General information for Parga

Parga is a coastal town located in the north-western part of the Prefecture of Preveza in the former region of Margariti. It is built amphitheatrically on Pezovolos hill, with an altitude of 139 m, reaching down to the coast of the Ionian Sea. The town has a population of 2,022. It is the seat of the Municipality of Parga – which has a population of 3,846 – and the commercial and shipping centre of the region. The municipality includes the districts Agia, Anthousa and Livadari.

The Municipality of Parga belongs to the Prefecture of Preveza, although it is surrounded by the Prefecture of Thesprotia, and lies in south-western Epirus near the River Acheron. The town of Parga is located on the mainland opposite the beautiful islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, approximately 68 kilometres from Preveza and 40 kilometres from Igoumenitsa. It is the seat of the municipality, the place where most of the municipality’s business activity is concentrated, and the administrative, economic and commercial centre of the region. It used to be very well-known for its many churches. The famous mediaeval castle of Parga, which has many buildings within its walls, dominates the right-hand side of the town (to the NW), protecting it from the sea. In the past, Parga was also famous for the excellent citrus fruits grown in the surrounding area, the so-called “Jewish citrus” which were exported to Europe and America.

Today, Parga is the most popular tourist destination in the region. The Municipality of Parga has many beaches, the most noteworthy being Kryoneri and Piso Kryoneri actually in the town of Parga, Valtos and Sarakiniko to the west, and Lihnos and Agios Giannakis to the east.

Parga is a traditional town of rare beauty. Directly opposite lies the charming Isle of the Panagia (Virgin Mary), with a church and several mediaeval and Venetian buildings. The town is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the summer. Built on the edge of the Venetian castle, its architecture is clearly influenced by that of the Ionian Islands.

During the summer, there are daily ferry connections between Parga, Paxos and Antipaxos. There are also cruise ships connecting the town with Ammoudia, Corfu and Lefkada.

The most important ancient monument in the region lies approximately fifteen kilometres from Parga. This was the most important and oldest necromanteion (literally “oracle of the dead”) in antiquity, the Necromanteion of Acheron. It was located at the site where the Ancient Greeks believed the Gates to the Underworld lay. These Gates led to the Kingdom of Hades (or Pluto), and were the only place the inhabitants of the Underworld could rise to the world above.