Why Visit Makrades
Makrades is Lakones' slightly less famous sibling, another mountain village with breathtaking views over Paleokastritsa, but with a twist: it's become a center for traditional Corfiot crafts. While Lakones focuses on tavernas and viewpoints, Makrades has preserved its artisan heritage. You'll find shops selling hand-embroidered linens, olive wood carvings, locally pressed olive oil, kumquat liqueur, and handmade soaps.
The village perches on the same cliff system as Lakones but slightly to the north, offering a different angle on the Paleokastritsa bays. On clear days, you can see all the way to Italy. The main square features a cluster of shops and kafeneions where tour buses sometimes stop—this brings a commercial element, but also means better shop selection and English-speaking vendors who can explain the craft techniques.
What to Experience in Makrades
Panoramic Viewpoints
Multiple viewing platforms along the village road offer sweeping views of Paleokastritsa, the six bays, and the monastery. Free access, with benches and photo opportunities.
Artisan Shops
Shops selling traditional Corfiot embroidery (tablecloths, napkins), olive wood kitchenware, ceramics, honey, olive oil, and kumquat products. Most items locally made or sourced.
Village Architecture
Traditional Corfiot houses with terracotta roofs, stone walls, and flower-filled courtyards. The village layout preserves its pre-tourism character.
Photography
The elevation and angle provide unique perspectives on Paleokastritsa's coastline—different from Lakones, equally stunning. Best light in early morning or late afternoon.
Paleokastritsa Studios Near Makrades
Makrades is about 4 kilometers from Paleokastritsa, a 10-minute drive uphill. Staying at Astacos Studios means you can easily visit Makrades for morning shopping or afternoon photos, then return to the beach for swimming. Many guests combine Makrades and Lakones into a single half-day trip: one village for shopping, the other for lunch with a view.
Our beachfront location also means you're not carrying heavy souvenirs (olive oil, ceramics) all day in the heat. Buy your crafts in Makrades, drive back to the studio to drop them off, then head to the beach or another village. This flexibility is one of the key benefits of self-catering accommodation with your own base.
How to Get to Makrades from Astacos Studios
By car or scooter (10 minutes): From Astacos Studios, take the main road out of Paleokastritsa toward Corfu Town. After 2km, look for the sign for Makrades on your left. The road climbs steeply, use low gear and watch for oncoming traffic in the narrow sections. Free parking in the village square.
By taxi (€15 one way): We can arrange a taxi. Some drivers will wait while you shop, then take you to Lakones or back to Paleokastritsa, negotiate the price upfront.
By tourist bus: Some organized tours from Corfu Town include stops at both Lakones and Makrades. Ask at the travel agencies near Paleokastritsa main beach.
What to Buy in Makrades
Olive wood products: Bowls, cutting boards, serving utensils carved from Corfiot olive trees
Embroidered linens: Traditional Corfiot hand-embroidery on tablecloths, placemats, and napkins
Kumquat liqueur: Corfu's signature citrus spirit, available in multiple varieties (sweet, dry, chocolate-infused)
Olive oil & honey: Locally produced, often sold in traditional ceramic bottles
Herbs & spices: Wild oregano, mountain tea, and local herb blends
Ceramics: Hand-painted plates, bowls, and tiles with Greek motifs
Prices are reasonable, expect to pay €15–30 for quality olive wood utensils, €20–40 for embroidered tablecloths. Bargaining is not traditional in Corfu, but shops often give discounts for multiple purchases.
Accommodation Near Makrades Paleokastritsa
Makrades has no hotels or tourist apartments, it's purely a day-visit destination. Astacos Studios in Paleokastritsa is the ideal base: you're close enough to visit Makrades multiple times (once for shopping, maybe again for sunset photos), but you're staying in a beach location with restaurants, swimming, and activities.
Our family-run studios have welcomed guests since 1963. We know the craft shops in Makrades personally and can recommend which ones have the best quality and prices. We'll explain how to tell genuine Corfiot embroidery from imported machine-made copies, which olive oils are truly local, and whether the kumquat liqueur you're considering is worth the price. This kind of insider knowledge comes from staying with locals, not booking through a platform.
