If you’re looking for the best spots to visit on your trip to Corfu, then Paleokastritsa is a must-see. A highlight of the west coast of Corfu, Paleokastritsa is a picturesque village that can be easily accessed from anywhere on the island.

In this Paleokastritsa guide, we’ll show you the top 7 things to do in Paleokastritsa, as well as the most beautiful beaches that this region has to offer.

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7 Things to do in Paleokastritsa (Corfu)

1. Dip your toes in the Adriatic Sea

While the water may look inviting, especially if you’re there in the warmer months of June-August, you should know that the water in Paleokastritsa bay is notoriously cold. All year round.

If the weather is hot outside, as it often is on the Greek island, this may well be perfect. Take a cold plunge to quickly cool down. You’ll find locals doing exactly that, going back and forth between the water and sand throughout the day.

The water in Paleokastritsa is crystal clear so you can bring a snorkel and check out all the underwater life. Be careful when putting your feet on the ground though; there are lots of sea urchins in this area. I speak from experience that stepping on one is not pleasant.

2. Soak up the spectacular views of Paleokastritsa Beach

If you take the path towards Paleokastritsa Monastery, you’ll come across several panoramic views – on both sides. The view overlooking Paleokastritsa Beach is the most famous one, and it takes less than ten minutes to reach by foot from the beach. It’s one of the most stunning bays in all of Corfu.

From here, you can marvel at the view, explore the less-walked (and overgrown) forest paths, or follow the road up to Paleokastritsa monastery.

3. Stroll up to Paleokastritsa Monastery

A short walk uphill, Paleokastritsa Monastery is located on a little peninsula, wedged in between the main beach and a smaller beach near the car park. From the top, you can explore the quaint monastery for free. There’s a donation box near the entrance if you want to give something.

Check out the interior to see a few small exhibitions and a little church. If it’s summertime, there will be lots of blooming flowers in the courtyard. It’s usually fairly quiet there as tourists head to the main spots and then leave.

Head round to the back to get another panoramic view overlooking the sea from the end of the peninsula. There are usually several friendly cats wandering around the monastery too.

4. Visit Corfu’s biggest aquarium

Opened in 2011, the Corfu Aquarium is a Corfiot family business aiming to “inspire awareness and preserve local fauna and marine life by educating visitors.” The passionate owners believe it to be their duty to show off the majestic and mesmerising beauty of both the sea and land animals native to Corfu.

To be honest, I’m not a zoo or aquarium type of dude. I’ve walked past the Corfu Aquarium multiple times and never been inside. However, TripAdvisor ranks it as the third best thing to do in Paleokastritsa, with 4 and a half stars out of 5 from 558 reviewers.

Located right next to the main car park in central Paleokastritsa, the aquarium is open every day from 10:00-19:00 and you’ll need around one hour to see everything. The standard ticket is €6.30, but students, children and seniors can enter for €4.50. There are discounts for group bookings and infants (0-4) go for free. See the website for more information.

5. Grab a cocktail in a cave overlooking the sea

Known as Bar Grotto, this secret cove bar always gives me pirate vibes. Why not order food or drinks from a bar situated in the rockface itself? A steep climb down (and back up!), this Paleokastritsa bar is great if you want to combine it with a little dip. It has its own private beach, although it’s very small, usually crowded, and mostly rocky.

You can practice your diving skills off the rocks if you have the nerve for it.

6. Watch the sun melt into the sea

Sunsets on the west coast of Corfu are always magical. From Paleokastritsa, you can watch as that big orange ball of fire we all know and love sinks into the sea at the end of each day. If the sky is cloudy, it can create a whole range of colours. Don’t forget to bring your camera! We usually use our phones or my Sony RX100 III.

Alternatively, if you have a car, you can head up the coast to the most famous sunset spot at 7th Heaven, in the village of Peroulades. If you do choose this option, make sure you save enough time for a pit stop at Porto Timoni!

7. Visit rescue donkeys

If you’re an animal lover, then you might want to take a short drive out of Paleokastritsa to CDR, a.k.a Corfu Donkey Rescue. Open every single day of the year from 10:00-16:00, this animal shelter was opened to prevent the sale of donkeys to the Italian meat market.

They strive to give donkeys a nice retirement with friends, freedom and fresh food and water. They’re also given a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

If you want to help the animals, CDR accepts volunteers though is unable to provide accommodation for them. You can also adopt a donkey or simply donate to the organisation. All the information is on their website.

