Parga is an ideal choice for those looking for something different from mass tourism. Here you will find tranquility, small streets winding between colorful houses, authentic food, postcard-perfect bays, and the aroma of ouzo and seafood greets you at every step . In the evening, the ancient Venetian castle above the town is illuminated by the sunset and the city lights, and the lively harbor fills with music and noise.
Here is our suggestion for a 7-day trip to the Parga area, day by day, as we saw and experienced it, with ideas for beaches, views, places to eat and useful tips:
Briefly about the trip
Day 0 – arrival in Parga – dinner at Krioneri tavern
Beachesand islands
Day 1
Piso Krioneri beach
lunch at Petros
Krioneri beach
walk in the Venetian castle
dinner at Arcoudas tavern
Day 2
Lichnos beach
lunch at Lychnos Panorama
Ag. Giannakis beach
Ag. Eleni chapel at sunset
dinner at Pyrofani tavern
Day 3
Karavostasi beach, Arillas beach
lunch at Agali restaurant
Ag. Paraskevi beach
walk in Parga
dinner at Andreas tavern
Day 4
Sarakiniko beach
lunch at Anemolia restaurant
Ali Pasha Castle
dinner at To Dihti tavern
Day 5
Ammoudia beach
lunch by the Acheron River at Panorama Tavern
walk through the canyon of the Acheron River and the springs of Acheron
dinner and bouzouki show at Dokos tavern
Day 6
Skala beach
lunch at Freddo Time La Scala
Alonaki Fanariou beach
walk in Parga
dinner at the Lithos tavern
Day 7
Ammoudia beach
lunch at Archipelagos tavern
swimming pool at Mediterraneo Resort
walk in Parga
Dinner at the Sakis tavern
Details about the trip
Day 1 – Piso Krioneri Beach, Krioneri Beach, Venetian Castle
Piso Krioneri Beach, meaning "behind Krioneri", is one of the 3 beaches adjacent to Parga. In my opinion, it is the nicest and most picturesque of them. Like the other city beaches, it is crowded. The bay is not sandy, so it is highly recommended to have aqua shoes when visiting it.
In the shallower part, the water is a little murky, but the deeper you go into the water, the clearer it becomes, and the bottom is sandy and soft. The beach is interesting for snorkeling enthusiasts.
The best view of the beach is up the stairs to the Atrium Bar. From there the water looks turquoise, and combined with the large rocks in the water, it becomes even more photogenic.
Renting an umbrella + 2 sun loungers costs €13 (current as of July 2025)
Taverna Petros
For lunch we stopped at Petros Taverna , after following the recommendations I found on the internet. The typical and most popular thing on the menu are the meat dishes. They were really quite tender, well prepared and seasoned. We recommend!
Krioneri Beach
Krioneri Beach is one of the city beaches of Parga. As a natural feature, I would say that it is similar to Piso Krioneri, only larger. The sand is coarse, not as much as Piso Krioneri, but still it would be more comfortable with aqua shoes. In the afternoon the water becomes somewhat murky.
Valtos Beach
Valtos Beach is the largest of the 3 city beaches of Parga. If you are not within walking distance, accessing it would be a challenge because the parking problem is present at all times of the day. The shore is covered with large and round stones to smaller ones as small as gravel. In places the beach looked like a dusty construction site to me. The water is murky. This is the beach that I did not like at all of all the ones we visited in the area.
If you love water sports and attractions, here you will perhaps find the greatest variety and offer.
Valtos Bay is very beautiful to view from the high parts of the city or from the Venetian Castle.
The Venetian Castle
The Venetian Castle of Parga is a historic fortress that has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt by the Normans, Venetians and during the time of Ali Pasha. The castle combines history, beautiful nature and impressive views that give the feeling of detachment from the noise of the city.
It is located in the highest parts of the city and offers panoramic views of the Ionian Sea, the port of Parga, Valtos beach, as well as the colorful houses and narrow streets of the city.
Admission is free , but it is open for visits from 9 am to 8 pm .
