"PARALIO ASTROS" Paralion Astros by nickandchris

Paralion Astros Travel Guide: 58 reviews and 199 photos

Paralio Astros from castle - Paralion Astros

EASTERN ARCADIA

Returned on 28th May 2006 from a fortnight in Paralio Astros. This was our second holiday here, having spent a week in May 2002. This page has been updated with 2006 info.

14/05/06 saw us arriving at Kalamata airport on the My Travel flight from Manchester, with Manos Holidays. We drove ourselves in a pre-booked car to Paralio Astros, the journey taking just over 2 hours. The roads vary from motorway standard to winding country lanes with plenty of hairpin bends. Since our last visit, 4 years ago, the road has been considerably upgraded and some of the more tortuous bits have been straightened out as much as possible.

Paralio Astros is a small Greek seaside town in coastal Arcadia in the Eastern Peleponnese.
The surrounding countryside is very agricultural with a beautiful mountain backdrop.

THE PLACE

Evening in P.Astros

Paralio Astros is a very Greek resort catering mainly for the Greeks. Many have holiday homes here which they escape to in July and August. The town is very busy then. Manos are the only major English holiday company present with only around 45 people staying at one time. As we visited in May it was quiet with empty beaches at the beginning of the holiday. As the fortnight progressed, the temperature rose and it was evidently warm enough for the Greeks as the place filled up with them at the weekends and the beaches were much busier than 4 years ago.

There are lots of traditional shops and tavernas as well as two take away souvlaki places. Not all eating establishments were open in May but there was still plenty of choice.

Buildings are a mixture of ancient and modern with some wonderful old properties in the area of the Frankish castle. It is well worth the climb to the castle for the superb panoramic views and the wonderful peace and quiet.

AND THE REST........

Astygaros Beach

There are two superb sandy beaches, both extending for miles so plenty of room for everyone. A camp site is along a dirt track by the town beach and another in the opposite direction on Vervena Beach, just along from Astygaros. These two beaches are very shallow and more sheltered than the town beach.
There is also a tiny stony beach near the theatre which we were told was excellent snorkling ground.
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An outdoor theatre(stadium type) sits at one end of the town. Although not open for performances in May, it's a lovely place to wander to and here you'll undoubtedly meet the odd cat!!!

The only place to change money in 2002 was the P.O. but by 2006 there was an ATM which of course was not always handing out money.There are two banks in the main town of Astros which we only used in 2002, this year taking all our currency with us.

The old town of Nafplio is not far away and the ancient sites of Lerna, Tiryns and Mycenae are within easy reach with transport. Epidavros is an hour or so away and Korinthos not much more.

To read about our holiday here, please see travelogues.

Pros and Cons

Pros:No mass package tourism, very Greek
Cons:A bit more expensive than some places.
In a nutshell:Don't sit on the beach all day. Explore.

Last visit to Paralion Astros: May 2006
Intro Updated Mar 9, 2007
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Reviews (43)

Argolida Things to Do (12)

From Paralio Astros it's not too far to the Argolida, the piece of the Peloponnese on the far east. It's surrounded by... more travel advice

Poulithra Off The Beaten Path (7)

Continuing on after Plaka, you get to Poulithra on the coast and then the road winds it's way up into the mountains,... more travel advice

Plaka Off The Beaten Path (7)

If you have your own transport, make sure you visit Plaka. It's about an hour's drive south of Paralio Astros. A real... more travel advice

Railway Transportation (4)

The Peloponnese has a spectacular, single track railway, incorporating Korinthos, Argos,Nafpllion, Tripoli,Megalopoli,... more travel advice

Favorites (4)
See All Fruit For Free....
Restaurants (7)
See All Inexpensive Fayre....
Shopping (2)
See All Inland Astros
Local Customs (1)
Pretty Rubbish.....

Travelogues (5)

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Comments (13)

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BruceDunning Sep 15, 2010 at 2:11 PM

It really looks like a nice place to enjoy the scenery and sun. WE just got a brochure for a cruise special-and Maybe will book-but it does not take us to this spot. Nice job of pictures and comments
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mvtouring Oct 21, 2009 at 6:03 AM

great page, nice tips. Just uploaded many tips about my recent trip to Turkey. Would appreciate if you could visit and rate me ;-)
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JLBG Sep 22, 2008 at 1:45 PM

Wow, an anti aircraft gun working! I can understand how that could be a great play! This Villa of Herodes Atticus seems to be a future must see! I agree with you about Epidauros!
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khartsiotis Dec 30, 2007 at 7:32 AM

Thank you for this glimpse of Paralio - we lived there for a year in 2003/4 and loved it - glorious in deserted January. Well worth exploring away from the obvious sites and going up to this side of the Parnonas range as well - if not damaged by fires?
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janetanne Sep 19, 2007 at 1:22 AM

Hi Chris. How are you doing? Life is almost back to normal here in Greece. Elections over; Fires OUt! School back in session; my lessons beginning full...:):)
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JANNCOX May 17, 2007 at 3:52 AM

CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE XIROPIGADO IS IN RELATION TO ASTRO PARALIOS? THANKYOU, JANNCOX.
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andrewwhite Apr 2, 2007 at 1:38 PM

Really excellent guide to Paralion. Feels like I've already been there. My printer will be busy running off tips etc. Restaurantwise it looks like the Harmonia will be getting my custom next month. Good luck in your travels
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NatassaPL Nov 4, 2006 at 7:32 AM

I would love to visit Paralio Astros. Have you been also up on the Arcadia mountains?
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scottishvisitor Oct 11, 2006 at 1:08 PM

Love the views from the Castle & the little alley ways with the cat = same about the wine!
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icunme Aug 24, 2006 at 10:32 AM

Just a lovely tour with you - thank you for great photos and much detail. Am determined to get through your all pages in this lifetime. Will watch out for that car inspection Ms H!!!