Making the most of Preveza
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The port is in Preveza, where the town's long principal shopping street runs from the harbour in its southern district.
Allow about twenty minutes to walk from the port in the St. Nikolaos area, which is always under construction, to the town centre. St. Nikolaos is the chapel visible from the ferry on a hill overlooking the harbour. A minibus has recently begun running between the two for passengers' convenience.
Consult the cruise schedule for Preveza.
Preveza is a town in the Epirus periphery of north-western Greece, at the entrance to the Ambracian Gulf. It is a commercial harbour, significant visitor destination and tourism centre for the region. The remains of ancient Nicopolis stand 7 km north of the town.
Preveza is known for its ancient and historic landscapes and for roe caviar.
Preveza has two castles: the Castle of St Andrew's to the north and the Castle of St George's at the city's southern end. Its main stronghold is the Fortress of Pantokrator, named for a small church constructed on top. This coastal fortress stands 2 miles west of Preveza beside the Ionian Sea. Now abandoned and extremely easy to access, the site appears destined to deteriorate rapidly.
Unlike numerous other seaside towns, Preveza resists changing for mass tourism and retains much of its original character. Excellent beaches surround the town and visitors have plenty of places to discover. A choral festival takes place in July, followed the next month by a festival devoted to the sardine.
Getting around
Preveza is a marvellous town for wandering, with narrow, twisting, pedestrian-only streets and ageing buildings.
Completed in 2002, the Aktio–Preveza Undersea Tunnel substantially reduces travel time between opposite sides of the gulf and the nearby island of Lefkada, itself a major tourist destination.
Nearby places
Aktion lies across the narrow gulf, while Nikopolis, scene of the Battle of Actium where Octavius defeated Antony and Cleopatra, stands to the north. The once-powerful fortress is ruined, but its Byzantine walls and theatre survive alongside traces of Roman baths and an aqueduct. Many period artefacts are displayed in the museum on site. Anyone interested in archaeology, mythology or history should not miss Nikopolis.
Money
The currency is the Euro.
Staying connected
The language is Greek.
Call the FIRE BRIGADE on 199.
Call the POLICE on 100.
Call an AMBULANCE on 166.
Call the COAST GUARD on 108.
Opening Hours and
Public Services open Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 2.00pm. Retail Stores & Speciality Shops trade Monday to Friday, 9am – 1.30pm and again from 5pm – 9pm, plus Saturdays, 9am – 2pm. Supermarkets open Monday to Friday, 9am – 9pm, and Saturdays, 9am – 6pm. Most Tourist Shops and Convenience Stores have no official hours and usually remain open from dawn until well after midnight in summer.