SurfinGR, Preveza, Parga (Valtos)

Activities: Windsurf, Surf, SUP
Popularity:
Style: Freeride, Wave
Level: Intermediate, Good, Specialist

The city of Preveza is the capital of the region, but everyone knows that the jewel in its crown is the small seaside resort of Parga. Situated along the Ionian Sea in the north-western corner of the prefecture, this unassuming fishing village has been a beloved tourist getaway since the 60s. In fact, it was here that one of the first Club Med complexes was built. Over the years, the town has gone from hidden hideaway to burgeoning summer hot-spot among travelers in-the-know.

The town is built amphitheatrically around the harbor and is literally enveloped in green from every angle. The Castle of Parga is the unofficial emblem of the town. It was first built by the Venetians and then destroyed by the Turks, then rebuilt by the Venetians only to be destroyed again. The Venetians finally perfected its design, but it was later taken over by the Ottoman Turks, where the regional ruler Ali Pasha used it as both his personal harem and baths.

Valtos beach is the largest beach of Parga and stretches for 3 km. It is situated right above the impressive rock, where Parga’s castle is built.

Best Months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Medium Months:
Wind Type:
Best Direction: NE
Main Direction:
Worst Direction:
Wind Factor:
Main Wind Direction:
Blowing at:
Wave Tack:

Kastro point is suitable for experienced and advanced surfers only and can be surfed all year round, when the wind is coming from northeast. Parga has a typical Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and an average temperature of 9 °C and hot and dry summers with an average temperature of 32 °C and many days of sunshine.

Type: Chop, Small Wave (< 1m), Medium Wave (1-3m)
Quality:
Depth: Deep (deepens abruptly)
Seabed: Rocks
Attention:

Parga is known as one of the best spots in Greece and among the best spots in the Mediterranean for its white crested waves in Kastro Point. The winds and the sea combined with the large rocks create incredible conditions for surfing and many surf enthusiasts have referred to this place as being the Hawaii of the Ionian. Amazing turquoise waters. Needed attention for younger swimmers as the sea is quite deep.

The wave is point break and has a regional classic quality with regular frequency. The size of the swell starts working from 1,5 m and holds up to 2,5 m and sometimes more. The powerful waves are taking a left direction and have a normal length, while the bottom of the sea is covered with flat rocks.

Type: Sand, Pebbles
Size: Medium
Bathers Period: May, June, July, August, September, October
Bathers: Much
Shade: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Attention:

Valtos is a beautiful pebbly and sandy beach with beautiful background of deep green pine trees. If you are visiting Parga in summer, keep in mind that Valtos is one of the favorite beaches in the area and ultra-crowded almost all the time, although bathers avoid the spot under the rock, because it is almost impossible to swim there when the waves are high. The amazing scenery, the large rocks and the awesome waves in Kastro Point will definitely surprise you!

GPS Google Maps: 39.285329, 20.395970

Parga is situated in the northwestern corner of Greece next to Sivota, Perdika and Igoumenitsa and opposite the island of Paxos south of Corfu.

Arrival by Car, Moto, Camper Van: The spot is most accessible from Arta or from Aktion and Preveza: The city of Arta is linked with the GR-5 (Antirrio - Ioannina) and the GR-30 which links with Peta and Trikala. There are some good highways, like the Corinth-Athens and the Athens-Larissa, Corinth-Tripoli and the Egnatia highway. Kanali is about 378 km away from Athens, 330 km from Thessaloniki -Greece's second largest city, 178 km from Patra, 119 km from Igoumenitsa and 63 km from Preveza. Parga is 83 km NNW from Arta.

In order to get to Parga from Preveza, the underwater road crossing through the Aktion - Preveza channel ensures the fastest connection of Aetoloakarnania and southern Greece with the coastal zone of the prefectures of Preveza - Thesprotia and the Port of Igoumenitsa. The distance is about 15 km shorter than from Arta, but it will take 15 minutes more to reach the spot. The distance from Preveza to Parga is 61 km.

Arrival by Bus: Access to Parga is possible by bus on a daily basis from Preveza and Igoumenitsa, and during summer months from Ioannnina. There is also daily bus service from Athens (Kifiso Station) and from Thessaloniki (Macedonia Station).

Arrival by Train: Train travel is not so much in fashion anymore due to the complexity of the journey through the Balkans. Rail services link Thessaloniki with Athens, Thrace and Patra. The line through what was once Yugoslavia provides connections with Central and Western Europe. The line through Bulgaria connects to Eastern Europe and the line through Istanbul, Turkey with the countries of the Near East.

Arrival by Airplane: There are flight connections to the nearest airport Action-Preveza, approx. 65 Km from Parga. In the summer you can get a flight directly with charter planes from many countries. Winter is hard to get here.

A good way also to reach Parga is by plane to Corfu, the neighbor island. Flights to Corfu are available from almost every European airport. The distance from Corfu to Parga can best be travelled by ferry boat from Corfu to Igoumenitsa. Ferry boats to Igoumenitsa leave Corfu daily between 06.00 and 22.00. It takes about 1-1,5 hours to reach Igoumenitsa.

Many travelers choose a flight to the new airport of Athens, “Eleftherios Venizelos”, one of the best airports in Europe (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV). It is located in Spata Town and serves flights to Greece daily from many international airlines from all over the world. There are domestic flights to Aktion - Preveza Airport several times per week.

Arrival by Ferry/Boat: If you are coming from the European continent and you prefer to take the ferry from an Italian Port, you need to head towards Italy and the Italian ports of Ancona, Venice Bari or Brindisi. Those ports have daily connections to Corfu, Igoumenitsa and Patra. The port of lgoumenitsa is the first big gateway for Western and Central Europe. The port of Patra is the second one.

If you are coming from Aegean Sea (from a Greek Island, Turkey or Cyprus) you will reach one of the Attica’s Ports in Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio Town.