Greece Castle to Castle (Parga)

We were in Greece enjoying a nice getaway. Whilst here we decided to hike from Parga Castle to Ali Pasha Castle. 

Parga Castle, is a historic fortress located in the town of Parga.  It sits on the northwestern coast of Greece overlooking the Ionian Sea. The castle is one of Parga's most notable landmarks and offers stunning views of the town and sea.

Ali Pasha Castle, also known as the Fortress of Ali Pasha Tepelena. It refers to several fortifications related to Ali Pasha of Ioannina. He was an Ottoman Albanian ruler who governed the Pashalik of Yanina and much of mainland Greece in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He left behind a legacy that included various architectural structures.

The scenic path begins at Valtos, near Parga's western edge. It heads northwest, rising to the village of Anthousa. The path goes around two hills, leading to the top of the second hill where Ali Pasha's Castle is located.

This route is rated medium difficulty. Many use it for mountain biking and sightseeing drives.  It makes for a beautiful hike.  This route is open and beautiful year-round.

We started the hike at Parga Castle, a short walk from Valtos Beach. It would end up being a 16km hike with a 448m ascent.  We decided to explore Parga Castle upon our return as we wanted to get started.

The weather was in the high 20s and quite humid. This made for a hot sweaty slog.  Especially once we started taking on the steeper roads after leaving the beach.

Along the way, we found a watermill museum with a café, Mylos Cafe.  Given the humidity, it provided a needed break for a cold drink and was an interesting place to stop. The building housed an old watermill.  It has been transformed into a museum that displays milling equipment, traditional tools and items of clothing.

Around a third of this route was on roads. Passing villas and hotels. It was tempting to take more breaks and dive into the swimming pools to cool off.

We made it to Ali Pasha Castle, via a circular road winding anticlockwise until you get to the entrance.

The view at the top was a great one even if the weather started to turn with some rain.

Unlike Parga castle this one has little in terms of local amenities so be sure to bring water.

So after a bit exploring, we headed back towards the coast

The views along the coast are beautiful, but have little shade from the sun.

Along the way, we made a diversion through some olive trees to the Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna.  It’s a Byzantine monastery built before the 12th century. The bell tower has a height of 15 meters. The monastery is well worth exploring.

We finally returned to Valtos Beach passing many yachts along the way.  From here, we made our way up the hill back to Parga Castle for a little more exploring.

Parga Castle is deceptively huge.  We spent hours exploring.  We climbed to the top to enjoy the stunning views of Parga town, the Ionian Sea, and the nearby islands.  We also explored the paths, battlements, and nooks. 

Finally, we headed back to our hotel.  We had some drinks down in Parga town with a great view of Parga castle.

Final Thoughts

Our trek from Parga Castle to Ali Pasha Castle was a memorable one.  It spanned 16km with notable ascents.

Greece's natural beauty and rich history were evident throughout the journey from the ancient castles to the serene Ionian Sea views. Key stops, including the Mylos Cafe and the Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna, added depth to our experience.

If you find yourself in this part of Greece, I'd recommend this hike for a mix of history, nature, and adventure.

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