Epirus

Epirus is Greece's wildest corner: stone bridges arching over rushing rivers, slate villages in the Pindus Mountains and one of the deepest gorges in the world. A vacation in Epirus combines hikes in Zagori with beach days on the Ionian coast around Parga and Sivota, plus a visit to the lakeside city of Ioannina.

Landscape Between the Pindus and the Sea

The Pindus forms the backbone of the region and reaches over 2,600 meters at Smolikas. Between its mountains lies the Vikos Gorge, which, measured by its width, ranks among the deepest gorges on Earth, alongside the Voidomatis River with its icy, crystal-clear water. To the west, the land drops away to the Ionian Sea, where green bays, small islands and the Ambracian Gulf lie between Igoumenitsa and Preveza. Forests of oak, beech and black pine cover large areas; bears and wolves still live here. In the Tzoumerka mountain region, gorges and stone bridges such as the one at Plaka span the valleys.

Sights in Epirus

The 46 Zagori villages, built of gray natural stone with slate roofs, are linked by old kalderimi paths and arched stone bridges and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2023. From Monodendri and Oxya you can look down into the Vikos Gorge, which takes about six hours to hike through; Papingo lies beneath the cliffs of Astraka. Ioannina, on Lake Pamvotida, was the seat of the notorious Ali Pasha; the fortress holds the Fethiye Mosque and a silversmithing museum, and a monastery sits on the island in the lake. Metsovo, an Aromanian mountain village on the Katara Pass, is known for its cheese, wine and woodcarving. On the coast, Parga draws visitors with its colorful houses beneath a Venetian castle and beaches such as Valtos, while Sivota offers turquoise lagoons and beaches such as Chrysogiali. Near Preveza you'll find the ruins of Nikopolis, which Augustus founded after the Battle of Actium, and the stone bridge at Arta is one of the best known in Greece. The Necromanteion (Oracle of the Dead) at the Acheron, and the river itself, which you can wade through, make special excursions. Near Ioannina, the Perama Cave with its stalactites and the theater of Dodona, sanctuary of one of the oldest oracles in Greece, are well worth a visit. Preveza has a waterfront promenade lined with bars, and near Igoumenitsa you'll find beaches such as Drepano.

Eating and Drinking

Epirus is the land of pitas: flaky pastry pies filled with leeks, herbs, cheese or meat, prepared differently in every village. Metsovone, a smoked cheese, and the Katogi wine come from Metsovo. On Lake Ioannina, you can eat trout, crayfish and frogs' legs; on the coast, fish and seafood. Ioannina is also known for sweets such as baklava, and in Arta you can get fresh fish from the Ambracian Gulf.

Getting There and Best Time to Visit

Igoumenitsa is a ferry port with connections to Italy and Corfu, and the Egnatia Odos highway links the coast with Ioannina and Thessaloniki. Preveza Airport is served by charter flights in summer. The best time for hiking is May to June and September to October; for beaches, June to September. A car of your own is ideal for Zagori and Tzoumerka, as the roads are winding and narrow. In winter, the Pindus gets plenty of snow, and Metsovo operates a small ski area.