The best things to do in Paleros

The best things to do in Paleros

Located on a picturesque bay next to the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea, Paleros is among Greece’s best-kept secrets. The picturesque waterfront town is millennia-old, and its strategic location is an ideal setting for relaxing holidays. Despite its size, there are loads of things to do in Paleros, Greece, which I will share in this article.

As a local and owner of the Estia Ionian Villas, I want to share with you a variety of things to see in Paleros to make the most of your stay. 

So, let’s discover the best things to do in Paleros, Greece.

Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do in Paleros

Located in the regional unit of Aetolia-Acarnania, Paleros enjoys a sweet climate all year long. Its proximity to the Aktion National Airport means you can quickly reach Greece’s most majestic coastline from 29 destinations around Europe. Although less than 3,000 people call Paleros home, the beachfront town is lively, and the region has a wealth of places to visit.

And here’s what to see and do in Paleros.

Visit Vathiavali Beach

The Ionian Sea is known for its crystal-clear waters and the majestic sandy shores. Vathiavali Beach is the beach of choice and the place to relax and unwind daily. Swimming in the Ionian Sea is an experience by itself, and sunbathing or swimming at Vathiavali Beach rightly ranks among the top things to do during your Paleros vacation.

The beach is organized and offers everything you expect from a Greek beach. If vacationing in Greece is a synonym for beach time for you, this beach is a short drive from Paleros and provides an excellent place to relax. 

The waters are shallow and calm, so it is suitable for families with young kids as well.

Explore Ancient Paleros

While modern Paleros is a lively town, the area’s history dates back to ancient times. As a result, the ancient city of Paleros offers a unique insight into Greek antiquity, and there are plenty of things to discover.

In fact, Ancient Paleros was a thriving city during the Mycenean period, and according to historians, it was founded more than three thousand years ago. Nowadays, we have a good overview of the millennia-long history of the region thanks to the city walls. Based on the different construction styles, it’s safe to assume that they first appeared around 1500 BC.

While modern Paleros is home to approximately 3,000 inhabitants, historians claim that Ancient Paleros hosted more than 10,000 people in its heyday. In addition, throughout its history, Ancient Paleros played an important role in various battles.

To give a deeper insight, here are two historical facts about the ancient city.

1. During the Peloponnesian War, Paleros stood on the side of the Athenians.
2. It was at nearby Actium -around the area the Aktion airport is located- that Octavius defeated Cleopatra and Mark Anthony in a battle. Cleopatra hid her vessels in the salt lake of the region.

Enjoy the local food, bars, cafes, etc.

Greece is widely known for its delicious cuisine, and Paleros is no exception to that. As a local, I have tried almost every restaurant, bar, and cafe in the area, and the following list has never disappointed me.

New Mill Tavern – for dining

It opens every evening after 6 pm, and Mondays stays shut. The menu changes daily and comes in a variety of small platters offered one after the other while accompanied by large bottles of wine. You should definitely try it once during your stay and book in advance; it was such a pleasant surprise for us to discover it.

Panorama – for everyday meals

Although this establishment is absolutely basic…the food there is always delicious and affordable. It has both Greek and Indian (!!!) cuisine if you fancy trying something different, and it is good for meeting your daily meal needs. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a delivery service, so you would need to pop by.

Street Food – Petrino

If you fancy fresh Greek street food such as wraps, skewers, and tzatziki, this is a great store. They also offer delivery service, so don’t hesitate to give them a call and get your food delivered to the Villas.

Yacht Club – for coffee

This place has a sea deck where I like having a cold coffee or beer during the day from time to time. It is a nice relaxing establishment, ideal for morning coffee or brunch next to the sea.

Tantaros Bakery

This is a very nice family-run bakery. The bread sold there and the majority of traditional and international sweets in the window display are homemade. They recently started offering brunch as well, and they do delivery to the Villas. We enjoyed ordering our morning coffee and breakfast snacks from there.

Senso Mare – for evening cocktails

This is the place for your evening cocktail(s). The establishment looks neat; it’s overlooking Paleros Bay, and the sunset views are incredible from this angle. Why not have a drink during sunset over there?

