Porto Palermo Castle
~10 km south on SH8 (14–20 min drive)
Burg
Himara Castle & Old Town
Barbaka hill, above central Himara
- Epoche
- 5th century BC – present
- Von Himara
- In town — 15–20 min walk uphill from the promenade
- Eintritt
- Free to wander the old town; some operators may collect a small fee at the gate in peak season
- Öffnungszeiten
- Daylight hours; no fixed gate hours
- Zeitbedarf
- 1–2 hours
Über Himara Castle & Old Town
Die Burg von Himara liegt auf dem Barbaka-Hügel über der modernen Stadt. Die Befestigungen hier stammen aus dem 5. Jahrhundert v. Chr. und sind seither durchgehend bewohnt — was die Altstadt, von Einheimischen Kastro genannt, zum einzigen lebendigen mittelalterlichen Dorf der Albanischen Riviera macht. Steinhäuser klammern sich an den Hang zwischen byzantinischen Kirchenruinen und verblassten Fresken, mit Panoramablick, der sich an einem klaren Tag über das Ionische Meer bis Korfu erstreckt.
Geschichte
The earliest walls are Chaonian, built in the 5th century BC by the Greek tribe that controlled this coast. The site was fortified again under the Byzantines, who built the churches whose ruins you can still walk through. Ottoman rule never fully integrated Kastro — the Himariot population kept de facto autonomy for centuries, paying lip service to Istanbul while practising Orthodox Christianity. The old town was still home to hundreds of families in the early 20th century before depopulating during the communist era. A handful of homes are now occupied year-round, with several restored as guesthouses.
Was du siehst
Three Byzantine churches with partial fresco remains; the main entrance arch and surviving curtain walls; the panoramic terrace where Cafe Butterfly serves coffee with the best view in Himara; the path down to Livadhi Beach visible directly below; on clear mornings, Corfu on the western horizon roughly 70 km out.
Fotos
So besuchst du es
Walk uphill from the Himara promenade — 15–20 minutes on a narrow paved road. By car or scooter you can drive most of the way; park at the designated lot near the entrance (free, limited to a handful of spaces) and walk the last stretch. The road is narrow and winding but manageable. You cannot drive into the old town itself.
Beste Besuchszeit
Early morning (before 10 AM) for cool temperatures and best visibility toward Corfu, or late afternoon (5–7 PM) for golden light and to time the visit with sunset and a drink at Cafe Butterfly.
Tiefgang: Vollständiger Besucher-Guide
Geschichte, praktische Tipps und Hinweise zur Route ausführlich — der Artikel, der tiefer geht als diese Seite.
Kombiniere mit: Livadhi Beach
Die natürliche andere Hälfte des Tages. Sand und Meer nach Stein und Geschichte.
In der Nähe
- Cafe ButterflyRestaurant
- Livadhi BeachStrand
- Spile BeachStrand
Fragen
How do you get to Himara Castle?
Walk uphill from the Himara promenade — it takes 15–20 minutes on a paved road. By car or scooter you can drive most of the way and park at a small free lot near the entrance, then walk the last stretch. You cannot drive into the old town itself.
Is there an entrance fee for Himara Castle?
The old town is free to wander. Some operators may collect a small token fee at the gate in peak season — check on arrival. The Byzantine church ruins and the terrace viewpoint are all accessible at no cost.
What is the best time of day to visit?
Early morning (before 10 AM) for cool temperatures and the best chance of seeing Corfu across the water. Late afternoon (5–7 PM) is the second-best window — golden light on the stone, with sunset from the terrace at Cafe Butterfly.
How long do you need at the castle?
1–2 hours is enough to walk the main paths, visit the church ruins, take in the panoramic views, and have a drink at Cafe Butterfly. Combine with Livadhi Beach (10 minutes away by car) for a half-day castle-and-beach itinerary.
Can you see Corfu from Himara Castle?
Yes, on clear days. Corfu sits roughly 70 km to the west on the horizon. Mornings before the afternoon haze builds tend to offer the best visibility. The Greek island is most visible from the terrace at the top of the old town.
Weitere Sehenswürdigkeiten in der Nähe von Himara
Weiter entdecken
Fehlt etwas oder ist etwas falsch? Schreib uns an info@himara.net