The Ionian Coast is also known as the Greek Amalfi Coast, and this endless coastline is dotted with seaside villages, dreamy beaches, mountain towns, archaeological sites, and amazing landscapes. The biggest beauty of the location is that not many people know about it. In this blog, we take you through the best places to visit on the Ionian Coast.
Parga
This quiet seaside town has colorful houses built on a hill that leads up to a Venetian castle. Parga feels like a Greek island even though it is on the mainland, and the center of town is full of flowers. The hills around Parga are full of olive trees. The Venetian Castle of Parga is truly a must-see attraction known for its stunning views of the Ionian Sea and the surrounding countryside!
Venetian Castle of Parga
Initially, the Venetian authorities built the castle in the 13th century as a way to defend the town of Parga, which was a Venetian colony, from Ottoman attacks. The castle is situated on a hill overlooking the town and the sea, and it was designed to be easily defendable with its high walls and strong fortifications.
Moreover, the castle has undergone several renovations over the years, and it has a mixture of architectural styles, including Venetian, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences.
Day Trips from Parga
Also nearby to Parga is the Ionian island of Skorpios. The island of Skorpios was once the private island of Aristotle Onassis‘, one of Greece’s most successful and infamous businessmen. The island was once known as his paradise and playground where he organized parties for the rich and famous. You can take a boat from Parga and swim near the island of Skorpios, which is now a private development.
Other day trips from Parga include Antipaxos and Paxos islands. The most popular area on Antipaxos is Voutoumi Beach. Archaeological sites on Paxos and Antipaxos are dedicated to the ancient Greek gods Persephone and Hades.
Panagia Islet
This is one of the main attractions of Parga and it is known for its cute chapel, which was once part of a French castle. The best way to get to Panagia Islet is to go in a small boat from Parga. However, some people swim to the island. It is a popular place for weddings because of the beautiful scenery and the Ionian Sea in the background.
Beaches in Parga
There are many beaches, bays, and small islands near Parga on the west coast of Greece. The beaches are great for families, they have crystal clear water, and the surrounding areas have a lot of greenery. The most popular beaches next to Parga are Valtos and Lichnos. They are organized and have many tourist facilities.
Valtos Beach
Valtos is the biggest beach in Parga, since it is 3 kilometers long. You will find the Valtos beach until the hill by the Venetian castle. It is a long sandy beach with clear water that is protected from the strong winds. Valtos beach is also good for surfing, water skiing, diving and many more water activities.
Sarakiniko Beach
Sarakiniko beach is a famous sandy beach about 12 kilometers from Parga. It has pristine white sand and is well organized with lounge chairs and umbrellas. Around Sarakiniko are olive groves and lush green areas, making it ideal for couples and children. Sarakiniko beach also has many hotels, taverns, and showers nearby.
Preveza
Preveza is gaining popularity among tourists to Greece because of its pristine landscapes, nature areas, stunning beaches, and ancient and historical sites. The town of Preveza is found on the Amvrakikos Gulf, in Western Greece. The current town was built over the ancient town of Vereniki which was founded by the King of Epirus in 290 BC.
Venetian Clock Tower
In the historic town center of Prezeva, you will find The Venetian Clock Tower with its famous solar clock. The structure was built in 1752, and it represents the typical architecture of the Venetian occupation.
Sights in Preveza
Museums in Preveza
The church of Saint Haralambos is one of the most magnificent churches in the city of Preveza, and it was built in the 18th century. If you are an art lover, it is a great place to admire the paintings and iconography. For archaeology lovers, the Museum of Nikopolis is a must-see. The museum is found between the cities of Preveza and the ancient site of Nikopolis.
Amvrakikos National Park
Amvrakikos national park is located next to Preveza, and here you can see some of the most biodiversity in Greece. There are more than 20 lagoons, which are managed by the local fishermen of Bogonitsa. The area is protected by the Natura 2000 network and is home to 300 different bird species, including the Dalmatian pelican, which is the heaviest bird on the planet at 13 kilograms. Not far away from Preveza is also the Lefkada Lagoon on Lefkada island, where some 30,000 flamingos gather from October to March, living in huge colonies.
Beaches Near Preveza
Monolithi Beach
Monolithi is the longest sandy beach in the EU, a stunning 25 kilometres long. It stretches along the Ionian Sea next to Preveza, extending from the village Mytikas (Cape Komarus) until the village Kastrosykia. The name “Monolithi” comes from the Greek roots “Μόνος” and “Λίθος”, which translate to “single” and “stone.” It was named after a 10 x 10 meter boulder, which used to be on the beach.
