Valtos Beach Hotel & Studios

More on Parga, Parga

Sandwiched between mountains and a sweeping bay, Parga is one of those seaside towns you see on postcards. Colourful boats bob in the harbour, tavernas spill out onto cobbled streets, and whitewashed houses cling to the steep hillsides. It’s no wonder the town is as popular with the Greeks as it is with foreigners. Holidays here tend to be take-it-easy affairs, with eating and shopping topping the list of popular pastimes. But don’t plan too much – Parga is a great place to get lost in. Stroll through its maze of narrow alleyways and you’ll stumble upon postage stamp-sized stores, family-run meze bars and crumbling old churches. If you’re after the classic combination of sea and sand, meanwhile, the town has its own miniature beach, just five minutes from the harbour. For more extensive stretches though, you’ll have to head slightly further afield. The golden shores of Lichnos beach and Valtos beach are just a short taxi boat ride away, so they make for great day trips. Just make sure you head back to town for the evening, when Parga’s laid-back tempo gets turned up a notch. Waterfront tavernas fill up around dinner time, as people flock to sample the delicious Greek cuisine. And, later, lively bars and a few little clubs offer up drinks and tunes long into the night.