PARGA, GREECE: TRAVEL GUIDE TO GREECE’S BEST KEPT SECRET
A few months before this trip I’d never heard of Parga. Now, it’s one of my favorite destinations in Greece. For my ninth visit to my favorite country, I was looking for something fresh. I wanted a vibrant, charming waterfront with epic nearby beaches, but felt like I’d already exhausted the obvious choices (Paros, Sifnos, Crete, Corfu, etc.) And more than anything, I wanted a destination I’d never seen on social media before. That’s when a deep dive on Google led me to Parga, a colorful seaside town on mainland Greece that fit the bill perfectly. Below is my complete travel guide to Parga including my favorite beaches, sights, local tavernas, bars, places to stay, travel tips and more.
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The colorful Parga waterfront is an absolute vibe, especially in the evenings.
PARGA TRAVEL TIPS
- CURRENCY – The official currency of Greece is the euro. Almost everywhere in Parga accepts credit card, but cash is handy for smaller purchases.
- TIPPING – Tipping is not mandatory, but a 10%-15% tip is appreciated.
- STAY CONNECTED – Almost all hotels and restaurants have free wifi, but for 24/7 connection I suggest purchasing an eSIM right before your trip.
The colorful waterfront is filled with charming homes, restaurants and boutiques.
WHEN TO VISIT PARGA
- JUNE & SEPTEMBER – Early June and late September offer the best balance of warm weather, manageable crowds and hotel options.
- JULY & AUGUST – Temperatures soar during high season when Parga welcomes peak crowds.
- MAY & OCTOBER – Hotel prices are reasonable during shoulder season, but weather can be hit or miss, and possibly too cold to swim.
- NOVEMBER TO APRIL – Avoid visiting in off season when most of the town’s bars and restaurants shut down.
Piso Krioneri is a lovely little cove near town.
HOW MANY DAYS IN PARGA
Parga is a small waterfront town that can explored in a full day, but for a well-rounded visit that includes the beaches, a day trip and meals at the best restaurants, I suggest at least five full days in Parga (we stayed seven days).
I love the vibe at Blue Bar, my favorite spot for drinks in Parga.
PLACES TO VISIT IN PARGA
CASTLE OF ALI PASHA
This 19th century castle sits on a hilltop between the villages of Anthousa and Agia, overlooking sweeping views of the Ionian Sea. Visitors can explore the fortress ruins including the defense walls, bastions, arched chambers, stone archways and even a watchtower. The Castle of Ali Pasha is an easy drive from Parga, or catch the little tourist train that departs from its station at Krioneri Beach in town.
PANAGIA ISLAND
Located just off the Parga waterfront, Panagia Island is a tiny, pine-covered paradise complete with hidden coves and historic ruins. Beyond its postcard-perfect looks, the island holds a white-washed church and an old French bell tower. It makes for an incredible backdrop to any beach day, and because it’s so close to shore, beachgoers can easily swim or kayak over from Krioneri Beach.
PARGA TOWN
Parga is located on mainland Greece, but the vibrant town channels the charm, energy and beauty of a little Greek island. The signature pastel houses spill down a steep hillside into a sparkling turquoise harbor that is home to one of my favorite waterfronts in Greece. The promenade is filled with traditional tavernas, waterfront restaurants and little bars, all with outdoor seating and dramatic views of the offshore Panagia Island.
VENETIAN CASTLE
Towering over the colorful Parga waterfront, the ruins of the 11th century Venetian Castle offer a captivating step back in time. Completely free to visit, it’s a short, scenic climb from the town center to reach the fortress grounds. Once inside, enjoy a lovely stroll exploring the historic bastions, weathered defense walls and old military barracks. After exploring the ruins, head to the restaurant to grab a drink and soak in the sweeping, panoramic views of the Ionian coastline.
A gelato a day at Magic Cream.
Full blooms.
