Parga holidays

How to reach Parga

Flight time: Flights to Preveza average 3 hours 20 minutes from London.

Transfer time: The journey from Preveza International Airport (Aktion National Airport) to Parga takes about 1 hour by taxi and 2 hours by bus (changing to an intercity service in Preveza).

Price: A taxi from the airport to Parga costs approximately €115. The bus fare is around €12 all in.

Best time to visit Parga

The best time for your Parga holidays depends on your preferences for weather, crowds and activities.

April to June is ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The weather noticeably transitions in April, turning drier, sunnier and warmer by the day, with temperatures climbing from 18°C into the low 20s for May and June.

July to August sees temperatures peak around 30°C, 12 hours of daily sunshine and next to no rain. With weather like this (and plenty of beaches to make the most of it), it should be no surprise that Parga gets extremely busy these months.

September to October offers a reprieve from summer highs, with temperatures cooling to 26–21°C. A few short-lived showers notwithstanding, these are lovely months for swimming and hiking.

November to March is mild (17–12°C), but there’s a high likelihood of rain, especially between November and January. These are low-key months to holiday. A few restaurants stay open to cater to year-round residents, but most of the town’s more tourist-orientated businesses will be shut until late spring.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Greek is the official language, but most locals can speak some English.

• Currency: Greece is in the eurozone.

• Getting around: If you’d rather not clock up the pedometer exploring Parga, you’ll find taxis in the town centre and water taxis at the harbour. Fares vary depending on where you are going, but you shouldn’t pay more than €10 for short journeys. If you want to explore more broadly, public buses connect Parga to Preveza with stops at villages along the way. A single ticket costs €7.80.

• Electricity and plug types: The standard voltage is 230V 50Hz. Plugs are two-pin Type C and F.

• Time zone: Greece runs on Eastern European Time, 2 hours ahead of GMT (3 hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time).

Best things to do in Parga

With its beautiful coastline and lush landscapes, holidays to Parga offer a fantastic mix of relaxation and adventure.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Venetian Castle of Parga: Perched on a hill overlooking Parga, this Venetian castle provides stunning panoramic views of the town, the coastline and the surrounding islands. Sunsets are breathtaking.

• Lichnos Beach: The cliffs near Lichnos Beach are a perfect vantage point for a dramatic view of the turquoise waters and sandy shores.

The best districts

• Parga Old Town: The heart of Parga is its charming Old Town, a maze of narrow, cobbled streets lined with pastel-coloured houses, local shops and quaint cafés. It’s the perfect area for a relaxed evening stroll or a quiet meal overlooking the harbour.

Parks and gardens

• Acheron River: For a change from the beach, head to the Acheron River, where you can hike through the lush landscape or enjoy a refreshing swim in the river’s cool waters.

• Gremina Waterfall: A little way away in Anthousa, it's not exactly Niagara Falls, but in full flow is very pretty.

Museums

• Paragaea Old Olive Oil Factory: This is a two-part experience. A tour inside Parga’s first mechanical olive oil factory, followed by a tasting. They also run cooking workshops if you want to brush up on your culinary skills.

Historical monuments

• Ali Pasha’s Castle: A few kilometres northwest near the village of Anthousa, this imposing Ottoman-built fortress is in fairly good nick, considering it is over 200 years old.

• Vlacherna Monastery: Set on a hill above Valtos Beach, this ruined monastery’s main claim to fame is its 15m bell tower.

Day trips in the area

• Nekromanteion of Acheron: Situated about 22km from Parga, this ancient site was believed to be the gateway to the underworld in Greek mythology. It’s a fascinating visit for history lovers, with its temple ruins and underground chambers adding to the eerie atmosphere.

• Archaeological Site of Nicopolis: If you are still on a historical bent, ancient Nicopolis is about an hour’s drive away. Founded by Octavian (later Caesar Augustus) to celebrate his victory over Anthony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium, this extraordinary site spans a whopping 900ha and contains numerous ruins.

Activities for families in Parga

From fun beach days to novelty road trips and boat excursions, there’s something for everyone to do on holidays to Parga.

