Travel Guide Paleokastritsa

25 kilometers northwest of Corfu, passing through the villages of Tzavros and Lakones, this natural site, one of the most beautiful in Greece, was praised by Henry Miller in The Colossus of Maroussi. Its 13th-century white monastery (renovated in the 18th century), with its beautiful red-tiled domes, is located on the promontory and offers a marvellous view over the bay.Leaving Lakones, you come to the Bella Vista cliff. From here, the view of Paleokastritsa is fantastic: the coastline cuts into six rocky, vegetation-covered coves that drop into crystal-clear turquoise water. Undoubtedly one of the island's most beautiful sites. It also strongly inspired Homer's tales. Offshore, the rock of Petrokaravo ("stone boat") is said to be an ancient Phaeacian ship which, after taking Ulysses back to Ithaca, was petrified by Poseidon. It was in a nearby river that Ulysses is said to have met the princess Nausicaa.Today, it's an excellent diving spot. Admire the Byzantine fortress of Angelokastro (13th century) and visit the Monastery of the Virgin. A resort for wealthy Englishmen in the 19th century, Paleokastritsa today boasts numerous bars, restaurants and nightclubs.