Sivota holidays

Island-hopping trips, colourful Greek cuisine and lazy beach days are all on the cards on a holiday to Sivota.

Islets, mountains and postcard scenery

Sivota's a tree-sprinkled village on the west coast of mainland Greece, wedged between the Pindos Mountains and the Ionian Sea. It’s also right near a cluster of islets that sit just off the shore, meaning you’ve got plenty of sand-and-pebble beaches at your fingertips. As you’ll find with most sandy swathes in Greece, the waters are as clear as gin and the surroundings are like a scene from a postcard – think greenery-topped mountains and boats bobbing gently on the waves. Some of the best beaches within a short drive of the village include Bella Vraka, Gallikos Molos, Zavia and Mega Ammos. With so much choice, you’ll often find these spots have a peaceful atmosphere and plenty of sunbathing space.

Boat trip to Blue Lagoon Beach

With a spot right by the Ionian Sea, sailing trips are hugely popular in Sivota. A must-visit pit stop is Blue Lagoon Beach, which is only accessible by boat and isn’t too far away from the harbour. It has a real away-from-it-all feel, hidden on its own tiny island with sea views as far as the eye can see. As the name suggests, the water’s a glowing Tiffany-blue, and it laps velvety sand backed by chalky white cliffs overhung with foliage. It’s a great place for snorkelling – the water’s like glass – and the sofa-soft sand makes for a perfect reading spot.

Flash the camera in Parga

Sivota’s got plenty going on, with an upbeat harbour filled with pretty tavernas, along with lots of shops selling trinkets, local spirits and olive oil. If you fancy a change of scenery, the slightly bigger town of Parga’s about 40 minutes’ drive down the coastline, and it’s got plenty to see. Colourful houses line a maze of narrow streets, and there’s an 11th-century Venetian castle that sits atop a hill. The port’s lined with seafood restaurants with stellar views, too. If a combo of nature and adrenaline sounds more like your thing, you could venture further inland and go rafting down the Acheron River – it takes about 50 minutes to drive there from Sivota.