A Walk Through Arta’s Old Town
Updated: Sep 12
A city that surprised us
We had only one thing in mind.
We wanted to see the famous Bridge of Arta, wander through the city for a while and then continue on our way.
But after just a few streets, it became clear that Arta had much more to offer than we had expected.
Quick info: Arta Old Town
Location: Arta, Epirus, in northwestern Greece
Ideal for: History, Byzantine churches, architecture, photography, small squares and relaxed exploring on foot
Good to know: Modern-day Arta stands on the remains of ancient Ambracia and was the capital of the Despotate of Epirus during the Middle Ages. That is why a walk through the city reveals buildings and traces from very different periods of history.
Best time: Morning or later in the afternoon, when the streets are pleasant to explore on foot and there is still plenty of time to stop at churches and squares or follow the little discoveries you make along the way.
Unfiltered tip: Don’t try to mark every sight on a map beforehand. What we especially enjoyed about Arta was simply wandering through the city without a fixed plan. We discovered many churches, statues and historic details only because we decided to follow the next street and see where it would take us.
Where to explore: Arta Old Town on Google Maps
History at every turn
Without a city map or looking up the sights beforehand, we simply started walking.
Within just a few minutes, we found ourselves standing in front of a historic building. A few streets further on, we came across another. In between, we discovered small squares and came across statues and monuments that made us curious.
It felt as though another piece of history was waiting for us around every corner.
And that is no coincidence.
The modern city stands on the remains of ancient Ambracia, which was founded in the 7th century BC by settlers from Corinth. King Pyrrhus later made it the capital of his kingdom. Although only scattered traces of that period remain today, the city’s long history seems to follow you wherever you go.
A city with centuries of history
What we found particularly fascinating was that Arta was not only an important city in ancient times.
After the Fourth Crusade in 1204, it became the capital of the Despotate of Epirus and developed into one of the most important cities in northwestern Greece. Many of the Byzantine churches that still shape the cityscape today date from this period.
Perhaps that is why we noticed them so often.
No sooner had we passed one church than another appeared a little further on. In between, narrow streets led past small shops, cafés and houses. Everything felt surprisingly natural – as if history and everyday life had existed side by side here for centuries.
Surprisingly diverse
The longer we walked, the more we discovered.
The medieval castle lies on the edge of the old town and is a reminder of the time when Arta was a political center of the region. Along the way, we kept coming across statues of important figures and small monuments without specifically looking for them.
At the same time, everyday city life carries on all around them.
People drink their coffee, do their shopping or chat in the squares. That is exactly what we liked. The historic buildings are not isolated from the city but are simply part of everyday life.
Beyond the famous bridge
Of course, the Bridge of Arta remains the city’s best-known landmark.
But there is much more to Arta than that.
If you take a little time to explore, you will discover a city whose history stretches back more than two and a half thousand years. From its ancient beginnings as Ambracia and its flourishing period as the capital of the Despotate of Epirus to modern-day Arta, many different eras have left their mark.
Perhaps it is precisely this mix that makes a walk through the city so interesting.
There is no need to rush from one sight to the next or follow a fixed plan. Often, simply walking through the streets and paying attention to what is around you is enough.
Arta Old Town – not what we expected
As we left Arta, we thought once more about our original plan.
We had actually only wanted to see the famous stone bridge.
But in the end, it was our walk through Arta’s old town that stayed with us most. The many churches, the castle, the statues and the small historic details showed us that Arta is much more than just the city of a famous bridge.
These are exactly the kinds of places that make Greece so interesting to us.
They do not tell their story in just one place. It is hidden in the streets, in the squares and between the houses – and sometimes you simply discover it without even looking for it.
Practical tips for your walk through Arta
Arta’s old town is easy to explore on foot. Many interesting places are relatively close to one another, so there is no need to follow a fixed route. That is exactly why it is worth turning into some of the smaller streets along the way.
Comfortable shoes are a good idea, especially if your walk lasts a little longer or you combine it with a visit to the castle and other historic sites. In summer, daytime temperatures can be high, so mornings and late afternoons are usually more pleasant for a longer walk through the city.
If you want to visit historic churches, keep in mind that not every church is open at all times. Appropriate clothing is also expected when entering Orthodox churches.
For photography, it is worth looking beyond the major landmarks. Old façades, small squares, statues, doors and details between the houses often tell you just as much about Arta as its famous sights.
And most importantly: leave yourself some extra time. Arta is the kind of city where an unplanned detour can quickly become more interesting than the route you originally had in mind.
Discover more history and special places in Arta
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