About Parga

Parga is a charismatic town on the Greek mainland, 12 nautical miles from the infamous island of Corfu.  It has approximately 2,500 permanent residents and in the summer high season this number can reach up to 15,000. The town displays evidence of foreign rule, such as  Venetian, French, British and Turkish, however, it will always be Greek in character. 

Some of the most interesting sites to visit are, Pargas own Venetian castle, the castle of Ali Pasha on a higher plain, the island of Panagia (St Mary's) in Parga's bay, the Ecclesiastical Museum and the Monastery of the Vlachs sitting at the end of Valtos beach. A little further afield are many other important  sites from Greece's historical and mythological past.

 
Parga is abound with many beautiful beaches and small coves. To name a few:  in the exact centre Krioneri Beach ( meaning cold water), Piso Krioneri Beach (behind ),  then a short journey away are Valtos Beach, Lichnos Beach, Sarakiniko Beach, Ayianaki Beach ( St.Johns) and numerous tiny intimate coves.

 
Day time in Parga can be spent exploring the many small narrow pathways leading throughout the whole village, where handmade local produce is on sale, or alternatively long, relaxing walks for the athletic type are at every turn.  After the sunsets behind the Venetian castle, Parga offers something for everybody.  There are traditional tavernas and restaurants, nightlife for all tastes and quiet areas in  less hectic areas of the town to enjoy a drink and take in the atmosphere.

 
Every year the town of Parga celebrates a series of festivities named "Parginia".  There is always entertainmentfor all age groups varying each year from theatrical productions, musical evenings and exhibitions of art and photography, may of which are by local artists. 

Parga is easily reachable by air, sea and land . In summer it is served by the airport Aktio in Preveza  and all year round by the national bus services and by ferry boat from Corfu via Igoumenitsa.

Monuments - Places of interest

There are many places of historical interest for the visitors. The most prominent among them are the Venetian castle with its fortified walls which crown the hill that dominates the town, and bear solid witness to the historical importance of Parga the region. On a higher plain sits another equally impressiv castle from the era of Ali Pasha. His imposing emblem still rests proudly above the arched gateway. The small island of Panagia, in Parga's bay, houses the church of Panagia and an impregnable ninteenth-century French forth. The Mycenaean tomb in Kiperi and the castle of Ali Pasha in Anthousa, built in 1814, helped to complete the rich tapestry of the region's history. The Ecclesiastical Museum of Parga houses religious relics, vestments, manuscripts, icons, two seventeenth-century gospels, two copies of the epitaph of Saint Oros, and the eighteenth-century red silk banner of Parga which is painted in oil on both sides. There are many other historical religious sites to visit such as the monastery of Panagia of the Vlachs. This is located above the beach of Valtos and was built in the early twelfth century.

 

Parga today 

Parga is a large picturesque village with island character, a rich and eventful history, rare physical beauty, interlaced beaches, emerald sea, calm bays, olive groves, a healthy climate, romantic side-streets and pathways with two and three storey houses forming an amphitheatre under the imposing remains of a Byzantine Castle.Three small, vibrantly green, islands enclose Parga in the bay of Panagia. Parga as a whole is of great interest to the visitors because of it's uniquely beautiful construction. This bears strong architectural testament to the age of Venetian rule; small whitewashed houses nestle against each other beside colonial mansions along winding narrow and flower-filled streets. In the center the varied colourful shops, bars, tavernas and restaurants gives a distinctly cosmopolitan flavour to the small town. The people of Parga are warm, friendly and hospitable. The town displays evidence from the rule of the Venetians, the British, the French and the Turks, but is unmistakably Greek in character.

 

The coast line

The town and local coast abound with wonderful beaches. The organised beaches of the town itself are very easy to find and isolated beaches and coves, which are mainly accessible by the sea but also served by small roads and tracks, punctuate the local coast. The beaches of Krioneri and Piso Krioneri are directly in front of the Parga's promonade and the Gulf og Valtos is a short distance to the west. To the north west the beaches of Spartila, Saint Sostis, Sarakiniko are found. To the south are the beaches Hagiopoulo, Monolitho, Pogonia, Skebi and Prioni. This stretch of coast line concludes with the long, fine-pebble beach of Lichnos with all it's small caves. 4 km from Parga, with just 1 km of sloping road, takes you to the beach of Saint Yanaki with fresh water spring at it's center.