Always bestprice Travel · Travel itinerary
7 days / 6 nights · History, architecture, walks, Byzantine heritage
Georgios Karaiskakis, Greece
Always bestprice Travel · Contents
7 days / 6 nights · History, architecture, walks, Byzantine heritage
7 days that follow, in the same order, the 15 stops of the guide: day 1: From the medieval bridge to the Byzantine heart of Arta; day 2: From the memory of Karaiskakis to the Battle of Peta; day 3: From the Pournari reservoir to the mountains of Seltsou; day 4: Among the mountain villages of Vourgareli and Athamanio; day 5: The Bridge of Plaka and the Souda Waterfalls; day 6: From Tzoumerka to the Rodia lagoon; day 7: Lagoons of the Amvrakikos and ancient Ambracia.
Day 1 · Walking · 911 m · 10 min · Source: Mapbox · walking
Discover three emblematic monuments of Arta along a mostly pedestrian route.
10:00
Arta Bridge
Spend about an hour at the bridge over the Arachthos River, taking in the stone arches and the different viewpoints from the riverbanks. Stroll along the riverside and reach the bridge on foot from the center or by taxi; from the monument to the castle, allow about 15–20 minutes on foot. The exterior visit is free; any expenses are mainly for coffee or transport, typically 2–10 €.
For photos, also walk along the opposite side of the river from the center; be careful of the uneven ground near the banks.
12:00
Arta Castle
Reach the castle on foot in about 15–20 minutes, heading toward the historic center, and allow 60–90 minutes to observe the walls and outdoor areas. It’s a good spot for a leisurely walk and a shaded break; after your visit you can stop for lunch at a tavern in the center, budgeting roughly 12–25 € per person. Access to indoor spaces or organized tours, if available, may involve different conditions and costs: check in advance on the official website or with local authorities.
Lunch is a break outside the stop count; bring water, especially on hot days.
15:30
Panagia Parigoritria
From the castle, continue on foot for about 10–15 minutes to the church, allowing 45–60 minutes for the visit and to appreciate its Byzantine architecture and decorations. Spend time on the details of the façade and, if access is permitted, the interior; dress respectfully and check in advance for any visit rules. Admission may be free or subject to a contribution depending on current arrangements: budget roughly 0–5 € and check official information.
After the visit, leave time for a break and a stroll through the center before dinner; check opening hours and access arrangements on official channels.
Getting to know two places of historical memory in the Arta area, arranging the visits in a practical driving route.
10:00
Skoulikaria (Karaiskakis Museum)
Allow about 60–90 minutes for the visit and to explore the connection between Skoulikaria and Georgios Karaiskakis, a military figure of the Greek War of Independence. Before leaving Arta, allow roughly 45–60 minutes by car, checking the updated route: inland roads can be winding and travel times vary. Admission, if charged, may be free or require a contribution; check the official website or local authorities for access, visiting hours, and costs.
Contact the municipality or the relevant cultural body in advance to confirm visiting arrangements; do not assume access is possible without an appointment.
14:30
Battle of Peta Monument
Drive to Peta: allow roughly 60–75 minutes from Skoulikaria, checking the route and road conditions before departure. On site, take 30–45 minutes to observe the monument and read any commemorative inscriptions related to the 1822 battle. The monument is an outdoor stop; for an extended visit of the area or any guided activities, check availability and costs in advance, as they may vary.
Plan a lunch break of about an hour along the way, without straying too far from the route; bring water and comfortable shoes.
Discovering two distinctive places in the Arta hinterland, alternating a water landscape with mountain history.
10:00
Pournari Dam
From Arta, you can reach the dam area in about 25–40 minutes by car, following local roads and stopping only at publicly accessible viewpoints: the hydroelectric facilities and their service areas are not open to casual visitors. Set aside about an hour for the view over the reservoir and the surrounding slopes; bring water and suitable shoes for any short uneven stretches. The scenic stop is generally free of charge, while fuel and parking, if needed, should be considered separately.
Do not stop on the roadway or go beyond barriers or warning signs; check road conditions and access points in advance.
13:30
Seltsou Monastery
Allow roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes–2 hours and 15 minutes by car from the dam, with an itinerary to check before setting off: inland roads are winding and the final stretch may be narrow or rough. Plan a lunch break along the way and, once at the monastery, devote about 60–90 minutes to the accessible areas and to taking in the mountain setting and the site's historical memory. Admission may be free or subject to local arrangements that are not uniform: consider 0–5 € per person as a purely indicative amount and verify opening hours, access, and directions on the official website or with local authorities; for the return to Arta, allow about 1 hour and 30 minutes–2 hours.
The actual visit depends on the site's accessibility and the road; bring water, a light jacket, and shoes with good grip.
Discover two villages in the Tzoumerka area, alternating gentle walks, mountain scenery, and a pause devoted to local cuisine.
10:00
Village of Vourgareli
Spend about three hours in the village center, exploring the square, the stone fountains, and the lanes among the traditional houses on foot. If accessible, you can include a visit to the Monastery of Saint George: check in advance any access and visiting arrangements through official or local channels. Walking around the village is usually free; expect about 3–6 € for a coffee and 12–22 € for a simple lunch.
