Paralion Astros Off The Beaten Path Tips by nickandchris

Bronze Age Pyramid

North of Astros, on the Argos road is a left turn to the Bronze age pyramid at Elliniko. This was apparently built as a stockade on the ancient road to Arcadia. The Kenkreai pyramid stands to nearly full height on it's good side. The stones used to build it are enormous.

Poulithra

Continuing on after Plaka, you get to Poulithra on the coast and then the road winds it's way up into the mountains, covering some spectacular scenery. About an hour and a half in a car.
Poulithra is quiet, so quiet we could only find one place open for a drink and this was an expensive beach type bar.A pity, as there looked to be a few decent places.
We stayed in Poulithra in 1994 and ate at an excellent local taverna. Unfortunately, this was still in the process of being tidied up for the season and not yet open.
There are a few places to stay, a long pebbly beach and a pleasant harbour. There are also quite a few new buildings going up, which doesn't bode too well for Poulithra's quietness.
It's a lovely location under the mountains and further up the road into the mountains is the inland village where time seems to have stood still.

Plaka

If you have your own transport, make sure you visit Plaka. It's about an hour's drive south of Paralio Astros.
A real away from it all feel in May.
There are two immaculate beaches, both claiming a Blue Flag Award, a pretty harbour, a hotel and a couple of tavernas. It's a very friendly spot and since the hydrofoil service stopped, the businesses are crying out for custom.
For more info, please see my Plaka page.

Roman Aqueduct

If you visit Loukous Nunnery, you must have a look at the amazing Roman aqueduct. It's an impressive sight, with it's twin arches.
We could not for the life of us work out what it was constructed from. It looks as though it has stalactites hanging down.
It seemed as though it was still being used to carry water across the ravine but today, in modern pipes.
The array of wild flowers here is fantastic.
If you walk along the road away from the nunnery, you'll see the aqueduct.

Xiropigado

A mere 10 kms. north of paralio Astros is the small, Greek resort of Xiropigado. We have visited this village on three seperate holidays and I am very pleased to report nothing much has changed.
The main road has a few shops, rooms and cafeneons but by-passes the main beach and taverna area which is down a steep, narrow road off to the right. The road runs through the village and down to the harbour at the far end. The beach is accessed down steps or further along from the road. Also access from the Blue Sky restaurant where we had lunch after a swim.
It's a very laid back place, inexpensive and very friendly. As I have said, everything was as we remembered it, even the Blue Sky proprietress remembered us!!!
The beach is shingle and pebble but it's still a good swim. We were given free sunbeds from the Blue Sky. The locals came down for their daily swim before lunch and then disappeared .
A great, relatively unknown place.

Paralia Ayios Andreas

I don't suppose this is really off the beaten track but we have never seen more than a handful of people here at any one time.
Situated 3 km. down a pretty, gum tree lined road, it's the coastal retreat of the inland town of Ayios Andreas.It's only about 12 km. from Paralio Astros so is within easy reach if you have your own transport.
Enroute , you follow the dry River Vrasiotis where you'll pass an old stone arched bridge in the middle.
The road ends at the lagoon and the taverna. There is ample parking on the dusty harbourside and there are even public toilets, although they were locked!!! The little harbour is home to brightly painted fishing boats and there are some strange beach changing rooms around the harbour which were padlocked.
At the end of the harbour, to the left, is a long pebble beach and the lagoon with the river running into the sea.The lagoon is teemng with wild life.
For more info, please look atAyios Andreas

Monastery in Cave

Not far from Elliniko is Kefalari where there is a monastery built in front of a cave. In the cave is another monastery which is quite spectacular as you have no idea of it's existence until you have climbed the steps up the cliff. It's a beautiful little retreat, suprisingly larger than you would think.
There is a spring at the base of the cliff, creating a deep pool which forms an attractive river. There are a few foot bridges across to various establishments.The only sound you could hear was the croaking of frogs, very loudly.
It was obviously an excursion lunch stop as the tavernas all had their tables set in readiness. Thankfully we beat the rush and had the tranquility of the place to ourselves.
(Manos didn't know about this little gem)