We have stayed twice and loved it. The shops in the town are not all for tourists. Don't miss the distillery shop. Worth visiting just for this. Parga brandy is much more interesting than a well-known American-owned brand.

You may also want to look at the Villa Andreas ( Libra ) where we always stay now or The Hotel Alfa ( First Choice ) Lovely pool and fabulous new restaurant, both of which are excellent and not far from both Piso Krioner and town beaches and also the harbour area.

Some ALFA pictures and reviews.

Graham

Hi Graham. We had a meal at the 5 Senses and it was beautiful but not much atmosphere. There were only us and another couple eating. Are First Choice doing this accommodation next year and do they have a bar that stays open till about 2 am. I ask because we have just returned from Parga and were disappointed with our accommodation, mainly due to the attitude of the owner. All we want is a nice pool with a bar so we can go back for a drink in the evening cos some of the kids want to go to bed and some want to stay up PS Where is Villa Andreas.

Hi Pargaluvva

Just checked FC website and the Alfa is still available through them next year on a B&B basis.

There is definetly a pool bar that is open late but just how late I am not sure, you could try emailing them and just asking about their bar - alfagrho@otenet.gr

The 5 Senses is very nice but can be either packed and slow service or almost empty

The Villa Andreas is a minute further up past the Alfa.

Where were you staying this year ?

Graham

Hi Graham. We stayed at the Irini (me and my friend will post a review later in the week). We will have a look at the Villa Andreas for next time we visit. Been to the Irini for the last 3 years but will not return. We are looking for nice accommodation with pool/bar. Dracos were beautiful apartments but it doesnt look like First Choice are using them next year which is a shame because they were fab with nice pool (only downside no bar!!) We love Parga (even looked at a couple of places to buy but still undecided) but we will give it a miss for a couple of years to try different places but I dont think we will like anywhere as much as Parga. I have to say, we found it too busy (13 to 27 August) but we are restricted by school holidays. Going to the pub now (usual Bank Holiday ritual). Gx

Hi Grahaam. Am I the only person disappointed with the Irini. Looked at the Alfa for the future - looks great.

Hi,

We've almost chosen the Valtos Beach Hotel for our honeymoon; Can anyone tell me how far away Parga harbour is? we like to be able to walk out in the evenings, and be close to the beach during the day. Thanks, Cejay

Hi Cejay

It is about a 20-30 ? minutes walk (stroll) up past the castle and down in to the harbour area at Parga.
The walk from valtos to the castle is not very steep, more of an incline, however from the castle down in to the harbour area it is fairly steep with many steps than can be slippery when wet, flat shoes required (for your wife I mean ).

Climbing back up the steps again will take you a bit longer when returning to Valtos, however you can catch a taxi in the town centre and this will only cost a few Euros or better still catch one of the water taxis from the harbour.

This is a small section of the very pretty steps which have small shops most of the way up them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/big-graham/Parga-Downfromcastle.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/big-graham/Parga-Uptocastle.jpg

I hope you have a great honeymoon and I am sure you will love Parga.

Graham

Gail... why not travel independantly next time? just book the flight and sort out your own accomm.. far better and cheaper, plenty of contacts on the Parga.com site Try Magda's or one of the other more central ones

Cejay,
Parga beach hotel is really on top of the beach, so you will be right "on the spot" there!........... It was sold over last winter and the bar area has just been re done and is much better. I believe from my contacts there, that the accommodation is all due to be upgraded this winter too, so all in all should be ok for you If you alk up the slope to get to Parga town Try the Stefanos taverna at the top.. Great food (fish caught fresh daily) and good entertainment from Stefanos himself!... tell him I sent you!

Hi Kelvin. The problem we have is that we can only travel during school holidays. We checked on the price of a flight for August and it was £285 Our friends did DIY last year and they got it cheaper this year through First Choice, staying at the same apartments. We probably won't visit Parga next year (especially not in August during the Festival week - it was just too busy). We were very disappointed with the Irini Studios this year. As you know, this was our third visit and previously we have overlooked the long walk into town, the very busy and noisy main road because we have had good holidays there. This year, it was very different. It wasn't just us who noticed the attitude of the owner (not his family who are a delight). People around the pool could not believe we were on our third visit. We are going to do a detailed (and diplomatic report) when we have calmed down. Good job we are from good Yorkshire stock or it could have spoilt our holiday but our experience will never put us off Parga.

