Preveza City holidays

How to reach Preveza

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

Transfer time: Preveza’s Aktion National Airport is within a 10- to 15-minute taxi or 25-minute bus ride of the city centre.

Price: Taxiing from the airport to Preveza typically costs around €25–€30; a one-way bus ticket costs €3.

Best time to visit Preveza

Are you looking for sun-soaked beach days or perhaps a winter escape? Holidays to Preveza have something to offer year-round.

May to June is ideal if you want sightseeing rather than beach weather, with average temperatures ranging from 18 to 22°C, petering rainfall and plenty of sunshine. Ioanninans descend at weekends, but the run-up to peak season doesn’t start until the end of June.

July to August will be a better fit if beach days are on the agenda. Temperatures average 25°C both months; there's only a slim chance of rain and up to 12 hours of daily sunshine. Geared more towards Greek tourists, Preveza is at its liveliest and busiest in August.

September to October is perfect if you like things a bit less hot, with temperatures averaging 22°C in September and 18°C in October and 10 to 8 hours of daily sunshine. Rainfall picks up, but overall, it’s not a bad time of year to explore the area’s cultural and natural sights.

November to April is cooler and wetter, with average temperatures falling from 14°C in November and bottoming out at 8°C in January. Rain remains likely throughout these months, anywhere between ten to seven wet days, but you can expect at least 6 hours of daily sunshine. It’s quieter on weekdays, but there can be a buzz on weekends.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Greek is the official language, but you’ll find that many locals, especially those in the tourism industry, speak English quite well.

• Currency: Greece is in the eurozone.

• Getting around: With its small footprint and flat terrain, Preveza city is easy to get around on foot or bicycle. Taxis are also readily available. Fares vary depending on the distance travelled and the duration of the journey. Local buses serve the nearby towns and villages. As a guide, a one-way ticket to Louros costs €2.70; Stefani €3.20; Kanalaki €4.80; and Parga €7.80. For exploring the Epirus region more broadly, a rental car will come in handy.

• Electricity and plug types: The standard voltage is 230V 50 Hz. 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 Preveza

Whether you're exploring ancient ruins, winding through picturesque streets or relaxing on the beach, there's something for everyone on Preveza holidays.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Bastion of Vrysoula: With views over the Ambracian Gulf, this is an idyllic sunrise spot.

• Pantokrator Castle: Set on a promontory at the south end of the city, the abandoned coastal ruins alone would be reason enough to visit; the clear view of Lefkas from the topside church is the icing on the cake.

The best districts

• Saitan Pazar: A fair contender for most picturesque streetscape in Preveza, its narrow stone-paved alleys, flanked by colourful two-storey houses, independent craft shops, tavernas and old-school music cafés and the scent of bougainvillaea and jasmine in the air.

• Preveza Waterfront: This broad promenade lined with cafés, tavernas and shops has a lively buzz.

Parks and gardens

• Amvrakikos Wetlands National Park: A short drive from Preveza, this is one for nature lovers and birders, home to a rich variety of bird species and other wildlife. The wetlands can be explored on foot or by boat, offering a unique perspective on the region's natural beauty.

Museums

• The Archaeological Museum of Nicopolis: Located just outside Preveza, the museum is dedicated to the adjacent ancient city of Nikopolis. Permanent exhibitions chronicle the city’s founding, heyday, decline and eventual abandonment.

Historical monuments

• Nikopolis: Founded by the Roman Emperor Octavian in 31 BC, the site features extensive ruins, including a well-preserved theatre, city walls and mosaics.

• Church of Agios Charalambos: Set in the heart of the Old Town, this 18th-century church is a must-see for its impressive artworks, including eight paintings by the iconographer Spyridon Gazis.

Day trips in the area

• Acheron River: About an hour's drive from Preveza, the Acheron River is steeped in mythology as one of the five rivers leading to the underworld. Today, it's a more prosaic spot, popular with outdoorsy types.

• Parga: Located 60km northwest of Preveza, this picturesque seaside town is known for its stunning beaches, brightly painted buildings and historic castle.

Activities for families in Preveza

When it comes to keeping the kids entertained or just enjoying some quality family time, there are plenty of options.

• Family-friendly beaches: Preveza boasts several family-friendly beaches, including Monolithi Beach, which is ideal for swimming and sandcastle building thanks to its shallow waters and long stretches of sand.

• Playgrounds: For swinging, sliding and climbing, there’s a small, marine-themed playground at Preveza Marina.

• Cinemas: With screenings for both children and adults, Cine Kyani Akti, Preveza’s summertime outdoor cinema, is ideal for a family outing.

• Boat trips: Families can enjoy a relaxing boat trip along the Ambracian Gulf, with the chance to spot dolphins and learn about the area's marine life. Many tours include stops at secluded beaches where the whole family can swim and snorkel.

Free things to do in Preveza

Preveza offers plenty of activities that won't cost anything, making it a great destination for budget-conscious travellers.

• Annual festivals and free events: Preveza hosts various free cultural events throughout the year, including music festivals, open-air concerts and traditional celebrations like the Sardine Festival, where you can enjoy fresh sardines and local wine.

• Free museums: Admission to state-owned museums is waived on the 6th March, 18th April, 18th May, the last weekend of September, 28th October and every first Sunday of the month from 1st November until 31st March.

• Beaches: Access to Preveza's beaches is free. If you can resist the temptation of creature comforts like sunloungers and beach umbrellas, you can spend your days soaking up the sun and swimming in the clear waters without spending a cent.

Nature and outdoor activities

• Paragliding: For those looking for an adrenaline rush, paragliding offers a unique way to see the region from above. With experienced instructors, you can soar over Preveza and the surrounding countryside, taking in breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and the lush landscape below.

• Mountain biking: There are scores of cycle routes, everything and anything from Mytikas to Loutsa or Preveza to neighbouring Lefkas.

• Hiking: Just a short drive from Preveza, the Louros River Valley is a haven for hikers. The trails wind through lush forests past sparkling streams and offer views of the surrounding mountains. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, this area has something for everyone.

• Water sports: Monolithi Beach is a popular spot for water sports, including windsurfing, kitesurfing and paddleboarding. The clear waters and steady winds make it ideal for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts.

Local dishes in Preveza

Set on the shores of the Ambracian Gulf, fish and seafood take centre stage, with dairy products – Graviera, Kefalisio and Kefalotyri cheeses, sheep’s and cow’s milk, yoghurts and so on – running a close second.

Some typical dishes

• Blatsara: Very similar to Kolokithopita, this courgette-filled semolina-crust pie is a local speciality.

• Avgotaraho (Bottarga): Grey mullet roe, pressed, salted and sundried, dipped in beeswax. It’s typically served in whisper-thin slices with a drizzle of olive oil, pepper and a squirt of lemon.

Meze dishes

• Garides Saganaki: Amvrakikos shrimp wrapped in cheese, then pan-fried or seared.

• Savoro: Whitebait or mullet with garlic, olive oil, vinegar and raisins flavoured with laurel and rosemary.

Meat dishes

• Kontosouvli: Large pieces of marinated pork skewered and slow-cooked over an open charcoal pit.

• Hunkar Begendi: With a name meaning “Sultan’s Delight”, you know this dish will be good. This age-old Ottoman lamb stew is served on a bed of creamy, roasted aubergine purée.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Petali: Salted and sundried flathead grey mullet grilled over coals. This dish is a must-try on holidays to Preveza.

• Bakaliaro Skordalia: Crisp cod fritters served with a garlic dip.

Street food

• Gyros: Spit-cooked meat, tomatoes, onions, lettuce and cucumber topped with tzatziki and wrapped in pitta.

• Souvlaki: These grilled meat skewers are usually served with pitta bread, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki.

Sweets and desserts

• Klostari: A regional spin on Baklava, log-shaped pastries stuffed with chopped walnuts and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.

• Sker Bourek: White marzipan flavoured with rosewater.

Local drinks

• Ouzo: Home to Ouzo Roubou, one of the oldest distilleries in Greece, it is no wonder Ouzo is the go-to local tipple. Distilled from neutral alcohol, diluted with water and flavoured with aniseed and other botanicals, it’s traditionally drunk cloudy with water, but orange or tomato juice works a treat, too.

• Debina: Native to the region, this grape produces very drinkable dry whites and sparkling styles. Refreshing, with citrus and apple notes, Debina wines are particularly seafood- and dessert-friendly.