PrevezaMainland Greece · Greece

All About Preveza

If you don’t know much about Preveza, you are in for a delightful surprise. Tucked away in Epirus in northwestern Greece at the mouth of the Ambracian Gulf, Preveza is an area surrounded by water. To get here, you can pass through the first and only underwater tunnel in Greece – the Aktio-Preveza Immersed Tunnel, and discover a charming city on the other side. The pedestrianized waterfront is lined with restaurants, traditional meze eateries, cafés, and trendy shops. Its pretty harbor is filled with colorful yachts, giving off a true island feel, even though you are still on the mainland.

A city of historical importance, the famous sea Battle of Actium took place near Preveza in 31 BCE, where Octavian forces defeated Mark Antony and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. The ancient city of Nikopolis was built shortly afterward by Octavius to celebrate the victory and lies only 7 kilometers away from Preveza. Evidence of Ottoman, Venetian and French rule can still be found in the town, such as at the Seitan Bazaar and the Archaeological Museum, which you can explore while there. Preveza also boasts 60 kilometers of pristine coastline so there is no shortage of fine beaches, while the island of Lefkada is within easy reach.
 

Routes and Ferries to Preveza

You can book a ferry ticket with Ferryscanner to Igoumenitsa, which is the nearest port to Preveza and serves sea traffic from Italy and also the Ionian Islands. If you are on Corfu or Paxi, you can book ferry tickets to Igoumenitsa and once you arrive, it is only a short distance to Preveza. You can drive there in 1.14 hrs or take the KTEL bus for a pleasant ride of one and a half hours. Taxis are also available at the port to get you there in 1 hour and 14 minutes. You can also traverse the 74-kilometer journey by train, which is a nice way to enjoy the surrounding landscape.

Preveza also has its own airport known as the Aktion National Airport, which also serves visitors to Lefkada 14 kilometers away. Originally used as a NATO and Hellenic Air Force base, the airport now serves commercial passengers arriving from all over Europe and Greece.
 

Ports of Preveza

Although it is a coastal city, Preveza relies on the Port of Igoumenitsa, which is larger and more equipped to handle the amount of inbound and outbound traffic. Built around a large gulf, Igoumenitsa sits opposite Corfu and after being destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt and developed in the 1960s to become one of the country’s most important ports. Ferryscanner can help you find ferry tickets to Igoumenitsa from the Italian towns of Brindisi, Bari, Ancona, Venice, and Trieste, as well as from Vlora in Albania. You can also book your ferry tickets to Igoumenitsa from Corfu and Paxi in Greece before driving on to Preveza. The port is 480 km northwest of Athens and 470 km southwest of Thessaloniki.
 

Best Beaches

With over 60 kilometres of pristine coastline, Preveza is a magnet for those seeking emerald waters and glorious sandy beaches. The Ionian Sea is known the world over for its sparkling green waters and you can enjoy it in peace at one of Preveza’s many coastal beauty spots.

Mytikas Beach

This enchanting beach can be found in the cape of Preveza and is quite well developed, with many hotels, taverns, cafeterias and beach bars. Mytikas is near to the settlement of Nikopolis so you can combine sightseeing and swimming in one trip.

Monolithi Beach

 Monolithi is one of the most famous beaches in the area and for that reason, it can become quite crowded. It is a very long sandy stretch of transparent waters with all of the facilities you would expect, from lifeguards and beach bars to umbrellas and sunbeds. The beach is surrounded by a pine forest and was recently recognized as one of the safest beaches in Europe.

Kanali Beach

Kanali is only 15 km away from Preveza and is a secret gem of natural beauty near the coastal village of Kanali. Enjoy some freshly caught fish in one of the traditional taverns after spending a day bathing in the crystalline waters. The beach is well organized and it is never too crowded due to its length so you can always find a quiet spot to relax and unwind.

Piso Krioneri

This beach is located in the town of Parga and is therefore easily accessible on foot from the main road. It sits in a picturesque cove and is a great place for snorkeling due to its unique rock formations. The emerald green waters make it a truly beautiful spot and will have you believing you are in a tropical paradise.

Vrachos & Loutsa Beach

Ranked amongst the most glorious beaches in Greece, Vrachos and Loutsa are two beaches in one, with a combined length of 3 kilometers. The coast is lined with hotels, restaurants, and cafés, offering sunbeds and umbrellas for hire. The long sandy stretch is a favorite with locals and visitors alike, who go there to enjoy its waters and verdant landscape.
 

Things To Do

Explore the Town

Preveza is the regional capital and a hub of activity, surrounded by beautiful scenery which is protected by the NATURA 2000 project. The old part of the town starts at the harbor and consists of narrow, winding cobbled streets packed with little shops, welcoming cafés, tea shops, and traditional taverns shaded by vines and bougainvillea. Be sure to check out the 18th-century church of Saint Haralambos, the intriguing Venetian clock tower, and the Seitan market. The coastline is made up of dense larch forests, coves, caves, and long beaches, while the surrounding wetlands are home to over 280 species of birds, including Dalmatian pelicans and pygmy cormorants.

Visit Parga

More developed than Preveza in terms of tourism, Parga is a captivating town on the Ionian coast just 65 kilometers away. It is crowned by a majestic medieval fortress and is a popular destination due to its beautiful setting and attractive architecture. The town has a truly romantic allure, surrounded by verdant forested areas which make it a picture-postcard destination. The graphic islet in the bay can be visited by boat, allowing you to take a closer look at the tiny church of Panagia standing there.

See the Archaeological Site of Nikopolis

Be sure to visit the archaeological site of Nikopolis, which is located 10 kilometers away from Preveza, to explore the 900-acre excavations. The city was built by Octavian Augustus after his victory in the battle at the Amvrakikos Gulf and it soon became the epicenter of civilization for both east and west. Check out the Roman water tower, the ancient theatre, the monument of Augustus, and the Christian basilicas.

Go Rafting in the Acheron River

Running through an area of sublime natural beauty, the Acheron River can be found at the border of Preveza and Thesprotia, near the villages of Kanalaki and Glyki. The springs are renowned for their place in Greek mythology as Acheron was said to be one of the five rivers leading to the underworld. You will find still ponds that are home to a variety of amphibious life while the rocky canyons flanking the river provide shelter to birds of prey such as the spotted eagle. The river is a great spot for rafting and for nature lovers who enjoy hiking.

Climb up to the Castle of Anthousa

 The Castle of Anthousa can be found on the way to Parga and is one of the best-preserved in the region. It was built by Ali Pasha, the Turkish Governor of Ioannina, in 1814 on a hilltop between the villages of Agia and Anthousa and it features a large tower and exceptionally high walls. You can still enjoy its commanding views today overlooking the dense forests down to the sea and in the summer it is used for various cultural events
 

Transportation Around Preveza

Once you have booked your ferry tickets to Igoumenitsa, you can make your way to Preveza town, which is best discovered on foot, or you can take a bicycle ride and enjoy every corner of this intriguing destination. The local KTEL buses run frequently to the town of Parga, and you can stop off on the way at the beach of your choice. Car rentals are also available if you wish to plan your own itinerary and taxis can take you to your desired destination with ease.