Preveza beaches are an excellent place to spend your holidays. They are only now becoming known outside of Greece, so if you are budget conscious, they an excellent vacation destination.
Photo Overview
The east end of Valtos beach is much more quiet.
The main beach of Parga: Krioneri.
Piso Krioneri Beach in Parga, Greece.
One of the best beaches in Preveza, Ai Sostis is accessible via boat or a rough road.
Valtos beach from the castle. Parga, Greece.
Ai Giannakis Beach
- Name: Ai Giannakis beach (Αι Γιαννάκης)
- Also Known as: Agios Giannakis, and misspelled as Ai Gianakis
- Location: Preveza, near Parga, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 1/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 3/5
- Beach Berm: Shingle
- Seafloor: Shingle and rocks
- Access: Good access, steep last approach.
- Amenities: There is a food kiosk on the beach
- Notes: Ai Giannakis is a very small beach and gets too crowded at times. It’s the first beach after you turn from the main road toward Parga, so drivers avoid the last twenty minutes and the traffic jams of Parga by stopping at Ai Giannakis beach. There are too many boats and jet skiers to enjoy swimming.
Ai Sostis Beach
- Name: Ai Sostis beach (Αι Σώστης)
- Also Known as: Agios Sostis
- Location: Preveza, near Parga, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 5/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 5/5
- Beach Berm: Coarse sand
- Seafloor: Sand and rocks
- Access: The road to Ai Sostis beach is narrow, in bad condition and difficult to drive on. It is a very rough dirt road, with few patches of asphalt and cement at different places. If you have a street car that is low to the ground you might find it impossible to drive to the beach. Our speed to the beach was a whopping 15 kph (not a 4×4). The beach is better accessible from Parga with water taxi or during a day-cruise.
- Amenities: NONE, bring your own drinking water and food
- Notes: Ai Sostis is the best beach in Preveza, and as nice a beach you can find anywhere in Greece. It’s remote, in a beautiful scenery and crystal-clear water. There is a small church wedged between two huge rocks right above the beach that make the place even more special.
Alonaki Beach
- Name: Alonaki beach (Αλωνάκι Φαναρίου)
- Location: Preveza, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 4/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 3/5
- Beach Berm: Shingle and sand mix
- Seafloor: Shingle and rocks
- Access: You may access Alonaki beach with a car via a rough, unpaved road.
- Amenities: There is a cafe at the beach and parasols for hire
- Snorkeling: Alonaki is a nice snorkeling spot. You can snorkel around the islet, and you will find a small sea cave and a smaller beach at west entrance of the cove.
Artolithia Beach
- Name: Artolithia beach (Αρτολίθια)
- Location: Preveza, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 4/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 3/5
- Beach Berm: Sand and shingle mix
- Seafloor: Shingle and rocks
- Access: A very narrow, paved road will bring you right to the beach where you will find ample parking
- Amenities: There are two restaurants above the beach, but last time we visited they were both closed. There are no parasols or any other amenities within walking distance.
- Notes: Artolithia beach is in a beautiful setting with the dramatic sea rocks framing it. It is sheltered by the weather, so it is a good beach for children since it is always calm. If other beaches in the area get too rough, chances are that Artolithia will be calm. Further south from the last place to park, the beach it is less accessible and some naturists and free campers sunbathe occasionally. It’s a good place to snorkel, so don’t forget your flippers and mask.
Kastorsikia Beach
- Name: Kastrosikia beach (Καστροσυκιά)
- Also transliterated as: Kastrosykia.
- Location: Preveza, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 2/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 3/5
- Beach Berm: Sand
- Seafloor: Sand
- Access: Good, paved road all the way to the beach. Parking near the beach
- Amenities: There are plenty of restaurants and cafes right on the beach. They rent parasols for the day.
- Notes: Kastrosykia is a popular beach with local Greeks who like the proximity to the cafeterias and restaurants. There is a camping site nearby and many more beaches where you can find smaller crowds within a few minutes from Kastrosikia.
Lichnos Beach
- Name: Lichnos beach (Λίχνος)
- Location: Preveza, near Parga, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 4/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 4/5
- Beach Berm: Shingle and sand mix
- Seafloor: Shingle, sand, and rocks
- Access: A steep paved road will bring you to the beach. As soon as you reach the village the road narrows and it’s difficult to drive. It’s even more difficult to turn around. Best to pay and park in one of the converted olive groves before you even enter the town.
- Amenities: Lichnos is packed with hotels, restaurants, cafes, and a popular camping ground. There are plenty of parasols for hire.
- Notes: Lichnos beach is within driving distance from Parga (about 10 minutes). There are day cruises from Parga that include Lichnos in their stops, but you can easily reach the beach with a car or moped from Parga. If you do rent a moped, drive carefully, especially on the hair-raising descent to Lichnos from the main road. Keep your gear low and use your breaks wisely. If you do go to Lichnos, rent a paddleboat or a kayak and explore the cave on the southern end of the beach.
