The picturesque village of Paleokastritsa, located on the north-west coast of Corfu, around 25 km from Corfu Town, has been considered as one of the most beautiful spots of the island, and is one of Corfu’s most popular attractions. First stop before arriving to Paleokastritsa is a Kumquat distillery
The Kumquat of Corfu, golden orange translates to kam kwat in Chinese and that is the origin of the name of this strange tree, kumquat, which has been extensively cultivated on the island of Corfu since 1924. In fact, the British botanist Sidney Merlin is believed to have introduced it to the island, where it was declared a quality product of protected geographical indication following a ministerial resolution passed in 1994. There you will be able to taste and buy liqueurs, jams and glyka tou koutaliou, in other words traditional Greek spoon sweets (namely fruit in syrup) with the flavor of Kumquat.
The coastline of Paleokastritsa consists of over 15 bays many of which are accessible only by boat. Legend has it that it is on one of these bays that the shipwrecked Odysseus (the fascinating hero of Homer’s Odyssey) after the war in Troy and on his way back to Ithaca, was washed ashore and met Nausica for the first time. Another highlight of the area is the many beautiful caves dotted along the coastline which can be explored by small boats.
Above Paleokastritsa beach, lies the 13th-century monastery of the Virgin Mary, one of the island’s most beautiful monasteries. This small working monastery has a beautiful chapel and gardens, as well as a breathtaking view out to sea.
Nearby villages include the un-spoilt Lakones (Bella Vista), which is full of traditional houses and also offers wonderful views out to the sea, which is believed to be amongst the best in Corfu.
Visitors to Paleokastritsa can swim in the crystal clear waters, take a local short boat trip to explore the little caves of the area, visit the hilltop monastery or simply sit down, relax or enjoy a delicious meal in one of the seaside tavernas.
