zone: Greece runs on Eastern European Time, 2 hours ahead of GMT (3 hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time).

Best things to do in Paleokastritsa

Located on Corfu’s northwest coast, holidays to Paleokastritsa are all about the scenery: lush greenery, crystal-clear waters, dramatic cliffs and tranquil bays.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Bella Vista: Near the village of Lakones, this is one of Corfu’s most famous viewpoints, offering panoramic views of Paleokastritsa’s bays and rugged coastline.

• Metal Cross Vantage Point: Minutes’ walk from Paleokastritsa Monastery, with sweeping views over the Ionian Sea, this is the perfect spot to snag a sunset.

Best districts

• Main Road: Dotted with cypress and olive trees, Paleokastritsa’s spindly main road stands in for a village centre with a spread of accommodation, tavernas and shops.

Parks and gardens

• Capodistrias Museum Gardens: Within a 30-minute drive of Paleokastritsa, full of laurels, cypresses and olive trees, these are among Corfu’s most noteworthy public gardens.

Museums

• Paleokastritsa Monastery Museum: Situated high above the resort, the main reason people come here is for the views, but the monastery’s small ecclesiastical museum is worth a look for its collections of icons, sacred vestments and holy relics.

Historical monuments

• Palaiochora: Set on the cape between Agios Spiridon and Paleokastritsa bays, Paleokastritsa’s long-abandoned old village has been reclaimed by nature, its crumbling building guzzled up by greenery.

• Angelokastro: Perched precipitously on the island’s highest peak, 305m above sea level (the views are phenomenal), this was one of the most important citadels of Byzantine Corfu.

Day trips in the area

• Corfu Town: A 45-minute drive away, Corfu Town ticks all the boxes: age-old fortresses, fine architecture, lose-yourself-in back alleys, top-notch museums, a lively dining scene, green space and city beaches.

• Afionas: Further up the coast from Paleokastritsa, the picturesque traditional village is worth a look-see, but Afionas’ claim to fame is its breathtaking unspoilt double-sided beach, Porto Timoni.

Activities for families in Paleokastritsa

Paleokastritsa has loads to offer active families.

• Family-friendly beaches: Organised Agios Spyridon Beach is a good option for swimming. It is set in a crescent-shaped sandy bay, sheltered from wind and waves.

• Playgrounds: A stone’s throw from Agios Spyridon Beach, the village playground is ideally located for kids tired of swimming and sandcastles.

• Aquarium and zoos: Sea life, reptiles and amphibians await at the Corfu Aquarium. For more cuddly encounters, Corfu’s Donkey Rescue is only 6km away in Doukades.

• Boat tours: Setting sail from Alipa Port, Paleokastritsa’s glass-bottomed yellow “submarine” is a surefire family pleaser.

• Water parks: A 20-minute drive from Paleokastritsa, Aqualand guarantees hours of fun for the whole family with no end of thrilling slides and pools.

Free things to do in Paleokastritsa

There’s plenty to do on Paleokastritsa holidays, even if you’re on a tight budget, from swimming and sunbathing at one of the village’s idyllic beaches to scavenger hunting.

• Annual festivals: The Varkarola Festival, Paleokastritsa's biggest festival, is staged on the closest weekend to the 11th August. Held to celebrate Saint Spyridon’s miraculous intervention during an Ottoman siege in 1716, it features a mock naval battle, traditional music and dancing, plus a fireworks display.

• Beaches: While most of Paleokastritsa’s beaches are organised (teeny Plakakia is an outlier), Greek beaches must be 70 percent sunlounger-free by law, so you should have plenty of space to lay out your towel whichever beach you choose.

• Geocaching: Not just for kids, this GPS scavenger hunt is a fantastic way of finding scenic spots off the mainstream tourist track.

• Watch the sunset: There is no shortage of places to watch the sun go down; pick a spot on the water's edge or head up into the hills.

Nature and outdoor activities

• Hiking trails: The Donkey Path Trail to Lakones is one of the most popular hikes in Paleokastritsa. The trail picks up by the Odysseus Hotel and runs uphill through olive groves. The views more than repay the steep but relatively short climb (30 minutes to an hour, depending on your fitness level).