Lygia Beach
- Name: Lygia beach (Λυγιά)
- Location: Preveza, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 3/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 3/5
- Beach Berm: Sand, shingle
- Seafloor: Sand, shingle, rocks
- Access: A nice municipal paved road runs parallel to the beach. There is usually plenty of parking on the road side.
- Amenities: Lygia town is within walking distance
- Water Sports:
- Snorkeling:
- Notes: This is a large area and there are many places where campers can park and spend the night. The whole coast from Lygia to Riza and beyond is a favortie stop of RVs, especially those who get to Greece from Italy by ferry. Lygia is about an hour south of Igoumenitsa, and a short drive from the main road to Preveza. RVs would make it a stop for the day. It’s a good place to get something to eat in the town and coastal restaurants, and an excellent place to relax for the day. The whole area is also a popular vacation spot and weekend getaway for the entire Epiros prefecture population. Most of the beaches are visible from the road, while others are hidden behind olive trees. It can get crowded in August and in the weekends, but it’s quiet most of the time since most visitors only know about more popular area destinations such as Vrahos, Lichnos, and Parga.
Monolithi Beach
- Name: Monolithi beach (Μονολίθι)
- Location: Preveza, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 3/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 3/5
- Beach Berm: Sand or shingle, or mix of the two, depending on the spot you choose on this long beach.
- Seafloor: Sand or shingle
- Access: A nice rural road runs parallel to the beach
- Amenities: Monolithi is a very long beach, so depending where you choose to swim, you can find nearby, a restaurants, bars, cafeterias, cantinas, or nothing (in this case you have to bring your own drinking water and food)
- Notes: Monolithi is a very long sandy beach. In certain places, and especially near the camping ground, it’s organized with life guards on duty during part of the day. There are certain spots of the beach that get very crowded like in front of the Nikopolis Club, but overall the vast sandy beach allows the crowds do be distributed comfortably. A nice pine forest area frames the beach in part.
Krioneri (Parga) Beach
- Name: Krioneri beach (Ελληνικα).
- Also known as: Parga beach
- Also transliterated as: Kryoneri beach
- Location: Parga, Preveza, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 2/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 1/5
- Beach Berm: Shingle
- Seafloor: Shingle and rocks
- Access: Krioneri beach is in the heart of Parga town. If you are staying in Parga, it’s an easy beach to get to, but if you are driving there, make sure you get to the town early in the morning because after 10:00 AM the traffic in the narrow streets is impossible, and finding parking would be a miracle. If you are driving to Parga during the day in the summer, don’t make the mistake to turn into the town from the main road. you’ll be stuck for good. Park on the main road instaead, or in the municipal parking lot (the soccer stadium at the town’s entrance), and walk the few minutes it takes to go to the beach.
- Amenities: The town of Parga is within walking distance. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, hotels, and shops.
Notes: Krioneri beach is known as Parga beach by most people because it is located in the heart of the quaint town. It’s a small patch of shingles, lined with pricey sun beds and parasols three-deep, but the whole setting is inviting enough to attract large crowds, especially in July and August. You can rent a paddle boat, or a sea kayak to get to the nearby isles that dot the harbor.
Kryoneri is not the only beach in town though. Parga is a very picturesque coastal town, and it’s blessed with three nice beaches, all within walking distance. From the center of town you can easily walk to Piso Krioneri within a few minutes walk, and a more taxing stroll up toward the castle, and then down a cobblestone path will bring you to the larger Valtos beach.
Piso Krioneri Beach
- Name: Piso Krioneri beach (Ελληνικα)
- Location: , Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 3/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 2/5
- Beach Berm: Shingle
- Seafloor: Shingle and rocks
- Access: See Krioneri beach access above. It’s not easy to get close to the beach with a car, so park at the entrance of Parga at the soccer stadium and walk five minutes to the beach.
- Amenities: There is a restaurant on the beach, and parasols for hire. The town shops are a short walk away.
- Notes: Piso Krioneri is located inside the town of Parga and is easily accessible on foot from the main street of Parga. It’s a picturesque and cozy cove, but gets very crowded (as do all the beaches of Parga) in the summer. It’s a bit smaller than Kryoneri beach, but easy to get to on foot from the town. It’s also a nice place for snorkeling.
Riza Beach
- Beach Name: Riza (Ριζά) beach
- Location: Preveza, Epirus, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Our Overall Rating: 3/5
- Our Rating of What the Water Feels Like: 4/5
- Beach Berm: Coarse Sand
- Seafloor: Coarse sand and soft/small Shingle
- Access: Good = Paved road all the way to the beach. Parking near the beach
- Amenities: Beach bar/restaurant with parasols right on the beach. Parasols are free when you order a drink from the restaurant. Organized camping site near the beach.
