a scenic view of a valley with a river running through it
a view of a mountain with a cliff in the background
a view of a valley with mountains in the background
a view of a mountain range with rocks and trees in the foreground
a view of a mountain range with trees in the foreground

Holiday in Zagori

Area in Greece — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇬🇷

Country

Greece

Type

Area

Best time to travel

May–June, September–October

Budget/day

65–110 €

Getting there from Germany

Flight to Ioannina (seasonal) or Athens/Thessaloniki and rental car. From Ioannina, it's about 45–90 minutes to the villages.

About Zagori

Zagori is an area of 46 traditional stone villages (Zagorochoria) in the Pindos Mountains of Epirus and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2023. The region impresses with spectacular stone bridges, cobbled mule paths, and the Vikos Gorge, which, with a depth of 900 meters and a width of only 1,100 meters, is considered one of the deepest gorges in the world — according to the Guinness Book, even the deepest in relation to its width. The stone villages are masterpieces of folk architecture: gray slate roofs, massive walls, cobbled squares, and ancient plane trees characterize places like Monodendri, Papingo, Kipi, and Dilofo. Many of the once-abandoned houses have been converted into atmospheric boutique hotels and guesthouses that attract hikers and nature lovers from all over Europe. The famous stone arch bridges, built by local craftsmen without mortar, span rushing rivers and deep gorges — the triple bridge at Kipi is the most photographed motif. Hikers will find a paradise in Zagori: The Vikos Gorge Trail from Monodendri to Vikos village, the ascent of the Astraka peak (2,436 meters), and the hike to Drakolimni (Dragon Lake) at an altitude of 2,050 meters are among the most beautiful trekking routes in Greece. The natural rock pools of the Voidomatis River, considered one of the cleanest rivers in Europe, invite for a refreshing swim in summer. In winter, Zagori transforms into a snowy landscape, and the nearby ski centers at the Metsovo Pass offer modest but atmospheric skiing. Zagori is the Greece that most tourists never get to see — and that’s exactly what makes it so special.

Nature
100
Safety
82
Culture
80
Food
80
Relaxation
80

Top 5 highlights in Zagori

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Vikos Gorge

The deepest gorge in the world (in relation to its width) offers a 6–7 hour hike through breathtaking wilderness.

2

Stone Bridges

The iconic arch bridges from the Ottoman era, especially the triple bridge at Kipi, are masterpieces.

3

Papingo Villages

Mikro and Megalo Papingo are the most picturesque villages with stone houses and access to natural rock pools.

4

Drakolimni (Dragon Lake)

The alpine lake at 2,050 m altitude is accessible via a challenging hike and is home to rare alpine newts.

5

Monodendri

The village on the edge of the Vikos Gorge offers the famous viewpoint Oxya with a view into the 1,000 m deep gorge.

Hotels in Zagori

Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.

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* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Zagori

Recommended travel time

May–June, September–October

Summer

Pleasant, 20–28 °C, cool nights

Winter

Cold, -5–5 °C, snow, some villages hard to reach

How much does a holiday in Zagori cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

35–55 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

65–110 €

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

130–240 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

Book a package holiday to Zagori

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5 travel tips for Zagori

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Stay in one of the beautiful guesthouses (Archontika) – Papingo and Monodendri have the best.

For the Vikos hike, you need sturdy hiking shoes, water, and an early start.

The natural rock pools (Ovires) at Papingo are a refreshing highlight in summer.

Zagori is also beautiful in autumn when the foliage colors the villages in gold and red.

The roads between the villages are well-paved but winding – plan for more driving time.

Food & drink in Zagori

These specialties you must try!

Zagori-Pites (pies)
Kontosouvli
Trachana soup
Local mountain cheese
Wild herbs
Glyko tou Koutaliou (spoon sweets)
Suitable for:UNESCOHikingStone VillagesVikosBridgesNatureEpirusAdventure

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