Parga – Paxos

PARGA

The Riviera of Epirus

Nestled amphitheatrically at the head of a picturesque bay, with the lush island of Panagia cradled within, and protected beneath the shadow of its Venetian castle, the renowned seafaring town of Parga is considered one of the region’s most valuable tourist attractions, as well as one of Greece’s finest destinations. Climb up to the old town with its distinctive architecture, wander through the cobbled alleys with charming arches, explore the flower-filled neighborhoods with the well-maintained houses and colorful mansions, and enjoy a breathtaking view from the castle walls overlooking the town and the emerald waters of the Ionian, which turn violet as the sun sets.

When evening falls, take a romantic walk along the promenade, lined with tourist shops, elegant restaurants, and bars for food or drinks, with a view of the illuminated castle and the island of Panagia.

At its dreamy beaches, you can enjoy refreshing swims and water sports. The organized beaches of Kryoneri (from where you can swim to the island of Panagia) and Pisso Kryoneri, located within the town, the cosmopolitan golden sand beach of Valtos, the lush beach of Lichnos with its sea caves, the bay of Agios Giannakis, and the picturesque Sarakiniko with its fine sand and the lush olive grove in the background are the best choices.

From Parga, we recommend a visit to the Acheron Springs, the archaeological site of the Necromanteion, the historic Souli, and the nearby Paxos and Antipaxos islands, with boats departing from the town’s harbor.

PAXOI

A cultural village of Europe in 2004, Paxos is an ideal destination for peaceful and high-quality vacations. With its lace-like shorelines, underwater caves, small coves, and lush hills, the island welcomes those lucky enough to visit. According to tradition, Paxos was once united with Corfu, but Poseidon separated the land with his trident so he could live undisturbed with Amphitrite.

Explore the picturesque villages of Paxos, such as Longos, Lakka, Ozias, and the lush areas between pine trees and olive groves. On Paxos, you can enjoy sulfuric thermal springs in Ozias, Gianna, and Glyfada, known for their healing properties, especially for rheumatism. Numerous beaches of unparalleled beauty offer the perfect starting points for diving excursions into the caves and shipwrecks of the region, as well as high-level windsurfing.

A special feature of the island is the vast olive groves inland. In fact, in the village of Magazia, a traditional olive mill has been turned into an Olive Museum. Also of great interest are the carved cisterns made by the island’s inhabitants on the rocks to collect rainwater. You can find these intricate clusters in Agia Eleousa, Vlachopoulatika, and Boikatika.

Highlights of Paxos include:

• A boat tour around the island.
• Exploring the small islands around Paxos, which hide unique beauty.
• A visit to the stunning sea caves (Graves) along the western coast of Paxos, with impressive domes – about 40 in total.
• Touring the island on its old trails, especially the beautiful route from Mousmouli to Porto Ozias, and the path from Manesatika to Ypapanti in the northern part of Paxos.

As a true member of the Ionian Islands, Paxos also hosts its own Classical Music Festival, with not one, but two events! At the beginning and end of the summer, the island fills with melodies from both Greek and international world-class soloists. In mid-July, the festival of “Neroladia” takes place, where visitors are offered bread soaked in water, olives, onions, boiled potatoes, and plenty of wine, accompanied by traditional music.