It may not be a seaside village, but it is not far from a lovely, long coast, and it has a great view of the Ionian sea. Moreover, it’s home to the most impressive surviving castle of mainland Greece, a remnant of the Frankish rule, which gave the village its name – Kastro in Greek means castle.
Kastro is located in Ilia, on the westernmost peninsula of the Peloponnese, built in the hilly area of Helonata, and it has just over a thousand residents. It is 42 km away from Pyrgos, and 77 km from Patras, while the closest town is Amaliada, 27 km away. Despite being in a semi-mountainous location, it is very close to the sea, which is only 2,5 km away from the highest parts of the village.
Excavations carried out by the French Archaeological School of Athens proved that the hill had been inhabited since Prehistoric times. In antiquity, it belonged to the dominion of Kyllini. The contemporary settlement can be traced back to medieval times and the Byzantine Empire era, judging by the date of 1102 above the main entrance of the old cemetery.
The region was completely revived during the 4th Crusade. The fall of Constantinople (1204) left the coast clear for the French troops of William of Champlitte and Geoffrey I of Villehardouin , who conquered the Peloponnese (1205), and established the Principality of Achaea. Andravida was named capital, but as it didn’t have a fortress, they built three fortresses in its wider perimeter. The most powerful among the three was the Clermont fortress (completed in 1223) that the Greek-speaking locals named Hlemoutsi.
Around this castle, a settlement developed, the historic core of Kastro, whose fortune followed the fortress: passing into the hands of various conquerors through time, until 1715, when the Venetians (who called it Castel Tomese) gave it to the Ottoman Empire. A little over a century later, the village would participate in the 1821 War of Independence – in fact the fortress was severely bombed in 1826 by Ibrahim’s troops – becoming a part of the Greek state when the war ended successfully (1830).
Where to stay
Kastro has a good tourist infrastructure and offers a wide range of lodgings, both catering to those who are looking for cheaper options as well as those who want to relax in a deluxe environment. For those who don’t want to splurge on a hotel, there are rooms and apartments to let as well as organised camping sites in the area.
For hotels, on Hrisi Akti beach you’ll find “Olympia Golden Beach Resort & Spa” next to the sea with a pool, a tennis court and a gym. Further on the same beach there is “Robinson Club”, very popular among families with small children. “Fournia Village” offers spacious rooms with a view, while for an all-inclusive resort surrounded by palm trees look for “Ilia Palms”.
“Kastro Beach” is a medium range three-star hotel offering good value, a view of the Ionian sea, and rooms located in an olive grove. Finally, near the thermal springs, you’ll find “Mandola Rosa”, a five-star hotel with comfy suites decorated in a Belle Époque style, as well as the similarly appointed “Olympia Oasis”, both members of the Grecotel chain.
Where to go for a coffee and a drink
Apart from the hotel facilities, in Kastro you will also find seasonal establishments functioning as café-bars-restaurants.
“Aenaon”, on the country road that connects Lechaina and Loutra Kyllinis, just after the church of Agia Marina, is particularly popular for a drink looking out to the sunset on the Ionian sea, and it gets quite busy as a restaurant. Towards the centre of the village, “Prigipas” is busy and also has a pizzeria. On your way to the beach, you’ll find the very popular “Kantina Petrelea”, while in the direction of the thermal springs there’s also “Paralia Kantina”, as well as the coffee shop “Platanos”.
Where to eat
“Kalamias” is considered a must-go destination for seafood as well as good pasta. “Castello” serves creative Mediterranean cuisine with a gourmet twist, while the tavern “To Kastro” is famous for its traditional casserole dishes.
“Dionysos” is at the centre of the village and combines casserole dishes and grilled meats, while “Mylos” also focuses on traditional Greek cuisine and has a wide range of wines. On the beach front, “La Piantagioni del Caffe” serves fast food with an Italian twist, while “Droseli” on Hrisi Akti is also popular.
5 things worth doing in Kastro
The imposing fortress and the proximity to the sea, as well as other tourist locations in the wider area (e.g., Arkoudi), mean that Kastro consistently attracts visitors from Greece and Europe. There is potential for more development, considering its idyllic location between the mountain and the sea, and the attraction of a great medieval castle surrounded by olive groves.
Visit the impressive Hlemoutsi castle
Built on the top of a 220 m high hill, Hlemoutsi is the most representative Frankish castle of mainland Greece due to its fantastic preservation. It stands tall above the village, unlike other similar fortresses of the time that are now derelict.
It is a hexagonal, enclosed building with two fortified enclosures to which towers were later added, with an internal garden. The tallest point of the exterior walls reaches 10 m. It is a representative example of the medieval French Knights’ fortress architecture.
It served not just as a fortress but also as a princely residence when the rulers left Andravida to visit the area, explaining why the castle has a throne room, a chapel, kitchens, as well as a distinct reception chamber.
Visit the castle’s museum
Within the fortress walls a museum houses the permanent exhibition “The time of the Knights: The Crusaders of Morea” that has around 500 objects dating from between the 13th and 15th centuries. The artefacts date from the period of the Frankish rule, with great emphasis given to the Principality of Achaea. The great advantage of this open museum is that you can see the exhibits in their natural environment.
Visit the area during the Medieval Revival Festival
A place with such strong medieval ties is the ideal location for an annual festival aiming to conjure up the past when knights ruled the land.
The Medieval Revival Festival is the result of the co-ordinated actions of many local institutions and authorities, and gives visitors of Kastro the chance to live rare experiences: a Knights parade in the streets, talks on medieval times, authentic medieval swordplay, and archery demonstrations.
See the amazing local beaches
Kastro’s beaches are considered some of the most beautiful in western Peloponnese as the coastline is gorgeous; on the Ionian sea – right across from Zakynthos –, with endless sandy beaches, often backed by trees or small forests right next to the turquoise waters.
If you visit the area during the summer you can swim on the many blue flag beaches, as well as hanging out at the surrounding beach bars and taverns. A spring visit may rule out a swim, but hiking on the coast and admiring the lovely sunsets on the Ionian sea are more than adequate replacements.
Visit the Loutra Kyllinis
Even though the thermal springs are known as ‘Loutra Kyllinis‘ (Kyllini baths) the springs are actually near Kastro, southwest of the village, and 6 km away from Kyllini.
The hot springs are located between two sand dunes in a small valley 300 m from the sea. It is an area with thick vegetation and age-old eucalyptus trees brought over from France in 1892. The water temperature is 26 °C, and apart from enjoying a bath in the springs there is also mud therapy and various types of hydrotherapy .
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