Paleokastritsa

Resorts on Corfu

      
Mrsbun C

Just found this website, great to 'walk' around, brings back happy memories of our first holiday together in 1982.  Just going to get the photos out and see if anything much has changed.

Emma C          7/10

A beautiful picturesque resort with crystal clear waters (though rather cold considering the air temperature around you), rugged hillsides and lots of fruit trees, wildlife etc. The people are friendly and the usual laid back Greek ambience affects you the minute you arrive.

However, Paleokastritsa does have a down side. The resort is long and straggly, and so it takes nearly an hour to walk the full length of the resort - as you can imagine in the heat of the day this means you work up rather a sweat. The beaches are also crowded and quite shingly - definitely not suitable for a non-swimmer like one member of our party.
 
Despite this we've had a wonderful holiday there, and were happy to mostly just relax by the pool. I would recommend a hire car for those brave folk who want to explore more.

Donald G          9/10

Fantastic scenery, lovely clear water, a variety of tavernas and bars at night....yet not too many. Classy hotels and excellent friendly basic accommodation also.....I LOVE IT.

This is where my heart and mind returns to in moments of stress, this is my idea of a Greek holiday spot......Yes it can get you're legs working...Try a walk through the olive groves to Lakones...even to AgeloKastro!! I have ... the views are to die for.

Food ....Eat at Miltiadis Corner....thats what good food tastes like!!

Beaches ....The one below the Akrotiri Beach Hotel ...all you need especially with a diving centre and a taverna on the beach, boat hire etc etc.


Heather F

My friend and I have just come back from Paleokastritsa and would recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy a peaceful holiday with wonderful views friendly people and good food.  There are lots of walks to go on, or you can go for a boat trip to see the caves and Paradise Beach. The monastery is only a ten minute walk up a hill, and it was easy to get a bus into Corfu town to see all the culture there.  We stayed for two weeks in a very nice apartment complex called Olive Grove.  We tried a few restaurants for meals but once we had gone to the Limani restaurant on our second day we went each night for our evening meal.  The food was excellent and not expensive, the staff were friendly and helpful and the menu was varied enough to be able to have different types of food each night.  There was a good variety of greek and english dishes.  We had a lovely time but it might not be so good for someone who has difficulty walking too far as it can be quite hilly.

Steph E           

We have just come back from a week in Paleokastrisa, and had a lovely time. The weather in this last week of September was wonderful, with temperatures of around 28 degrees, and we only had one day of rain (the last day thankfully). The bays are lovely, with shingle/pebbles and a gorgeous blue/green calm sea. Great for snorkelling! The fish come in very close! There were a few problems with mozzies, so make sure you get some good repellent.
At this time of year it was quiet, but the beaches can get crowded due to the large numbers of day-trippers that come to the resort on coaches from other resorts. I wouldn't come here in peak season, it would just be too busy.
There are a number of good resaurants, the best in our view were LIMANI (by the harbour)..great fish meals as well as traditional Greek fare. The other was ADAMI (near the top end of the resort)...again, good food and a lovely view over the harbour. ONE TO MISS.....please don't waste your time or money on eating at APOLLON (overlooking the main bay, next to the bakery). The staff are mostly Brits, the food was awful and micro-waved to death, and worst of of all, they were quite mean to a little stray kitten that was hovering around for tit-bits near the tables. We were actually told not to be nice to the cat in a quite rude way, before the waitress scooped up the offending kitty and moved it over a busy road!.
 
We went with KOSMAR, and although our rep was nice, we were let down by the travel companies they use for the excursions. On the trip to Corfu Town the driver was 30 minutes late, then turned a 40 minute drive into an hour and half whilst they picked up other people from resorts at the other end of the island! And we booked a trip to Albania, and that didn't even take place because the driver didn't bother to turn up! This is quite common apparently, although no-one told us that when we booked. Still, we got our money back. What annoyed us the most was the 24 hour delay on the flight back! Kosmar used Excell Airlines and they were awful. No communication with the passengers, and we were just dumped at a local (although 4 star) hotel whilst they tried to sort out another flight. A lot of people were left without clothes and it must have left a few people out of pocket.
 
Overall, this is a lovely resort out of season. We went to Sidari, Ipsos and San Stefanos, and Paleo was deffiniately the nicest resort we saw, with the least amount of Brits/noisey kids and football fans!

S B           

Just come back from a 2 week holiday in Paleo and really enjoyed it.
We stayed at Rena studios which is really nice and in a good loaction.
Paleokastritsa is a real beauty spot and the food in particular at restuarants Limani, Bellvedere and the snack shop by the main beach does lovely giros for lunch at 2 euros.
There is plenty to do other than lazing on the beach, the walk up to the monestary is only 5 minutes, there are boat cruises and beach BBQ's (better to go independantly than with rep/company because it os much cheaper)
Paleokastritsa has a lot of steps and slopes but nothing too bad, and the beaches are beautiful and really clear. Great for snorkeling.
As for nighlife, there are some nice bars but thigs don't get lively until about 1 am!
Overall, it's just a really lovely place to unwind and is definitely recommended to all, families, couples e.t.c

Donna S           

When you go to Paleo, make sure you try out the DOLPHIN TAVERNA. The food is excellent (especially the bargain breakfasts, keftiko and stifado), the staff never forget a face, and the views are great. My family and I are welcomed back year after year like old friends. The Athina Studios above are also excellent - clean and very good value.