BEST BEACHES IN PARGA
AGIOS SOSTIS BEACH
Located a few kilometers north of Parga, Agios Sostis Beach is a beautiful beach where dramatic, green cliffs plunge down to a dazzling shoreline made of soft sand and smooth pebbles. On a calm day, the water here is stunning shade of turquoise ideal for swimming, floating and sunbathing. The beach has no facilities and is only accessible via a four kilometer hike from Valtos Beach, or by boat.
AI GIANNAKIS BEACH
One of my favorite beaches near Parga is Ai Giannakis, a large idyllic bay that stays blissfully uncrowded thanks to the lack of facilities. The sheltered location keeps the water remarkably calm, warm and clear. The entire shore is framed by dramatic rocky outcrops that create a rugged lovely backdrop to the brilliant deep turquoise water. It’s a scenic drive to reach Ai Giannakis – a winding road leads to a small parking lot just a few steps from the water.
ALONAKI FANARIOU BEACH
Alonaki Fanariou Beach is glistening horseshoe bay located 30 minutes south of Parga. The turquoise cove sparkles intense shades of turquoise, and on a calm day with no wind it’s the perfect place for a swim. Pine forest serve up a picturesque natural backdrop to this beautiful beach. Sun beds and umbrellas are available, but don’t expect a fancy organized beach club.
KRIONERI BEACH
Right along the town promenade sits Krioneri Beach, Parga’s lively and unmissable main beach. Lined with highly organized beach clubs, it offers dramatic views of Panagia Island right across the water. It’s a fantastic, convenient option if you want to pair a day on a sun bed with easy access to the town’s best restaurants and boutiques.
LICHNOS BEACH
Lichnos is one of the more popular beach options reachable by driving, hiking or water taxi from Parga. The sand here is soft, the water clear and the beach filled with sun beds, umbrellas and seafront tavernas for traditional Greek cuisine. The wide, sweeping bay makes it feel spacious (even when crowded) with pleny of room to relax after a morning swim or exploring the nearby sea caves.
PISO KRIONERI BEACH
A wonderful alternative to Krioneri Beach is its smaller neighbor, Piso Krioneri, tucked away just to the east. Surrounded by dramatic rock formations, this sheltered cove feels like a hidden oasis when the waters are calm. The beach is split nicely – one section features sunbeds and umbrellas, while the other is perfect for just laying down a towel. After a few hours of swimming, walk up to Atrium Bar in the early afternoon for a drink and a stunning, postcard-worthy view of the beach.
SARAKINIKO BEACH
That’s right, Greece actually boasts a second Sarakiniko Beach, and you’ll spot photos of it all over town. A highly popular day trip from Parga, this version features a gorgeous turquoise bay nestled between steep limestone cliffs and rolling olive groves. It offers a fully organized beach day with plenty of sun beds, umbrellas, and traditional tavernas cooking up fresh seafood right on the water. To get here, simply take the winding road by car or catch a relaxing water taxi straight from Parga’s main harbor.
VALTOS BEACH
Climb up the Venetian Castle for views of Valtos Beach located north of Parga. This expansive, lively bay is home to an impressive lineup of stylish beach clubs, traditional tavernas, trendy cafes and an array of water sports. The vast, golden shoreline offers plenty of space for everyone, whether you want to lounge on a plush daybed or jump on a jet ski.
The waterfront town is completely charming.
WHERE TO STAY IN PARGA
Apolis Villas & Suites Resort sits on a hillside above Parga offering guests sweeping views of both the Ionian Sea and Panagia Island. The property boasts a variety of suites and villas that are simple, but modern, bright and comfortable. Color palette is white and neutrals with wood beam ceilings and infinity plunge pools. In a town that lacks any luxury hotel options, Apolis Villas & Suites Resort is one of the best places to stay.
This ultra-private enclave features a boutique collection of stone villas that sit on a sun-drenched Mediterranean hillside above Parga. The design is minimalist sophistication, using a serene palette of crisp whites and earthy neutrals to create a bright, airy sanctuary. The highlight of each villa is the expansive outdoor terrace, where a private infinity pool serves up quiet, sweeping views of the surrounding green landscape. The private location of Meliora Exclusive Villas is ideal – a mere two-minute drive to reach town and the main beaches.
