(Routes from Agios Georgios) |
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A lovely place to visit for outstanding views is the
ancient ruin of Angelokastro perched high on a rock overlooking the sea
and the beautiful bays of Paleokastritsa.
Easily reached by car from Agios Georgios by either of 2
routes, both by driving through Pagi village.
Opening hours are 8.30 to 15.00 but
it is closed all day on Mondays. |
ROUTE 1
(This first route produces some truly magnificent views
over the bay of Agios Georgios.) On entering the village of Pagi turn
right at the 2nd junction (signposted Prinillas). Go up the steep
hill through several hairpin bends and proceed straight through the sleepy
little village of Prinillas. The road which is well surfaced climbs
steadily through more hairpin bends. There is only one junction where you might
go wrong. At one of the bends ignore the junction on the right which would lead
you downhill, and keep going uphill.
The superb views unroll as
you climb with the best as might be expected being right at the top.
The
road now turns inland past an uncompleted building shell and in about 1km or so
joins Route 2 at a T-junction where you turn right. .(Proceed
to "Both Routes") |
ROUTE 2
The alternative is to continue straight through Pagi as if
heading for Corfu Town. After joining the main road and climbing the twisty
hill to the top of Troumbetas Pass look for a junction on the RIGHT
amongst the few buildings there. It is easily missed and it is not easy to turn
round on the main road !
Having left the main road you now drive along the top of
the narrow range of hills with fantastic views in places both north to Sidari
and far beyond, and more extensively to the south over the vast expanses of
central Corfu to Corfu Town itself. Sometimes, unfortunately, the blue haze of
summer sunny weather puts a limit on one of those the panoramic photographs of
a lifetime ! Just after the village of Vistonas the alternative Route 1
joins this road.(Proceed to "Both Routes")
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BOTH ROUTES
Now the road leads down through several wide hairpin
bends into the village of Makrades which has developed into a bit of a
tourist trap due to its being on a wonderful scenic route into the jewel of a
resort called Paleokastritsa.
As you enter Makrades beware of
enthusiastic shop-keepers leaping out from the sides of the road to wave you
down, almost as if there was something wrong with your car, or there had been
an accident. They are merely trying to sell something, often home made wine,
honey etc. It is suggested you drive carefully around them and wave politely.
If you stop you will find the car door opened and a foot inside ! The 2 or 3
gift shops in the village are worth a few minutes browsing and are quite
interesting, although on the expensive side. If such tourist shops do not
interest you leave your car and walk into the old village (parallel to the main
road) and enjoy a quiet drink in an old taverna. The old fortress of
Angelokastro is now a short distance away. If you wish to visit the superb
viewpoint of Angelokasto (a fairly steep walk is involved up a long
winding trail of steps) turn right (coming from Vistonas) in the
centre of Makrades towards Krini and the signposted monument. now see
link below)
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Visit
Angelokastro
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