Parga, Greece - A Destination For A Great Summer Vacation

Parga, Greece - A Destination For A Great Summer Vacation
Zoran
Zoran 
Published
| 4 min read

Parga, Greece is a likable small town and a summer resort area, encircled by wooded hills and splashed by waters of the Ionian Sea. It’s not just its location and engaging environment that appeal to travellers flocking to this gem of the Epirus region. Nearby historical, even mythological, attractions play their part, too. So, whether you choose Parga as a base for an active or a positional vacation, you are most probably going to be more than satisfied with what this beautiful town and the region itself have to offer.

Why should (or shouldn’t) you include Parga in your plans?

parga, greece - a destination for a great summer vacation | why should (or shouldn’t) you include parga in your plans?

In general, the only things that might avert you from this Ionian pearl is the absence of engaging nightlife and if you are with very small children – like its surroundings, Parga is mostly hilly. Everything else is just fitting.

Parga has three adjacent beaches, a few islets (the largest one has a church – refer to the related photo), half-wild environment (evergreen trees, olive groves…), a bunch of souvenir shops, fast food, restaurants, bars and more.

From here, you can set onto various nautical or onshore excursions, with agencies or on your own. Among the most engaging are visits to the Acheron River, Corfu Island and an Ionian Sea cruise.

Attractions of Parga

parga, greece - a destination for a great summer vacation | attractions of parga

The top attraction in Parga is a Venetian Fortress atop a peninsula that originated in the 14th century. The Venetian symbol – Lion of Saint Mark (Agios Marcos) – oversees the entrance into the fortification. Destroyed and rebuilt a couple of times, the fortress was used for the settlement’s defence both from naval and mainland attacks. Today, it is surrounded by a pine forest, and offers great panoramic views over Parga, Valtos Beach and the Ionian Sea. Take care, though, when climbing at the highest point inside the fortress because the stairway is pretty much worn-out.

The Castle of Ali was built in the 19th century, when the Turks occupied Parga. The castle was built on a strategic highland point, some 6 kilometres (~3.7 mi) away, to oversee and bombard (if need be) the settlement. The canons are still preserved. From the Castle of Ali you’ll see splendid panoramic views, reaching distant Lefkada, Paxoi (also called Paxos) and Antipaxoi (also called Antipaxos) Islands. A tourist train departs from Parga regularly, and the price ranges between 6 EUR (6.50 USD) and 10 EUR (11 USD) depending on the season.

Parga’s largest islet, in front of the Krioneri Beach, can be reached mostly on foot! A little swimming may be required, depending on your height, but there is really no need to rent a boat (1 EUR – 1.10 USD) from the port. That is, if you don’t wish to attend your or another’s wedding wet! Start from the right end of Krioneri Beach, and you’ll be there within 10 minutes. The pine-clad islet features a small Agios Prokopis (Procopius) Church and a slightly larger French fortress, built in 1808. There is also a spring here, and you may encounter rabbits.

Parga’s beaches

parga, greece - a destination for a great summer vacation | parga’s beaches

Certainly the largest, and the farthest, is Valtos Beach (in the photo). If you aren’t located next to the beach, you’ll need to climb to the Venetian Fortress from Parga, and descend from it in a prolonged walk. Valtos Beach is surely worth the effort since most tourists find it the most beautiful of Parga’s three beaches.

Krioneri Beach is the main beach, and can be reached within 15 minutes from anywhere in Parga. The beach is dotted with parasols and easy chairs, which could be rented, but you are free to lay down on your towels if you prefer. The neighbouring wooded hill, a few islets and the distant fortress make an excellent setting for enjoying your activities. Asian masseuses, offering relaxing massages, are also to be seen.

Piso Krioneri is the smallest beach, tucked away on the other side of the above-mentioned wooded hill. Its main advantage is that it tends to be less crowded than Krioneri Beach.

There are several other beaches within close or somewhat distant proximity (up to 10 kilometres; ~6.2 mi) from Parga. Sarakiniko and Lichnos Beaches are considered the most beautiful and developed, with tourist facilities and lush greenery that surrounds them.

Eateries, bars and other facilities of Parga

parga, greece - a destination for a great summer vacation | eateries, bars and other facilities of parga

There are plentiful bars and restaurants in Parga. There you can enjoy Greek ethno music, popular music, various Greek and Italian specialities, and so on. Most of them feature large screens, for broadcasting significant sport events, for example. Bakeries with extraordinary pastries shouldn’t be bypassed either.

Shops selling basic products are numerous, with widely different prices. If you are looking for a souvenir, painting or any printed publication, stores located out of the central promenade, at the periphery, are somewhat cheaper. In general, Parga tends to be pricier than most other Greek summer resorts, but the difference is not drastic.

There are several agencies selling excursions, and you should take your time in searching for the best deal. Accommodations are offered mostly by private mansions, with the occasional hotel.

Useful information

Since Parga is surrounded by hills, sunlight tends to diminish somewhat earlier than it ordinarily does. In September, for example, Valtos beach loses sunlight around 07:30 pm. Stores are literally everywhere along the main streets, by the seaside and up toward the Venetian Fortress. The official currency is EUR.

Evening illumination makes Parga quite an enchanting place, which is the best time for a relaxing walk or to enjoy the sounds of the waves under the starry sky.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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In Zoran's writing career, he extensively covers global destinations and travel companies, examining cities, regions, countries, and cruising entities. Beyond sharing knowledge, he engages with...Read more

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