Hiring a boat is the ideal way to explore the hidden beauty of Parga, opposite the island of Corfu. Parga stands out for its breathtaking harbor that is filled with bars, taverns, and wonderful views of the Ionian Sea. It is an excellent starting point to embark on an Ionian yacht charter and has plenty of catamarans, sailboats, motor yachts, and speedboats you can find that match your choice. You can directly contact the owners of the vessels for the ideal boat, or simply allow a BednBlue travel expert to guide you with some suggestions.
You have plenty of options:
You can book and hire a sailboat or speedboat with a skipper, or without if you own a license, and enjoy a one-day cruise to Corfu or Paxos. You also have the option to rent a motorboat and enjoy a half-day cruise to Sivota or Preveza. With the option to book a catamaran, you will have plenty of space to throw a birthday party or celebrate a wedding anniversary. Finally, you can hire a luxury yacht or sailboat and go island-hopping in the Ionian Sea for as many days as you wish.
Parga is a popular holiday destination on the shores of the Ionian Sea, sandwiched between mountains and a protected bay. Thanks to its convenient location in Western Greece, Parga offers a good base for embarking on an Ionian sailing route. Before you rent a boat from Parga you can spend some time in the town. Here you can eat at any of the delicious restaurants that spread along with the port, or stroll through the narrow alleyways that are filled with family-run meze bars and old churches. Overlooking the waterfront stands the Venetian castle, which offers a picture-postcard-like beauty of the coastline. Parga is also known for its green landscape, where thousands of olive trees and enormous pine trees surround the area. 25 km from Parga, the Acheron River is an area that flows from the mountains of Souli Epirus and reaches the Ionian Sea. In ancient Greek mythology, it was one of the five rivers of the Greek underworld. Today you will see that it has still retained its unspoiled beauty.
We can see from tomb excavations that the early inhabitants of Parga were Greeks from Mycenae, a civilization that thrived in mainland Greece and the shores of Asia Minor. Parga was initially ruled by the Byzantine Empire and then occupied by the Normans up until the 15th century. The Venetians occupied the land for about four centuries and then Parga fell onto the hands of the French, British, and Turks for almost a century. The 23rd February 1913, marked the day where Parga was finally liberated by Greek heroes such as Kanares and Mauromichalis.
By hopping on a chartered boat from Parga, you can plan the perfect day trip. You have the option to visit several beaches in Parga and soak up the authentic Greek atmosphere. Piso Krioneri and Valtos Beach are excellent options. The former is perfect for snorkeling and has small caves hidden behind rocks. There is also a natural shelter that protects the beach from bad weather, with plenty of space for a pleasant cruise. The latter is a large beach that is well-maintained and offers a variety of water sports. The area has soft pebbles and clear water, with a coastline that spans at a length of 3 km long; rich in greenery.
By hiring a motor yacht, sailboat, catamaran, or even speedboat, you can enjoy a day trip to Corfu from Parga. Leaving Parga you can head to the port of Corfu and visit a series of interesting sites by the town. You will be able to see castles, museums, and old fortresses that date back to the history of Homer’s Odyssey. The channel between Corfu and Paxos is easily approachable by boat too. Do not miss the chance to visit the blue caves of Paxos or enjoy the wonderful beach of Voutoumi in Antipaxos. Your sailing itinerary in the Ionian islands can last as long as up to two weeks. You may cruise from Corfu to Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos and even make your way back to discover new beaches and bays to complete an unforgettable sailing holiday.
Below you will find some useful information for your boat rentals in Parga.
Parga Port: Occupies a long jetty with many yachts with a good holding in sand. The port has several anchorages in the corner of Ormos Valtou and in the small cove East of the Venetian castle.
Just opposite the harbor, you will find the small island of Madonna, which is great for a swim.
Valtos Marina: A small marina on the western side of the sandy beach bay called Valtos. There is space for one or two vessels for anchoring at the end of the quay.
The distance from Parga to Athens is 400 km. The shortest route from Athens it to continue to Messsolonghi-Amfiloxia-Vonitsa and reach Preveza where you will continue to Igoumenitsa and finally to Parga.
