Kastoria sits on a peninsula in Lake Orestiada in western Macedonia. Misty winter mornings, dozens of Byzantine churches, grand mansions and the Ragoutsaria carnival make it a memorable festive-season trip.
Highlights
- A walk or drive around Lake Orestiada
- Byzantine churches with frescoes
- Doltso and Apozari quarters with restored mansions
- The Dragon's Cave by the lake
- Ragoutsaria festival around Epiphany (6–8 January)
Kastoria grew rich from the fur trade, and its old quarters are full of mansions built by merchant families. The town also has a remarkable number of Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches.
Ragoutsaria
Right after the Christmas season, around Epiphany, Kastoria celebrates Ragoutsaria — days of masquerade, brass bands and street parties that draw visitors from across Greece.
☀️ Best time to visit
Winter for the lake mists and Ragoutsaria; spring and autumn for walks around the lake.
🧭 Getting there & around
Kastoria airport has limited flights from Athens. By car it is about 2.5 hours from Thessaloniki via the Egnatia motorway.