Overlooked by a picturesque ruined castle, nestled against the waters of the Adriatic Sea and within a short boat trip of Corfu, Parga is a delightful old Venetian port, which is one of northwestern Greece's finest destinations.
Seen from the peak of the castle hill, Parga is simply stunning. Gathered around the arc of a bay, its multicolored houses and elegant promenade are a heart stopping sight.
Some of Parga's biggest attractions come on plates in the town's tavernas. Highlights like Christos, Castello and Romantica compete with eateries anywhere in Greece.
A Greek vacation needs a good beach, and Parga has plenty. From Valtos to Lichnos, the coast is studded with exquisite bays.
Parga is also a great base from which to catch boats to the Ionia Islands or to rent a sailing vessel and drift on the peaceful Adriatic Sea.
The "Pargina" in August is a delight, featuring folk music on Panagia Island, historical re-enactments, boat shows and fireworks. Don't miss it if you are there for a summer vacation.
Parga's high season stretches from late June through September, which is the most popular time to go. However, spring is almost as appealing, with warm weather from March onwards.
Preveza Airport is the closest mainland airport (although Corfu is an alternative option). Taxis from Preveza will cost around EUR100-120. Buses also run up the coast from Preveza.
From Athens, take the E75 to Lamia, then the E952 across country to Agrinio, before taking the E951 northbound. Look for turn-offs to Parga (Πάργα in Greek).
You can take indirect buses from Athens to Parga via Preveza (expect the journey to take around 6 hours in total), and there are also services from Thessaloniki and Igoumenitsa.
Some of the leading city center hotels include the Hotel Acropol, the cosy Irida Boutique Hotel and the Palatino Hotel, while luxury resorts nearby include the Lichnos Beach Hotel & Suites.
Parga Town - Dominated by the Venetian castle, Parga fronts onto a compact bay, with Panagia Island at the center. It's a charming town, packed with alleyways, tavernas and bars - it's surprisingly lively in the evening.
Lichnos - A mile or two to the east, Lichnos is a vibrant (and beautiful) beach resort.
Chrisogiali - The western half of Parga, Chrisogiali has its own sandy beach (Valtos), and great nightspots like Tango Bar to enjoy.
Parga is so small that buses aren't practical, but there are a number of ferry routes. The most popular is to Corfu, which takes 2 hours and costs around EUR10.
Expect taxis in Parga to charge around EUR2 per mile and a little more in the evenings.
Car rental options in the city include Enterprise and Avis. Daily rates can be as low as EUR10.
If you want to find souvenir curios and craft items, check out the road leading from the seafront to Parga Castle.
Local supermarkets include Super Market Kordas and Ginis Bros. A gallon of milk should come to around EUR4.50.
Parga has plenty of fabulous tavernas. Some standouts to explore include Bacchos, Stefanos, Castello and Hellenikon, all of which serve up traditional Greek specialties. Try some local honey during your stay as well - it's a famous local product. Wherever you dine, expect meals to be affordable, at around EUR15-20 per head.