Also take the walk up to the MONUSTARY, the snack bar is good (nice new toilets!), just make sure you take a sarong for visting the monustary, or the monks will make you wear a rather fetching flowery skirt - just think of Felicity Kendal in the Good LIfe (you get the idea!).

Angie R           

In the summer 2003 i was working for Libra Holidays as a holiday representative and was lucky enough to be given the resort of paleokastritsa to rep.very beautiful views and great bars and restuarants.Although a quiet resort its very relaxing and peaceful,but it's situated on hills and surrounded by moutains so not for persons that have difficulty in walking.must visit Jimmy's bar,Moody blue,Mistrel bar and Mermaid bar and many good restuarants along the resort.Go along and visit Kathy's Supermarket and meet Kathy and spiros,situated half way along resort.Ive spent many a happy days just sitting outside Kathy's supermarket chatting to them both and any they were happy to help me with anything.I just wana say Hi to Nia and George and Andreas at Phivos,miss you lots.Hi to any of the repeat Guests that go back to Phivos year in and year out cos it's so good.Hi to stathis at moody blue and everyone i know.
i hope 2004 is a fantastic year for you and i wish i could be there to share it with you.

Simon P           

I needed a holiday with no drunk fools and just wanted to totally unwind in beautiful surroundings! Well GOD delivered it to my mrs and I! The views are great from anywhere and the locals are the most friendly and layed back bunch I have ever met. It gets quite busy in the day with all the daytrippers to the monastery and beaches however at night it is all yours!
Go to any Taverna, bar or shop and you will feel at home! I highly recommend you shop at Jimmys Super market as they are sooo friendly and eat in the Dolphin, Belvedere and Limani's on the harbour!
The Belvedere also has a stunniong pool bar.
If you don't mind steep hills then just pack your bags and go, totally beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

Helen M           

Hi all,

Just got back from Paleo, I stayed in the Villa Athena overlooking one of the bays with my sister and cousin. The apartments were clean and very well appointed considering. I had a two section hot plate, kettle, utensils, crockery and a coffee maker (seriousy!) in the kitchen area. Tons of the hanging space, hangers and even a small table and chair.

Directly below them is the Dolphin Bar which is all part of the same mini-complex which does some pretty good food. You might need wheels for your suitcase though as you do have to go down quite a few steps to get to the apartments. We went with Argo Holidays and I will certainly be using them again.

I now have the legs of an olympic athlete thanks to the steps and slopes! If you don't like walking up or down hill this is not the place for you. On the plus side the scenerey is incredible and the views from some of the apartments further back (as in up!!) from the main area of Paleo can be certain of terrific views.

Night life varies from seriously noisy to laid back unhurried dinners. Check out the Bar Mistral if you want seriously good fun. The drinks are cold and cheap and the guys making the cocktails are hot!! But watch out ladies, they are both heart takers and heart breakers! It normally opens about 7:30 pm and closes at 3:30 am however it has been known to close later than that on a Friday night! I had the mother of all hangerovers to prove it!!

Restaurant Alipi towards the Monastry end of town do excellent seafood, pasta and local dishes. They also do some mean salads and nine times out of ten give you a fruit salad platter at the end of your meal for free. Recommend the Apella wines to go with your meals as they have a good rep for the area. Considering that some Greek wines do need an acquired taste, these ones are in the not bad category.

If you want a really good Meze try the Apollana Hotel (Monastry end). We ordered one for three and it was gigantic!! But don't order the house wine. We could have stripped paint with that!!

There is an ATM again towards the Monastry end of town, keep the Apollona Hotel on the main road on your right and you will find a little unit all on it's own. It looks very cute.

One last word DO take a torch with you although some stretches of the main Paleo road are now lit and pavement is provided, there are sections that are in complete darkness and have no pavement at all, although the local drivers try to take care wherever they can.

Crime is negligable amongst the local population and any single travellers will not be bothered. I had no concerns about walking alone back to my apartment in the dead of night/morning!!

If you are hiring a car, recommend that you get the smallest one you can. We had a litte fiat don't ask me to spell the name I don't have a clue! Some of the roads in the villages scattered about Corfu where built with donkeys in mind, not cars. Consequently small is good!

All in all I had a great holiday, but if anyone in Dorset/Hampshire who knows of any jobs out there for a PA, let me know I came home to find I'd been made redundant!!

Helen, Valere and Nigel Mead, Bournemouth, Dorset.


Russell B           

A very beautifull resort with stunning views and charm and plenty of little coves and small harbours it also has a gorgious Monestry at the top off a hill which is a lovely walk with views to match. The other side of the resort there are some beautifull hotels with lovely warm swimming pools which anyone can use for free.Corfu town is only a bus ride away and is full off shops bars and restraunts A great day out.My wife and I loved the whole holiday [7-6-02]