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Best castles in Greece
Best castles in Greece

Most Beautiful Castles in Greece

The most beautiful castles and fortresses of Greece await you. From Methoni Castle to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knight, discover incredible castles and stunning fortresses facing the sea and ready to fight enemies!

 

Need more inspiration? Discover the Best Beaches in GreeceBest Islands in GreeceBest Destinations to visit in GreeceBest Things to do in Greece as well as the Best Nature Wonders in Greece and the Best Hidden Gems in Greece.

 

Book your flights to Greece, your accommodation at the best price as well as your tours and activities in Greece and visit the Best Palaces and Castles in Greece.

 


Best castles in Greece - Methoni Fortress copyright Georgios Tsichlis  - European Best Destinations
Copyright Georgios Tsichlis

1. Methoni Fortress

Methoni - Messina Region

This year discover of the Best Castles in Greece. 3-hour drive from Athens, the beautiful town of Messinia is famous for its Venetian castle; it is one of the symbols of this city and was one of the safest castles in Europe: 3 gates were necesary to get to the place where the Venetian lords used to live out of sight of their enemies.

 

Located on a peninsula, this castle offers a magnificent view of the Ionian Sea. 

 

Book your flights to Athens, your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Greece.

 

Opening hours: The castle is open daily from 8:30 to 16:30. 

 

How to get there:  Book your flights to Athens (3h by car from Methoni).

 

Where to stay:  If you want to stay near the castle we advise you to book at the "Ulysses Hotel" set amidst a lovely garden in Methoni village.

 


Best castlesin Greece - Angelokastro fortress  copyright Ccat82 - European Best Destinations
Copyright Ccat82

2. Angelokastro Fortress

Corfu

This Byzantine Castle is also located on the beautiful island of Corfu. North of the island of Corfu, 45 minutes by car from the airport, this incredible Byzantine fortress is overlooking the sea.

 

"Angelkastro" means "Castle of Angels" because this castle has always been a guardian angel for the inhabitants of the region who used to find refuge during the various invasions. This 13th century castle is one of the symbols of Corfu Island and is one of the most beautiful castles in Greece

 

Book your flights to Corfu, your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Corfu.

 

Opening hours: The castle is open every day of the week from 10h to 18h, except on Wednesday. 

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Corfu airport located 45 minutes drive from Angelokastro Fortress.

 

Where to stay: For an unforgettable stay book at the "Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa" located in the green-covered Kontokali peninsula.

 


Best castles in Greece - Bourtzi Islet copyright  Aerial-motion  - European Best Destinations
Copyright Aerial-motion

3. Bourtzi Fortress

Nafplio

Bourtzi Fortress is only 2 hours  drive from Athens; it is one of the most beautiful fortresses in Greece.

 

Built by the Venetians in the 15th century it was later occupied by the Ottomans before being recovered by the Greeks in the early 19th century. This incredible fortress, located in the middle of Nafplio harbour was used as a prison then transformed into a hotel in the middle of the 20th century.

 

You can visit it again now: it hosts a great music festival once a year The visit to the fortress is free but  the return trip by boat from the port of Nafplio is not (5 euros per person).

 

Book your flights to Athens, your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Greece such as an "Acropolis Guided Tour with Skip-the-Tail Ticket".

 

 How to get there:  Book your flights to Athens. Bourtzi Fortress is 2 hours drive from the capital. 

 

 Where to stay: One of our top picks in Athens is the "Mythos Luxury Suites" with Acropolis view, right in the heart of Athens. If you want to stay near the Fortress of Bourtzi book your stay in Nafplio. 

 


Best castles in Greece - White tower in Salonica copyright  PNIK - European Best Destinations
Copyright PNIK

4. White Tower

Thessaloniki

The white tower is the most important symbol of Thessaloniki. Its origin probably dates back to the 12th century but its current appearance is the work of the sultan "Suleiman the Magnificent". The Tower has been Ottoman for quite a long time and was recovered by the Greeks in the early 20th century.

 

This tower that was successively a fort, a barrack and a prison was the place of many massacres (it is also called  "Blood tower"). When the Greeks recovered this tower in 1912, in order to draw a line on the past, they repainted the tower in white, as if to purify it. That's why it's now called the White Tower. The White Tower houses a museum about the history of Thessaloniki.

 

Book your flights to Thessaloniki, your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Thessaloniki such as a full day trip to Meteora from Thessaloniki.

 

Opening hours: It is open every day from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm.

 

 How to get there: Book your flights to Thessaloniki.

 

 Where to stay: Stay in the heart of Thessaloniki by booking at "The Caravan".

 


Best castles in Greece - Heraklion fort copyright  Philippos Philippou - European Best Destinations
Copyright Philippos Philippou

5. Heraklion Fortress

Heraklion - Crete

You want a different holiday this year? You want sun but also good restaurants at affordable prices, you want to fall asleep with your windows and shutters wide open and breathe fresh air? You want to discover new landscapes? Do not waste a moment and book your stay in Crete.

