Paleokastro hill in Arkasa | Karpathos sights

Paleokastro (Παλαιόκαστρο) near Arkasa village is an important archeological site of Karpathos island, because it was the place where the ancient city, Arkesia flourished, and the Acropolis of Arkesia can be found today.

Where to find Paleokastro in Karpathos Island

The hill of Paleokastro is located on the west coast of Karpathos island, directly next to Arkasa (Arcesin) village. Paleokastro hill (Παλαιόκαστρο) is one of the most typical sights of Arkasa, and everyone can see it well who arrive from the direction of Pigadia and Menetes. It can be accessed through a narrow road which branches off the main road, the road sign indicates Arkassa Ancient Acropolis (Acropolis Of Ancient Arkasa, Ακρόπολη Αρχαίας Αρκάνσας).

At the end of the road there is a small parking lot at the bottom of Paleokastro hill, directly next to church of Agia Sophia (Εκκλησία Αγία Σοφία). This small church is a tiny sight of Arkasa and also Karpathos, because it dats back to Early Christian period, and its garden preserves old mosaics.

Paleokastro Acropolis of Ancient Arkesia in Karpathos Island, Greece

Hiking up to Paleokastro hill to the Acropolis of Arkesia for panoramic views and ancient ruins

If you would like to reach the ruins of ancient Arkesia, you must climb up from this place to the top of the barren hill. The hiking trail is narrow, steep and rocky, so it’s worth to wear a shoe, and forget beach sandals here.

After climbing Paleokastro (Παλαιόκαστρο) you reach the Acropolis of Arkesia, which is the largest archeological site of Arkasa. On the hill archeologists were found several ruins of buildings, mostly foundations and some columns. Other proof for the importance of the the ancient Arkesa, that in the ancient times the city has two ports, which were comercially signifiant. The name ‘Paleokastro’ of ‘Παλαιόκαστρο’ in Greek symbolizes its ancient past in Karpathos island, because it means ‘old castle’.

Before you climb up to Paleokastro, don’t expect too much from the ruins and old columns, because due earthquakes and the passed centures the ruins are mostly just foundations. The locals carried most of the stones away and built their houses using these materials.

Rather think it of that way that Paleokastro hill has significane in history and offer great panoramic views to Arkasa village and its surroundings!