Arkoudas Tavern
From the many taverns along the seaside promenade of Parga, we chose Arkoudas because at the entrance we were greeted by the owner himself – a typical Greek. This creates a feeling of an authentic Greek tavern, not just a tourist spot. Add to this feeling fresh fish and seafood, a view of the port and the fortress of Parga. Yes, it was good! We recommend!
Day 2 - Lichnos beach, Ag. Giannakis beach, sunset at Ag. Eleni chapel
Lichnos Beach
Lichnos Beach is a long and wide bay with a lot of free space and lots of natural shade. The best part of the beach is the northernmost, after the umbrellas of the Coral Bar.
In the southern part there is a cave, which I personally find very eerie because I have the feeling that it could collapse. The shore is covered with large, smooth stones. The sea is deep. There is a wide free parking lot in this part.
In the northern part, you can park at the Coral bar. The price is €10 (current as of July 2025). Includes parking and the use of an umbrella + 2 sun loungers.
On the beach you can also find tents or more luxurious sun loungers, with rental prices reaching €15-25.
I personally recommend staying in the northernmost part of the beach. There is a free zone there, the sand is fine and nice, the sea is shallow and clear, and in the nearby rocks you will find an interesting underwater world.
Every hour or so, boats from Parga arrive at the beach, carrying tourists from the city.
Restaurant Lichnos Panorama
For lunch we stopped at the Lichnos Panorama restaurant. The view of Lichnos Bay from the terrace is impressive. The place would be great at sunset.
The food is traditional Greek, well prepared, with a menu of seafood and Mediterranean dishes, combined with friendly service and reasonable prices. Highly recommended!
Ag. Giannakis Beach
In the afternoon we moved to Ag. Giannakis beach – a small rocky bay, with diamond-colored water. I recommend wearing aqua shoes here.
The water is crystal clear, the underwater world is diverse. In the darker parts of the rocks we saw small red fish.
The beach is easily accessible by car. There is a wide and free parking lot next to it. Above the beach there is a wide terrace with a railing, hidden under the shade of an olive grove.
There are no sun loungers or umbrellas on the beach, but there is a canteen offering packaged food and drinks.
The beach is very quiet during the week, but according to our host, it gets quite crowded on the weekends.
Chapel of Ag. Eleni at sunset
The chapel of Ag. Eleni is located on a hill south of Parga. It is very close to it by car, along a steep concrete road. We parked the car in an olive grove and continued on foot for 10-12 minutes. The road up is black, wide and slightly steep. I do not recommend continuing up by car.
It is very, very worth visiting at sunset because the view of Parga is outrageously beautiful. It is incredible what a spectacular spectacle of colors the sun can create at sunset.
Taverna Perivoli
We ended the day at the Perivoli tavern, which is located at the beginning of the turnoff to the chapel of Ag. Eleni. We recommend it for its pleasant atmosphere, lemon and olive garden, authentic Greek cuisine, good prices, fast and friendly service. The tavern has free parking for customers.
Day 3 – Arillas beach, Ag. Paraskevi beach
Karavostasi Beach
We visited Karavostasi beach on the recommendation of our host, but to be honest we were disappointed. It was windy, the sea was rough and dangerous for swimming. The sand is as big as beans. The beach is very wide, there are many bars and taverns, plenty of free parking. We didn't like it anyway, so we just had breakfast, looked at the sea and left.
Arillas Beach
We moved to Arillas beach, which we really liked, especially the northern part. The sand is dark, but very fine and soft. It is shallow and has plenty of natural shade. Despite the wind and waves, there was no worry about our children going into the sea alone. It is completely safe even in rough seas.
There is free parking on the beach, numerous tavernas and bars, several groups with umbrellas and sun loungers. There was also an inflatable water castle, but it was not working due to the wind and waves.
Restaurant Agali
For lunch in the area, we recommend Agali restaurant because it combines a breathtaking view of Sarakiniko beach with a pleasant atmosphere. The food is fresh and delicious, and the service is friendly and fast. We recommend it!
Ag. Paraskevi Beach
Our second beach of the day was the photogenic Ag. Paraskevi. There is a fairly wide free parking lot next to the beach.
The bay is relatively small. In places the sand is fine, and in others it is very coarse. The water has a beautiful turquoise color, but the temperature seemed quite cold to us. The underwater world was very poor.
