Porto Palermo Castle
~10 km south on SH8 (14–20 min drive)
Castillo
Himara Castle & Old Town
Barbaka hill, above central Himara
- Época
- 5th century BC – present
- Desde Himara
- In town — 15–20 min walk uphill from the promenade
- Entrada
- Free to wander the old town; some operators may collect a small fee at the gate in peak season
- Horario
- Daylight hours; no fixed gate hours
- Tiempo necesario
- 1–2 hours
Sobre Himara Castle & Old Town
El castillo de Himara se alza en la colina de Barbaka sobre la ciudad moderna. Las fortificaciones aquí datan del siglo V a. C. y han estado habitadas de forma continua desde entonces — lo que convierte al casco antiguo, llamado localmente Kastro, en el único pueblo medieval aún habitado de la Riviera albanesa. Casas de piedra se aferran a la ladera entre ruinas de iglesias bizantinas y frescos desvaídos, con vistas panorámicas que se extienden, en un día despejado, más allá del mar Jónico hasta Corfú.
Historia
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.
Qué se ve
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
Cómo visitarlo
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.
Mejor momento para visitar
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.
En profundidad: guía completa del visitante
Historia, consejos prácticos y notas de ruta en formato extenso — el artículo que profundiza más que esta página.
Combínalo con: Livadhi Beach
La otra mitad natural del día. Arena y mar después de piedra e historia.
Cerca
- Cafe ButterflyRestaurante
- Livadhi BeachPlaya
- Spile BeachPlaya
Preguntas
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.
Otros lugares de interés cerca de Himara
Sigue explorando
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