Parga – Sivota: A truly wonderful trip to the “Caribbean” of Greece with its exotic beaches and lush green landscape

There are some places in our country that not only resemble but also have nothing to envy from the Dalmatian coast and Norwegian fjords. Welcome to the “riviera of Epirus“, Parga and Sivota!

Two places that each have their own charm, but that often function as a twin destination: Parga and Sivota. With the backdrop of the high mountains of Epirus, with lacy coasts on the Ionian Sea and near the western end of the Egnatia road, they have many reasons to constantly gain new believers! Parga bewitches you at first sight. We are talking about the definition of picturesque, an island… stuck on land, a painting with the ideal combination of colours, variations and dimensions. As for Sivota, with its sublime sandy beaches, green hills and verdant islands, it is no coincidence that it attracts more and more surnames.

Parga: benefiting from history

Taking the last bend of the road leading from the National Road Preveza-Igoumenitsa to Parga, you suddenly find yourself in front of a spectacle that leaves you… surprised. A bay with beautiful deep blue waters, opposite the impressive castle, at the entrance of the bay the islet of Panagia (with the homonymous church) and in the background a mountain covered with olive trees, which excludes from the mainland the small picturesque town with its beautiful houses.

Parga, “wedged” between the mountain and the sea and with a great castle to protect it, withstood for centuries the constant pressure of the Turks. Until 1797, when the Republic of St Mark was dissolved by Napoleon, Parga was a fortress and a strategic trading post for the Venetians in the Ionian Sea. The French followed, the Russians, the French again and finally the English, who in 1819 sold it to Ali Pasha. The Pargians left for Corfu, only to return after the incorporation of Epirus into Greece.

A beautiful setting with castles and alleys

The historical burden, but also the cosmopolitan origins, due to the relationship with Italy and France, are strongly felt here. Apart from the medieval castle (it has a nice café inside!), you should definitely visit the island of Panagia. You can even get to it on a pedal boat! For swimming you will mainly go to Valtos (behind the castle, about 2 km from the centre of Parga), a wonderful beach, with cafés, restaurants, accommodation, but also to Lykhno, 3 km from the centre of Parga. before the settlement, in a particularly picturesque setting, known for its sea caves. Both in Valtos and Lykhno there is the possibility of water sports. Also, in Parga you can swim in Kryoneri (preferred by many families), but also in the small beach of Piso Kryoneri, for more isolation.

What won’t let you go, however, is the seaside promenade, with its many small but cute restaurants, cafés and bars, the wonderful view of the castle and the islet of Panagia, and the colourful characteristic houses at the edge, in Kamini. It is crowded all summer long, but it reaches the point of overcrowding on 15 August, when the whole bay becomes the setting for a spectacular celebration, with boat rides and fireworks.

It is worth leaving the waterfront for a while and walking through the narrow streets, discovering small churches with a long history (such as the Holy Apostles), walking uphill to the castle, walking through the Turkopazaro, where there are shops selling local products and souvenirs.

Sivota: Caribbean setting

Our tour of the beach of Epirus continues with the famous Sivota, which in recent years has been gaining the “vote of confidence” of more and more visitors, both Greek and foreigners. Following the National Road Preveza – Igoumenitsa, turn left at Plataria and in 11 km. you are in a setting that evokes genuine emotion. Sivota is developed around a picturesque little harbour with a paved waterfront. The green hills and the houses with red tiles create a sight that is calming in itself. Just beyond the main settlement, you start to see images that remind you of the Caribbean – and that’s no exaggeration!

The most famous beaches here are Bella Vraka and Pisina. The first one is at Mourteteo, one of the uninhabited -but overgrown and beautiful- islands, opposite the settlement. You won’t need a boat to reach Mourteteo… It is actually connected to the coast by an underwater strip of sand a few centimetres deep, so you can walk to it! Pisina, on the other hand, on the island of Mavro Oros, can be reached by the small boat that takes the short route from the port of Sivota. The colours and transparency of the water, the sand, the natural… decor really make up an exotic experience here! Those who consider it one of the most beautiful beaches in the country are not wrong.

Find your own shelter

Sivota, however, has sandy beaches for every taste. Near the centre of the settlement are Zavia (very green and quite… cool, due to the presence of fresh water springs), French Molos, Zeri and Stavento. The last three have cafés and restaurants and are ideal for families. A little further out, in the direction of Perdika, there are a number of beaches, the most popular of which are Mikri Ammos and Mega Ammos. In the second you can also indulge in water sports.

For those lucky enough to have a boat, Sivota has much more to reveal. The place is full of “secret” bays, sandy beaches, caves, while the tour of the islands (Mourteteo, Agios Nikolaos, Mavro Oros) offers great thrills.

But it is not only the… shufflers who are favoured. Hop on one of the boats that take short trips from the harbour to the islands and see for yourself why this place is considered so special.

Or, you can also take a trip to the surrounding areas by car, since there are other… sea hideaways, accessible by road, either towards Plataria and Igoumenitsa or towards the picturesque village of Perdika and Parga. In any case, stock up on the essentials and start exploring!

How to go

Parga is 433 km from Athens and Sivota 459 km. The journey by car to Parga takes about 5 hours and to Sivota about 5,5 hours. Alternatively, you can get to Parga by bus of the Preveza bus company, with a connection to Preveza, and to Sivota by bus of the Thesprotia bus company, with a connection to Igoumenitsa. Starting point is Kifissos Station. The journey by car is much shorter for those coming from Thessaloniki (around 3,5 hours), via the Egnatia Odos.