How many days in Parga? 4 days: castle, Valtos, the Acheron and a boat to Paxos
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Parga is a small mainland town on the Epirus coast that looks like an island: colourful houses stacked on a hill between two bays, a Venetian castle on top and an islet with a white chapel just offshore. It was ruled by Venice for four centuries, then sold to Ali Pasha in 1819, and its inhabitants left rather than live under him. Give it four days: one for the town and its beaches, one for the coves to the south, one for the Acheron river and the ancient oracle of the dead, and one for a boat to Paxos and Antipaxos.
Short answer
Three days covers the castle, Valtos, the Acheron and one boat day. Four days adds the coves of Lichnos and Sarakiniko and a quiet evening in the castle.
The 4-day plan, day by day
Day 1: The castle, the old town and Valtos
Morning. Walk up the stepped lanes from the harbour to the Venetian castle, built in the 16th century on the headland between the two bays; entry is a few euros, and the views cover the town, the islet and the coast. Inside are the ruins of barracks and storehouses among the trees, and a café under the walls.
Afternoon. Walk down the path on the far side of the castle to Valtos, a long sandy beach about 15-20 minutes from town, with sunbeds (about €10-20 a set) and water sports. A water taxi also runs from the harbour.
Evening. Walk back along the harbour to Krioneri, the town beach, facing the islet of Panagia with its chapel. Dinner in the old town lanes, €15-25 per person.
The streets of the old town are steep and narrow. Park outside, in the public car parks above town, and walk.
Day 2: Lichnos, Ai Giannakis and Sarakiniko
Morning. Take a water taxi or drive 3 km south to Lichnos, a sandy bay with olive groves behind it. Swim and explore the sea caves by small boat, about €10-15 per person.
Afternoon. Continue south to Ai Giannakis and Sarakiniko, about 10 km from town, a small bay with clear water and pine trees, quieter than Valtos.
Evening. Drive up to Anthousa, a village 3 km above Parga, to see the castle of Ali Pasha at sunset, then dinner in the village or back in town.
The boat taxis from the harbour run to all the beaches every 30-60 minutes in summer. Check the last boat back.
Day 3: The Acheron springs and the Necromanteion
Morning. Drive about 30 km (35-40 minutes) to Glyki and the springs of the Acheron, the river that ancient Greeks believed led to the Underworld. Walk upstream in the cold water through the gorge, about 30-60 minutes; wear water shoes. The water is about 12-14°C even in August.
Afternoon. Visit the Necromanteion of Acheron at Mesopotamos, the ancient oracle of the dead, where pilgrims consulted the spirits in a dark underground hall (a few euros). Then swim at Ammoudia, a sandy beach at the mouth of the Acheron.
Evening. Eat fish in Ammoudia by the river mouth, then drive back to Parga, about 20 minutes.
Boat trips from Parga also go to Ammoudia and up the Acheron river, about €15-25 per person. Horse riding is offered at Glyki.
Day 4: Boat day to Paxos and Antipaxos
Morning. Take a day boat from Parga harbour to Paxos, about 1-1.5 hours (around €25-40 per person). The boats usually pass the blue caves on the west coast of Paxos and stop in Gaios, the main harbour.
Afternoon. Swim at Voutoumi or Vrika on Antipaxos, a small island with very clear turquoise water and vineyards, about 20 minutes from Gaios.
Evening. Return to Parga in the late afternoon, then last dinner in the old town.
In windy weather the boats may not visit the caves or Antipaxos. Check the forecast and book the day before.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, do the castle and Valtos on Day 1, the Acheron on Day 2 and Paxos on Day 3. You lose Lichnos and Sarakiniko.
Got extra days?
Extra days fit Sivota (Syvota), a group of islets and bays about 45 minutes north, the town of Preveza and the Roman ruins of Nikopolis, about 1 hour south, or Corfu via Igoumenitsa (about 1h by car, then about 1h30 by ferry).
Where to stay in Parga
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Parga town (upper streets) | Cheaper rooms, a walk to the beaches and the harbour. | €50-80 |
| Mid-range | Krioneri / harbour | Walk to the town beach, the islet and the tavernas. | €80-150 |
| Mid-range | Valtos | On the long beach, close to the castle path. | €80-150 |
| Comfort | Villas and resorts around Lichnos and Valtos | Pools, sea views and quiet bays. | €150-300 |
Getting around
Parga is walkable, but the streets are steep. Water taxis link the harbour with Valtos, Lichnos and other beaches in summer. A car (about €30-50 a day) helps for the Acheron and Sarakiniko. KTEL buses connect Parga with Igoumenitsa, Preveza and Athens (about 6 hours). The nearest airport is Aktion (Preveza), about 70 km and 1 hour away; a taxi costs about €70-90. Corfu airport is reached via Igoumenitsa and the ferry. Check current timetables.
What to eat in Parga
Parga sits in olive country; buy local oil from the shops in town. On the harbour, order fresh fish, octopus and mussels. In the villages, look for Epirus pies such as kichi and alevropita, lamb and goat, and feta from the mountains. A taverna meal with wine costs €15-25 per person. Ice cream and loukoumades are popular in the old town in the evenings.
Best time to visit
May, June and September are best: highs of 25-29°C, warm sea and room on the beaches. July and August are busy with Greek and Balkan families, and the town fills. Spring is green for the Acheron walk, though the water is cold. Many hotels close from November to April.
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €30 | €55 | €120 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €40 | €70 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €25 | €45 |
| Local transport | €10 | €20 | €40 |
| Total per person, per day | about €70 | about €140 | about €275 |
Approximate 2026 prices; tickets include boat trips. Greece charges a per-room, per-night climate resilience fee, higher from April to October.
Before you go
Common questions
How do I get to Parga?
Fly to Aktion (Preveza), about 1 hour by car, or to Corfu and take the ferry to Igoumenitsa, then drive about 1 hour. From Athens, the drive is about 4.5-5 hours via the Ionia Odos, and KTEL buses take about 6 hours. Check current timetables.
Do I need a car in Parga?
Not for the town and its beaches: water taxis reach Valtos, Lichnos and more. A car helps for the Acheron springs, the Necromanteion, Ammoudia and Sivota. Parking in town is limited; use the public car parks above it.
Is the Acheron walk safe?
Yes, in summer. The walk is in shallow, cold water through a gorge, usually knee- to waist-deep. Wear water shoes and do not go after heavy rain, when the water rises. In spring, the water is very cold and high.
Which beaches are best near Parga?
Valtos for a long sandy beach and water sports, Krioneri for convenience and the islet view, Lichnos for a sandy bay and sea caves, Sarakiniko for quiet and clear water, and Ammoudia for sand at the river mouth.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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