Areas of Kastos

Just a few kilometres southeast of Meganissi, Kastos is the ultimate Ionian Island hideaway, blessed with lovely beaches, peace and quiet, and a deliciously simple way of life. 

Measuring just 8km from north to south, and less than 1km from east to west, Kastos is a little gem of a place, inhabited by around 50 permanent residents only. This diminutive size, allied to its unspoilt beauty, makes it the ideal destination for anyone looking for a holiday away from it all.

The sea that laps Kastos's shores is wonderfully limpid and clean, an irresistible lure for swimmers, snorkellers, scuba divers and sailors. While the west is largely characterised by a rocky, element-sculpted coastline, the east is home to a series of small sandy-pebbly beaches and paradisiacal bays with transparent, electric blue waters. Some, such as those of Limni, Babakia, Vrisidia, Fiki (Aberlaki to the locals) and Aitiki, are accessible by car and/or on foot via the island's (mainly dirt track) roads. Others are only reachable by boat, and we thoroughly recommend you rent some waterborne transport during your stay.

In the high summer months, Kastos is a popular stop-off point for sailors navigating the Ionian Sea. This brings a bit of life to the tavernas and bars in Kastos village, one of which is housed in an old windmill. A mini-market just behind the main harbour stocks essentials as well as fruit, vegetables and dairy products, but there are no other amenities on the island (i.e. no banks, no ATMs, no chemist's, etc.) and nowhere on Kastos accepts credit or debit cards, so you should come armed with cash. There are two ports, the main one in Kastos village on the east coast, and a smaller one called Sarakiniko on the west coast.

Around 2km northwest of Kastos is its neighbouring island, Kalamos. Dominated by its 750m-high peak (a great attraction for keen walkers), Kalamos has a couple of little villages, the eponymous habour town in the east and Episkopi in the northwest, as well as some lovely beaches, not least the long expanses of white pebbles at Mirtia and Milos on the east coast.

The mainland port of Mitikas is a 50-minute ferry ride (approx.) from Kastos, and in the summer months there is generally one crossing a day, six days a week.