Parga

The main draws to Parga are the historical castle which overlooks the town (from a headland to the west of the town) and the beaches. Near the town centre is Krioneri beach, to the west of the town (beyond the castle) is Valtos beach, and 4km to the west of the town is Lichnos beach. Despite its scenic beauty, tourism is rather new here and the number of foreign tourists is small. People in Parga are friendly and the town still feels genuinely Greek. The majority of tourists frequenting Parga are Greeks, although it is gradually becoming more popular among foreign tourists, especially during peak holiday times (namely, July and August).

Get in

There are basically only two ways of getting to Parga, by car or bus , and by boat. There are several daily bus connections from both

There are basically only two ways of getting to Parga, by car or bus , and by boat. There are several daily bus connections from both

Parga is a very small town, so there is really no need for transportation to get around, except from the boats leaving every now and then to the nearby beaches Lichnos and Valtos. It is possible to walk, though the trip can be very warm during the day. To get to the surrounding areas, there is a car and scooter rental in town.

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Venetian castle .

(dating back to the 14th century) perches on a headland separating Parga town centre and Valtos beach. Taking a walk around the area along the walls promises great views over Parga town to the east and to the beach on the western side. It is large parts a ruined castle, and as such there are many steep drops into the sea without any cordons or barriers whatsoever, so be careful when wandering around. There may also be some snakes around, but if you walk on the paths you shouldn't come across any.   ( updated Feb 2016 )

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Ali Pasha castle

( is situated upon a hill to the west of Valtos beach ).

After buying a map of the local area from Parga, take a bus to the near by village of Anthousa. Ask the bus driver to drop you off at "Ali pasha" (he'll understand that if nothing else). A short walk will take you to the top of the hill where, if you need to, you can buy ice-cream or other refreshments. The castle or fortress is much in ruins, but it remains a nice place to visit anyway. From the top you can see other villages near Parga, Corfu on a clear day, and the fortress of Parga which Ali Pasha tried to shoot with his cannons. An old lady occasionally sells delicious herbs and spices (such as mint, herbal tea, oregano and different spice blends), so have some small change with you. She's very charming and likes to talk with you but not a word of English. From the fortress take a walk down to Parga through the orchards and forests of olive trees. The walk is a few kilometres long and walking downhill can be a strain to your knees. The map you bought from the town centre will help you find your way back to Parga. Alternatively, an easier visit would be to climb the hill aboard the tourist train, which departs every half an hour from the road in front of Krioneri Beach (Parga town centre). The same train will take you back down the hill, and the round-trip will not take more than 3 hours.   ( updated Feb 2016 )

Visitors to Parga can enjoy walking tours, cultural experiences, and outdoor activities in the surrounding countryside. The area offers opportunities for hiking, photography, and experiencing local traditions.

Castello Restaurant .

International cuisine in a very romantic atmosphere, a must see. Great food and service.   ( updated Feb 2016 )

Zorba's Restaurant .

Affordable local restaurant situated close to the harbor with beautiful views of the beach and the town. Traditional food as well as pizza. Open year-round.   ( updated Feb 2016 )

Cafés and bars in Parga serve Greek coffee, frappé, and local wines. Ouzo and tsipouro are popular local spirits. Tap water is generally safe but bottled water is widely available.

Byzantio Hotel Apartments

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Parga honey is a local speciality - it is sold by various merchants on the road just in front of Krioneri beach in the town centre.

There are many interest curios shops on the narrow alley leading from the town centre up the hill towards the Greek Fortress.

Buses leave to both