A touch of Dolce Vita surrounded by a Caribbean beach scenery awaits you here. The west of Epirus makes every holidaymaker’s heart beat faster. Hiking enthusiasts and sports enthusiasts are drawn to the mountainous hinterland, while beach lovers cavort in the turquoise-blue dream bays around Parga.
“Parga stands for concentrated island flair on the Greek mainland.”
Hardly any other region in Greece is as varied in terms of landscape as Epirus. Especially near the Greek west coast, you can go hiking in the mountains for a day and then relax by the sea.
Especially the lively coastal towns of Parga and Syvota, as well as Igoumenitsa itself, are ideal as a starting point to explore this unique region. In the mountains of Epirus, another world awaits you: original, lonely and mysterious.
The sea here shows itself in the most beautiful colors and to the Ionian Islands it is only a stone’s throw. Renting a car is the best way to explore the area around Parga.
💡 Book tip Epirus: The travel guide Northern and Central Greece contains a detailed chapter on the Parga region and its surroundings with many useful travel tips. Order here: View on Amazon*
In our highlights you will learn why western Epirus is much more than just a transit station to Lefkada or Corfu and what you can discover in western Greece.
#1 Parga: The colorful coastal city
The lively small town is located on the Ionian Sea and is more like a coastal town on the Italian Amalfi Coast. The pastel-coloured houses are picturesquely lined up around the turquoise blue shimmering bay. Parga is a real postcard motif and definitely a highlight in the west of Epirus.
In the Summer months there is a lot of activity here. If you want to avoid the big tourist rush, a visit is recommended especially at the beginning of the season in May or from the end of September.
Along the waterfront you will find countless taverns and cafes that try to attract holidaymakers to their restaurant. Opposite the harbour pier is the small Island of Panagia with the chapel of the same name.
For 3 euros you can take a tour boat and enjoy the view of the city. The Municipal beach of Parga is quite small, but the water is crystal clear and the beach slopes gently into the sea.
Above the winding alleys sits the Venetian fortress of Parga. Even if only ruins remain, the climb is worth it for the magnificent view of the harbour bay and the kilometre-long beach of Valtos, north of Parga.
In the alleys of Parga there are numerous souvenir shops, as well as beautiful boutiques and small shops with handmade goods. Many restaurants at the harbour vie for the favour of holidaymakers. A look at the reviews on TripAdvisor & Co. reveals their quality.
#2 Day trip to Paxos (Paxi)
In the high season, excursion boats depart daily from the picturesque coastal town of Parga to the surrounding dream beaches of the west coast, as well as to Paxos and Antipaxos Island.
With the speedboat from Parga you have a little more time on Paxos than with a slow excursion boat. The crossings take between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours. The beaches on Paxos and especially on Anti-Paxos are indescribably beautiful.
On GetYourGuide* you can find more details, as well as prices and availability at the excursion to Paxos (Paxi) and Antipaxos:
#3 Sarakiniko Beach: A dream in blue
Particularly worth seeing in the immediate vicinity we found the Sarakiniko Beach. The water shines in its most beautiful shades of blue in the curved bay and some taverns invite you to linger.
This beach is also well visited in the high season. The beach at Parga bears the same name as the famous Sarakiniko coast of Milos. There is a beautiful sandy beach here, which is heavenly quiet except for the summer months. On site you will find a few accommodations for a relaxing holiday.
You have a fantastic view of the bay from the terrace of the Agali Tavern, which is located at the top of the mountainside. Elen and her family have been running their own restaurants here for many years with a lot of heart and soul. Most of the vegetables come from their own garden. Open from mid-May to mid-October.
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#4 Syvota and the Caribbean beaches
The beaches around the coastal town of Syvota are known for their shallow bays with light sand and turquoise blue sea – so it’s called the Caribbean of Greece. In the end, only the palm trees are missing for the “tropical feeling”.
The small town of Syvota is a good starting point to explore these dream beaches. We particularly liked the “Dei plus Beach”. You can only reach it via a beaten path down to the sea. It is located north of Syvota and has no operator. Therefore, the rush will be limited even in midsummer.
Another gem is the “Bella Vraka Beach” south of Syvota. The lagoon is so shallow that you can walk from the beach over a headland to a small offshore island. On the right side of the island there are some umbrellas that belong to one of the many hotels in the bay. Otherwise, the beach has no operator.
Our favorite beach: Agia Paraskevi Beach
A swim stop is also worthwhile on the “Agia Paraskevi Beach”. The turquoise blue lagoon with the offshore island is fantastically beautiful. There are only a few holiday resorts on site.
There are parasols on the beach, and you can park your car in a parking lot directly behind it. From the chapel of the same name directly to the left of the beach you have a wonderful view of the bay.
Karavostasi Beach between Parga and Syvota
One of the most popular beaches in the region is the “Karavostasi Beach”. The beautiful sandy beach stretches for a few kilometers and offers umbrellas and sunbeds in summer. There are some tavernas and cafes on site. Unfortunately, the access road is littered with potholes. Nevertheless, buses also drive to the beach in the season.
The excursion boats from Parga also stop here from time to time. On site in the Café Nemo it was still very tranquil at the beginning of May. We had a delicious snack here and enjoyed the calm before the storm of the high season all by ourselves.
#5 Ali Pasha Castle near Trikorfo
Of course, this region not only offers countless beaches, but also beautiful monasteries, chapels and historic buildings. Magnificent views are from the Trikorfo Fortress, the so-called Ali Pasha Castle about five kilometers north of Parga.
The remains of the old castle, built by the Ottoman ruler of Epirus Ali Pasha are already largely overgrown by nature. The magnificent view of the west coast and the Ionian Sea as far as Paxos and Corfu.