Monolithi Beach was ranked a few years ago by the European Best Destinations organization as the safest beach in Europe, since the beach is ideal for swimmers and it is close to an airport and three local hospitals.
Kiani Akti Beach
Kiani Akti is found at the entrance to the Amvrakikos Gulf, very close to the town of Preveza. There are a couple of restaurants by the sea shore, which are open day and night. The beach has shallow waters and the city is reachable on foot. Planes land nearby in the International Airport of Aktio.
Pantokratoras Beach
The Pantokratoras beach is named after the nearby castle and is ideal for fishing and snorkeling lovers. Visitors like to go on a walk on this long beach, which was once a popular area for Ali Pasha, the Governor of Epirus during the Ottoman times. This settlement is known for its sunsets and underwater caves.
Mytikas Beach
A small town near Preveza, Mytikas is known for its beachfront properties, quaint alleys, and homely restaurants. After a day relaxing by the water, you can relax in one of the Mytikas’s seaside tavernas. Ancient Nikopolis is nearby as well, for those who love archaeological sites.
Sivota
Sivota is a seaside village north of Parga and south of Igoumenitsa. The destination is also a seaside village full of greenery and incredible beaches. In the summer, visitors come from all over the world to enjoy Sivota’s laid-back Greek atmosphere. The restaurants in Sivota have delicious seafood and of course fresh fish from the Ionian Sea.
Sights in Sivota
The harbor of Sivota is a great place to stroll in the afternoon. The waterfront is ideal for a romantic walk and there are many traditional taverns, cafes, and bars to choose from. In the afternoon, you can enjoy the sunset over the harbor after a delicious taverna meal.
Hiking in Sivota
After sitting on the exotic beaches and enjoying the pristine waters of Sivota’s beaches, you may want to get active. Sivota is excellent for hikers and there are many trails that pass by the settlement of Vrachona. The Vrachona settlement is abandoned and has 50 old houses on Mount Vrachona, which all have a terrific view. The area is a historical monument. The hiking route takes you to the acropolis of Polyneri, and in this village you can see the castle and the amazing view of Sivota as well as Corfu island.
Best Beaches in Sivota
Bella Vraka Beach
This exotic beach is one of the most visited in Sivota. Some people say it is a paradise because Bella Vraka Beach is on the island of Mourtemeno and you need to cross the sea by walking through knee-deep water. From Sivota’s center, it is 10 or 15 minutes on foot to reach Bella Vraka. It is best to visit this beach in the early morning or late afternoon if you go by car, because space is limited.
Agia Paraskevi Beach
Agia Paraskevi beach is 12 minutes by car from Sivota’s town center. It is named after the chapel with the same name that you will find at the start of the beach. Agia Paraskevi has mostly pebbles and a lot of greenery in the background. On the larger section of the beach are sunbeds, but if you go father from the shops and hotels, you can set up your own towel.
Pisina Beach
In Greek, this word translates to “swimming pool” because the waters are so remarkably clear that you think you are in a pool. Pisina beach is found on a small island called Mourtos, which does not have any residents. It is best to visit during the early morning or in the later afternoon when there aren’t many tourists. . It has coarse sand and fine pebbles, and offers a lovely sunset.
Igoumenitsa
In the northwestern area of Greece, close to the border with Albania, Igoumenitsa is an important area for transport in Greece, connecting with Italy. There are ferries that go between Igoumenitsa and the ports of Brindisi and Bari, Ancona, and Venice. Igoumenitsa also has boats which go to the islands of Corfu and Paxi.
Sights in Igoumenitsa
For visitors to Igoumenitsa, there are many organized beaches with fish and seafood tavernas, cafes, and also some remote beaches. Many beaches have the ‘Blue Flag’ rating, being distinguished for their cleanliness and beauty.
Some of the Byzantine monuments in the area worth visiting are the Ragio Tower, the settlement of Fanoti at Parapotamos, Polineri and Vrachona, the castle above Igoumenitsa, the fort of Dimokastro in Perdika, and the Venetian castle at Margariti. It is also worth visiting the Church of the Virgin Mary in Ragio and the Igoumenitsa Archaeological Museum.
Igoumenitsa Ferries
Igoumenitsa is now the second busiest port in Greece, with a large passenger terminal, ticket offices, shops, and a taxi area. In walking distance of the port, you will find restaurants, souvlaki tavernas, and snack stops. Also close to the port within a five-minute walk are supermarkets, banks, and other services. The boats to Italy are usually between 7 and 24 hours long. Venice is the longest distance, and on this boat you will travel overnight.