 

This island, known worldwide for its centuries-old inhabitants and its Cretan diet (mostly vegetables, fresh fruit, fish and olive oil), is also a perfect destination for lovers of beautiful landscapes, beautiful beaches and cultural heritage.

 

2 hours drive from Chania Airport, Heraklion Fortress is one of the most beautiful fortresses in Greece. It is also one of the symbols of this island and a symbol of Venetian and Ottoman presence in Crete.

 

Book your flights to Crete (Chania Airport or Heraklion Airport), your hotel, apartment or villa at the best price  as well as your tours and activities in Crete such as an "Afternoon sailing trip to Dia Island from Heraklion".

 

Opening hours: The fortress is open every day of the week (except Tuesdays) from 8am to 8pm.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Heraklion airport. Heraklion Fortress is located 10 minutes from the airport.

 

Where to stay: The "Legacy Gastro Suites" has an all-day restaurant offering a selection of original Greek recipes, perfect for gourmets.

 


Best castles in Greece - Agios Nikolaos Fortress Copyright  Andrei Nekrassov  - European Best Destinations
Copyright Andrei Nekrassov

6. Agios Nikolaos Fortress

Rhodes Island

The fortress of Agios Nikolaos is not located in the beautiful small town of Agios Nikolaos in Crete, one of the best hidden gems in Greece, but on the island of Rhodes.

 

This fortress played an important role in the defense of the beautiful medieval city of Rhodes. The fortress of Agios Nikolaos is located at the end of Agios Nikolaos pier. This fortress surrounded by windmills is a lighthouse now and can be visited on foot or by boat.

 

Book your flights to Rhodes Airport, your accommodation at the best price in Rhodes and your tours and activities in Rhodes such as a "Rhodes: 3-hour sunset dinner cruise".

 

How to get there: Book your direct flights to Rhodes (or via Athens).

 

Where to stay: "Gennadi Grand Resort" facing the beachfront.

 


Best castles in Greece - Nafpaktos bay copyright Feel good studio  - European Best Destinations
Copyright Feel good studio

7. Nafpaktos Bay Fortress

Nafpaktos

The Venetian Castle of Nafpaktos (two hours drive from Athens, 30 minutes from the city of Patras), is particularly popular with travellers for the view it offers but you may not learn much about the history of this fortress because the information is scarce, Nevertheless you can enjoy a magnificent view of the entire region for 2 euros fifty. You can go on foot or by taxi (5 euros).

 

Book your flights to Athens, your accommodation at the best price as well as your tours and activities in Greece such as a "Delphi day trip from Athens".

 

Opening hours: The castle is open every day of the week from 8am to 3.30pm.

 

How to get there: : Book your flights to Patras airport (30 minutes from the Venetian Castle) or to Athens (2 hours drive).

 

Where to stay:  "Apollon Library Suites" has one of the best-rated rentals in Nafpaktos.

 


Best castles in Greece - Corfu Castle copyright  Dan Breckwoldt - European Best Destinations
Copyright Dan Breckwoldt

8. Corfu Castle

Corfu Island

Next to the Museum of Asian Art and the Byzantine Museum of Corfu, discover the old fort of Corfu, one of the most beautiful forts in Greece. This fortress is located just 20 minutes from the tiny island of "Pontikonisi" also called "the mouse island"; it is a must see in Corfu.

 

You can also plan your visit on your way back to the airport : the Old Fortress is located 8 minutes drive from the airport (30 minutes walk) and the island of Pontikonisi just 10 minutes by car.  The view of the old town of Corfu from the fort is beautiful and worth seeing. 

 

Book your flights to Corfu, your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Corfu such as a "Corfu: Blue Lagoon full-day boat cruise".

 

Opening hours: The Old Fortress Corfu is open every day of the week from 8am to 8pm. 

 

How to get there:  Book your flights to Corfu. The old fortress is located 10 minutes from the airport.

 

Where to stay:  "Corfu Palace Hotel", this 5-star Palace offers a thalassotherapy spa center & an outdoor pool.

 


Best castles in Greece - Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights Rhodes - copyright  Philippos Philippou  - European Best Destinations
Copyright Philippos Philippou

9. Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights

Rhodes

On the island of Rhodes, the largest island of the Dodecanese archipelago, you can visit one of the most beautiful castles in Greece: the Palace of the Grand Master of The Knights.

 

Book your flights to Rhodes Airport and make sure not to confuse Rhodes Island in Greece with Rhodes Island in the USA, the smallest state in the United State!

 

The Palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights is located in the old town of Rhodes, just a 30-minute drive from the airport. You can discover it during a guided tour of the old town of Rhodes by booking your tours and activities in Rhodes today or simply visiting it by yourself and discover one of the most beautiful medieval buildings in Europe.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Rhodes (direct flights or via Athens).

 

Where to stay:  For an unforgettable stay we recommend the "Elakati Luxury Boutique Hotel - Adults Only" which offers free use of bicycles.

 


 

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