Cohiba Bar – for late cocktails

This is a small bar in a narrow alley that stays open until late and serves great cocktails; in case you decided to go for a night out.

The area is also known for its wine production, traditional sweets, high-quality honey, meat farms, and local butcher and grocery shops. 

Vineyard – wine tasting Gerokostopoulos

Christos is a charismatic owner that will show you around his vineyard, offer you meze plates combined with plenty of his own produced wine, and pleasant company. You would need to book in advance to form a group of 6+ people. 

Ntourantonis Butcher Shop

Ntourantonis not only has a fine selection of local meats that come in a variety of different meat cuts ideal for Barbeque but also offers free delivery. We’ve never been disappointed ordering from his store to organize our own BBQ in the Villas.

Sklavenitis – Grocery store

You will find pretty much everything in there, including fresh fruits and supplies for food and drinks, if you feel like not moving away from the Villas and prefer cooking yourselves sometimes. It does offer delivery, so you don’t have to move at all!

Don’t miss the chance to taste them!

Discover the other beaches of Paleros

There’s no lack of beaches near Paleros, and you can visit a different beach every day throughout your stay. The Ionian Sea consists of various picturesque beaches and bays, and you can literally swim all along the coast.

There’s a separate article about the best beaches in Paleros on our blog. You can read it to see more photos and gather info on how to reach them. I’ll add here the best beaches near Paleros to give you an initial impression:

1. Vathyavali
2. Potamaki
3. Varko
4. Agios Ioannis
5. Paliouria
6. Our own secluded Beach at Estia Ionian Villas

Spend a day in Lefkada

The stunning island of Lefkada is the absolute gem of the region. Located just half an hour from Paleros, Lefkada is a must-see for your vacation on this side of Greece. You can reach Lefkada easily by car, but you can also take one of the small vessels to reach the island.

The downside of Lefkada is that during the summertime, it is crowded with tourists and, therefore, not an ideal place for a relaxing holiday. That’s why lots of travelers prefer to stay in Paleros to have the best of both worlds: a relaxing holiday by the sea and day trips to Lefkada. The feedback I get from the visitors of Estia Ionian Villas is that Lefkada is a fantastic place to visit and see but not the optimal spot to stay for a relaxed holiday.

However, I encourage you to visit Lefkada from Paleros and spend a day there. World-famous beaches, stunning landscapes, nice cafes, and bars will create everlasting memories from your Greek holidays.

Enjoy some sports in Paleros

The Ionian Sea is a paradise for watersports lovers. Due to the increased popularity and crystal-clear waters, the locals offer various watersports. 

I haven’t come across an organized public waterport spot nearby yet, but for Estia Ionian Villas’ guests, there are a few spare paddleboards and kayaks, so feel free to ask us.

Although practicing common sense when engaged in sea activities is always recommended, enjoying watersports is a perfectly safe activity for everyone. The stunning Paleros Bay is well-protected due to its shape, and you can enjoy paddleboarding, jet skiing, scuba diving, and kayaking.

Simply ask the local operators -and upon request, Estia Ionian Villas can guide you through the rental process.

Travel tip: Paleros tennis club

For tennis lovers, there is a brand new tennis club in Paleros, offering two courts of pro standards, which we highly recommend. See the location on Google Maps here.

Take a boat trip to Kalamos and Kastos

A handful of small islands are just off Paleros Bay, and each of them deserves a visit. To me, the islands that definitely deserve a visit are Kalamos and Kastos.

Kalamos has a few beaches, but I set aside from the rest one called Porto Leone. It’s accessible by boat only, backed up by rocky cliffs, and the waters are swimming pool-like. This looks like those beaches that you come across in advertisements, but you don’t really know where they are located ☺ Well, this is definitely one of those.

Kalamos also has a great restaurant by the sea called Varka, a hidden gem. It has the reputation of hosting various Greek celebs from time to time and is a great option for either ground or seafood.

Kastos village is a gem by itself. It is always very calm, and the local cafes & restaurants get busy only when boats and sea cruisers reach its port. I always enjoyed strolling around the village and having a coffee or drink over there.

There is also a spectacular beach in Kastos called ‘Pisina’ (which stands for swimming pool). Although of the same caliber as the one in Kalamos, I sometimes found it kind of busy with all these yachts lurking around.

