A small town on the south shore of the Ambracian Gulf, 20 minutes from Preveza through the Aktion tunnel, under a hilltop castle, with a pine-covered islet joined to the shore by a bridge.
About Vonitsa
Vonitsa sits on the south shore of the Ambracian Gulf in Aetolia-Acarnania, about 20 km (20 minutes) from Preveza through the Aktion tunnel. It is the seat of the municipality of Aktio-Vonitsa and had 4,264 residents in the 2021 census.
The town grew up near ancient Anactorium, a Corinthian colony founded in 630 BC, which faded after the Romans founded Nicopolis across the gulf and moved its people there. Byzantine Vonitsa was the last stronghold of the Despotate of Epirus before the Ottomans took it in 1479; Venice held it from 1684 to 1797, and it became part of Greece in 1832. In October 1862 an uprising began here that spread to Athens and ended with the fall of King Otto.
The castle on the hill above the town is its main sight and has been listed as a Byzantine monument since 1922. In the bay in front of the town, the pine-covered islet of Koukoumitsa is joined to the shore by a bridge; it is a place for walks, and local associations hold plays, concerts and dances there. The lighthouse gives a view back to the castle.
Good to know
- Walk across the bridge to Koukoumitsa, then to the lighthouse for the view of the castle.
- It is close enough for an evening visit: 20 minutes each way.
Help keep it unspoiled: take your rubbish with you, never light fires outdoors in summer, and respect wildlife and local life. How to travel responsibly
Photos
Frequently asked questions
How far is Vonitsa from Preveza?
About 20 km by road, roughly 20 minutes from Preveza town centre through the Aktion tunnel.
What is there to see in Vonitsa?
The castle on the hill above the town, the islet of Koukoumitsa joined to the shore by a bridge, the lighthouse with its view of the castle, and the old churches of the town.
Which region is Vonitsa in?
Aetolia-Acarnania, across the Ambracian Gulf from Preveza. It is the seat of the municipality of Aktio-Vonitsa.
Last updated 19 October 2026. Information checked against en.wikipedia.org. Spotted something out of date? Use “Suggest a place” in the footer.
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