Porto Palermo Castle
~10 km south on SH8 (14–20 min drive)
Château
Himara Castle & Old Town
Barbaka hill, above central Himara
- Période
- 5th century BC – present
- Depuis Himara
- In town — 15–20 min walk uphill from the promenade
- Entrée
- Free to wander the old town; some operators may collect a small fee at the gate in peak season
- Horaires
- Daylight hours; no fixed gate hours
- Temps nécessaire
- 1–2 hours
À propos de Himara Castle & Old Town
Le château de Himara se dresse sur la colline de Barbaka au-dessus de la ville moderne. Les fortifications datent ici du Ve siècle av. J.-C. et sont habitées sans interruption depuis — faisant de la vieille ville, appelée localement Kastro, le seul village médiéval encore habité de la Riviera albanaise. Des maisons de pierre s'accrochent au flanc de la colline entre les ruines d'églises byzantines et des fresques effacées, avec une vue panoramique qui s'étend par temps clair au-delà de la mer Ionienne jusqu'à Corfou.
Histoire
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.
Ce que vous verrez
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.
Photos
Comment visiter
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.
Meilleur moment pour visiter
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.
Pour aller plus loin : guide de visite complet
Histoire, conseils pratiques et notes d'itinéraire en version longue — l'article qui va plus loin que cette page.
À combiner avec : Livadhi Beach
L'autre moitié naturelle de la journée. Sable et mer après pierre et histoire.
À proximité
- Cafe ButterflyRestaurant
- Livadhi BeachPlage
- Spile BeachPlage
Questions
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.
Autres sites remarquables près de Himara
Continuer l'exploration
Une information manquante ou incorrecte ? Écrivez-nous à info@himara.net