Paleokastritsa tour from Corfu: Small group or private

A 12th-century monastery sits visible from every direction on the island.

A four-hour small group or private tour from Corfu port reaches Paleokastritsa Monastery, a Byzantine complex on a promontory overlooking the sea, with stops for tastings of local olive oil, wine, ouzo and kumquat along the way. The route includes an hour of free time in Corfu's Old Town to walk its narrow streets and see Spianada Square, the Liston and the Old Fortress. An English-speaking driver leads the group in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Step-by-step itinerary

Corfu island tour and tasting experience

• Depart port for scenic ride
• Stop for local product tasting
• Visit Paleokastritsa Monastery
• Optional boat trip to caves
• Free time in Corfu Old Town
• Return to port

The experience

The tour departs the port for a scenic drive to Paleokastritsa, stopping at a traditional deli to taste kumquat (a tangy citrus fruit brought to Corfu from China in 1846) alongside local olive oil, wine and ouzo. The kumquat is the island's signature flavor, and the tasting gives you a sense of what grows here and how it tastes before you move on. From there, the route climbs to Paleokastritsa Monastery, a large Byzantine complex dedicated to the Virgin Mary that crowns a promontory and commands views of the island and sea in all directions.

The monastery is a 12th-century structure, and the vantage point explains why it was built there. If you want to extend the stop, a boat trip to the nearby Caves of Paleokastritsa is available for an additional 15 euros. The tour then heads to Corfu's Old Town, where you have an hour of free time to roam its ancient, narrow streets on your own. The highlights (Spianada Square, the Liston and the Old Fortress) are all within walking distance, and the architecture mixes Greek, Venetian, French and British styles from the island's layered history. After that, the return trip to port completes the four-hour loop.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and seats either a small group or just your party, depending on which option you choose at checkout. Children from age five are welcome, and infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized infant seat if you request one. Service animals travel free. The driver speaks English and handles all navigation and timing, so you focus on the stops themselves rather than logistics.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking driver.
• local products tasting including kumquat, olive oil, wine and ouzo.
• meet and greet service.
• all fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small Group ExperienceGuide in English · No fixed timeIncludes pickup

Private ExperienceGuide in English · No fixed timeIncludes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (11 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Capo Greco Travel Corfu - Private Transfers & Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the small group option to share driving time and costs with other travelers, or book private if you want to set your own pace and decide how long to linger at each tasting stop and the monastery.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What is Paleokastritsa Monastery like when you get there?

Paleokastritsa Monastery is a large Byzantine complex built in the 12th century and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It sits atop a promontory and is visible from every direction on the island, with views of the sea and surrounding landscape from the grounds.

Can you actually visit the caves near Paleokastritsa?

Yes, a boat trip to the Caves of Paleokastritsa is available as an optional add-on for 15 euros, separate from the tour price. You can decide whether to take it once you arrive in the area.

How much time do you get in Corfu's Old Town?

You have one hour of free time to explore on your own. The Old Town's narrow streets and main sights (Spianada Square, the Liston and the Old Fortress) are all within walking distance of each other.

What local products do you taste on this tour?

The tasting stops at a traditional deli and includes kumquat, a tangy citrus fruit unique to Corfu, along with local olive oil, wine and ouzo. Kumquat was brought to the island from China in 1846 and is now a signature flavor there.