Things to do in Paleokastritsa Monastery
Get a glimpse of Corfu’s religious heritage at the Paleokastritsa Monastery and enjoy breathtaking views of its hilltop location. Situated on the northwestern side of the island above the small town of Paleokastritsa, this large monastery complex is dedicated to Panagia – the Virgin Mary. Getting here is a treat in itself. By foot or car, you’ll pass through olive groves and cypresses with the Ionian Sea in the distance.
Wander around the small courtyards, charming archways and take in the monastery’s intricate bell tower. Discover the monastery's elegant 18th-century architecture and intricate Byzantine-style frescoes that adorn the walls. The monastery's museum houses a collection of religious artefacts, ancient manuscripts and precious icons. The calm and peaceful atmosphere will let you appreciate the true beauty of this area.
Our recommendations in Paleokastritsa Monastery
Small Group Corfu Tour with Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa
Corfu is jam-packed with palaces, monasteries and picturesque villages. On this small group tour, you'll head into the rolling hills and along its rugged coastline to discover the Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa. You'll also get to taste the fruits of the countryside. Spiros, one of our local guides, says, ‘It's a tour that mixes scenery with spirituality and nostalgia. And the visits to the kumquat distillery and olive oil museum offer a real glimpse of rural traditions.'As you journey your way through Corfu, you'll visit some of its top attractions. There's Achillion Palace, built by Empress of Sisi of Austria a year after a family tragedy. It was in its classical-inspired gardens and interiors that she hoped to find comfort and solace. It also boasts panoramic vistas over Corfu town, the coastline and even mainland Greece. And the views are also top-notch at the seaside village of Paleokastritsa. You'll have free time to visit the Orthodox monastery – admission is free – or the coves. A boat trip can also be arranged here.Plus, you'll get to sample some of the rich flavours of rural Corfu. There's a visit to a family-owned kumquat distillery. Here, you'll learn everything there is to know about this citrus fruit and the sweet and fragrant liqueur made from it. There's also a visit to a local olive oil museum. ‘Seeing historic pressing equipment in state-of-the-art modern facilities really drives home the timelessness of olive oil production,' says Spiros.
en
Corfu Tour with Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa
Northern Corfu is all idyllic villages, monuments and rugged coastline. Head into sun-dappled rolling hills to discover Achillion Palace, the scenic Paleokastritsa coast and many other delights. There's also a visit to a kumquat distillery to sample this trademark Corfu liqueur. Spiros, one of our local guides, says, ‘Kumquat liqueur is a uniquely Corfu phenomenon – it's made nowhere else in Greece. It's a part of our Corfiot identity. To learn how this Asian fruit came to the island is a real eye-opener.'You'll visit some of Corfu's top attractions. First up is Achillion Palace. The palace boasts stirring views of the Corfu coast, and the meticulously landscaped gardens are a work of art. Spiros adds, ‘Empress Sissi of Austria was enamoured with Corfu and its mythological heritage, particularly the story of Achilles, and the palace and gardens are filled with sculptures of Greek gods and goddesses.' The vistas are also top-notch at the seaside village of Paleokastritsa. You'll have free time to visit the Orthodox monastery – admission is free – or the many coves with beautiful beaches. A boat trip can also be arranged here.Plus, you'll get to sample the trademark flavour of rural Corfu. There's a visit to a family-owned kumquat distillery. Here, you'll learn everything there is to know about this exotic citrus fruit. Marmalade, soda drinks and syrup are just some of the products made from kumquat. But it's the sweet and fragrant liqueur – often sold in Corfu-shaped bottles – that's become an island icon.
en
This grand tour of Corfu takes you to some of the island's top sights in just one morning. Starting at Paleokastritsa and travelling on to Lakones then Corfu town, you'll discover picturesque mountain villages, ancient monasteries and much more.The tour kicks off at picture-perfect Paleokastritsa, the seaside village where Odysseus first set foot on Corfu. We'll wind our way up the hills to the 13th-century Monastery of Virgin Mary, where we'll admire Byzantine icons before poking around the museum. What's more, its clifftop location offers impressive views over the bay and is a great place to take some snaps.Sat on the slope of a verdant mountain is the quaint village of Lakones – our next stop. White and blue stone houses dot the narrow streets, like something off a postcard. We'll then head to Bella Vista for some spectacular island views. We'll round things off checking out Corfu town's must-sees, like the 300-year-old St Spryridon church and the main plaza, Liston Square. You'll have free time to explore the shops, museums and cafes before heading back.
en
Explore Corfu's beaches: Shore excursion to Paleokastritsa and Glyfada
Take a dive into a once-in-a-lifetime experience and visit the magical and gorgeous beaches of Paleokastritsa and Glyfada.