• Family-friendly beaches: West of town, shingly sand Valtos Beach has plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas for hire and water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking for older kids. Wide, sandy Ammoudia Beach is another standout. It’s a fair drive at 17km, but with shallow waters, it’s ideal for younger kids.

• Playgrounds: If beach fatigue sets in, the public playground in the town centre is equipped with all the usuals.

• Land trains: Parga’s cute tourist train makes sightseeing fun, with tours to the Venetian Castle, Ali Pasha’s stronghold and Valtos Beach.

• Boat trips: Local outfits run family-friendly excursions to nearby islands like Paxos and Antipaxos. The calm waters and beautiful beaches make for a great day of exploration and swimming.

Free things to do in Parga

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the area’s natural beauty and culture, even if you are holidaying on a budget.

• Annual festivals and free events: The 14th–15th August is double the fun as locals celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the end of Ottoman rule in Parga in 1913 with Venetian lamps, live music and a spectacular fireworks display.

• Churches: Many of Parga’s Greek Orthodox churches are worth a look-see for their architecture (Agios Sostis), artwork (Agios Nikolaos) and setting (the islet chapel of Panagia).

• Beaches: Valtos, Krioneri and Piso Krioneri are within an easy walk of the town. If you’re willing to forgo creatures, you won’t have to spend a penny enjoying a day in the sun.

Nature and outdoor activities

• Hiking: Parga is surrounded by hills and olive groves, offering scenic hiking routes. One of the most popular trails is the hike to Ali Pasha’s Castle, which rewards you with stunning views of the Ionian Sea. Other trails lead to hidden beaches like Sarakiniko.

• Water sports: Parga’s coastline is perfect for water sports. You can try stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and snorkelling in the calm waters around Valtos and Lichnos beaches. Jet ski rentals and banana boat rides are also popular for those looking for more excitement.

• Paragliding: For an adventurous view of Parga, you can try paragliding over Valtos Beach. This thrilling activity lets you soar above the sea, offering a bird’s-eye view of the stunning coastline.

• Cycling: Whether you’re a die-hard mountain biker or prefer the open road, you’ll find plenty of places to pedal in the area. Several local companies offer bike tours with guides who will take you through the scenic routes.

Local dishes in Parga

Whether you’re looking to sample traditional Greek dishes or enjoy some fresh seafood by the beach, there’s plenty to enjoy on holidays to Parga.

Some typical dishes

• Gemista: A classic vegetarian option, peppers or tomatoes are stuffed with rice, herbs and sometimes minced meat.

• Alevropita: A speciality of the Epirus region (and perfect for breakfast), this simple pie combines thin batter and feta.

Meze dishes

• Keftedes: Typically flavoured with mint, garlic and oregano, these Greek-style meatballs are crowd-pleasers.

• Shrimp saganaki: Perfect for seafood lovers, fresh prawns cooked in a rich tomato sauce with feta cheese.

Meat dishes

• Kontosouvli: To all intents and purposes, this is souvlaki supersized. Marinated pork threaded onto skewers and cooked on a rotisserie.

• Pastitsio: A Greek spin on lasagna, this comforting dish consists of layers of pasta, minced meat and creamy béchamel sauce.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Ktapodi Stin Skara: Grilled to perfection and served with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon, octopus is a firm favourite in Parga’s coastal tavernas.

• Kritharoto Peskandritsas: Made with orzo, this monkfish risotto is light and creamy.

Street food

• Gyros: You won’t go far wrong with a pitta wrap filled with spit-cooked meat, salad and sauces such as Tzakziki.

• Souvlaki: A staple in Greek cuisine, souvlaki consists of grilled skewers of meat, usually pork or chicken, served with pitta, salad and Tzatziki.

Sweets and desserts

• Galatopita: Made with semolina, milk, eggs, butter and sugar, this custard-like milk pie has a wonderfully velvety texture and delicate flavour.

• Klostati: The regional take on baklava with walnut filling.

Local drinks

• Tsipouro: Distilled from grape pomace, this strong distilled spirit is the local tipple. Served in shot glasses, it’s traditionally drunk neat.

• Debina: Native to Epirus, these white grapes are known for their high acidity. Take your pick of dry whites and sparkling styles.