The best day trips from Paleros

The best day trips from Paleros

Paleros, a millennia-old city, enjoys a strategic location in mainland Greece. The quiet beachfront town is an ideal place to base yourself if you want to explore western Greece. And while there are plenty of things to do in Paleros to keep you occupied, you can also take some excellent day trips from Paleros.

As a local, I’m always keen to share my knowledge about Paleros and from the feedback I get from the guests at the Estia Ionian Villas. In this blog post, you will find the best day trips from Paleros and what to expect. You can also see how you could reach each place and a few photos from the area.

So, after this short introduction, let’s discover the best day trips from Paleros, Greece.

The best day trips from Paleros

Even though the region has lots of sightseeing, I will only share towns and locations that are less than 100 km away from Paleros. We at Estia Ionian Villas prefer to take it easy ☺ and have plenty of time to discover and experience new places during the holiday.

See our suggestions that take approximately 30 – 60 minutes to reach:

Lefkada

Lefkada is the undeniable pearl of the area. Located just half an hour from Paleros, Lefkada is among the most famous Greek islands. And there’s a good reason for that.

The island is known for its fantastic beaches -Porto Katsiki is the most famous- and jaw-dropping landscapes. Over the last decades, it has become popular among youngsters for its vibrant nightlife and memorable parties. 

I highly recommend visiting Lefkada from Paleros to see one of the most iconic Greek islands. Lefkada town might be too noisy if you are after a relaxing holiday by the sea, so while you can visit Lefkada several times during your vacation, by car or boat, staying there might not give you a much-needed break from daily rhythms.

No matter what, Lefkada is the jewel of the Ionian Sea, and it’ll be a pity not to visit while vacationing in Paleros.

How to reach Lefkada from Paleros

There’s no need to take a ferry to Lefkada. Nowadays, a bridge connects Lefkada and mainland Greece, and you can quickly drive between Paleros and Lefkada in ca. 30 minutes. The distance from Paleros to Lefkada is just 30 kilometers (~18,6 mi), and it’s common for travelers to go to Lefkada town even twice a day.

Preveza

In the city of Preveza, you can find nice cafes, great restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife with bars and clubs. Paleros’ proximity to the Ambracian Gulf means that many daily excursions can be on this side of the region, and the city of Preveza is ideal to pay a visit, as it faces both the Ionian Sea and the Ambracian Gulf. Also known as the Gulf of Actium (the place where the famous naval battle took place during the Roman civil war), the Ambracian Gulf is one of the largest enclosed gulfs in Greece and a National Park. There are some beautiful waterfront towns on its shores -and Preveza is the must-see one.

Preveza is one of Greece’s most picturesque waterfront cities, and it is home to more than 20,000 inhabitants. Apart from its wonderful promenade, Preveza lies next to the famous ruins of Nicopolis, which translates to the victorious city and is nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO world heritage list. 

Ancient Nicopolis is a city built by Augustus Octavius to celebrate his win against Mark Anthony and Cleopatra in the Battle of Actium mentioned above. Although all you can see today are ruins, it is believed that Nicopolis hosted more than 150,000 people at its peak. 

The site of Nicopolis can be a standalone day trip for history lovers, but I think it’s best to be combined with a visit to Preveza.

How to reach Preveza from Paleros

It’s an easy drive from Paleros to Preveza, and you will need approximately 30 minutes to reach it. The distance between Paleros and Preveza is 34 kilometers (~21,1 miles), and the drive is scenic, with views of the Ambracian Gulf from one side and the Ionian Sea from the other.

Island-hopping trips from Paleros

The Ionian Sea is known for its islands. However, there are some islands you might haven’t even heard of -and guess what, you can visit them from Paleros! Most of them are within 10 to 20 minutes by speedboat.

Yes, the beautiful Palairos Bay overlooks Lefkada; however, in between, you’ll see a bunch of other islands -and I can assure you they are stunning.

The names might sound equally exotic: Meganisi, Kastos, Kalamos, and Scorpios (actually, we named two of our villas after them ☺). Meganisi is the biggest of the three islands and has a population of almost 1,000. The islands are famous for their fresh fish, a few seafood taverns, and crystal-clear waters.

