Paleokastritsa, Corfu Island
Located on Corfu Island, a stunning island in the Ionian Sea, Paleokastritsa has become of late a top destination for many tourists searching for sun, beaches, and fascinating attractions loaded with ancient history.
The whole island has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites to see. So, you won't miss what's truly worth visiting, read my list of the 7 best-rated tourist attractions in Paleokastritsa, Corfu Island.
1. Corfu Town
Plan to spend a couple of days exploring the island's capital city, Corfu Town. The entire town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and as you walk along its cobbled streets and centuries old structures, you'll discover ancient history everywhere, almost speaking in its native tongue!
The town is busy and packed with shops, bars, restaurants, cafes, and much more. There are plenty of excellent places serving a wide variety of Greek dishes to satisfy all demanding consumers, including the pickiest. You'll find many winding streets to take by car or foot and start to admire all the gorgeous architecture and notice how they differ, even just slightly from one site to another.
Visit two old fortresses constructed by the Venetians during the 16th century to defend the town from invaders. Also, stop by the Archaeological Museum of Corfu to check out their large collection covering many periods of Greek history.
You are advised to take a brief stroll outside of the town to look at a few villages. Here, you'll find much scenic beauty.
2. Glyfada Beach
Glyfada attracts numerous visitors and for good reason. As a big stretch of beach and listed among the top beaches in Europe, it has earned Blue Flag status a number of times.
This beach features transparent blue waters and plenty of open space for swimming and sunbathing. You could rent sun loungers and parasols to set up your place for just relaxing for a while. Besides lifeguards spread out evenly, there are beach cafes and bars that offer food, drink, and ice cream. You can rent watersports equipment to fulfill all those desires to enjoy all sorts of activities.
The beach lies where there are a lot of lodging options available nearby.
3. Angelokastro
Rising 300 meters over sea level, Angelokastro fortress is yet another of Corfu's best attractions. The Byzantines built this spectacular ruined castle in the 13th century. Later, the Venetians used it as a fortress to protect the region from enemies like pirates.
The site comprises tall walls boasting strategic towers. Within its walls you'll see what remains of homes and churches and you could explore to better understand what life might have been back then. As you tour through the castle, imagine living here centuries ago. The moment you start your tour, you immediately gain a newfound sense of respect mixed with solemnity.
The vista from the castle over Corfu is quite breathtaking, with a 360-degree panoramic view extending wide and far.
4. Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa
Hosted in a lovely 15th century Church of Virgin Mary Antivoniotissa, the museum has a considerable collection of Byzantine art dated from the 15th century, including several exhibits ranging from ceramics, sculptures, icons, liturgical objects, wall frescoes to clothes of priests.
The museum lacks aisles and features Corfiot architecture. The building is worth a visit because of its historical value alone and its non-traditional characteristics.
5. The Achilleion
The Empress Elizabeth of Austria built the royal palace in the 19th century and has grown historically as one of the most lavish structures ever erected. It stands at one end of a huge garden which offers incredible panoramas over the coastline.
Some people have described it as a fairy tale castle on account of its lengthy corridors, decoratively painted ceilings and lovely marble statues. The empress chose to construct the palace after exploring Greece and searching for an appropriate site. However, she fell instantly in love with this particular area on Corfu and decided this was the perfect place to erect her palace.
Today, you could tour the palace admiring the ornate rooms, the surrounding gardens, as well as catching the memorable sunset from here.
6. Corfu Kassiopi Tower
This is a must while visiting Corfu Island. It's a big tower which rises on top of a hill, and you can reach it by climbing up a few steps. The Venetians constructed it in the 12th century to defend the coastal area from invading pirates.
Now, it houses a small museum that hosts artifacts relating to the tower's history and how it was utilized throughout the centuries. Also, climb to the highest floor and enjoy the stunning views of Corfu Town as well as its charming beaches and some islands.
7. Canal d' Amour
Situated on Corfu's northwestern tip, only a 20-minute stroll from the fascinating little village of Sidari, the Canal of d'Armor is a top natural marvel on Corfu Island. It features breathtaking sandstone rock formations which make a natural passage from its little beach into the Ionian Sea's shining blue waters. You could leap off rocks into nice warm, salty sea before swimming through marvelous tunnels and incredible caves for amazing fishy underwater adventure. Snorkeling gear is available at a rental basis at the beach.
