Angelokastro Castle

What it is

Angelokastro is a Byzantine castle hanging from the edge of a cliff, at the highest point of Corfu's north-west coast, about 300 m above the sea. Its position made it almost impregnable: the west side was not even fortified, because the wall drops almost vertically. It is one of the most important Byzantine castles in Greece and the one that gives its name to Paleokastritsa, the “old little castle”.

Its name is attributed to Michael I Komnenos, Despot of Epirus. In 1272 it passed to the Angevins and, during Venetian rule, from 1386 to 1797, it was the seat of a local governor, the castellan. Today it is run by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Corfu.

What you see at the top

The visit is short and the landscape is what counts. At the highest point of the rock is the church of the archangel Michael, with an inscription on the lintel saying it was rebuilt in 1734 by the castellan Aloysius Regginis. A little further on, the chapel of Saint Kyriaki is almost carved into the rock and preserves wall paintings of the 18th century. Between the two are remains of the walls.

From the top you see the whole west coast of the island and the open sea towards the southern Adriatic. On clear days you reach the Paleokastritsa coves on one side and Agios Georgios bay on the other.

Opening hours and tickets

• 1 April to 31 October: 10:00 to 18:00, every day except Tuesdays, when it is closed.
• 1 November to 31 March: closed.
• Last entry 20 minutes before closing. Also closed on 1 May and Orthodox Easter Sunday.

General admission costs €10 and reduced €5. Buy at the box office or online on the Hellenic Heritage website. It is free on the last weekend of September and on 28 October; the free winter Sundays do not count here, because in winter it is closed.

Getting there and parking

The castle is above the village of Krini, about 50 minutes by car from Corfu town. From Paleokastritsa you drive up to Krini and, past the village, to the box office, where you leave the car as best you can: space is scarce in summer. From there you climb on foot in a quarter of an hour, along a cobbled path and steps, quite steep and in the sun.

Without a car, the green KTEL bus reaches Paleokastritsa; from there the climb to Krini is long and by road, so a taxi is the practical choice. The station and fares are on the green buses page.

If you are walking, the stage of the Corfu Trail between Liapades and Agios Georgios passes through Krini and lets you detour to the castle.

How long and when

Allow an hour and a half for the climb, the visit and the descent. Go at 10:00, when it opens: in summer the path has no shade and in the mid-afternoon the sun hits the rock head-on. In spring and in October the light is cleaner and the climb easier. In strong wind, keep away from the cliff edges.

With children

The climb is short but steep, and at the top there are drops beside the cliff: hold little ones by the hand. It is not for pushchairs or wheelchairs. With teenagers it fits well into a day along the west coast with the boat to the Paleokastritsa caves or an afternoon at Porto Timoni.