At this point, I need to mention one little islet in between the islands above called Phermikoula (or Formikoula). For strange reasons, it hasn’t been advertised ever (even the locals don’t acknowledge its existence), but it would pleasantly surprise you. It has exotic vibes; it’s a beautiful island that attracts migratory birds and seals, which you might be able to see if lucky enough; last July, I visited the island and could literally see them everywhere swimming around!!

A day trip from Paleros to Meganisi, Kalamos, Kastos, and Scorpios is a rewarding activity: discovering Greece’s hidden gems is always a great idea.

My vote goes to Kalamos and Kastos, though, if I had limited time and couldn’t visit all of them.

How to reach Meganisi, Kastos, and Kalamos from Paleros

Several local tour operators offer island hopping day trips to the islands. Of course, you can visit Meganisi, Kastos, and Kalamos separately -and that’s probably the sweetest option.
For the guests of Estia Ionian Villas, we can arrange day trips to the islands upon request. We work with the best operators in Paleros to ensure an unforgettable experience. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!

Parga

Parga, another beautiful waterfront city in mainland Greece, is one of the nicest day trips from Paleros. But this time, you’ll have to drive for more than an hour. However, the city’s rising popularity makes it a must-see location on this side of Greece -even though the quiet days of Parga are long gone.

The most iconic landmark, hands down, is Parga Castle. Dating back to the 11th century, Parga Castle protected the inhabitants from invasions and pirates. As was the case with Western Greece once upon a time, the Venetians ruled Parga, and the city owes the castle’s reconstruction and fortification to them.

Apart from its Castle, Praga is famous for its stunning beaches. If you visit Palairos during summer and planning to visit Parga as well, don’t miss the chance to swim at Valtos and Kryoneri Beach, two of the most famous beaches of mainland Greece. The water is deep and a bit cold, but it is totally worth it.

Finally, there are two little islands, Paxoi and Antipaxoi, just opposite Parga. Ferry boats depart from Parga’s port every morning and return during the evening. A few people like to combine the trip to Parga with a visit to those two islands but be aware that this is physically demanding and will have to spend the entire day.

How to reach Parga from Paleros

The distance between Paleros and Parga is 92 kilometers (~57 miles). The road is in good condition, and you won’t need more than one hour and twenty minutes to reach Parga from Paleros. In addition, a big part of this drive is next to the sea, and it’s one of the most scenic drives on Greece’s western coast.

Acheron River

Finally, another excellent day trip from Paleros is a visit to the Acheron River and the archaeological site of Acheron necromancy that dates back to 1200 BC! Now, even though the name might not ring a bell, that’s one of the must-see places for Greek antiquity lovers. Although the 52 kilometers long river is a standalone destination, since it’s more distant than other places from Paleros, it’s always better to combine it with your day trip to Parga (as an alternative to Paxoi and Antipaxoi islands visit).

What makes the Acheron River so unique anyway? According to Ancient Greek mythology, the Acheron River was one of the five rivers of the Greek underworld. That is why the necromancy was situated over there. In the Homeric poems, that’s the river of Hades.

To better understand Acheron’s significance, even Dante wrote in the Inferno – obviously, dozens of ancient Greek writers and philosophers, including Plato and Aeschylus, wrote about it too.

How to reach the Acheron River from Paleros

As I already mentioned, the Acheron River is near Parga. Specifically, the distance between Paleros and the River Acheron is 88 kilometers (54 miles), and you need one hour and fifteen minutes to reach it. For Greek antiquity lovers, that’s a must-see location.

A summary of the best day trips from Paleros

So, here are the best day trips you can take from Paleros:

• Lefkada
• Preveza
• Meganisi, Kastos, Kalamos, Atokos, and Scorpios island-hopping
• Parga
• Acheron River

The best day trips from Paleros: conclusion

There’s no lack of activities when it comes to Paleros. Apart from the sightseeing you can do in town, there are some fantastic day trips from Paleros to get a deeper understanding of the region.

Nearby towns such as Preveza, stunning islands like Lefkada, Kastos, and Kalamos, or more distant places like Parga and the Acheron River will keep you occupied for days without tiring you.

The important thing is to have a beautiful landscape and a peaceful place to relax after a long day out. And that’s why Paleros offers the best of both worlds: enough places to see close to it and the most relaxing spot on this side of Greece.