- RV / Camper Accessibility: Site suitable for parking for the day, but not for camping. Site is not suitable for free camping, but there is a camping ground within walking distance. Ample space for parking on the beach vicinity. The coastal road from Lygia to Riza is a favorite day-stop for many campers that drive down the coast from Igoumenitsa. Many choose to spend the night on one of the large parking lots in Riza.
- Notes: Riza beach (παραλία Ριζά) is our recommendation for swimming if your are in the area between Vrahos and Monolithi. It has crisp water, golden, coarse sand that doesn’t stick to everything, and it’s relatively more quiet and less crowded than the other beaches in the vicinity.
Sarakiniko Beach
- Name: Sarakiniko beach (Σαρακίνικο)
- Location: Preveza, near Parga, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 3/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 3/5
- Beach Berm: Shingle
- Seafloor: Shingle, and rocks
- Access: Sarakiniko is a hard beach to get to. The road is very rough, and parking is a problem. It’s best to arrive via boat from Parga.
- Amenities: Restaurants on the beach
- Notes: There is not enough space for parking, the beach is small and easily crowded. There are two other beaches in Greece named “Sarakiniko”: Sarakiniko beach in Milos and Sarakiniko beach in Elafonisos.
Spartila Beach
- Name: Spartila beach (Σπαρτίλα)
- Location: Preveza, near Parga, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 3/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 5/5
- Beach Berm: Shingle
- Seafloor: Sand, Shingle, Rocks
- Access: The best way to get to Spartila beach is by boat from Parga. It’s possible to drive to the nearby Ai Sostis beach via a very rough dirt road, park there, and then walk a dirt path east to it.
- Amenities: There is nothing for miles around, so if you go, bring your own drink and water for the day.
- Notes: The beach looks, and is, deserted until a boat arrives from nearby Parga and unloads 50 to 100 bathers at once. The day cruises don’t stay too long though. They let travelers dive off the boat to swim around for about half hour and then move on to another destination.
Valtos Beach
Valtos beach from the castle. Parga, Greece.
Parasols and bathers packed tightly at Valtos beach in Parga, Greece.
- Name: Valtos beach (Βάλτος)
- Location: Parga, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 3/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 3/5
- Beach Berm: Shingle
- Seafloor: Shingle
- Access: A paved road goes all the way to the beach. Parking is an issue in the summer.
- Amenities: There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, hotels, and a camping ground on the beach. The middle of the beach is packed with parasols for hire
Notes: Valtos beach in Parga is a nice place to swim. Try to stay away from the wooden peers in the middle of the beach because that’s where water taxis and other assorted boats dock in very regular intervals.
Even though the beach is very large and wide, it gets very crowded in high season (July and August). Even so, you can always find plenty of space to spread out on the south end near the castle, and at the other end to the north.
As you approach the beach from the road, the beach to your righ is crowded by bars, so if you prefer more “mingling”, beach games, and loud music, head that way.
If you want more peace and quiet, head to your left toward the castle, or to the west end where less bathers venture.
There is a steep cobblestone that leads to the castle, and to the city of Parga on the other side. The views from the castle are beautiful on both sides, and there is a cafeteria right in the middle of it, so it’s worth the walk up.
Valtos is the largest beach within walking distance from Parga town. The other two are closer to the town: Kryoneri beach, and Piso-Kryoneri beach (see above).
Vrachos – Loutsa Beach
- Name: Vrachos – Loutsa beach (Βράχος – Λούτσα)
- Also Transliterated as: Vrahos
- Location: Preveza, Greece
Click here to see it on the map and to get directions - Overall Rating: 3/5
- Joy Index (What the Water Felt Like): 3/5
- Beach Berm: Sand and shingle
- Seafloor: Sand and shingle
- Access: A rural paved road runs parallel to the beach. However, in the summer, and especially in the weekends, it’s best to park before you enter the road. It barely fits two cars side by side, so with parked cars on both sides, you will be stuck in frustrating gridlock.
- Amenities: The beach is lined with hotels, restaurants, and cafes. There are plenty of parasols for hire.
Notes: Vrachos is a very nice beach which developed too fast. A welcome touch is that the sun beds and parasols are provided free of charge by the bar and cafe owners. Roaming waiters will bring your order right to your parasol.
It’s a popular swimming spot with young Greeks who appreciate bars and cafeterias with loud music right on the beach. But luckily, Vrahos beach is wide and long enough to allow for many quiet spots between the parasol forests.
However, Vrachos is quickly becoming a victim of it’s own beauty. Many low-budget hotels have been built in the last fifteen years right on the beach with no provision for adequate infrastructure or upgrades to it.
As a result, the narrow road becomes a quagmire during the summer, and driving through town should be avoided at all cost.