Arta Between River, Lagoon and History

Arta brings together urban history and nature and cultural experiences: the Arachthos, Peranthi City Forest and the historic bridge each have their own appeal; around Koronisia, the lagoon, fishing village and other buildings come into focus. To plan your trip, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on—for example, outdoor activities, archaeological and Byzantine history, or the waterside landscape.

City Forest, Arachthos and Wetland

Peranthi Hill is Arta’s city forest. It is suitable for walking, running, cycling and exploring. The Riverside Park on the Arachthos offers a different landscape: it lies on the eastern edge of Arta, behind Krystalli Square and the central bus station, and covers approximately 165,000 square metres. It includes a small lake ecosystem and a thriving wetland; visitors can walk and relax there. Fishing is prohibited.

The two places appeal to different interests: several activities are mentioned at Peranthi, while the Riverside Park combines a wetland and lake ecosystem with walking. If you want to include outdoor activity in your trip, you can compare these options with the Vidra Trail, whose route and length are clearly defined.

Arta Between Ancient and Byzantine History

The Historic Bridge of Arta is 142 metres long and 3.75 metres wide. It acquired its present form between 1602 and 1606. Beneath the present-day city of Arta lies the ancient city of Amvrakia, which occupies half the area of the modern city. The Small Theatre of Amvrakia is also part of this ancient heritage: it was built between the late 4th and early 3rd century BC during the reign of Pyrrhus.

The Byzantine Castle of Arta stands on a hill in the northeastern part of the city and incorporates sections of Amvrakia’s ancient fortifications. It dates from the Middle Byzantine period, is considered a typical example of Byzantine fortification and is a striking testament to medieval Arta. The Church of Panagia Parigoritissa is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and holds a prominent place in the history of Byzantine art. The Faik Pasha Mosque, also known as Imaret, is one of the two surviving mosques in Arta, along with the Faizul Mosque.

The Archaeological Museum of Arta opened in 2009 near the Arachthos and the Historic Bridge. Its permanent exhibition is organised into sections on public life, burial customs and private life. On 16 July 2024, the museum was recognised as a certified museum, making it one of the first fully modernised state museums in Greece. For those interested in cultural history, the exhibition and archaeological sites offer different perspectives, from everyday life to ancient and Byzantine buildings.

Koronisia: Lagoon, Fishing Village and Buildings

The fishing village of Koronisia was developed as a tourist destination for its natural beauty and fresh fish. A causeway connects it to the mainland. The Tsoukalio Lagoon, habitat of the rare and endangered Dalmatian pelican, lies near Koronisia. Approximately 35 pairs are reported at the lagoon; this number may vary seasonally. The Salaora Information Centre features an exhibition on the human and natural environment of the Amvrakikos Gulf, a relief map of the region, live images from the pelican colony and audiovisual information for visitors.

The buildings also offer their own historical highlights: the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in Koronisia is a Middle Byzantine structure dating from the late 10th century. The small, well-preserved Koulia Castle stands in the southern part of the settlement of Koronisia, on Koronisia Island, and today serves as a venue for events.

Route and Events

The Vidra Trail runs partly through the municipalities of North Tzoumerka and Arta, follows mainly the west bank of the Arachthos and is 17.560 kilometres long. It starts at Plaka Bridge, passes over Tzari Bridge and ends at the hydroelectric complex in the lowlands of Skoupa. This specific route differs from the varied activities at Peranthi and provides a clearly defined course for planning.

The Cultural Summer is organised by the Municipality of Arta, local cultural associations and private organisers. It runs from June to September and includes more than a hundred events. At the Sardine Festival in Aneza, sardines are served to the public free of charge, alongside traditional songs and dances and local food. The festival takes place in August and is organised by the local cultural association and the Municipality of Arta. Check the date and current programme before your trip.

Choose a Base for Your Holiday Apartment

If you want to focus on museums, ancient sites and Byzantine buildings, you can search for a holiday apartment in Arta. If the lagoon, fishing village and buildings in Koronisia are of particular interest to you, include that place name in your search. This lets you choose your base according to the experiences that matter most to you on your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Lákka, Árta, Trapezaki, Anatolí, Theodoriana, Kypseli, Katarraktis, Vourgareli, Agnanta, Mytikas, Melissourgoi, Athamanio, Rodavgi, Agios Spiridon, Koronisia, Mesopirgos, Kostakii.

For the regional travel overview: Epirus.