According to liuxers.com, Parga is a picturesque town on the northwestern coast of Epirus. Its excellent location between mountains strewn with olive groves and a convenient bay on the coast of the Ionian Sea attracted the Venetians at one time. The fortress of these famous merchants quickly became a place of attraction for the inhabitants of nearby villages, who soon moved from the top of Mount Pezovolo closer to the water. Today’s Parga still attracts people – but not traders, but tourists. This is a quiet and peaceful resort with magnificent beaches that occupy almost the entire coast and amazingly beautiful landscapes that are conducive to many hours of walks. And from here it is convenient to go on cruises to the nearest islands of Paxas, Antipaxos or Panagia.
How to get to Parga
The easiest way to get to Parga is via Corfu, where 4 flights depart daily from Moscow. Arriving in Kerkyra, you need to get on the ferry to Igoumenitsa. Departure every hour, travel time 1 hour 30 minutes. Buses run from Igoumenitsa to Parga (between them 40 km) on weekdays (at 6:00 and 13:30), the journey takes 45 minutes. You can use taxi services, the trip will not be too expensive. A longer and more tiring option is a bus from Athens with a change in Preveza. Total travel time: 7 hours 50 minutes.
Transport
There is no public transport in the city, apart from periodically plying suburban buses. If you need to quickly move from point A to point B, you can order a taxi. And if you want to travel around the surrounding villages or drive to the mountains for a day or two, rental offices will come to the rescue, where you can rent a small car or a scooter. Parking in the city is free (not counting the large guarded parking lots), but finding a place is almost impossible, especially during the peak of the summer season. Bicycles in Parga are not very popular, because of the mountainous terrain. However, some hotels still offer bike rental.
Parga Hotels
There are many hotels in Parga for every taste and budget. The cost of living depends on the distance from the sea. A double room in a four-star hotel 300 meters from the coast will cost 40-50 EUR, the same option, only on the first coastline, already costs 66-73 EUR. A day’s stay in a two-three-star hotel – 40-60 EUR, apartments can also be rented for 30-60 EUR. There are no hostels in Parga. Prices on the page are for July 2021.
The beaches of Parga
Warm sea, small pebbles, smooth entry into the water, sun loungers with umbrellas – this is how you can describe the beaches of Parga, located both in the city itself and in its environs. Near the central pier is the sandy beach of Krioneri. Usually there are a lot of vacationers on it, who are attracted by a convenient location: you can quickly change clothes and immediately go on business to the city. The rental of two sun loungers and an umbrella will cost 10 EUR per day. The promenade that runs parallel to the beach is full of restaurants and shops.
Valtos beach is no less popular (GPS coordinates: 39.282006, 20.437035). It is very large and occupies the entire coast of the bay, located in the western, quieter part of the city. The beach is pebbly, with a smooth entry into the water. There are fewer cafes here, small shops with snacks and soft drinks predominate, and there is convenient free parking. Renting a set of sun loungers and umbrellas costs 9 EUR per day.
Cafes and restaurants
Among the restaurants of Parga, traditional taverns hold the palm. There is simple but very tasty Greek food: you should try the dakos salad (chopped tomatoes with capers and feta on moistened toast) and sofrito (veal stew). Dinner for two in a tavern will cost from 35 EUR. There are also restaurants with Italian, Indian and Chinese cuisines in Parga (they are located on the waterfront), they are a bit more expensive there.
Traditional local fast food – “gyros” and souvlaki. In addition to small kiosks with street food, these “fast” dishes for 7 EUR are also sold to take away and ordinary taverns.
Sights of Parga
To visit the most interesting places in Parga, you will need comfortable shoes and a little stamina. The main attractions of the city are two fortresses. The Venetian fortress, a fortification of the 11th century, is located in the very center of the city on top of a hill. The complex history of Epirus is reflected on the emblems decorating its walls: here are both Venetian lions and double-headed eagles – the symbol of the famous Ottoman governor Ali Pasha.
Entrance to the territory of the castle, or rather, its ruins, is free. At the top there are souvenir shops and cafes, and from the walls there is a fantastic view of Parga and the sea washing it.
Another noteworthy castle stands a few kilometers north of the city, on the road from Parga to Agia. The Antuza fortress on the top of the mountain was built by the already mentioned Ali Pasha (GPS coordinates: 39.298491, 20.367792). The castle was intended to control the territory and deploy troops – the freedom-loving inhabitants of Parga more than once raised uprisings against the Ottomans. The walls are fortified with bastions with two cannons, which Ali Pasha bought from the Russian troops. In summer, cultural festivals are held in the fortress, fireworks are often launched from here. Anthousa can be reached on foot along a picturesque trail starting from Valtos beach.
After exciting, but very tiring walks in the mountains, you should relax a little and go on a boat trip to one of the many islands. The most beautiful is Panagia with a church, a bell tower and a small castle in the French style.
