Kastro

Top choice in Kythira


Crowning the rocky headland that soars at the southern end of Hora, this tumble-down 14th-century fortress was built by Kythira’s first Venetian governor. Within its ramparts the fort is now largely in ruins, but the site is stupendous, drenched in wildflowers and commanding stunning views down to Kapsali and out as far as Antikythira. Only the underwhelming Coat of Arms Collection, in a former powder magazine, charges an admission fee.

As you leave, take a stroll along the adjoining eastern hillside, where several pretty little fresco-adorned chapels stand near the top of the footpath that leads to Kapsali.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kythira attractions

1. Coat of Arms Collection

0.07 MILES

Housed in a standalone former powder magazine (a store for explosives), this small exhibition displays and explains the coats of arms of Kythira's leading…

2. Archaeological Museum of Kythira

0.39 MILES

Hora’s impressive archaeological museum, beside the main road at the northern end of town, traces the history of ‘this small island’ in two rooms. Among…

4. Katouni Bridge

2.71 MILES

Supported by 13 arches and measuring 110m long, the largest stone bridge in Greece spans a shallow ravine on what's now a minor road, east of Livadi…

5. Petrified Forest

22.04 MILES

Amateur geologists will appreciated the petrified forest, an expanse of trees fossilised several million years ago. It's located on the coast around 16km…

6. Archaeological Museum of Neapolis Voion

25.51 MILES

This impressive collection of artefacts encompasses finds from the Malea Peninsula on which Neapoli sits. It masterfully takes the visitor on an ancient…

7. Kastania Cave

28.49 MILES

The extraordinary Kastania Cave, located at the end of a spectacularly winding 13km route northeast of Neapoli, contains some of the best examples of rare…