You can visit Kalamos and Kastos by departing from Mytikas Bay (a 20-minute drive from Palairos), and once again, upon request, Estia Ionian Villas can arrange your day trip to one of the lesser-known islands of Greece. The boats can be arranged to pick you up from Villas’ seafront so you don’t have to travel at all.

Hike in Mount Sereka

Lace up your hiking boots and explore the natural beauty of Mount Sereka, enjoying panoramic views of Paleros and the surrounding area. That’s the breathtaking yet protective mountain covering Paleros’ back. The mountain is impressive, and if you are into hiking, it’s an unmissable experience.

Once again, common sense is recommended, and if you need more info about hiking trails and difficulty levels, we can further assist you.

Paleros travel tip #1: If you are an experienced cyclist, you can also go mountain biking. The trails are equally stunning -but be prepared for some steep routes!

Paleros travel tip #2: After you are done with your hiking route, stop by the Agios Dimitrios Monastery to wind down a bit, take some photos of the stunning sea view and have some refreshments before you start heading back. 

Visit the historic city of Preveza

The city of Preveza is the biggest in the area and among the most historic places in mainland Greece. In our blog, you can find a comprehensive article about the best day trips from Paleros, but a mention of Preveza has its place in this blog post too. Besides being the closest city to the airport of Aktion, Preveza has enough things to keep you occupied for a day, not to mention its great cafes, restaurants, and bars.

Sea food Restaurant Treli Garida. This place offers amazing fresh seafood at a very reasonable price. It is by far the most reputable seaside restaurant in the city.

Café Roloi. This is a picturesque calm café that stays open until late, sometimes with local bands playing jazz music in the evening.

Located just a few kilometers from Paleros, Preveza is a picturesque coastal town full of history and culture. The oval Ambracian Gulf is a fantastic setting, and the city’s ancient ruins and promenades guarantee a relaxing day of sightseeing. In addition, the ancient Nicopolis, founded by Emperor Augustus, will fascinate every antiquity lover, and a stroll through the town’s back alleys will surely fill your camera roll.

Go sailing in the Ionian Sea

The Ionian Sea is among the best places in Europe to enjoy the sea, and sailing in the Ionian Sea is one of the best things to do in Paleros. Local tour operators can help you plan a sailing trip for a day in the Ionian Sea. Sailing the turquoise waters while enjoying the sun will be a highlight of your Greek vacation.

In addition, if you are more for early evening activities, there are also some fantastic sunset tours in the Ionian Sea. We can arrange such sailing trips from Paleros upon request -just add it to your reservation, and we will do our best to assist you.

Relax and unwind at your luxurious Estia Ionian Villas

Renting one of our luxury villas in Paleros guarantees a very relaxing holiday. And I included this at the bottom of the list of the best things to do in Paleros to remind you that you are here to unwind and treat yourself to some carefree days.

Each of our Villas comes with a private heated infinity pool, and if you feel like not leaving the villas at all for a day or two (or more!), each unit provides everything you need. Part of the Greek holiday fun is relaxing under the sun, taking an occasional dip in your private infinity pool (there’s also a secluded beach in front of our Villas), and preparing food and cocktails under the stars.

Recap: the best things to do in Paleros

Here are the best things to do in Paleros, Greece:

1. Visit Vathiavali Beach
2. Explore Ancient Paleros
3. Taste the local cuisine
4. Discover the beaches of Paleros
5. Visit Lefkada
6. Do some sports
7. Take a day trip to Kalamos and Kastos
8. Hike in Mount Sereka
9. Visit Preveza
10. Go sailing in the Ionian Sea
11. Unwind at your luxurious Villa

Things to do in Paleros: Final thoughts

Paleros is one of the sweetest coastal towns in mainland Greece. Enjoying a strategic location at sea and close to several places of interest, Paleros is a fantastic idea for your Greek holiday. There are plenty of things to do in Paleros, providing the perfect vacation balance: enough things to see and lots of relaxing time.

Please feel free to navigate through the rest of our articles about Paleros, and do not hesitate to contact us for more information. Book your luxurious Villa in Paleros today and enjoy fantastic moments under the starlit sky in your private infinity pool.