Parga is a small cosmopolitan resort on the Ionian Sea, which has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years, especially since the construction of the highway that connects the Ionian coast with the Vardar valley.
Parga is located between Igoumenica and Preveza. It is located in a bay full of islets and rocks that emerge from the water. Parga has a small port, which extends into the city beach, along which a promenade stretches along its entire length with countless taverns, gardens, shops and pastry shops.
Parga is a beautiful town that is a combination of Venetian and traditional Greek architecture with narrow, winding streets, small squares and countless churches.
It appears for the first time in history in the 14th century BC. when Mycenae ruled this area. After ancient Greece, the Romans came to these areas, and then Byzantium until the beginning of the 15th century, when Venice took over this part of the Mediterranean. At the end of the 18th century, turbulent times and a struggle for supremacy between the Venetians, the English, the French, and the Russians followed. In 1817, the Turks bought Parga from the English, and the local population fled to Corfu, which never fell into Turkish hands. Only after the Balkan Wars was Parga freed from Turkish rule and rebuilt.
An old Venetian fortress (dating from the 14th century) separates the center of Parga from Valtos beach. From the fortress you have a beautiful view of the city, the harbor and the small islands of Parga, and the surrounding beaches.
The old town of Parga is really unique. The law stipulates that all houses in the old part must be painted yellow or red, and it is not allowed to build more floors in that part of the town.
Parga offers a very rich night life in numerous cafes, taverns, restaurants, pubs… After dinner, you must go to one of the local cafes with a view of the harbor.
Beaches of Parga:
Parga has two city beaches: Krioneri, which is the city’s main sandy beach in the city center, and only a few minutes’ walk away is another beach – Piso Krioneri, which is a small, sheltered pebble-stone beach.
On the north side of Parga there are two sandy beaches, Valtos and Lihnos beach. Valtos can be reached in ten minutes of easy walking along the road next to the fortress. Valtos beach is well-organized, with sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, water sports and numerous taverns. For those who do not want to walk to Valtos, boats from Parga also sail daily.
The second sandy beach Lihnos is about 4 km from the center of Parga and can be reached on foot by a path that leads over the hill through an olive grove and the walk takes about 50-60 minutes. Lychnos is located in a beautiful and calm bay. It is surrounded by hotels and apartments, a few taverns and a car camp. Lihnos beach can also be reached by boat that departs from the port of Parga or by car, as there is an asphalt road to the beach.
Excursions from Parga:
Across from Parga are the small islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, to which local tourist agencies organize daily excursions.
The other Ionian islands of Corfu, Lefkada, Zakynthos and Kefalonia can also be visited from the Port of Parga.
From the archaeological sites, we recommend going to Nektomantia, an ancient sanctuary dedicated to Hades, the god of the underworld.
A visit to the river Acheron, the mythological river Styx, which carried the souls of the dead to the underworld, is essential. Beautiful nature, crystal clear water and sources of drinking water leave no one indifferent.