You can rent a pedal boat to get to the opposite island. If you are a good swimmer, you can even swim to it.
Andreas Tavern
In the evening we took a leisurely walk around Parga and had a delicious dinner at Andreas Taverna , near the Venetian Castle. It had a nice Greek atmosphere, a view of the castle and good value for money. Thumbs up for the place!
Day 4 – Sarakiniko Beach, Ali Pasha Castle
Sarakiniko Beach
Sarakiniko Beach is very beautiful and photogenic because of the blue color and transparency of the water. One third of the beach is a free zone. The best is near the pier. The sand in places is mixed with small pebbles. The sea becomes deep 2-3 meters inland.
There is free parking at the beach. You can rent an umbrella + 2 sunbeds for €10 (current as of July 2025). Nearby there is a bar, a tavern, and also the Anemolia Hotel, where we stopped for lunch.
Restaurant Anemolia
We enjoyed lunch at the Anemolia Hotel restaurant, on Sarakiniko Beach. The prices were a bit high, but the food was very attractively presented, fresh and delicious.
Ali Pasha Castle
The castle of Ali Pasha near Parga is located on a hill between the villages of Anthousa and Agia and was built in 1814 on the orders of Ali Pasha for the purpose of the siege of Parga.
The fortress is easily accessible by car, and there is a large, convenient and free parking lot next to it. The castle is open and accessible at any time of the day. Admission is free.
From the top, impressive panoramic views open up: the Ionian Sea, the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, the coast, villages and olive hills of the Epirus region.
Ali Pasha's Castle is quite interesting for children, especially those who like to climb and explore – there are arched corridors and tunnels, numerous hidden rooms, stairs up and down, terraces and views.
During our trip, we were also lucky enough to meet two foxes, which added to the fun tour of the fortress.
Ali Pasha Castle can also be reached by a funicular railway from Parga. The price is around €8-€9 per person (current as of July 2025).
Taverna To Dichti
If you only have 1-2 days in Parga and the region and can only visit one tavern, I highly recommend To Dichti (marked as To Dixtu on Google Maps ), in the village of Anthousa. One of the best fish taverns we have ever visited. It was recommended to us by our host.
I will remember this place forever – huge squid, super fresh fish and seafood. Even a simple tzatziki (or tzatziki) was different and very tasty.
During our visit, there was a line of people waiting to be seated. We waited in said line for about 30 minutes until we were seated, but it was worth every minute.
I'm leaving a link to the location of the tavern. You'll thank me later.
Day 5 – Ammoudia Beach, the sources of the Acheron River
Ammoudia Beach
Ammoudia Beach is located right next to the mouth of the Acheron River.
Ammoudia was the most beautiful beach in the Parga area that we visited, and the canyon and springs of the Acheron River was the most memorable experience. Both locations can be easily visited in one day.
We started with a short walk along the riverside promenade and pier of the village of Ammoudia. A walk here at sunset would be very romantic and beautiful.
We liked Ammoudia Beach so much that we decided to visit it again on the last day of our trip and spend the whole day here.
Panorama Tavern
Our first encounter with the charm of the Acheron River began with a short lunch on the shore at the Panorama Tavern. Delicious, fresh grilled river trout, in the company of the diamond-blue water and the idyll of the forest and wildlife – this feeling will be etched in the minds of anyone who is lucky enough to experience it.
Even during lunch we were eager to wade into the river. It was icy.
The sources of the Acheron River
The crossing of the Acheron River Canyon is a highly recommended and memorable experience. The walk usually starts from the parking lot near the village of Glyki, from where you walk for about 10–15 minutes through the forest, then wade into the river.
You walk through a canyon. Ice-cold water gushes out of the rocks in many places.
As you move up the river, the route passes through shallow and very deep sections. Some places cover the normal height of a human and must be swum across.
In places the canyon is wide, but in others it is quite narrow.
Recommended shoes and accessories: water shoes, waterproof bag and/or case, swimsuit, change of clothes, towel. The clothes on your back will get wet, I guarantee.
We walked for about an hour against the current , but had to turn back. We reached a very deep section that we couldn't cross without getting our camera, phones, backpack with clothes and towels wet.
