Holiday in Ioannina

About Ioannina

Ioannina, the capital of Epirus, is one of the most atmospheric cities in Greece. Located on the shores of the mystical Pamvotis Lake and surrounded by mountains, the city exudes a unique atmosphere that fundamentally differs from typical Greek coastal towns. The Byzantine fortress (Kastro), the oldest continuously inhabited fortress in Greece, overlooks the lake and houses mosques, synagogues, and the Silver Art Museum within its walls. The history of Ioannina is inseparable from Ali Pasha, the legendary Ottoman ruler (1788–1822) who made the city one of the most powerful centers in the Balkans. His palace within the fortress, the Fethiye Mosque, and the Ali Pasha Museum on the lake island tell the story of this colorful despot. The island in Pamvotis Lake, reachable by boat in ten minutes, is home to seven Byzantine monasteries and taverns serving freshly caught eel, frog legs, and crabs. Ioannina is also a vibrant university city with 35,000 students shaping the nightlife and culinary scene. The Litharitsia promenade by the lake, the district around Averoff Street with cafes and bars, and the traditional market offer an urban flair. The Perama Cave, one of the largest and most beautiful in Greece, is only four kilometers outside the city. From Ioannina, one can start to the most beautiful destinations in Epirus: Zagori with its stone villages and the Vikos Gorge (45 minutes), Metsovo with its Vlach traditions and mountain cheese, and the coast of Parga and Preveza. The famous Epirus cuisine with its pita variations, slow-cooked lamb, and local tsipouro makes Ioannina a culinary highlight of Northern Greece.