While the Parga of today is a quintessential Greek beach town, it was once a major Hellenistic settlement. Occupied by the Thesprotians in antiquity, traces of this rich history can be found throughout the area. The town grew more under the Venetians who took control in the 15th century. Parga remained largely in the hands of Venetians despite the Ottoman invasion of Epirus over the next centuries. Landmarks from this period include the ruins of Parga Castle, which loom over the town from its hilltop setting.
Parga's Venetian Castle provides one of the best walks and viewpoints in the town. It also hosts performances and exhibitions during peak seasons from its reconstructed central building. Another highlight of the area is the Ali Pasha Castle, located above Anthousa, some 5 km from Parga's centre. Constructed in the 18th century by the Ottoman ruler of Ioannina, it served as a base for military activity against Parga, which largely resisted Turkish and Albanian attacks until the fall of the Republic of Venice (1797).
Parga is rich in olive trees which were planted by Venetians in the 15th century. As a result, olive oil production was a major industry during the early 20th century. Today, you can learn about the process at the Paragaea Olive Oil Museum, housed in a former factory. The museum also hosts Greek cooking courses and local wine tastings.
Parga's dining scene boasts the best in Greek and Mediterranean produce. Port-side restaurants offer seafood, typical bars, grills and tavernas. Local dishes include hilopites, a Greek pasta served with olive oil and cheese, and lamb kleftiko, lamb slow-cooked and marinated in garlic, olive oil and lemon juice.
The beaches, sailing and water sports activities are by far Parga's most popular pursuits. The town itself consists of two main beaches, the long crescent Valtos and the smaller Ai Giannakis. With a car, you can gain access to more remote locations along the coast like Agios Giannakis, Agios Sostis, Sarakiniko and Lichnos, the latter offering access to the beautiful Aphrodite's Cave. Water sports are available from Valtos Beach, with companies offering water skis, wakeboarding, boat rentals and inflatables.
Car or van hire in Parga will let you explore the Epirus region in more detail. Highlights include the nature reserve of Valtos Kalodikiou, home to otters and turtles, and the hiking trails of Katafigio Agrias Zois Ammoudia. Ioannina, the capital of the region, is located 1 hour away by car. Ioannina provides lakeside excursions on Pamvotida among a plenitude of museums and monasteries.
