Parga holidays

Parga holidays

Imagine a tumble of colourful houses set against fragrant olive groves and overlooking an idyllic bay; now see it for real! Holidays to Parga are ideal for families and couples looking to enjoy a quiet slice of Greek hospitality. Surrounded by stunning scenery, this is perfect for those who want to soak up the local sights, such as Ali Pasha Castle and the Vlachena Monastery.

However, for dedicated sun-worshippers, Parga is blessed with some Greece’s most beautiful beaches, complete with powder-soft sands and clean, clear, aquamarine waters. While Parga holidays offer a laid-back and tranquil atmosphere, the restaurants and bars along the seafront add a little sparkle as the sun goes down. With plenty to see and do, you can make your holiday to Parga as upbeat or as low-tempo as you want it to be!

Things to do

Start your holiday in Parga with a walk to Ali Pasha castle. This hilltop, Venetian castle is well worth the climb, just for the stunning views across the town. Explorers will also enjoy wandering the cobbled streets of the Old Town, where you can find a variety of shops, bars and tavernas.

If you’re visiting during the summer, you’ll find plenty of beaches on which to get some serious bronzing under your belt. Lychnos Beach offers white sand and clear, turquoise waters, while Valtos Beach is the place to go, if you’re a fan of watersports.

Inviting beaches

With a peaceful atmosphere and slow pace of life, it all starts at the beach in Parga. Wander down to the sandy stretch close to the centre, or head to the longer Valtos Beach and look for a secluded patch for a restful day. Enjoy some warm Mediterranean sunshine and go for a dip in the sparkling sea as you make the most of Parga’s pleasant charms.

Great attractions

When it’s time to explore, there are some great things to keep you occupied away from the beach. Don’t forget to take your camera when you hike to Ali Pasha Castle, which has breathtaking views back down across the region from its hilltop. Discover the area’s ancient mythology, or go on a boat trip to visit other Ionian islands and sail gently alongside leaping dolphins.

Local nightlife

Despite being a peaceful spot, there’s still plenty of life to Parga when it comes to enjoying an
evening out. There’s an array of bars with lovely views out across the town’s bay, while there are places open until the early hours if you want to stay out late. Don’t miss the fresh seafood at a traditional taverna in the harbour, or local specialities like grilled kebabs with tzatziki and sweet
baklava for dessert.

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Map of Parga

world_map
9°C - 25°C

If you want your holiday to be splashed with Mediterranean sunshine, book your break between May and September, when the temperatures creep into the high twenties.

View live forecast

Flight time from UK:

Approximately three hours 30 minutes

Parga is best for...

Scenery lovers: Set against soaring mountains, a scooped-out bay, olive orchards and the babbling, blue Acheron River, the scenery around here is perfect for those who like to embrace the Great Outdoors.

Beach lovers: With sun-bleached sands, sapphire-blue sea and wreathed by fragrant pines, Lychnos Beach offers a beautiful backdrop against which to soak up some rays. 

Relaxation seekers: Parga’s Old Town is a labyrinth of cobbled streets and colourful houses. Grab a strong, Greek coffee in a quiet café and watch the locals go about their business. 

Fast facts for Parga

Language: The language spoken here is Greek. While the locals have a basic command of English, it’s worth packing a phrasebook or downloading our handy language app, just to show willing!

Currency: You’ll need to change-up your Sterling for Euros, before you zip off on your holidays to Parga.

Local time: Parga is 2 hours ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly: Aktion National Airport. The transfer time to Parga is around 1 hour. 

Flight time from the UK: The flight time to Parga is 3.5 hours.

Tourist information: Further tourist information can be found here https://www.greeka.com/epirus/parga/.

Getting around Parga

By foot: Parga is a small town that can be easily navigated on foot. Start early at the town centre. The walk to Anthousa village, Valtos Beach and Alis Pasha Castle offers beautiful views. 

By taxi boat: For easy transport to Lychnos and Valtos Beach, hop on a local taxi boat from the harbour. Boats run every day and return tickets cost under ten euros. 

By scooter: For a more scenic tour, zip through the town on a hired scooter. There are rental companies at the town centre. 

Events in Parga

Religious Festival: On the 15th August each year, the locals celebrate the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, on Pangia Island. Thousands make their way to worship at the monastery there, before the party kicks off. Expect music, food, drinking, dancing and a fantastic firework display.

Kanaria Festival: Visit in August and you might catch the highlight of Parga’s cultural celebrations, the Kanaria Festival. This folk festival is held to observe the return of Pargians to the homeland after their extradition in the 19th Century. Locals return to Panagia Island in spectacularly decorated boats, where they are greeted with fireworks, live music and dancing. 

Lampatines: Culture vultures won’t want to miss this traditional festival on the 24th June, when locals celebrate St. John the Baptist with traditional dances and the lighting of fires in the neighbourhoods. 

Parga weather

If you’re looking to make the most of the sunshine, book your break between May and September, when the temperatures climb from the mid-twenties °C and climb into the high thirties °C. For slightly cooler weather, come in spring or autumn, when you can expect fewer crowds, plenty of sunny days and average temperatures in mid-teens. Rainfall picks up in the winter, but the weather's still mild. 

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