We have priced DIY a couple of times and the cost has been dearer than booking a package, by the time the flights, transfers etc have all been added perhaps when it is just my wife and I going it will work out cheaper and more flexible and we will be able to stay for longer than 2 weeks.

August is very busy with mainly Italians, early in the season is very nice and also towards the tail end is lovely, all the locals are starting to relax again and there is a different atmosphere in the town.

Is it the same owner at the Irini as on your previous visits ?

I still recommend either the Alfa the Mara or Villa Andreas situated on AG. Anthousa up past P Krioneri beach (the Golfo taverna on the beach have mad Greek nights- brilliant) nice quiet lane with olive groves and very little traffic.

Kelvin is the person to ask about recommending accommodation as he is just about a local now although I think he is on commission for Stefanos but yes Stefanos is superb and worth a visit even just for the view.

I wish I was having a Methos in Parga now

THanks Graham, Don't know about "a local" though.....(ha Ha) Granted I have been there 16 times over 24 years, was married there and my (original) birth certificate is held in the Town Hall, plus the fact that we have loads of friends there, but there are others that can lay claim to as many years of visiting. However If I can help anyone out, then feel free... As for Stefanos, No commission I'm afraid, he just happens to be my longest standing friend in Parga, His Beach Barbeques were the best (before EU rules put a stop to them, by taking all the fun away) We are very close to him and his family, and nights at his Taverna always turn out to be entertaining and I agree the views are great

Hi Graham. Yes it was the same owner but with a completely different personality :hmmm. There was a group of us, with kids, so last year, and the year before, we would to into town for a meal and a few drinks then go back to the Irini bar so we could have a few drinks and the kids (those who wanted to) could go to bed. On our second night we got to the bar about 15 mins past midnight and were greeted with eyes raised to heaven, shrugged shoulders and then the ultimate, he turned his back when we tried to make conversation. He was chatting at the bar and to be honest he was very rude (probably trying to impress a 'friend' who was sat at the bar). We put up with this for a few days then decided NO WAY. We spent most of our time at the beach and the Dracos. I think the problem was he had a couple of weeks previous to our holiday with late nights so he didn't want us in the bar for the next 2 weeks until the early hours. If he had told us, or put up a sign stating bar opening/closing times, there would not have been a problem. Instead we had to endure his rudeness (once or twice he did have the good grace to say the bar is closing at 2 am). His behaviour was totally unacceptable and very unprofessional. My biggest regret is that I didn't tell him where to go!!! Ours wasn't an isolated incident. To see him marching down to the pool to tear a strip of a couple of kids for taking their lilo into the pool had to be seen to be believed. Five minutes later a little boy went into the pool with an inflatable ring and he never said a word. Explain that to the other kids. I think he should just open the bar during the day (cos he obviously hates being there in the evening), remove the triple studios so he can concentrate on couples in the older age group who can give him the "respect" and quiet life he wants. Spoke to about 3 families around the pool who could not believe we were on our third visit. Sorry to go on but I feel better for getting that off my chest. On a more pleasant note, his family are a delight and in some ways I feel bad about writing this but our holiday was less enjoyable this year because of his attitude.

What can I say. Found him very rude. Gave the impression he did not want to be there (which is not very professional or business-like). At the end of the day, we work hard all year round and save up for 2 weeks holiday. The least the owner can do, is to make guests feel welcome and comfortable, after all it is his business he is running and making a living from. We will never go back there and this was the opinion of quite a few people while we were there. After all, there are plenty more places in Parga who will appreciate our custom

edit to remove possible libel comments

The above post is talking about the Irini??

We have just returned from our first visit to Parga and our first time to the mainland - we normally go to the islands. I was a bit concerned, after reading all these posts that it would be too 'touristy', but not at all - considering it is a holiday resort! Yes, there were European holiday makers there, but from the people we met they outnumbered us Brits! We visited bars/restaurants that were recommended on this site and couldn't fault any of them (thanks to you all!). We stayed in Magda Apartments which were first class, so friendly and helpful, in fact the best hotel owners we have come across so far. We would highly recommend them but must admit, the walk back up from the harbour is a bit strenuous, especially in the heat and on a full stomach! Not so bad though coming back up from Valtos beach side. Would definately consider returning to both Parga and Magda's some time in the future.

Whoops!! another convert.... Great

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