Arta (Greek: Άρτα) is a town in Epirus, which draws visitors to it old, impressive stone bridge and the castle ruins in the centre of town.

Understand

Arta's bridge

A provincial town that is worth seeing. The Arachthos River flows to the west with its reservoir lying directly to the north. Its population was 27,000 in 2021.

The city was known in ancient times as Ambracia (Ancient Greek: Ἀμβρακία). Remains of the classic era include the ancient walls, the ruins of an ancient temple of Apollo, a small theatre, and remnants of the southwest cemetery.

Climate

Arta has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Like much of Western Greece, it receives plenty of precipitation, making it one of the wettest cities in Greece.

Get in

Regular bus lines connect Arta with all bigger Greek cities. A bus from Athens departs several times a day and trip takes about 5 hours.

The city is linked with the GR-5 (Antirrio - Ioannina) and the GR-30 which links with Peta and Trikala.

See

• 1 Rogoi Castle. A larger hilltop castle in a beautiful location on a curve of the Louros river. It is an old castle. Its most important period was during the despair of Epirus in the 13th century and at the beginning of the 14th century. The name of the castle comes from the word "arogi" and means "help" as it was used as a refuge during the attacks by the Slavs and Bulgarians on the Coastal population. 
• 2 Bridge of Arta. The iconic medieval Bridge of Arta spans the Arachthos River with four graceful stone arches. Built in the early 17th century on older foundations, it is famous both for its engineering and the haunting local legend of its construction. 

The Church of the Parigoritissa

• 3 Church of the Parigoritissa. A 13th-century Byzantine metropolitan church. The church is a large, almost square three-storey building. It is of the octagonal type, with the central dome supported by eight piers divided into three tiers. There are also four smaller domes on each corner of the church's flat roof, and a lantern. Its interior decoration is rich, with marble revetment up to the level of the galleries, and extensive surviving mosaics and frescoes above that. On the dome the mosaic of the Pantokrator, surrounded by angels, and 12 prophets between the drum's windows. 
• 4 Archaeological Museum of Arta (by the river, close to the historical bridge). The bulk of the collection comes from excavations of the two cemeteries housed outside the walls of the ancient city of Ambracia (east and southwest), from public buildings such as the small and large Greek Theatre, the Temple of Apollo and the Prytaneion, houses and other building residues, as well as ceramic and other laboratories, discovered by archaeological research. The exhibition spans from the Paleolithic up to the Roman period. 
• 5 Church of St. Theodora (southwest of the castle). Dedicated to Arta’s patron saint, a 13th-century noblewoman later revered for her piety. The modest basilica is best known for her elaborately carved tomb and the striking brickwork of its domed narthex. (updated Jun 2026)
• 6 Church of St. Basil of the Agora (southwest of the castle). A small 13th-century basilica, the Church of St. Basil of the Agora stands out for its richly decorated exterior. Bands of coloured glazed tiles and intricate brick patterns make it one of the most distinctive Byzantine façades in Epirus, though the church is usually closed. (updated Jun 2026)
• 7 Arta Castle (Frourio). Perched on a bend of the Arachthos River, built in the mid-13th century by Despot Michael II Komnenos Doukas of the Despotate of Epirus. (updated Jun 2026)
• 8 Church of the Panagia tou Vlakherna (northeast of Arta across the river). A former monastery katholikon notable for its rare triple-domed basilica design. Its varied apses, decorative brickwork, and sculptural details make it one of the most distinctive Byzantine churches in the area. (updated Jun 2026)
• 9 Moni tis Kato Panagia (about 2 km southeast of Arta along the river road to Kommeno). A working convent centred on a 13th-century katholikon. Look for its ktitor inscription of Despot Michael II and the striking Last Judgement fresco on the exterior wall. (updated Jun 2026)
• 10 Church of Ag Dimitrios Katsouris (in the countryside near Plisioi, about 5 km off the road to Kostakio). One of the earliest churches in the Arta region (10th–11th century). Its tall domed drum and layered frescoes reflect both its original construction and later 13th-century additions. (updated Jun 2026)
• 11 Agios Nikolaos Rodias (near the village of Kizates off the Grammenitsa road). A small 13th-century church notable for its bold brick meander decoration. Inside, faint frescoes include rare scenes such as the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. (updated Jun 2026)
• 12 Panagia tou Bryoni (about 7 km from Arta on the road toward Amfilochia, turning for Megarchi). An isolated Byzantine church known for its decorative brickwork. Originally a 12th-century basilica, it was enlarged in 1232 with a dome and crossing. (updated Jun 2026)

Learn

• Technological Educational Institute of Epirus.  

Sleep

• Hotel Vyzantino, Filothei 47042, ☏ +30 26810 52205, info@hotelvyzantino.gr. A 4-star hotel, 5 minutes from the town centre. It has 4 room types. (updated Dec 2020)