Preveza, Greece - What's It Like? | The Mediterranean Traveller

Thinking of visiting Preveza in Greece? Here’s what to expect from this underrated harbour town.

Where is it?

Parga is on the west coast of the Greek mainland, north of Patras and south of Igoumenitsa and Parga.

What’s the vibe like?

Preveza is mostly known for its international airport, Preveza-Aktion, which is small but served by seasonal European budget and charter airlines. It’s the main gateway by air for visiting the island of Lefkada and the region of Epirus, particularly the pretty resort town of Parga. As such, it’s often overlooked by those heading straight to these tourist honeypots.

Preveza is also the gateway to the Ambracian Gulf. It’s a small flat city surrounded by wetlands and saltpans. The airport sits on the other side of the Gulf and is connected by a tunnel that runs under the water.

It’s a popular yachting spot though, and is home to several large marinas. There are plenty of facilities (laundry, chandleries) here for the yachts.

Preveza itself has a low-key charm and is worth stopping by if you’re in the area. True, there are no real tourist sites in town, but if you enjoy taverna-hopping then Preveza really excels.

It has a cute old quarter packed with colourful tavernas and shaded alleyways. There’s lots of seafood on offer including the local specialities, shrimps and sardines. Yachts moor next to the wide cafe-lined promenade which runs between the town and water.

Architecturally, Preveza is not dissimilar to most modern Greek towns – concrete apartment blocks interspersed with occasional neoclassical buildings – but it’s well-kept, clean, and laid-back. The promenade has recently had a glow-up. It’s the kind of place you come for lunch and end up staying for days.

The main visitors here are domestic Greek tourists and the pace is a welcome relief from the somewhat frenetic level of tourism in nearby Parga and Lefkada.

What’s the beach like?

Preveza is surrounded by some really nice beaches but you’ll need a car to access the best of them.

The main town beaches are a 20-minute walk south of the harbour at Paliosaraya and Kiana Akti. It’s shady and there are sun loungers, a cafe, and in the summer a lifeguard and inflatables. Whilst the sea itself is Blue Flag-rated and shallow, the beach is sometimes prone to litter and seaweed. It’s a mix of sand, grit, and pebbles.

If you have a car then keep driving to the west coast to Alonaki, a spacious beach with soft sand, big rocks, and clear waters. Parking fills up quickly in the summer though.

Further north are a series of vast beaches that have a wilder feel and are popular with the camping crowd. The closest is the vast Monolithi Beach. The sand here is a bit courser but it’s backed by woods and has a couple of serviced beach bars.

If you’re in the area for a while and don’t mind a drive then further beaches worth checking out are Artolithia, Ligia, Vrachos, Loutsa, and Ammoudia.

Activities and amenities

Preveza is a small city with a year-round population so facilities are good. Tourist infrastructure is geared towards local families with a car and visiting yachts.

Epirus is a fantastic area for nature and adventure activities. The most popular excursions are to the Acheron River, a beautiful gorge which was known in ancient times as the River Styx – the entrance to the underworld. The river is up at Ammoudia and is a base for activities including rafting, trekking, and horse-riding. And of course, the wetlands are perfect for fishing and bird-watching.

There are a few boat trips that run from the harbour.

Preveza is completely flat so ideal for bicycle rental – it’s worth picking one up if you plan on heading to the beach a lot and don’t have a car. Note that you can’t cycle through the tunnel to the airport and south as it’s a highway.

The archaeological site of Roman Nikopolis is a 15-minute drive north of Preveza and is a true hidden gem. This ‘city of victory’ was founded in 29AD by Augustus, the first Roman emperor, to honour his victory over Anthony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium nearby. It remained an important city for hundreds of years and peaked during the years of early Christianity before declining in the 9th century when residents started to move to Preveza. There’s an impressive Roman Aqueduct further north past Fillipiada.

Despite not being one of Greece’s famous ancient sites, it’s one of the largest in the country and is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. You’ll need a car to reach it. There’s an Archeological Museum of Nikopolis containing finds but it’s not located at the site itself, but back on the road to Preveza. Keep an eye out for concerts hosted in the Roman theatre during the summer.

Transport and accessibility

From the airport:

Preveza is a 15-minute drive from Preveza-Aktion International Airport (PVK).

The Lefkada-Preveza bus stops at the airport. The bus stop at the airport is not signposted and it’s located just outside the airport itself, on the main road. Timetables are taped up at the stop. Buses from the airport to Preveza aren’t as frequent as you might imagine, I visited in high season recently and there were only 6 per day. They are not timed to coincide with arrivals. You can find the timetable on the KTEL Lefkada website.

A taxi from the airport is €25.

Public transport:

Preveza is served by the local KTEL Preveza bus service. The main bus station is a 20-minute walk from the harbour, it’s worth noting that you have to cross the main road and some sections don’t have a sidewalk so probably best to take a taxi. There are a few stops along the main road – ask your hotel for locations.

You can take the bus from Preveza to Lefkada and to Parga, as well as numerous intercity routes.

For more information see: How to Get from Preveza Airport to Parga

How to Get from Preveza Airport to Lefkada

Accessibility:

Preveza is as flat as a pancake, as is the surrounding area. The paving around the harbour and promenade has recently been redone and is in better condition than most Greek cities (though the bar is low).

With the exception of the narrow alleys of the old quarter, parking is not generally a problem in Preveza. There are several parking lots in town including one right by the harbour.

The nearest Seatrac for wheelchair access to the sea is up at Ammoudia.

Prices

Prices in Preveza are gloriously below average for Greece, especially at the tavernas. This is an old-school destination. Sunloungers are generally free if you’re purchasing food and drink from the establishment. Some example menus are pictured below.

Where to stay

Being somewhat under the radar, there’s not a huge range of hotel options in Preveza. Most hotels in town are clustered together behind the old quarter:

Dioni Boutique Hotel – 4-star with maximalist decor, has a pool and great breakfast
Sofita Hotel – modern rooms and apartments
Minos Hotel – friendly and functional

You can also find rooms and apartments in the beach areas: