Discover Perama: Cave and Ioannina

Perama draws the eye underground: Perama Cave lies on Goritsa Hill in the Ioannina suburb of Perama. Its geological history extends far beyond human timescales. At the same time, its location and the ride on the tourist train give visitors a tangible connection to the place. Those considering Perama as a destination will find a clear focus here, with Ioannina offering a complementary setting of nature, island history and museums.

An underground riverbed on Goritsa Hill

Perama Cave is part of an underground riverbed that opened during the Proto-Tertiary. Its age is estimated at around 1,500,000 years. This timescale makes the cave a geological experience that differs markedly from the historical themes of the wider destination of Ioannina. The visitor and reception centre at Perama Cave features audiovisual materials and rare palaeontological finds. This takes the visitor’s gaze beyond the cave formations to traces of the Earth’s history.

Getting there and finding your way at the cave entrance

A tourist train takes visitors from the entrance to the cave. It consists of two enclosed, heated carriages with a total of 50 seats. There is a large car park for cars and buses at the entrance. This clearly identifies both the ride to the cave and the parking available at the starting point. When choosing your holiday apartment, your trip’s main focus may be the deciding factor: Perama is the place to stay for visiting the cave; if you would also like to take cultural and island attractions into account, include the wider destination of Ioannina in your considerations.

A procession in Perama and Ioannina’s island world

After the liturgy, a procession carrying the relic and icon of Saint Charalambos passed through the streets of Perama. The wider destination of Ioannina adds a distinct connection between lake, nature and settlement history. The Information Centre of Lake Pamvotis is located on Ioannina Island, in a traditional stone building listed as a monument. It presents information about the lake’s main plant species, as well as the fish, birds, amphibians and mammals that live there. This shift in focus—from underground geology to the lake’s habitats—offers a different perspective on the region.

Ioannina Island is one of only two inhabited lake islands in Greece. The village on the island is designated a settlement of outstanding natural beauty and probably dates back to the 16th century. Two monasteries were founded there in Byzantine times: the Monastery of Saint Nicholas Philanthropenon, also known as Spanou, and the Monastery of Saint Nicholas Strategopoulou, also known as Diliou. These places connect the island landscape with a long religious and architectural history.

The castle and museums in the wider destination of Ioannina

Ioannina Castle stands on a naturally fortified rocky peninsula. The earliest traces of settlement discovered in archaeological investigations date back to the Classical and Hellenistic periods. The castle is one of Greece’s oldest continuously inhabited fortified settlements. The Byzantine Museum is located inside the castle, in the southeastern acropolis of Its Kale. Silverware is displayed in the so-called Treasury at the centre of the citadel, while an exhibition on the city’s history is housed in the Fethiye Mosque.

The Silversmithing Museum is also located within the castle complex, in the western bastion tower of the northeastern acropolis of Its Kale. Visitors can learn about traditional techniques for shaping and decorating silver objects there. Underground caves in the citadel offer a different historical perspective: they were once used as storerooms and prisons and can be accessed from within the citadel. Check local access conditions before visiting.

These interests sit side by side: in Perama, the cave, geological timescales and procession define the connection to the place; in the wider destination of Ioannina, the lake and island, fortifications, city history and silversmithing add to the picture. When looking for a holiday apartment, consider which of these themes is most important to your trip and include Perama or Ioannina accordingly in your choice.

Discover more destinations: Vikos, Kapesovo, Platania, Arísti, Doliana, Klidonia, Métsovon, Tsepelovo.

Back to the wider travel overview: Ioannina.