en
Small Group Corfu Tour with Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa
Corfu is jam-packed with palaces, monasteries and picturesque villages. On this small group tour, you'll head into the rolling hills and along its rugged coastline to discover the Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa. You'll also get to taste the fruits of the countryside. Spiros, one of our local guides, says, ‘It's a tour that mixes scenery with spirituality and nostalgia. And the visits to the kumquat distillery and olive oil museum offer a real glimpse of rural traditions.'As you journey your way through Corfu, you'll visit some of its top attractions. There's Achillion Palace, built by Empress of Sisi of Austria a year after a family tragedy. It was in its classical-inspired gardens and interiors that she hoped to find comfort and solace. It also boasts panoramic vistas over Corfu town, the coastline and even mainland Greece. And the views are also top-notch at the seaside village of Paleokastritsa. You'll have free time to visit the Orthodox monastery – admission is free – or the coves. A boat trip can also be arranged here.Plus, you'll get to sample some of the rich flavours of rural Corfu. There's a visit to a family-owned kumquat distillery. Here, you'll learn everything there is to know about this citrus fruit and the sweet and fragrant liqueur made from it. There's also a visit to a local olive oil museum. ‘Seeing historic pressing equipment in state-of-the-art modern facilities really drives home the timelessness of olive oil production,' says Spiros.
en
Corfu Tour with Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa
Northern Corfu is all idyllic villages, monuments and rugged coastline. Head into sun-dappled rolling hills to discover Achillion Palace, the scenic Paleokastritsa coast and many other delights. There's also a visit to a kumquat distillery to sample this trademark Corfu liqueur. Spiros, one of our local guides, says, ‘Kumquat liqueur is a uniquely Corfu phenomenon – it's made nowhere else in Greece. It's a part of our Corfiot identity. To learn how this Asian fruit came to the island is a real eye-opener.'You'll visit some of Corfu's top attractions. First up is Achillion Palace. The palace boasts stirring views of the Corfu coast, and the meticulously landscaped gardens are a work of art. Spiros adds, ‘Empress Sissi of Austria was enamoured with Corfu and its mythological heritage, particularly the story of Achilles, and the palace and gardens are filled with sculptures of Greek gods and goddesses.' The vistas are also top-notch at the seaside village of Paleokastritsa. You'll have free time to visit the Orthodox monastery – admission is free – or the many coves with beautiful beaches. A boat trip can also be arranged here.Plus, you'll get to sample the trademark flavour of rural Corfu. There's a visit to a family-owned kumquat distillery. Here, you'll learn everything there is to know about this exotic citrus fruit. Marmalade, soda drinks and syrup are just some of the products made from kumquat. But it's the sweet and fragrant liqueur – often sold in Corfu-shaped bottles – that's become an island icon.
en
This grand tour of Corfu takes you to some of the island's top sights in just one morning. Starting at Paleokastritsa and travelling on to Lakones then Corfu town, you'll discover picturesque mountain villages, ancient monasteries and much more.The tour kicks off at picture-perfect Paleokastritsa, the seaside village where Odysseus first set foot on Corfu. We'll wind our way up the hills to the 13th-century Monastery of Virgin Mary, where we'll admire Byzantine icons before poking around the museum. What's more, its clifftop location offers impressive views over the bay and is a great place to take some snaps.Sat on the slope of a verdant mountain is the quaint village of Lakones – our next stop. White and blue stone houses dot the narrow streets, like something off a postcard. We'll then head to Bella Vista for some spectacular island views. We'll round things off checking out Corfu town's must-sees, like the 300-year-old St Spryridon church and the main plaza, Liston Square. You'll have free time to explore the shops, museums and cafes before heading back.
en
Explore Corfu's beaches: Shore excursion to Paleokastritsa and Glyfada
Take a dive into a once-in-a-lifetime experience and visit the magical and gorgeous beaches of Paleokastritsa and Glyfada.
en
How to get there
Paleokastritsa Monastery
Corfu
Greece
Reviews Paleokastritsa Monastery
“Guide and driver excellent. Very disappointed palace closed for renovations, that was one of the main reasons we booked the trip. Gardens nothing special. Should be told before booking that palace is closed. Distillery visit not really a visit to a distillery more just a shopping experience. The rest of the trip was good but as the palace is closed for the next couple of years I don't think the trip should include it.”
“This is a very long day. First 2 hours were spent doing The Palace is shut dor renovations and you can only visit gardens. The monastery was hardly mentioned. Optional boat trip is a must, great value. The guide was extremely knowledgeable with some great facts, but feel the description of this experience does not reflect the day.”
“The day was far too long (being out of the hotel for 10 hours). Far too many stops, information overload from tour guide. Too much historic information. Not well organised waiting to meet another coach at the start of the tour, time wasted. Really bad waiting time towards the end of the tour waiting for a transfer coach to take other guests to their accommodation. As a suggestion, Tui needs to offer an excursion to include Paleokastritsa and one other place of interest to shorten the day.”
“Enjoyed- nothing really”