Wear comfortable shoes and ask locally for directions to the points of interest without detours.
14:30
Village of Athamanio
After lunch, drive to Athamanio: the transfer is short, but on mountain roads it is wise to allow about 20–30 minutes and drive unhurriedly. Spend the afternoon strolling through the village and enjoying views of the surrounding mountains; plan a stop for a drink or dinner in a taverna, depending on the services available that day. The walk is free; for a drink, expect about 3–6 €, and for dinner, roughly 15–25 € per person.
Before setting off, check road conditions and the availability of local services; for any visits to buildings or sites, consult official information.
Discover two distinctive places in the Tzoumerka, setting aside time to visit the bridge and the trail to the waterfalls.
09:30
Plaka Bridge
From Arta, reach the bridge by car in about 1–1,5 hours, depending on traffic and the route chosen; the roads are mountainous and require careful driving. Set aside about an hour to admire the stone arch, the Arachthos River, and the setting of the bridge, rebuilt after the collapse in 2015. Access from the outside does not normally involve a paid museum visit: allow €0–5 for any services or parking and check the official website for any notices and access conditions.
Wear shoes with sturdy soles: near the river, the ground may be uneven or damp.
13:30
Souda Waterfalls
Continue by car toward Theodoriana: the drive from the bridge can take about 1–1,5 hours on winding roads, so plan a lunch break along the way and check your navigation before setting off. From the arrival area, follow the marked trail to the waterfalls, allowing roughly 20–40 minutes on foot round trip, depending on conditions and pace. Take in the waterfalls and the gorge vegetation without approaching slippery edges; allow for €0–5 for any local services and check the official website for up-to-date information on access and trail conditions.
After rain, the trail can be muddy; bring water, hiking shoes, and a waterproof layer.
Discover the mountain character of Melissourgoi and take in the lagoon landscape of Rodia in the same day.
08:30
Mountain village of Melissourgoi
Leave Arta around 06:30 by car: the drive to Melissourgoi takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes–2 hours, though mountain roads can make the journey longer. Spend about two hours walking through the village lanes and enjoying views over the Tzoumerka; bring shoes with good grip and stop for a snack, budgeting around 4–10 € per person. Access to the village usually does not require a ticket, but any local services or guided visits may have their own costs.
Refuel before leaving Arta and check road conditions in the mountains in advance.
14:00
Rodia Lagoon (Koronisia)
Plan on about 2 hours and 45 minutes–3 hours of driving from Melissourgoi, with a lunch break along the way: for a simple meal, budget roughly 12–25 € per person. In the Koronisia area, spend two to three hours observing the lagoon, the stretches of water, and the birdlife from accessible viewpoints, without approaching sensitive areas; a short walk is preferable during the hottest hours. Enjoying the landscape may be free, but any services, excursions, or regulated access have fees that should be checked in advance; after the visit, return to Arta, about 30–45 minutes away by car.
Bring binoculars, water, and sunscreen; check the official site or with local operators for any rules, services, and costs before visiting.
Explore the wetland habitats of the gulf and finish with a visit to the remains of ancient Ambracia in Arta.
08:00
Amvrakikos Gulf National Wetlands Park
Leave Arta by car for Koronisia: the route is about 25–30 km and takes roughly 35–45 minutes, depending on traffic and the chosen viewpoint. Spend the morning making short stops along the accessible public areas and enjoying a peaceful walk near the lagoon, observing channels, pools of water, and birds with binoculars if available; avoid getting close to nests or leaving the permitted paths. Access to the natural area may be free, while any guided excursions or boat activities have variable prices: check availability, rules, and costs with local operators or on official channels. Plan a lunch break in Koronisia or on the return journey, budgeting around 12–25 € per person for a simple meal.
Bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars; for wildlife, morning is often best, but sightings are not guaranteed.
14:30
Archaeological Site of Ambracia
Head back by car toward Arta, allowing about 35–45 minutes, and take your time visiting the archaeological remains attributed to ancient Ambracia, set within the urban center. Observe the preserved structures and the relationship between the ancient settlement and the modern city; combine the visit with a stroll through the center, without straying too far from the site. Allow 60–90 minutes for this stop; admission may be free or require a ticket, typically in the range of 0–10 €, to be verified on official channels before visiting. Leave time for a café stop or dinner in Arta, with an estimated cost of 5–10 € for a break and 15–30 € for a meal.
Archaeological areas can have varying access rules and visiting arrangements: check official information in advance and respect any boundaries.
| Local transport and short taxi rides, if needed | 0–20 € |
| Lunch in a taverna | 12–25 € per person |
| Coffee, water and snacks | 4–12 € |
| Any contributions or entrance fees | 0–10 € |
| Dinner | 15–30 € per person |
Indicative amounts for a typical day, to be checked before departure. The local currency in Greece is the euro (€). The amounts are approximate estimates per person and may vary depending on the season, choice of venues, transportation, and access conditions; check any fees and information on official websites before visiting.

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