Greece - Korina Miller [276]
International Travel Services (ITS; 26840 31833; www.parga.net; Spyrou Livada 4) Just down from the bus station, this very experienced and helpful starting point at the village entrance can find accommodation, book local tours, arrange travel tickets, provide general information and even sells international newspapers and magazines. A Budget Rent a Car office is within ITS.
Parga.net ( 26840 32177; www.parga.net; Anexartisias 17; per hr €3; 8.30am-1.30pm & 5.30-11.30pm May-Oct) An internet cafe; also visit the Parga.net website itself for useful information.
Police ( 26840 31222; Alexandrou Baga 18) The tourist police are located here too.
Post office (Alexandrou Baga 18)
Sights
The cliff-top Venetian Castle (To Kastro) marks Parga’s western edge, and separates the town from Valtos Beach. Attesting to the 400-year Venetian presence in Epiros, the castle offers superb views of the coastline and town from its ramparts. The renovated central area has a cafe ( 26840 31150; 11am-late) in the former French armoury. Since the ramparts are partially unfenced, it’s not a place for small children to go running around.
Activities
Visits to the Nekromanteio of Afyra (€42), cruises on the Aherondas River (€25), day trips to Albania or Paxi and Antipaxi (€20) are available from ITS (above), the helpful travel agency across from the bus stop. ITS can inform you about local hill walks and even organise a one-day beginner’s dive course for €35.
Sleeping
An excellent accommodation-finder for all budgets is ITS (above), located near the bus stop. Simple domatia are on Gaki Zeri, a narrow street with a view over Valtos Beach.
Enjoy Lihnos Beach Camping ( 26840 31371; www.enjoy-lichnos.net; Lihnos Beach; camp sites per adult/tent €5/4, d €55) This shady spot on a clean, sandy beach has a supermarket and restaurant; studios are also available.
Valtos Camping ( 26840 31287; Valtos Beach; camp sites per adult/tent €6/4) This camping ground set amid orange trees at Valtos Beach, 2km west of Parga centre, has a restaurant. The 15-minute walk from Parga centre is steep, though you can also drive.
Hotel Paradise ( 26840 31229; Spyrou Livada 23; s/d €50/65; ) The friendly, central Hotel Paradise has a lovely courtyard pool and downstairs bar. Rooms are airy and clean, with all mod cons. A Europcar, bike rental and National Bank of Greece are all nearby.
Acropol ( 26840 31239; www.pargatravel.com; Agion Apostolon 4; s/d €60/90; ) The refined Acropol, built in 1884, is tucked midway up among Parga’s little laneways. The 10 luxurious rooms have king-sized beds, hydromassage showers and handmade Italian furniture. Some of the small balconies have views of the Kastro. The Acropol is signposted from all over in town, so even if you can’t see this hidden gem, you can’t miss it. The Acropol also hosts the discerning Castello Restaurant.
Utopia Studios ( 26840 31133; www.utopia.com.gr; Agiou Athanasiou; d/tr €60/100; May-Oct; ) These five spacious, sea-view apartments give the relaxing sense of being in a real house. The wood furnishings have an understated elegance, and the balconies are large and relaxing. Some of the bathrooms feature large hydromassage baths. There’s a wi-fi hotspot too.
San Nectarios Hotel ( 26840 31150; www.san-nectarios.gr; Agias Marinas 2; d/tr €70/90; ) The first hotel you find when entering Parga, the San Nectarios’ enviable hill-top location offers splendid views of the town, sea and castle. The rooms are clean and come with all amenities.
Bella Vista Studios & Apartments ( 26840 3145, 26840 31833; Lihnos Beach; studio/apt €80/100; ) Above Lihnos Beach, these very modern studios and apartments are set around an inviting pool amid citrus trees. The 16 rooms are all recently renovated and kitchens are well equipped. The apartments sleep up to five and all the upper rooms have large balconies overlooking the beach and the olive-clad hills. You can walk downhill to the beach in five minutes; the management also offers deep discounts on weekly car hire.
Eating & Drinking
Taverna to Souli