Preveza is a city full of contrasts and hidden corners. It has much to reveal to those who truly take the time to get to know it.
Below you’ll find 3+1 facts about Preveza that you might not have known—and that will surely make you see the city in a whole new light.
If you take a close look at the map, you’ll notice that Preveza seems to “float” between the Ambracian Gulf and the Ionian Sea. What few people know is that the entire city—and the peninsula it sits on—is connected to mainland Greece by only a narrow strip of land. This point lies between ancient Nikopolis and Monolithi Beach. It’s the only piece of earth preventing Preveza from actually being… an island! Both geologically and visually, it resembles an island landscape—which is one of the reasons why so many visitors feel like they’re on an island, even though they’re still in Epirus.
The Ambracian Gulf, which embraces Preveza from the east, is not just an impressive gulf—it is a natural treasure of global environmental significance. The estuaries of the Louros and Arachthos rivers form a precious ecosystem filled with lagoons, salt marshes, and rare wildlife. More than 280 bird species have been recorded here, while the Ambracian Gulf is home to one of the very few permanent populations of bottlenose dolphins in a closed gulf in Europe! It is a protected NATURA 2000 area and an ideal destination for ecotourism, birdwatching, and peaceful boat rides through a unique natural world.
Preveza and its surrounding area hide significant archaeological treasures. Ancient Nikopolis, founded by Octavian Augustus after his victory at the Battle of Actium, is the largest surviving Roman monument in Greece. The Necromanteion of Acheron, one of a kind, was believed in antiquity to be a gateway for communication with the Underworld. In Kassopi, the ruins of a once-thriving city of Epirus reveal an impressive urban layout. Every site around Preveza offers a journey through History.
In the heart of the old town, Preveza once had a small artificial canal. It was created during the Venetian period and allowed small boats to access the town’s interior from the port for transporting goods. The footbridges crossing it gave the area an atmosphere reminiscent of a mini Venice! Today, the canal has been filled in, but longtime residents of Preveza keep the memories of this unique corner of the city alive—one that surprises every visitor who learns its story.
