Ioannina map

Capital: Ioannina

Overview:

Ioannina, a historic "Metropolis of Knowledge" during the Byzantine Empire, is today a financial and cultural centre connecting Athens and Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa and other cities. It is 450 km North West from Athens, 60 km south of the Albanian border, in the middle of a plain (600m altitude), surrounded by mountains. Natural wealth and cultural heritage, archaeological and religious sites, traditional settlements and festivals impress visitors all year round.

Best Ioannina Sights:

• the Ioannina Castle
• the ancient oracle of Dodoni
• the archaeological site of Dodoni, 13 miles from Ioannina
• Paschaleios School, with the "Charta" (Chart) of Rigas Pherraios
• the remains of a Mollossian settlement in Vitsa

Places to visit:

• Stone Bridges, such as in Zagori
• The Pre-Historical Monuments Exhibition and the Environmental Education Centre, in Konitsa
• Art Galleries and Museums
• The Cave of Perama
• Lourros Springs
• Pamvotida Lake and the Nissaki islet
• Valia Calda, the National Park and the NATURA 2000 regions
• Vikos Gorge, the National Park of Vikos-Aoos and the NATURA 2000 regions
• Zagorochoria
• Metsovo, famous for the Pass of Katara over the Pindus Mountains at 1707m

Special Events:

Very famous are the Epirotika Festival in the summer, with performances of ancient drama at Dodoni, and the Wine Festival in Zitsa. Festivities also and celebrations on saints' days all year round keep the traditional religious element in villages alive.