# Parga Travel Guide: Beaches, Castle and Boat Trips > Parga travel guide: the Venetian castle, Kryoneri, Valtos and Lichnos beaches, boat trips to Paxos and Antipaxos, and the Acheron River gorge at Glyki. URL: https://theauthenticgreece.com/parga-travel-guide/ Last updated: 2026-10-30 --- Parga is a small, steep harbour town on the Epirus coast of mainland Greece, built in tiers below a Venetian castle and facing a bay with a tiny chapel islet in the middle. It is worth two to four nights for its beaches (Kryoneri in town, Valtos and Lichnos a short walk or boat ride away), the castle and the boat trips to Paxos and Antipaxos. It is busy in July and August and much more pleasant in June and September. ## Quick facts - **Where:** Preveza regional unit, Epirus, on the Ionian coast between Igoumenitsa and Preveza. - **Getting there:** Aktion airport near Preveza is around 70 km away, a little over an hour by road; Igoumenitsa port is about 50 km north. - **Time needed:** 2 to 4 nights, more if you want a full beach holiday. - **Best time:** late May, June and September; July and August are crowded and hot. - **Good for:** families, couples, boat trips, travellers who want an island feel without an island ferry. ## Why Parga feels different Parga looks like an Ionian island town, and historically it behaved like one. While the rest of Epirus was under Ottoman rule, Parga placed itself under Venetian protection in 1401 and stayed Venetian, apart from short interruptions, until 1797. The pastel houses, the bell towers and the Lion of St Mark over the castle gate all come from that long link with Venice and Corfu. After the fall of Venice the town passed between the French, the Ottomans under Russian protection, the French again and finally the British in 1814. The episode every local knows comes next. In 1817 the British agreed to cede Parga to Ali Pasha of Ioannina, and in 1819, rather than live under him, most of the inhabitants left for the Ionian Islands, mainly Corfu, before the handover. Parga only joined the Greek state in 1913. That history explains why the town still looks west across the sea rather than inland. ## The town and the castle The old town is a tangle of stepped lanes climbing from the waterfront to the castle. The lower streets are full of shops selling ceramics, olive oil and Parga honey; higher up it gets quieter, with whitewashed steps, flowering pots and glimpses of the bay between houses. The harbour promenade is the evening stage: families walking, boats tying up, tavernas setting tables almost on the water. ### The Venetian castle The castle sits on the headland between the harbour and Valtos beach. The Venetians rebuilt it after Ottoman raids destroyed the town in 1537 and again after 1571, and Ali Pasha added a citadel at the highest point after 1819. Today it is a romantic ruin: walls, gateways, the remains of houses and storerooms, pine trees and big views over the town, the islet of Panagia and, on the other side, the long curve of Valtos. Look for the winged lion at the entrance and Ali Pasha’s emblems on later masonry. Entry was free at the time of writing, and it is reached by a steep lane from the centre (about 10 to 15 minutes on foot). Go early in the morning or near sunset in summer, wear proper shoes, and keep an eye on children: there are unprotected drops in places. A café inside the walls makes a good excuse to linger. ### Anthousa and Ali Pasha’s fortress Above the village of Anthousa, a few kilometres west of town, stand the remains of a second fortress connected with Ali Pasha. It is less visited, has views towards Paxos and, on clear days, Corfu, and makes a good short outing by car or on the little tourist train that runs from the waterfront in summer. You can walk back down through the olive groves. ## Parga beaches Parga has a beach for every mood within a few kilometres, and boats (water taxis) shuttle between the harbour and the main bays in summer, which saves you the walk and the parking. - **Kryoneri:** the town beach, sand and small pebbles right below the waterfront, with the islet of Panagia and its chapel offshore. Convenient and lively; good swimmers swim out to the islet. - **Piso Kryoneri:** a smaller, more sheltered cove just beyond Kryoneri, popular with families. - **Valtos:** the big one, a long beach of sand and fine shingle on the far side of the castle hill. Reach it by walking over the hill from the castle (about 15 minutes, steep) or by water taxi. It has sunbeds and water sports at one end and quieter stretches at the other. - **Lichnos:** about 3 to 4 km from town, a sheltered bay with clear water and sea caves along the rocks nearby. Daily boats run from the harbour in season, or you can drive. - **Sarakiniko:** further along the coast beyond Lichnos, a quieter bay reached by boat or by car on a winding road. Good for a half day away from the crowds. Sunbeds are common on the organised beaches; the arrangement (free with a drink order or a set charge) varies by season and by bar, so ask before you settle in. ## Boat trips from Parga Parga’s harbour is the starting point for some of the best day trips on this coast. The classic is the cruise to Paxos and Antipaxos: boats usually leave in the morning, around 09:30 to 10:00, stop at the Blue Caves on the west coast of Paxos, give time in Gaios and anchor for a swim at Voutoumi on Antipaxos, returning in the early evening. In 2026 prices quoted for these trips were around 35 to 50 euros per person, depending on the boat and what is included; check what you are paying for before you buy, because some trips skip the caves if the sea is rough. If you want more time on the islands, our [Paxos travel guide](https://theauthenticgreece.com/paxos-travel-guide/) and the guide to [the beaches of Antipaxos](https://theauthenticgreece.com/antipaxos-beaches/) will help you decide whether to stay a night instead. Other boats run along the coast to Sivota and its islets, and in summer there are excursions to Corfu. Small boat hire without a licence is also available for exploring the coves between Parga and Lichnos on calm days. ## Acheron River and the Necromanteion The most memorable trip