6 Most Beautiful Beaches in Paleokastritsa

Corfu is home to many beautiful beaches, but the Paleokastritsa region in particular is like a gold mine for beach lovers. Here are the best 6!

1. Paradise Beach

To get to the most gorgeous beach Paleokastritsa has to offer, you will have to take a boat. While prices vary, you can get some quotes for boat hire or water taxi from the pier on Paleokastritsa Beach. Paradise Beach is a long strip of sandy beach, secluded from the rest of Corfu by sheer cliffs. Only accessible by boat, this really is a little slice of paradise. You’ll probably be the only one there!

You can sunbathe here in peace, or explore all the rocky areas, looking for fish or crabs. It’s a long strip so you’re sure to find a spot with nobody there. You can arrange for the boat to pick you back up when you’re ready to return.

2. Paleokastritsa Beach

An idyllic beach to lounge on, the thing that holds Paleokastritsa Beach back is that it’s usually quite crowded. In the summer season, Paleokastritsa attracts visitors from all over the island, many of them lying down on the first beach they see.

Also known as Agios Spiridon Beach, Paleokastritsa’s main beach is the easiest to access. If you come by car, it’s the beach just across the road from Paleokastritsa’s main car park. The bus from Corfu Town and Benitses also drops you off right in front of this beach. The Corfu Aquarium and Paleokastritsa Monastery are just a few minutes walk from here.

You can book boat trips or arrange a taxi boat service from the pier.

3. Rovinia Beach

Another beautiful beach in the Paleokastritsa region, Rovinia Beach is just south of the main village.

With a soft sand beach that gently slopes into the sea, Rovinia Beach is the perfect place to have a relaxing day. Like Paleokastritsa Beach, it’s great for snorkelling and there is a small sea cave that you can explore.

4. Agia Triada Beach

Agia Triada beach is a short walk south of Paleokastritsa Beach. Accessible directly from the village, this is probably the second main beach of Paleokastritsa town. You’ll find a few beach bars as well as dozens of sunbeds and umbrellas for rent.

The small pier has boats for rent; if you’re looking to go on a bit of a trip, then this is a good starting place. In this area of Paleokastritsa, you can also find plenty of restaurants where you can try local food. While fish is the staple here, you can also try Corfiot specialties such as pastitsada, stifado and sofrito. They also have classic Greek dishes like moussaka. They tend to stay open until around 23:30.

5. Limni Beach

Nestled 6km down the coast from Paleokastritsa, you’ll have to drive to get to Limni Beach unless you’re up for a long hilly walk. Often called quiet and peaceful, Limni Beach is the ideal place to escape the busy crowds of the other beaches.

This small beach has access to the sea from both sides as it acts as a little bridge to a forested peninsula. If you’re looking to relax somewhere away from the crowds on your trip to Corfu island, Limni Beach might be the place for you.

6. Agios Petros Beach

Another easy-to-find beach, Agios Petros Beach is on the other side of the car park from Paleokastritsa Beach. You can go here to get away from the main strip, but it’s still busier than some of the others mentioned on this list.

This beach is also a little stonier than the rest, hinted at in its name: petros means stone in Greek. As with all the beaches in this region, it’s great for snorkelling.

Where to Eat in Paleokastritsa?

Like all tourist villages on Corfu island, you can find plenty of restaurants in Paleokastritsa. Here are some top picks:

• Il Pozzo. An amazing restaurant with a gorgeous view, Il Pozzo is widely regarded as the best restaurant in Paleokastritsa. It has a nice little terrace where you can eat with a view over the whole Paleokastritsa area.
• Petrino’s Garden. Situated on the main road into Paleokastritsa, Petrino’s Garden is a great place to get relatively cheap local food. Portions are quite big and the price is good compared to most restaurants in the village.
• Elia Taverna. Another place that specialises in traditional Greek cuisine, Elia Taverna is a little bit away from the village centre, but it’s a solid taverna nonetheless.

Where to Stay in Paleokastritsa?

There’s no shortage of Paleokastritsa hotels to choose from. The village draws a large crowd in peak season. We’ve never spent the night here as the local bus service is quick and reliable, but if you’re looking to stay a few nights, you can find plenty of options on Booking or Airbnb.

What Will You Do on Your Paleokastritsa Holidays?

If you want to explore Corfu to the fullest extent, then Paleokastritsa has to be included in your itinerary. It’s often considered one of the most beautiful places in Corfu, or even all of Greece, so make sure you don’t miss out on Paleokastritsa!