Top Things to Do in Ioannina

Ioannina is the largest city in Epirus, the mountainous region in north-western Greece, and it sits beside Lake Pamvotis with the hills rising behind it. Its character is shaped by centuries of Ottoman rule, a large university population that keeps the cafés busy, and a food culture rooted in the surrounding mountains and lake. It is a popular winter city break, and it also serves as the natural base for exploring the stone villages of Zagori. Here are the things to do that make the most of a visit.

Explore the Kastro and the Its Kale citadel

The old town, known as the Kastro, is a compact network of lanes on a peninsula jutting into the lake. Its walls and gates recall the period when Ioannina was the seat of Ali Pasha, the powerful Ottoman governor whose rule shaped the city in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Within the Kastro, the Its Kale citadel holds the Fethiye Mosque, a striking building with a fine dome and a sense of the city's layered history. Wander without a fixed plan here; the best views of the lake open up as you walk the walls.

Take a boat to Nisi and its monasteries

A short boat ride from the Kastro takes you to Nisi, the largest of the islands in Lake Pamvotis. The island is small enough to walk in an hour or so and is home to several monasteries and churches, along with a few tavernas where you can rest. The crossing itself is one of the most relaxing experiences in the city, especially in the early morning or at sunset when the water is calm and the mountains reflect in it. Boats run regularly during the season, but check locally for current departure times and whether services are reduced in winter.

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Visit the Perama cave

Just outside the city, the Perama cave is one of the more unusual underground sights in northern Greece. Its chambers are filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and guided tours walk visitors through lit passages. It makes a good outing if you want to escape the city's bustle for an hour, and it works well on a cooler day when a walk through the lake area feels less appealing. Confirm the current visiting arrangements before you go.

Browse the silversmith workshops and museum

Ioannina has a long tradition of silversmithing, and the craft is still practised in small workshops in the old town and the surrounding streets. Many smiths will let you watch them at work, and you can buy jewellery, filigree pieces and decorative objects that are distinctly local in style. To understand the tradition before you shop, visit the Silversmithing Museum, which explains the techniques, the history of the trade and the role of the craft in the region's economy. It is a useful stop for appreciating what you are looking at in the shop windows.

Eat your way through Epirus cooking

Food is one of the strongest reasons to visit. Epirus is known for its pies, made with thin layers of hand-stretched dough filled with greens, cheese or meat, which are sold in bakeries and enjoyed as a quick meal. Lake trout appears on many menus, often grilled simply with lemon and olive oil, and the mountain cooking of the region brings in hearty stews and local cheeses. For dessert, look for the syrupy sweets typical of the area, which are rich, sticky and best shared. Eating at a lakeside taverna in the evening is a classic way to end the day.

Make Ioannina your base for Zagori

Many visitors use Ioannina as a base for the nearby Zagori region, a landscape of stone villages, arched stone bridges and deep gorges such as the Vikos Gorge. The drive from the city takes you through dramatic mountain scenery, and you can plan day trips to explore the villages and hiking trails. Because public transport in the mountains is limited, renting a car or joining a organised tour is often the easiest option.

How to get to Ioannina

Ioannina has its own airport, IOA, with flights from Athens. By car, the drive from Athens takes about four and a half hours via the Ionia Odos motorway, while Thessaloniki is about three hours away using the Egnatia motorway. Travel times can vary with traffic and weather, so allow extra time in winter.

Practical tips

• Winter is a popular season for a city break, but the mountains can be cold and snowy, so pack warm clothing.
• Walk the Kastro in the early morning or late afternoon for quieter streets and better light.
• Check locally for current boat schedules to Nisi, especially outside the summer months.
• Confirm cave tour times and visiting arrangements before setting out.
• If you plan to visit Zagori, rent a car or book a tour in advance, as mountain buses are infrequent.
• Buy silver from workshops where you can see the maker, and ask about hallmarks and origin.