Monastery of Paleokastritsa

Monastery of Paleokastritsa tickets: which one to buy

The Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Paleokastritsa stands on a green headland above the famous bays on the west coast of Corfu, about forty minutes' drive from Corfu Town, and entry is free, with donations welcome. Paleokastritsa is one of the most visited places on the island, and most day tours of Corfu stop here, combining the monastery with a boat trip to the sea caves and a swim in one of the coves. Buses run from Corfu Town.

The road up to the monastery is steep and narrow, and parking at the top is limited, so many visitors walk up from the beach in about fifteen minutes. Dress rules are enforced at the entrance, with wraps provided to cover shoulders and legs. The monastery is small and busy in the middle of the day in summer. Boats to the caves operate in small groups and leave as soon as they fill, usually every half hour.

Visiting Monastery of Paleokastritsa: what to see

A monastery is said to have been founded on this headland in the thirteenth century, and legend says it was built after an icon of the Virgin was found here. The present buildings date mostly from the eighteenth century. The monastery is arranged around a flower-filled courtyard with arcades, a bell tower and a small church with a carved and gilded iconostasis and old icons. A small museum displays icons, manuscripts, vestments and an old olive press, reflecting the monastery's past as a working estate.

The monks' gardens and terraces are planted with flowers, and there is a small shop selling olive oil and other products. The greatest attraction is the setting: from the terraces there are panoramic views over the turquoise bays, the cliffs and the green hills of the west coast, especially at sunset. Among the museum's curiosities is the skeleton of a large sea creature, said by local legend to be a sea monster killed near the coast.

Monastery of Paleokastritsa opening hours and the best time to go

The monastery is open daily from morning until evening, with a break in the middle of the afternoon on some days. The summer months are very busy, especially in the middle of the day when tour buses arrive; early morning and late afternoon are the best times to visit. Spring, when the wildflowers bloom, and September are lovely. The monastery's feast day, the Assumption on the fifteenth of August, brings pilgrims and celebrations.

Winter is quiet, and some facilities in the resort close. The boat trips to the sea caves leave from the beach below. Allow about half an hour for the monastery, and combine it with a visit to the Angelokastro castle ruins a short drive away. The beaches of Paleokastritsa have cool clear water even in August, because of currents from the open sea.