According to the locals, from the place we reached (1 hour from the start) it is another hour to a stone bridge, which is considered the end of the hike. That is, a full hike would take about 2 hours one way + another hour to return.
Bouzouki show at Dokos tavern
The day ended with a bouzouki show at Dokos tavern. We had never been to a show like this before – we broke plaster plates, danced sirtaki, which curved down the street, it was great. The restaurant itself did not impress with its menu, but we recommend it for the bouzouki program and live music.
Day 6 – Skala beach, Alonaki Fanariou beach
Skala Beach
If I had to make a ranking of the best beaches in the Parga area, in second position, right after Ammoudia, I would put Skala beach.
The bay is rocky, but when you step into the water it turns into soft and fine sand. The sea is very shallow dozens of meters inland. Even on windy days the bay is sheltered and cozy.
The beach is wild, there are no sunbeds or umbrellas. The bay is very small and narrow. About 50 umbrellas would feel like too much.
The underwater world was rich and interesting. Swimming here was a real pleasure.
Cold Time La Scala
Above Skala Beach is a very charming, hip establishment – Freddo Time La Scala . The menu is not extensive, but it is enough – salads, burgers, cold drinks. When you add the incredible view of the beach, we get the formula for total zen and pleasure for every sense.
There is a very large parking lot in the middle of a shady forest near the beach and the restaurant. At Freddo Time La Scala you can also pay by card, but during our visit there was a problem with the POS terminal, so be prepared with cash.
Alonaki Fanariou Beach
Next door, very close to Skala beach, is Alonaki Fanariou. It is beautiful and well-maintained, the sand is golden, the sea is clean and shallow. There is a large and free parking lot next to it.
As a natural feature, it looks a lot like Skala, but it is larger and wider. Unlike Skala, Alonaki Fanariou has a paid area near the beach bar.
Lithos Tavern
In the evening we walked around Parga again, and for dinner we stopped at the Lithos tavern . It is located away from the busy promenade of Parga. The atmosphere is very nice, the food was very tasty. We recommend it!
Day 7 – Ammoudia beach
We spent the entire last day of our trip at Ammoudia Beach – our favorite in the Parga area, perfect for a leisurely and lazy day.
As a natural feature, the bay is magical – white and super fine sand, ankle-deep, transparent, blue, clean and spacious.
You can park for free in the sparse forest right next to the beach. You will see many groups with paid umbrellas and sunbeds, but also a lot of free space. Umbrellas and sunbeds are free for customers of the respective establishment, but a minimum consumption of €15 is required.
You can order food and drinks on the beach or walk 5 minutes to the riverside promenade, where you will find dozens of taverns.
Sakis Tavern
We spent our last evening in Parga on the terrace of Sakis Tavern. We had a magical view of Valtos Bay, delicious seafood and a glass of wine. We booked a table the day before because dining on a terrace with a view in Parga is a sought-after experience among tourists.
Briefly about Parga
Good morning.
I love early mornings in towns like Parga because that's when you can see their most charming sides - the streets are filled with locals setting up stalls with fresh fruit and vegetables, and the coast smells of coffee and the sea. Quiet, peaceful and not yet overrun by crowds. This is the perfect time for a walk and meditation - cool, romantic and truly authentic.
Parga Evening
In the evening, Parga reveals its most curious and lively side - the lights along the coast are reflected in the sea, the fortress shines, the islands glow. The streets come alive with music, the aroma of grilled fish and the noise of taverns. A walk along the promenade by the sea becomes fun and interesting, filled with a noisy Greek atmosphere.
Where to stay?
In Parga we stayed at the Mediterraneo Resort . It is located in a quiet part of town, just a 10-minute walk from the center, beaches, and port – a balance between tranquility and proximity to amenities.
We rented an apartment with a terrace and a beautiful view of the city and the fortress – very clean, cozy, comfortable, modern and equipped with everything you need.
The hotel also has a swimming pool, a well-maintained lawn and private parking.
Our host was very welcoming and gave us many valuable recommendations for interesting places to visit, beaches and tavernas. At our farewell we received a very nice gift – olive oil from his own olives.