• Snorkelling and scuba diving: With crystal-clear waters, rocky coves and underwater caves, Paleokastritsa is one of the best places in Corfu for underwater exploration. There are dive centres on Agia Triada Beach and near the Odysseus Hotel.

• SUP: Paddleboarding is a great way to enjoy the calm waters of Paleokastritsa. Many local rental shops provide equipment and brief lessons, making it accessible even for beginners.

• Kayaking: Another excellent way to explore Paleokastritsa's many coves and hidden beaches is by kayak. Rentals are available along the shore, allowing you to paddle at your own pace and discover spots that are inaccessible on foot.

• Cliff diving: Located just off the village’s main road, set in a rocky bay with deep water, La Grotta is tailor-made for cliff diving.

Beaches in Paleokastritsa

Paleokastritsa is famous for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, making it one of Corfu’s top seaside destinations. The area is home to several beautiful coves, each offering a unique beach experience, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.

Agios Spiridon Beach

The main beach in Paleokastritsa is Agios Spiridon Beach, a horseshoe-shaped bay with golden sand and shallow turquoise waters. It's ideal for families, offering sunbeds, umbrellas, and a range of water sports like jet skiing, parasailing, and pedal boats. During the summer months, it can get busy, but the beach’s ample facilities and stunning views make it worth a visit.

Platakia Beach

For those seeking a quieter atmosphere, Platakia Beach is a peaceful escape nestled along the coastline. Its serene surroundings and crystal-clear waters make it perfect for relaxation, while still being close to the amenities of the main village.

La Grotta Beach

A favourite among snorkelers, La Grotta Beach is known for its rocky coves and clear waters. It's a great spot to explore the underwater world or simply unwind by the sea. There's also a famous beach bar perched above the cliffs, offering stunning views and a laid-back vibe.

Whether you're looking for a bustling beach with plenty of activities or a hidden cove to relax, Paleokastritsa’s diverse beaches offer something for every kind of traveller.

Local dishes in Paleokastritsa

Featuring a variety of local ingredients from the land and sea, Greek classics, Corfiot specialities and international favourites are all on the menu, so you’re bound to find something you fancy on holidays to Paleokastritsa.

Some typical dishes

• Bourou-bourou: Similar to an Italian minestrone, this chunky Corfiot soup is made with pasta and seasonal vegetables.

• Tsigareli: This dish consists of sautéed greens with garlic and tomatoes spiced with pepper or paprika.

Meze dishes

• Noumboulo: Corfu’s traditional pork tenderloin cold cut. Served in thin slices, it's perfect with country-style bread.

• Htapodi Ksydato: Boiled octopus marinated in vinegar, olive oil and oregano. This humble small plate goes a treat with Ouzo.

Meat dishes

• Pastitsada: A rich, comforting braised beef or chicken dish cooked with onions, tomatoes and cinnamon and served over thick pasta.

• Sofrito: This Venetian-influenced dish is made by sautéing flour-dredged veal or beef in a white wine sauce, seasoned with garlic, parsley and vinegar.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Bourdeto: Spiced with paprika and finished with lemon juice, this rustic fish, tomato and onion stew is an island favourite.

• Bianco: This version of Bourdeto combines white fish, potatoes, white wine, garlic and lemon juice.

Street food

• Crepes: Go sweet with a chocolate spread and banana filling or savoury with veggies and cheese.

• Gyros: These pitta sandwiches come filled with spit-cooked meat and veggies – tomatoes, onions, lettuce and cucumbers – and a hefty dollop of Tzatziki.

Sweets and desserts

• Pasta Frolla: These sweet shortcrust pastry tarts are filled with kumquat marmalade and candied fruits.

• Sykomaida: This dense, sweet, spicy fig cake is made with sun-dried figs, nuts (ground almonds or walnuts) and Ouzo.

Local drinks

• Koum Quat: Made from kumquat grown on the island, this liqueur is an island speciality.

• Tsitsibira: Corfu’s signature ginger beer – fizzy, sweet and tangy.