Located in northwestern Greece, Ioannina is the capital of Epirus and one of the most atmospheric cities in the country. Built on the shores of beautiful Lake Pamvotis and surrounded by mountains, it combines history, nature, great food and plenty of options for day trips.
Ioannina is a great year-round destination, but I especially love it for an autumn or winter escape, when the misty lake and surrounding mountains create a completely different side of Greece.
GETTING TO IOANNINA
Ioannina is around 410 km from Athens and approximately 260 km from Thessaloniki by road.
The city also has its own airport, Ioannina National Airport, just a few kilometres from the centre, with domestic connections. A car isn’t essential for exploring the city itself, but I definitely recommend renting one if you want to get here easily, discover Zagori, Metsovo, Tzoumerka and the rest of Epirus!!
THINGS TO DO IN IOANNINA
1. Explore Ioannina Castle & the Old Town
Start with the historic Castle of Ioannina, one of the oldest continuously inhabited Byzantine castles in Greece. Walk through its narrow streets and explore its kale (inner citadel), where you’ll find museums, historic spots like the tomb of Ali Pasha and beautiful views towards Lake Pamvotis.
It’s also one of my favourite parts of the city for a slow walk and photos.
2. Walk Along Lake Pamvotis
You can’t visit Ioannina without spending some time by Lake Pamvotis. Walk along the lakeside promenade, enjoy the views and stop at one of the cafés or restaurants overlooking the water.
The lake is particularly beautiful around sunset and on misty autumn and winter mornings!
3. Take a Boat to Ioannina Island
One of the most unique things to do in Ioannina is taking the small boat from the waterfront to the island of Lake Pamvotis (2.5 euros one way). It’s one of the few inhabited lake islands in Greece and is home to traditional houses, narrow streets and historic monasteries. You can also visit the Ali Pasha Museum, connected to the final days of Ali Pasha’s life.
Allow at least a couple of hours to walk around and explore the island.
4. Discover Ioannina’s Museums
If you love history and culture, there are several museums worth visiting:
- Silversmithing Museum
- Byzantine Museum
- Archaeological Museum of Ioannina
- Municipal Ethnographic Museum
- Museum of Folk Art & History of Epirus
- Ali Pasha Museum on the island
You don’t need to visit all of them – simply choose the ones that interest you most.
5. Discover the City’s Ottoman Heritage
Ioannina has a fascinating multicultural past, with Byzantine, Ottoman, Jewish and Greek influences. As you explore the old city, look out for mosques, Ottoman baths and other historic buildings that tell the story of the different communities that once lived here.
6. Explore Ioannina City Centre
Don’t spend all your time around the lake! Walk through the pedestrian streets of the modern centre, see the Clock Tower of Ioannina, explore the shops and enjoy the city’s lively café and bar scene. Ioannina is also a university city, which gives it a surprisingly energetic nightlife. 
7. Visit Perama Cave
Just a few kilometres outside Ioannina you’ll find Perama Cave, one of the most impressive caves in Greece. Inside you’ll see an extensive collection of stalactites and stalagmites along a guided underground route. It’s close enough to the city to easily add to your Ioannina itinerary. Nestled in the mountains of Epirus, Metsovo and nearby Ioannina offer a perfect mix of alpine charm, rich history and authentic Greek cuisine. Whether you’re looking for cozy mountain vibes, cultural exploration or lakefront relaxation, this region has it all.
8. Visit Ancient Dodoni
Around 30 minutes from Ioannina lies Ancient Dodoni, one of the most important archaeological sites in Epirus. Dodoni was home to one of the oldest Greek oracles and its impressive ancient theatre is one of the highlights of the site. It’s an easy half-day trip from Ioannina.
9. Experience the Tzamales during Carnival
If you visit Ioannina during Carnival, don’t miss the Tzamales, one of the city’s most famous local traditions. On the Sunday before Clean Monday (usually February / March) , large bonfires are lit in different neighborhoods around the city, with locals gathering around them for traditional music, dancing, food and celebrations.
The festivities continue into the night, creating a completely different atmosphere in Ioannina and making Carnival one of the most interesting times of the year to visit!!
What to Eat in Ioannina
Food is definitely part of the experience here! Epirus is particularly famous for its pies, cheeses and meat dishes, so make sure you try some local specialties.
What to try:
🥧 Traditional Epirus pies – cheese pie, wild greens pie, meat pie and other variations
🧀 Local cheeses – especially feta and other mountain cheeses
🥩 Local meats – lamb, goat and slow-cooked meat dishes
🍲 Traditional homemade dishes and trahana
🐟 Freshwater fish from the lake
🐸 Frog legs – one of the more unusual local specialties, especially on the island
🍯 Baklava & traditional syrup desserts
🥃 Tsipouro
Εστιατόρια που προτείνω:
- Balsamico – popular option in the city centre that I love!
