While the islands of Mykonos and Santorini promise glitz and glamour, Parga, Greece is a more hidden corner of the country waiting to be discovered. And it’s on the mainland.
Situated northwest of Preveza, Parga is a charming beachside town with much to offer visitors looking for sun, sea and good food. Should you be the adventurous type, a holiday here can see you far surpass your steps quota per day as you wander the old town or hike up from beach resorts to the hilltop citadel. For those looking for a more relaxing break there are plenty of restaurants to enjoy long lazy lunches at, before retreating to your seaside sunbed.
Stay
Parga Beach Resort
For a bed practically on the beach, look no further than Parga Beach Resort; this five-star hotel looks out onto Valtos Beach. Engulfed by nature and wildlife, immerse yourself in flowers and olive trees as you wander the resort. Small and secluded it may be but stroll the foliage-focused resort and you’ll find more than enough to keep you entertained. The hotel features four medium-sized pools, as well as a children’s swim area, both indoor and outdoor play areas, a wellness centre and a gym. The Blossom Wellness Centre has a number of relaxing spa treatments to choose from, while beachside yoga might be just the thing to kickstart your day in the right way. Plus, Parga Beach Resort exudes Greek tradition with live music, dancing and weekly Greek-themed evenings.
From premium garden rooms to perfect ‘bliss suites’ with private pools, there’s a room for everyone’s taste at Parga Beach Resort – all beautifully furnished and featuring balconies offering sea or pool views. The hotel has just unveiled 23 new luxury suites too, each with private balconies and terraces (some with private plunge pools too), ideal for anyone looking for an extra bit of privacy.
The resort has three restaurants to dine at: Ammos beach bar is the perfect place to grab drinks during the day and a quick lunch, while Thalassa beachfront restaurant serves breakfast lunch and dinner: the prawn saganaki and freshly-caught snapper of the day are a must. Guests wishing for a more fine-dining experience should try the newest restaurant in the resort: Alselea.
Elix
A 30-minute drive from Parga, Elix is situated on top of a pine-forested hill offering beautiful mountain views that lead down to the ocean. From here, it’s just a short walk or cable car journey to Karavostasi Beach for those who can’t wait to squidge their toes into the sand and dive into the water.
Rooms are stylish, spacious and contemporary, showcasing the best and most beautiful views of the Ionian Sea. Guests can dine on classic Greek and Mediterranean-style dishes throughout the day at the main restaurant, Saffron, or opt for a finer dining experience at Pearl, with a menu designed by Chef Sotiris Evaggelou. If you can’t bear to leave the beach, order directly to your sunbed from Indigo Pool Restaurant & Bar for poolside eats that don’t compromise on tan time.
Eat + Drink
Alselea, Valtos Beach
Serving up modern Mediterranean cuisine, Alselea is the latest upscale addition to Parga Beach Resort’s restaurant portfolio. Here, the à la carte menu offers starters such as a beautifully-dressed crab salad in avocado, flavoursome grilled prawns and a variety of croquettes, salads and tartare, served alongside unparalleled views of Valtos Beach. For mains, meat lovers can devour a juicy, chargrilled steak, while those who prefer seafood should try the creamy shrimp risotto or lobster with orzo.
Zorbas Restaurant, Parga Town
The perfect place to indulge in an authentic Greek meal is at a traditional taverna. Zorbas cooks dishes such as the classic Greek pastitsio in a creamy bechamel, delightfully grilled prawns, and freshly-caught fish. This is a no-frills sort of place, one with reasonable prices at no compromise to the quality of food or service.
Souli, Parga Town
Another hot spot in the town centre, Souli is the place to visit for some of the freshest and tastiest grilled fish on the island. Octopus carpaccio with fava beans and lentils, crab linguine, and grilled cuttlefish are just some of the dishes on the menu. Order as much as your stomach will allow, and share among friends.
Greek Dishes To Try
Prawn Saganaki
Prawn Saganaki couldn’t be more different from the classic saganaki (fried cheese) that we know and love. Featuring succulent prawns in a rich tomato sauce, feta cheese melts on top of the dish (as opposed to being fried inside breadcrumbs). Often seen as a starter, this can also be combined with other dishes for a main meal.
Greek Salad
A perfect starter or side plate, a good old-fashioned Greek salad complete with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese and Kalamata olives should be on the table at every meal.
Mpompota
A delightfully cheesy cornbread-style snack, this dish is soft and light but very filling – and packed full of flavour. Made with a healthy dose of feta cheese (hurrah!), it also contains Greek yoghurt and extra virgin olive oil.
Just a short drive from Parga Beach resort is Parga Town where guests can learn about the history of the area, including its defence capabilities against local pirates and the Ottomans. Stroll the cobbled streets in search of locally-produced olive oil, homemade honey and ornately-designed handbags and jewellery. Hike up to the ancient castle and take in the gorgeous views of the bay from the top, as well as gazing back out to the town and its pretty-coloured houses with terracotta rooftops. If your day out has you craving a nap on the beach, a stairway gives you access to Valtos Beach on the other side of the citadel. A perfect route to relaxation.
Relax on Valtos Beach
This is Greece so there’s got to be at least one day reserved for the beach. Valtos Beach is a great spot to choose. A scattering of parasols and sun loungers line the sandy shoreline, ready for you to sink into and enjoy drinks from Parga Beach Resort’s Ammos beach bar just steps away, or a place to indulge in a good holiday read post ocean dip.
Boat trip to Paxos or Antipaxos
Book your own private yacht and sail away to gorgeous cliff faces and secluded coves. Whether you fancy snorkelling, swimming or strolling along sandy beaches, there are plenty of spots to visit throughout the day – all guaranteeing those mesmerising, picture-perfect turquoise blue waters. Swim in the crystalline waters of Antipaxos, before heading to Paxos to have lunch at a traditional Greek taverna serving up chargrilled souvlaki, crayfish pasta dishes and freshly-made tzatziki. Then, stroll the idyllic harbour, taking in the peaceful ambience.
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