Beaches Near Igoumenitsa
Drepano Beach
Drepano Beach is closest to Igoumenitsa and is popular both among locals and tourists. Drepano is known for its four-kilometer stretch of sand and shallow waters. It starts at the Drepanos camp site and ends in Makrygialli. By the store you can find many tavernas and beach clubs that the kids love.
Hidden Gems of the Ionian Coast
These locals are the ones they don’t tell you about in the main tourist guides because they are not as popular as the main towns like Preveza. That could change soon, though, because of the beautiful new developments in these areas and the stunning beaches that are not crowded.
Plataria
Plataria is a charming seaside village with a small port, a promenade along the beach, and a few popular tavernas. In the past few years, it has developed more hotels and villas, so it is becoming slowly more popular. Unlike Syvota and Preveza, Plataria is quiet both during the day and into the evening. The beach in Plataria is long and has a few quiet beach cafes.
Kanali
Kanali is located just 10 kilometers outside of Preveza and is found on one of the longest stretches of beach in Greece (13 kilometers in total.) Kanali is found in the middle of the Gulf, at a distance from any main towns. Because of this, the area is perfect for peace and quiet. The town has strong potential for tourism but is not yet developed. For this reason, prices in this area are better than in Parga or Syvota, which are better-known areas for vacation homes.
Right now, Kanali is a great place for a quiet holiday without a lot of touristic attractions. In town, there are a few rows of houses and hotels, a clinic, a park, a few restaurants, and a church. The ability to relax away from the crowds is its best feature – Kanali has even been referred to as “Canalifornia” for its long stretch of sandy beach.
Palairos
Palairos, which until 1928 was called Zaverda, is part of the municipality of Aktiou-Vonitsa and is only half an hour from Lefkada. This small town has a beautiful backdrop of olive trees, vineyards and pine trees that grow until the wonderful sandy beaches of the Ionian coast. Many beachfront bars and cafes can be walked to, and the town has a unique character because some local traditions are still alive today, like the ones celebrated during Easter and August 15th celebrations. Palairos is a good starting point to reach Lefkada by the 50 meters’ floating bridge. Preveza, Parga, and Messolongi are also close to reach by car.
Ancient Palairos
The ruins of ancient Palairos are found at the western end of Akarnania, opposite Lefkada. You can reach the ruins either from the new city of Palairos, or 15 kilometers from Vonitsa. The site is about two kilometers in length and is surrounded by fortifications which are still standing.
Vathiavali Beach
Vathiavali Beach is the ideal place to relax and unwind when visiting Palairos. Swimming or sunbathing at Vathiavali is something you definitely need to do while visiting the coast near Palairos. The water is shallow and calm, and it also has organized beach chairs.
Food on the Ionian Coast
Shrimp Saganaki
Shrimp saganaki is a classic Greek dish. Saganaki refers to the way the food is cooked and served – often fried in a small pan and served in the same pan while hot. One dish you must try sometime is feta saganaki. Sometimes, the shrimp saganaki are cooked with ouzi, added to a tomato sauce with herbs and spices, and then sprinkled on top with feta cheese.
Grilled Octopus
We have all seen the beautiful pictures of Greek octopus drying in the sun on a Greek island. At fish tavernas, this is a common sight, because the octopus is often taken down in the evening and grilled. You will find it on menus at Greek tavernas as an appetizer or as a main dish.
Fried Kalamari
Deep-fried kalamari is one of the most popular dishes in Greece both for Greeks and for tourists. It is also called “kalamarakia tiganita” for Greeks and is the perfect meze at a seafood tavern. Sometimes it is made with large squid, and sometimes with the tasty small varieties. You can also get grilled squid as a main dish, often prepared whole.
Trahanas Soup
Greek trahanas is a simple dish and is made with a cheese and semolina mixture that is boiled with vegetables; usually a combination of tomatoes, celery, onions, or leeks.
How to Travel the Ionian Coast
If the Ionian coast is in your travel plan, driving your own car gives you more flexibility. It means you can drive to some of the best beaches in the areas of Sivota, Parga, Preveza, and Plataria, and explore the small villages. If you aim to take a trip to the Ionian islands, know that although some boats allow for cars and motorcycles, this is not true for all types of boats. Read more about different ferry types in our transportation article.