- Metsovitiki Folia – especially for meat and traditional flavours
- Presveia – modern Greek cuisine and meze
- Drosia – traditional Greek food
- Frontzou Politia – a beautiful option if you want dinner with panoramic views over Ioannina
For something different, have lunch on Ioannina Island, where you’ll find tavernas serving freshwater fish, eel and frog legs.
Balsamiko restaurant
Coffee & Nightlife
Ioannina has a surprisingly lively café and nightlife scene, partly thanks to its large student population. During the day, I would choose one of the cafés around the lake for the views.In the evening, head towards the city centre and the streets around the old town, where you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants.
Best Day Trips from Ioannina
One of the biggest reasons to choose Ioannina as your base is its location. Some of the most beautiful places in Epirus are within easy driving distance.
- Zagorochoria: If you have only time for one day trip, Zagori should definitely be high on your list. Explore traditional stone villages such as:Monodendri, Vitsa, Kipi, Aristi, Megalo Papigo, Mikro Papigo. Don’t miss the famous stone bridges and one of the viewpoints over the spectacular Vikos Gorge. Angel’s tip: I wouldn’t try to visit every village in one day. Pick a few and enjoy them properly.
- Konitsa: Another great option is Konitsa, known for its impressive stone bridge and beautiful natural setting close to the Aoos River. It can also be combined with northern Zagori.
- Voidomatis River: Combine Zagori with a stop at the incredibly clear Voidomatis River. Depending on the season, you can walk beside the river or try activities such as rafting.
- Metsovo: Less than an hour from Ioannina, Metsovo is one of Greece’s best-known mountain towns. Expect traditional stone houses, mountain views, local cheeses, wine, tavernas and a cosy atmosphere. It’s particularly beautiful in autumn and winter. Angel’s tip: You can read more about Metsovo on my other blog post. Κάντε κλικ εδώ.
- Anthochori village (20 minutes drive from Metsovo)- A lovely stop to combine with a road trip around the area. Don’t miss Mantani, a beautiful café surrounded by nature and running water. You can also visit the village’s Museum of Hydrokinesis.
- Tzoumerka: For a more adventurous mountain day trip, head towards Tzoumerka.Some places worth discovering include: Pramanta, Syrrako, Kalarrytes, Kipina Monastery. Distances can be deceptive because of the mountain roads, so dedicate a full day and don’t try to see everything at once.
- Skiing Near Ioannina. If you are visiting in winter, you can even combine your city break with skiing. Angel’s tip: Located close to Metsovo, Anilio Ski Center is one of the easiest ski resorts to combine with Ioannina. You can spend the morning skiing and then head to Metsovo for food, wine and a walk around the village.Always check snow conditions and lift operation before visiting. A perfect winter combination: Ioannina → Skiing at Anilio → Metsovo
What to Combine Ioannina With
Ioannina works really well as part of a longer Epirus road trip.
3 DAYS
Day 1: Ioannina Castle + Lake Pamvotis + Island + city centre
Day 2: Zagorochoria + Vikos Gorge + Voidomatis
Day 3: Metsovo + Anilio for skiing
4-5 DAYS
Ioannina → Zagorochoria → Papigo → Voidomatis → Metsovo
In winter, add a day of skiing at Anilio.
1 week EPIRUS ROAD TRIP
Ioannina → Zagorochoria → Konitsa → Tzoumerka → Metsovo
This gives you a much better taste of the mountains, traditional villages and landscapes of Epirus.
Summer Combination
During the warmer months, you can also combine Ioannina with the Ionian coast: Ioannina → Parga → Syvota
That way you get a completely different side of Greece in one trip: city, mountains, traditional villages and the sea.
Best Time to Visit Ioannina
- Spring: Green landscapes and great weather for exploring Epirus.
- Summer: Good if you’re combining Ioannina with Zagori, outdoor activities or the Ionian coast.
- Autumn: Colourful mountains, cosy atmosphere and beautiful scenery.
- Winter: Perfect for a mountain escape, especially if you combine Ioannina with Metsovo and skiing.
Don’t think of Ioannina only as a city break.
It’s one of the best bases for exploring Epirus, with Lake Pamvotis, Zagorochoria, Vikos Gorge, Voidomatis, Metsovo, Tzoumerka and several mountain villages all within reach.
I would recommend spending at least 2 nights in Ioannina, or 4–7 days if you want to turn it into a proper Epirus road trip.
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