Just 25 km. from the city of Arta you will find a picturesque fishing village that seems to float on the water. This is Koronisia, which lies at the center of the Ambracian Gulf and is connected to the mainland by a strip of land.
If you ever find yourself in the Arta area and someone suggests you visit Koronisia, dont miss the chance. It is a picture-postcard village - in the middle of the Ambracian Gulf wetland. A place where, especially when seen from above, you can appreciate its beauty.
To reach this picturesque fishing village, which lies about 25 kilometers from the city of Arta, you must cross a narrow strip of land between two lagoons, Logarou and Tsoukalio. The route will reward you with magical views. The islet is famed for its natural beauty as well as its fish tavernas, and makes an alternative and tranquil destination especially for nature lovers.
Koronisia Arta: A picturesque fishing village worth discovering
Koronisia is located at the center of the Ambracian Gulf, one of the countrys most important wetlands. Those who visit are impressed by the journey, the natural environment and the villages picturesque character. The houses spread in a circle on a small rise with views toward the enclosed sea, while boats moor in the small harbor, supplying the fish tavernas with fresh fish and seafood (dont miss trying the famous Ambracian Gulf prawns).
Beyond the natural environment, it is worth taking a little time to visit the Byzantine church of Panagia of Koronisia which dates from the 7th (others say the 10th) century and corresponds to a rare type of cross-in-square semi-inscribed domed church.
Koronisia is an ideal destination for birdwatching. In particular, about 35 pairs of the Dalmatian pelican breed in the Tsoukalio lagoon, considered an endangered species. It is the rarest pelican species and the largest waterbird in the world.
Ambracian Gulf: A rare wetland
A National Park since 2008, the Ambracian Gulf is one of the most important wetlands of Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. The principal creators of the vast wetland of the Ambracian are the two great rivers that flow into the gulf, the Arachthos and the Louros. The position and shape of the gulf create a large (400 sq km) and protected sea with a rich and varied coastal zone. Large and small lagoons, long low barrier islands that separate the lagoons from the sea, over 295 species of birds, scattered monuments, towns and villages that spread across three regional units, offer the visitor scenes of rare beauty.
