Parga – Mainland Greece Travel Guide
The Parga region of mainland Greece is made up of sleepy traditional villages that sit on the northwest coast. Secluded beaches, a green mountainous hinterland, olive groves and fruit orchards make Parga the perfect destination for a relaxing holiday where the traditional Greek way of life has not been affected by tourism. The beautiful villages of the region offer quiet tavernas, restaurants serving exceptionally fresh seafood, cafes and bars and are an ideal base for exploring Parga’s magnificent beaches and mountainous hinterland.
The beaches in the Parga region along the Epirus coast are ideal for families on a budget holiday in Greece, as they are relatively uncrowded. There are plenty of small secluded bays that can be reached by water taxi. The beaches around Parga offer excellent conditions for snorkelling and water sports such as swimming, diving, windsurfing, jet-skiing and water skiing.
Rising like a giant white amphitheater from a picturesque little port, the town of Parga is considered one of the prettiest towns on the Greek coast. The old town of Parga Village has a charming atmosphere with narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses with red roofs and small shops. The quiet town of Sivota is perfect for families as it has beautiful beaches with crystal clear, shallow waters. Valtos and Lichnos are also popular towns in the Parga region. Valtos has a wonderful mile-long curve of golden sandy beach, while Lichnos has a quieter fine pebble beach sheltered by trees in a deep bay. To get to Lichnos beach, visitors take one of the small water taxis from Parga Town.
Away from the beaches, there is plenty to do, including the resorts of Lefkas, the incredible Dodoni Amphitheatre, the Venetian Castle, the Meteora monasteries, the Perma caves, and the historic lakeside city of Ioannina. Take a boat trip to the islands of Corfu, Paxos and Anti Paxos or a bus trip to traditional villages like Agia and Anthoussa. Last minute holiday deals to Parga should include an excursion to explore the crypt in the Nekromanteio of Ayra, where you can visit the legendary palace of Hades. Take a tour of the local Ouzo factory and pick up a few bottles to take home! The harbor shops are a great place to buy gifts and souvenirs, such as handmade jewelry and leather goods.
Nightclubs are few and far between in Parga’s resorts and most visitors prefer a quiet dinner in one of the many traditional waterfront taverns. The restaurants and taverns around the port serve all kinds of food, from traditional dishes like grilled feta and baked lamb to international cuisine. What could be more romantic than watching the stars twinkle over the bay and being serenaded by traditional Greek music as you dine al fresco in the soothing warm night air?
Parga enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate with long, hot, dry summers and short, mild winters. During the hot summer months of June, July and August, temperatures often exceed 30°C with 12 hours of sunshine per day. Temperatures from May to October rarely dip below 20°C, while November temperatures drop to around 17°C, making exploring the area much more pleasant than in the hot and humid summer.