Weekend in Xylokastro: A trip with many aces in your luggage

Weekend in Xylokastro? And close it is, just an hour and a half from the capital, and with nice routes—and short walks to offer. Xylokastro is an excursion with more aces up its sleeve than it seems to have at first sight. Xylokastro, a famous resort of Corinthia in the ’80s, retains something of that decade’s aura, while at the same time being renewed, remaining steadily cosmopolitan. The area is developed along the coast of the Corinthian Gulf, under Mount Kyllini (or Ziria as it is otherwise called). Xylokastro took its name from a castle that once existed here but was destroyed. It was built on the river Sytha, during the Frankish occupation (around 1260), and had visual contact with the castle of Acrocorinth and that of Pellini.

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Weekend in Xylokastro and rendezvous in Pefkia

The coastal road is the meeting point of both locals and visitors. All catering and entertainment establishments, which in the summer live great glories, are concentrated here. However, the trademark of Xylokastro is the protected seaside pine forest of Pefkias, which stretches along the beach. In this pine forest, botanists have recorded more than eighty different species of plants, among them myrtle, cedar tamarisk, cedars, schinos, hollies, thyme, and of course, pines. It is this forest that gave the inspiration to Kostas Karyotakis for the “Green Beach of the homeland”! All its dirt paths, which are ideal for hiking, end up in the sea. They are also suitable for cyclists. In short, a natural attraction that offers the double gift of inhaling the mixture of nature’s aromas while being by the sea. Another attraction is the metropolitan church of Agios Vlasios – dedicated to the patron saint of Xylokastro – in the central square of the city. Built in 1910, it is very large in size, stone-built, and adorned with authentic works of hagiographers such as Fotis Kontoglou, Spyros Vasileiou, and Agenor Asteridis. The church of Agios Gerasimos Notara on the southwest side of the city is also a church-monument with strong Byzantine influences. The nave is a single-aisled wooden-roofed basilica, and on the right side, an opening in the wall hosts the bones of the Notara family. Finally, at the top of the hill of Xylokastro is the Monastery of Panagia Korfiotissa. Inside, you will see a carved iconostasis from the 17th century. Anyway, by the time you get here, you will have enjoyed a wonderful route, which on each route will offer an impressive view of the city and the Corinthian Gulf.

Food, sweets, and ouzo around Xylokastro

A weekend in Xylokastro means good food. A good choice for food is the seaside tavern Finikes, with seafood, stews, and dishes of the hour, while for those who want an ouzo accompanied by a variety of dishes by the sea, then a good solution is Rizos. You will also enjoy very good food in the area of Valtos or “Valtsa”, built at 540 meters. The area resembles a small paradise; it is verdant with huge plane trees and running waters. Here are two traditional taverns that will make your visit here even more memorable. “The 30 Plane Trees” and “The 7 F”. In nearby Kiato (18 km from Xylokastro, a similar identity and “reasonable” settlement, with a large pebbly beach that, like Xylokastro, has a Blue Flag), it is worth visiting for its nice patisseries. Try “tender” cream at Anisimov’s dairy shop and fantastic classic sweets, such as the beloved chocolate “mouse” in Voustasia, a historic patisserie that has been operating since 1954.

In Xylokastro and the mansion of Sikelianos

The coastal village of Sykia (Sykea) belongs to Xylokastro and is two kilometers away. Although small, from here come important people from the fields of science and art – Angelos Sikelianos, the Kakridis family, etc. Indeed, in the village still survives the villa of the Sikelianos family that has been bought by a private owner for its maintenance, the house of a Turkish ruler, but also the residence of Kostas Karyotakis, who visited the village very often. The mansion of Sikelianos, however, hosted from time to time great personalities of the field of arts and letters, such as Nikos Kazantzakis, Dimitris Mitropoulos, Manolis Kalomiris, Isidora Duncan, Katina Paxinou, Alexis Minotis, Marika Kotopouli, etc. The poet lived in this house for 20 years.

Weekend in Xylokastro and the surrounding areas

Excursion to the mountain villages in Trikala of Korinth. The traditional village belongs to the municipality of Xylokastro and is only 26 km away. It consists of three districts – Kato, Mesaia, and Ano Trikala. This mountainous landscape is enchanting and, apart from the beautiful images, guarantees meat-eating. Visit to the torrent of Fonissa. It is located between the villages of Kamari and Loutro. Here is also the beautiful gorge, which requires special knowledge and skills to cross. Hidden and unexpectedly beautiful, it unfolds in front of us on a route of about 2 km. Its usual width is 2-3 meters, and its walls are made of solid limestone. It has 5 technical descents, an altitude difference of 250 meters, and the crossing time for a 4-member team is about 3 hours. To enter Fonissa, follow the road from Kato Loutro to Korfiotissa. Although equipment is required for the whole route, we can walk it along its entire length. Although it is a small gorge, it is special and imposing. Rock (former fortress) of Acrocorinth. Imposing rock with a height of about 570 meters, which dominates the plain of Corinth. Inside the fortress -what is left- there are remnants of temples from almost all time periods. Also, if you’re there, it’s definitely worth getting to its highest point. There you will enjoy a unique view of the four points of the horizon! In general, the whole area around the impressive Corinth Canal and the city of Corinth itself (42 km from Xylokastro) is ideal for an excursion that has a lot to give both in terms of images and landscape, as well as in terms of historical knowledge.

Swimming in the beaches of Xylokastro

If you find yourself in Xylokastro for a weekend on summer days, then why not try a swim in the warm waters of the Corinthian Gulf. The most famous beach is that of Pefkias. Its waters are crystal clear and green due to the pine forest that embraces the beach. The beach has large pebbles. Another option is Sykia, a beach of the homonymous village. Here, too, you will find pebbles and clear waters. More isolated are the beaches to the east of the bay, where you will find consecutive small bays. In nearby Kiato and Vrahati, the organized beaches have shallow waters and are ideal for families. So what is the conclusion of this trip? At the first opportunity, you will want an excursion nearby and at the same time different, Xylokastro will be firmly there with really interesting options to offer on a trip economical and easy going. You will have a great time!

• We thank the Municipality of Xylokastro and the Mayor’s Office for kindly providing photographic material

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