inland from Parga is to the River Acheron, the river of the dead in Greek mythology. At the village of **Glyki**, about half an hour’s drive away, you can walk upstream into the Acheron gorge, wading through icy, crystal clear water between rock walls. Water shoes are a good idea, and the current can be strong in spring, so do not go far with small children. Riverside cafés, rafting, kayaking and horse riding operators are based here in summer. Closer to the coast, near the village of Mesopotamos, is the **Necromanteion of Acheron**, an ancient oracle of the dead where visitors came to consult the spirits. The surviving building is a maze of thick walls, corridors and an underground vaulted chamber. Experts still debate what exactly took place here, which only adds to the atmosphere. The river reaches the sea at Ammoudia, a long sandy beach with a small fishing harbour, an easy stop on the way back. ## Where to stay and eat Staying in the old town or on the hill above Kryoneri puts you in walking distance of everything but often means steps and limited parking. Valtos has many hotels and apartments behind the beach and is good for families who want sand on the doorstep. Lichnos and Anthousa are quieter and suit travellers with a car. Book early for July and August, when Greek and Italian holidaymakers fill the town. For food, the waterfront tavernas are about location first; some are good, others coast on the view. The lanes behind the harbour and the tavernas in Anthousa and along the road to Lichnos often offer better value. Look out for Epirus pies with greens and cheese, grilled fish and squid, lamb and goat from the mountains, and local honey and olive oil to take home. Parga honey is sold from stalls along the Kryoneri waterfront. ## Getting there and getting around Most international visitors fly into Aktion (Preveza) airport, served by charter and low cost flights in summer, then take a transfer, taxi or rental car north. Others arrive via Corfu and the ferry to Igoumenitsa, or come by road from Ioannina, a drive of around 1.5 hours that pairs naturally with our Ioannina travel guide and a few days in [the stone villages of Zagori](https://theauthenticgreece.com/zagori-travel-guide/). Local buses link Parga with Preveza and Igoumenitsa several times a day in summer, fewer out of season. In town you do not need a car: everything is walkable and boats cover the beaches. For Glyki, the Necromanteion and Sarakiniko, a car makes life easier, and our guide to [renting a car in Greece](https://theauthenticgreece.com/renting-a-car-in-greece/) covers the basics. Parga also fits well into a wider Ionian trip, combined with Lefkada to the south or Corfu to the north; see our [Ionian island hopping routes](https://theauthenticgreece.com/ionian-island-hopping/). ## Practical tips - **Parking:** the centre is cramped and parking is limited in high summer. Use the paid car parks on the edge of town and walk in. - **Steps:** Parga is steep. Choose accommodation carefully if you have mobility issues or a pushchair. - **Boats:** water taxi and excursion timetables change with the season and the weather. Check the boards at the harbour the evening before. - **Festival:** on 15 August the Varkarola sees decorated boats with lanterns sail into the harbour, one of the busiest nights of the year. - **Off-season:** many hotels and beach bars close from late October to April, but the town itself is lived in all year. Parga is at its best when you mix things up: a morning on Valtos, an afternoon at the castle, a day on the boat to Paxos and one inland at the Acheron. Few places on the Greek mainland pack so much variety into such a small corner. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How many days do you need in Parga? Two or three nights are enough for the castle, the town beaches and a boat trip to Paxos and Antipaxos. Add a day or two if you want to visit the Acheron River and the Necromanteion, or simply spend more time on Valtos and Lichnos. ### What is the nearest airport to Parga? Aktion airport near Preveza is the closest, around 70 km away and a little over an hour by road. Corfu airport is another option, combined with the ferry to Igoumenitsa and a drive of about 50 km south. ### Is the Parga castle free to visit? Entry was free at the time of writing, and the castle is reached by a steep lane from the town centre. Wear good shoes and take care, as some walls have unprotected drops. ### Which is the best beach in Parga? Valtos is the longest and best for a full beach day, Kryoneri is the most convenient in town and Lichnos has the clearest water and sea caves nearby. Boats link all three with the harbour in summer. ### Can you visit Paxos from Parga? Yes. Day cruises leave Parga in the morning, visit the Blue Caves and Gaios on Paxos and stop for a swim on Antipaxos. In 2026 prices were around 35 to 50 euros per person, so compare what each boat includes. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many days do you need in Parga? Two or three nights are enough for the castle, the town beaches and a boat trip to Paxos and Antipaxos. Add a day or two if you want to visit the Acheron River and the Necromanteion, or simply spend more time on Valtos and Lichnos. ### What is the nearest airport to Parga? Aktion airport near Preveza is the closest, around 70 km away and a little over an hour by road. Corfu airport is another option, combined with the ferry to Igoumenitsa and a drive of about 50 km south. ### Is the Parga castle free to visit? Entry was free at the time of writing, and the castle is reached by a steep lane from the town centre. Wear good shoes and take care, as some walls have unprotected drops. ### Which is the best beach in Parga? Valtos is the longest and best for a full beach day, Kryoneri is the most convenient in town and Lichnos has the clearest water and sea caves nearby. Boats link all three with the harbour in summer. ### Can you visit Paxos from Parga? Yes. Day cruises leave Parga in the morning, visit the Blue Caves and Gaios on Paxos and stop for a swim on Antipaxos. In 2026 prices were around 35 to 50 euros per person, so compare what each boat includes.