Paralio Astros feels like an island

A view of the "island"of Paralio Astros

Paralio Astros is located in Peloponese, North Kinouria municipality and it is a popular holiday destination which combines sea and mountain in case someone wants to visit the picturesque, mountain villages of North Kinouria. It is 32 km from  Nafplio, 42 from Tripolis and about 2 hours (165 km) from Athens by car.

In the past 20 years it has had a growing touristic development and the reconstruction of its harbour proves this. It provides a great variety of hotels and other accommodation for all budgets. 

Paralio Astros took its name from the peninsula hill which is star shaped. On the top of the hill it is located the medieval castle which was built in the 15th century. It was called Castello della Estella which means the castle of the star. During the Greek revolution in 1821, it was used as a fortress by Zafiropoulos brothers for their fight against the Turks. The visitors can enjoy its view especially at night when it is illuminated and it can travel you back in time.

The castle on the top of the hill

Paralio Astros definitely gives an island impression with the stone houses which are built amphitheatrically on the hill, with the fishing boats and the clear, blue sea. Near the square, in the main cobbled street, the visitors can wander around the shops. 

But what Paralio Astros boasts most are the long beaches. They are up to 14 km long in two different sides with equipped canteens and stores. 

This place also has a lot of local products from the whole area, like dairy products, traditional homemade pasta, honey, homemade jams and sweets, mountain tea and lots of other herbs. In addition there is a big variety of local fruit and vegetables always fresh which can be found in the markets around and of course fresh fish!

Fishing boats in the harbour

But what about those who love good food? Paralio is also a food paradise; there is a great number of restaurants and taverns where visitors can sample exquisite different tastes of Greek cuisine and others.

These are some of the things that make Paralio Astros a must-see place.