We stayed in a three-bedroom villa at Meliora Exclusive Villas – very spacious with an private infinity pool.
WHERE TO EAT IN PARGA
- ATRIUM BAR – Drinks
- BACCHOS – Greek
- BLUE BAR – Drinks
- DELIZIE – Italian
- EDEN BISTRO – Italian
- HELLENIKON – Greek
- LOOKOUMAS – Loukoumades
- MAGIC CREAM – Gelato
- ORMOS TAVERNA – Greek, Italian, Seafood
- SIMPLE GYROS GRILL HOUSE – Greek
- TAVERNA LITHOS – Greek, Seafood
- THE YARD – Mediterranean
There are endless waterfront dining options in Parga – two of my favorites are Delizie and Ormos Taverna.
BEST DAY TRIPS FROM PARGA
ACHERON RIVER
For an unforgettable break from the coastal beaches, a day trip to the Acheron River is the ultimate adventure to add to a Parga itinerary. Located 40-minutes inland near the village of Glyki, this breathtaking natural wonder is steeped in myth as the ancient gateway to the underworld. Today, it offers a dramatic change of scenery for an exhilarating trek through a towering limestone canyon. After exploring the springs, you can easily warm up at a rustic, shaded waterfront taverna for a long, lazy Greek lunch right along the rushing riverbanks.
Corfu is a place to be treasured. My second favorite of the Greek islands, it’s a destination steeped in both history and beauty that I’ve returned to four times now. Old Town welcomes visitors with colorful Venetian corridors, blooming bougainvilleas and charming boutiques, while lively squares spill over with outdoor dining along picturesque pedestrian boulevards. And as captivating as Old Town is, it’s the spectacular Corfu coastline that keeps visitors coming back. Arguably the prettiest in all of Greece, the west coast features sparkling turquoise waters that frame soaring sea cliffs, dazzling grottos, secret beaches and secluded coves. While it’s possible to catch the ferry from Igoumenitsa for a whirlwind day trip, Corfu is better suited as the next stop on your Greece trip after Parga.
LEFKADA
While many Ionian islands are only accessible by ferry, Lefkada serves as the perfect island road trip because it connects directly to the Greek mainland via a small floating bridge. A scenic 90-minute drive south from Parga brings you straight onto an island world-famous for its electric-blue waters. Highlights include Porto Katsiki, Vasiliki and Agiofili Beach.
SYVOTA
If you’re looking to explore more of the Ionian coastline, Syvota is an easy day trip from Parga. It’s a 30-minute drive up the coast to reach the region’s emerald green islets that create a maze of hidden coves, secret lagoons and idyllic channels. Highlights include Bella Vraka, the Blue Lagoon and Mikri Ammos.
Gorgeous shades of turquoise at Ai Giannakis Beach.
GET AROUND PARGA
The waterfront town of Parga is pedestrian zone where everything is accessible on foot – sights, bars, restaurants, shops and even a couple beaches. There are small paid parking lots around town where’s it’s easy to leave a car for a few hours, for the day or overnight. To reach the surrounding beaches and embark on day trips, a rental car is a must.
Views from the Venetian Castle, a short climb up from the waterfront.
GET TO PARGA
- CAR – Parga sits along the coastline of mainland Greece, easy to reach by car.
- FERRY – Parga is reachable by ferry from Corfu. Simply travel by ferry to Igoumenitsa, and from there it’s a 20-minute drive to Parga. I use Ferryhopper to check ferry schedules and book all my ferries in Greece.
- FLIGHT – The closest airport to Parga is Preveza Airport (PVK) that connects the region to Athens and a handful of international cities. It’s a small airport with limited routes. For more options, fly into Corfu Airport (CFU) and take the ferry to the mainland.
Syvota is a fabulous day trip from Parga – Mikri Ammos for beach time followed by lunch down the road at Ionion Fish Restaurant.
