Epirus
Accommodation in Epirus
Epirus offers a wide range of experiences: Ioannina’s urban history, the ancient sites of Dodona and Kastritsa, the stone paths of Zagori, and the cheese and wine traditions of Metsovo. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider which of these aspects of the region you want to shape your trip. Ioannina is the capital of Epirus and lies in the centre of the Ioannina Basin, west of Lake Pamvotida, also known as Lake Ioannina. Today, the city is also an important transport hub for the region.
Ioannina and the ancient sites
The city’s most important monument is Ioannina Castle. Its walls and buildings tell a long and complex story. In the city centre, the museum on Litharitsia Hill houses numerous exhibits from across Epirus. Anyone interested in urban history and regional collections will find two different ways to explore Ioannina here: the castle as a historic structure and the museum with its broad regional perspective.
At Dodona, a sanctuary of Zeus and a large ancient theatre are the focal points of the archaeological site. The theatre is one of Epirus’s best-known landmarks. A large part of the restored theatre hosts performances and other events during the Dodona Festival; restoration work is ongoing. The site thus combines archaeological significance with a present-day role as a venue, without implying a fixed schedule for performances. Kastritsa also offers a glimpse into ancient history: the hill preserves the remains of one of the largest fortified ancient cities in Epirus. They cover 34.5 hectares and are preserved to a considerable extent and height.
Zagori: villages, paths and hiking
In Zagori’s cultural landscape, stone arch bridges, cobbled paths and stone steps form an impressive network. It connects the villages and communities, primarily in the basin of the Voïdomatis River. The villages of Zagori are well suited to hiking. If you would like to combine exercise with an interest in traditional stonework, this part of Epirus is a good fit for your travel interests. The North Pindos National Park information centres provide free information materials and details about attractions, viewpoints and hiking trails. This can help you explore the subjects and routes that interest you in greater detail.
Metsovo and regional traditions
Metsovo is a traditional settlement with distinctive architecture and typical stone houses built by renowned Epirote stonemasons. Local production and cultural traditions also make the town interesting: the Tossizza Cheese Factory produces several varieties as part of the local cheesemaking tradition, including the famous Metsovone. Metsovo’s winegrowing and winemaking traditions are listed in Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Katogi Averoff Winery was founded to revive the old winegrowing tradition.
Other facets of the region
The open-air Hydropower Museum in Anthohori illustrates the importance of hydropower in pre-industrial societies. Its facilities include a fulling mill dating from the second half of the 18th to the early 19th century, a watermill and a mandani. The Cultural Via Egnatia offers a different perspective on the region: this cultural route follows the course of the ancient Via Egnatia and crosses Epirus; today, it has been revived in the form of the modern Egnatia Highway. Anyone interested in historic technology, cultural history or regional architectural styles can take these subjects into account alongside urban and nature-based experiences when planning a trip.
For further orientation within the region, explore its subregions: Preveza, Thesprotia, Ioannina and Arta.
For the broader travel overview: Greece.
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