Palairos: stunning and unspoilt
- By Simpson Travel
- 26 Jun 2024
- Where to go
"Here we’ve found a stunning location, in a corner of Greece unspoilt, the Greece of our youth…”
Mr Roger W, Varko Villas, 2024
This was the feedback from some of our very first guests to Palairos, and we think they’ve summed up this gorgeous little spot rather perfectly. Palairos – a.k.a. Paleros – sits on the water just across the sea from Lefkada, which is easily accessible by road. Book-ended by beautiful beaches and packed with enticing places to eat, this charming little town offers a serene and more authentically Greek escape, where the dazzling blue waters of the Ionian meet the lush, rolling hills of the mainland. It’s a place where time seems to slow to holiday pace, inviting you to linger over lunch in a traditional taverna or sit with a quiet drink as the sun slips below the horizon at the end of another perfect day. But even in this delightfully relaxed environment, you’ll probably want to get out and about for some gentle exploring, so we asked our local concierge Rania for her must-do recommendations for a holiday in Palairos.
Varko beach
Palairos
Vathiavali beach
Life on the water
Stay in one of our Varko Villas and you can stroll to beautiful Varko beach in 5 minutes, or enjoy the watersports at Vathiavali beach club just a short drive away. To make the most of this unbeatable waterside location, we can arrange to have a motor boat delivered to your villa jetty on arrival (no licence required) so you can spend your week on the water discovering this little-known coastline or hopping over to Meganissi or Lefkada for the day. For more experienced sailors, larger craft are available to rent from Palairos, or you can join a day cruise or fishing trip and let someone else do the driving while you enjoy the view.
Varko beach looking towards Lefkada
Life on the water
Palairos
Head for the hills
Inland you’ll find a lush landscape crisscrossed with hiking trails, ideal for exploring in the cooler spring or autumn months. From gentle walks to more challenging hikes, it’s a wonderful way to discover the natural beauty of this unspoilt region. Alternatively take a wander around the ruins of ancient Palairos a short drive away, where fragments of city walls and watch towers hint at a more turbulent past and the elevated position promises fantastic views. The opening hours can be a little unpredictable, so ask your local concierge if you're planning a visit. If you're feeling fit, mountain bikes are available to hire in Palairos town, though be warned, the road up to the ruins is steep!
Local speciality bourdeto, a spicy fish stew.
Historic vineyards for authentic local flavours
Wine and dine
The catch of the day lands fresh every morning in Palairos, and for sea-food fans, a side trip to Preveza is a must as this elegant harbour town is famed for serving the best prawns in Greece. Look out also for the local speciality bourdeto, a spicy fish stew. The combination of many hours of sunshine and rich fertile soil makes for excellent grape growing conditions, and vineyards such as Gerokostopoulos have thrived in this area since the 1800s. You can visit and taste their wines and enjoy grape varieties you may never have heard of, as well as more familiar names like Moscato and Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc.
However you choose to spend your days, Palairos is a most appealing place to be, whether you’re reliving holiday memories from your youth or discovering this special place for the very first time.