The church is also very worth seeing in the area Agios Athanasios in the middle of a cool grove. There is even a small shrine next to the church in an ancient olive tree to marvel at.
#6 Acheron River: Gateway to the Underworld
The hinterland of western Epirus also has a lot to offer. About 25 kilometres from Parga, near the village of Gliki, the River Acheron. In Greek mythology, the river marked the entrance to the underworld, to the realm of Hades.
A mysterious atmosphere surrounds the region around the Acheron. The river is a real natural beauty in Greece. Its crystal clear waters shine emerald green. In the case of a walk along the river a piece of untouched nature awaits you.
From June to September you can even hike into the gorge as the water level is very low. Shortly before the entrance to the gorge, freshwater springs even bubble out of the rocks on the sides of the Acheron.
In the village of Gliki, you can park your car in a parking lot right by the river. Directly on the Acheron there are providers for rafting and kayaking. On weekends, the river is a popular destination for Greeks. Some taverns and cafés provide for the physical well-being.
#7 Souli Watermills as a Parga insider tip
From the village of Gliki, a mountain road leads to the Region Souli. Traditional villages are completely lonely and hidden between the mountains. The watermills of Souli (Μυλοι Σουλιου) are definitely worth seeing. You can reach it from Gliki via numerous serpentines after about 12 kilometers.
Hardly any tourist gets lost in this idyllic place. Most of the time you will only meet locals who have lunch in the rustic Kafenion “Miloi Souliou” and take a break on site.
There are cool drinks and coffee as well as a few snacks (salad, souvlaki etc.). Even in bad weather, a detour is worthwhile. You should have experienced the enchanted atmosphere in this grove by the river!
Zalongo Monument and Monastery of Agios Dimitrios
If you continue your journey from Parga in the south, we recommend a short stop at the Zalongo Monument near the village of Profitis Ilias. Unfortunately, there is a very tragic story behind the impressive statues that sit high up on the mountain.
During the Ottoman occupation, more than 60 women and children jumped into the depths here out of desperation and fear of the attackers. In their hopelessness, they sang and danced before choosing suicide. Therefore, the monument will also called be “Dance of Zalongo”.
Below the beautiful Monastery of Agios Dimitrios stairs lead up to this memorial. The panorama over the coastal plain from up here is magnificent!
More Parga Travel Tips & Info
Restaurant recommendation for Parga
The selection of restaurants in Parga is large and the prices are correspondingly high due to the large number of tourists. In some taverns, the quality may suffer a little. Especially at the harbor, one restaurant crowds into the other.
So it gets crowded and loud in the evening. If you like it a little quieter, we recommend a tavern in the back alleys of Parga. Most of the locals eat here. The prices and quality are correspondingly good.
Taverna Lithos, Parga
We ate very deliciously at Elena’s in the Lithos Tavern. It is located directly at the entrance behind the harbour. The ambience with the white chairs and tables and the terrace is very cozy, the food is homemade with love by the whole family. You can see this for yourself in the open kitchen.
Especially the moussaka was one of the best we have ever eaten. The feta in sesame crust and the skordalia (garlic dip) were also a real treat! The price-performance ratio and the quality of the food were top!
Where to stay in Epirus Parga
Here we spent the night in Parga
Pension Leda Suites, Parga
The lovely owner Stefanos has created a small work of art in the quiet part of the city center. Each room has been painted with Minoan scenes by a famous Greek artist. The result is impressive murals that create an absolute feel-good atmosphere.
Each room is tastefully furnished and has a balcony or terrace, as well as a refrigerator and espresso machine. From the two suites in the attic you have a fantastic sea view.
The property is located in a quiet side street in the middle of downtown Parga. It is only a five-minute walk to the harbour with its numerous tavernas. There is even private free parking opposite. There is also a bakery nearby, where you can have a good breakfast in the morning.
Stefanos has a lot of tips in store and is an absolute connoisseur of the Greek mythology. We felt at home with him and could have listened to him for hours. You can check more information about the hotel and prices on Booking.com*:
➲ To the booking of the Leda Suites*
More apartments and hotels in Parga
→ About Booking.com* you will find many Where to stay in Parga and you can check prices here:
Since it can get quite crowded in the small village of Parga in summer (excursions from Corfu), individual tourists like to move to the surrounding area. If you’re looking for a quieter hotel, then you’ll love Syvota and surroundings Find. Click on the link from Booking.com* to find suitable accommodations:
➲ To beautiful hotels in the region*
Car hire for the Parga region
On site we recommend to rent a car to be able to make a detour to the remote mountain villages and lonely bays near Syvota. Ideally, you rent the car at Preveza Airport. You can search for a cheap car rental in Parga through our partner Discover Cars*:
How to get to the Epirus Parga region
The best way to reach the region of Western Epirus with its Greek Caribbean is by direct flight to the city of Preveza. Preveza Airport is called Aktio (PVK) and also serves the Lefkada Island. We use the Skyscanner* portal to find suitable flight connections:
➲ To cheap flights to Preveza*
Condor flies once a week from Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart and Prague. EasyJet flies from Berlin Tegel to Preveza. The journey time from Preveza to Parga is about an hour. Tolls are charged on the route. Hotels offer a transfer service.
If you are staying in Greece for a longer period of time, it is a good idea to travel by car. Ideally, you will take the ferry from Italy to Igoumenitsa. The Greek ferry port is about 45 kilometers from Parga.
More Tips for getting there in the region Epirus Parga can be found here: Getting to Greece
Parga Youtube Video
Impressions of the region can be found in the video by Robert Polasek ©:
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