However, the area is quite interesting in its own right, in terms of both sights and leisure options. For one, all views of the port and the townare dominated by the extremely well-preserved Venetian castle, built by Geoffroi de Villehardouin I, a knight of the Fourth Crusade; most inhabitants still refer to the town as 'the Castle'.
The list of nearby beaches includes Chrysi Akti (=golden coast), the very clean but slightly rocky Analipsi, Kafkalida, and the small but very cute Arkoudi, with its trademark beach bar. Those in the know, however, recommend Kalamia, where visitors can enjoy water sports to their heart's content, with the added bonus of great views to the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia.