Ioannina Trip Overview
The natural beauty and cultural heritage of Epirus have lured travelers through the ages, yet is still enough uncharted territory to attract even the most sophisticated visitor. Away from the crowds, lost in time, learn what this breathtaking country and its people are really about, in the region of Epirus.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 days
Starts: Ioannina, Greece
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Ioannina Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Ioannina, Greece, Greece
The natural beauty and cultural heritage of Epirus have lured travelers through the ages, yet is still enough uncharted territory to attract even the most sophisticated visitor. Away from the crowds, lost in time, learn what this breathtaking country and its people are really about, in the region of Epirus.
Itinerary
Day 1: Tzoumerka villages
Stop At: Kipinas Monastery, Tzoumerka, North Tzoumerka 440 01 Greece
Kipina Monastery in Kalarites, Tzoumerka, is one of the most impressive monasteries in Greece. The small church made of wood and stone, built inside a rock, will leave you speechless. The monastery was built in about 1212. The car road reaches the base of the cliff and then, if you want to go to the monastery, you must follow a path carved into the rock and a wooden bridge.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Kalarites, Kalarites, Ioannina Region, Epirus
Famous tailors, builders, merchants, stone craftsmen and silversmiths, come from “Kalarites”, which with “Syrrako” are traditional settlements and tourist resorts of the mountainous “Tzoumerka”. The natural beauty is amazing.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Pramanta, Pramanta, North Tzoumerka, Ioannina Region, Epirus
The settlement, built at an altitude of 840m. amphitheatrically at the foot of the mountain “Strogoula” (2,107 m), perhaps the most imposing peak of Tzoumerka. The 500-year-old plane tree and the historic fountain “Arapis” dominate the main square, next to the main church of Agia Paraskevi.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Anemotrypa Cave, Pramanta, North Tzoumerka 440 01 Greece
Cave “Anemotripa” of Pramanta was discovered in 1960. A small slot in the rocks, from where cool air emerged initiated the exploration of the inner part of the rocks, and thus the discovery of the cave. It was given the name “Anemotripa”. It is the only cave in Greece penetrated by river. This results in cave’s self-purifying without any human intervention, making the visit there really enjoyable.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Frasta, Frasta, Central Tzoumerka, Arta Region, Epirus
Plakas bridge built in 1866, it was considered the largest single-arched bridge in the Balkans, with an opening chamber of 40 meters, a height of 19 meters and an opening at the top of 3.2 meters. From 1881 to 1913 the bridge was a border between the Greek and Turkish states.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Theodoros Papagiannis Musem of Contemporary Art, Elementary School, Elliniko 440 13 Greece
Its uniqueness consists in the fact that it includes works which speak of our home, Epirus, and its history – about what has brought it glory and made it respected by every Greek who hears its name.
It is unique because it speaks about bread, the benefactor, the one who is exiled from his homeland, the man of the spirit and intellect, the Epirot craftsman, the shepherd, the farmer, the long-suffering Epirot mother – and about learning.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Iera Moni Panagias Tsoukas, Ioannina 44013 Greece
According to tradition the monastery was founded in 1190 by the emperor “Isaac II Angelos”, destroyed in 1736 and renovated in 1779.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch break to taste local dishes is paid by the visitor.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Valia Calda National Park
Stop At: Metsovo, Metsovo, Ioannina Region, Epirus
Lovely mountain town. Amazing beauty, view, tranquility and excellent local dishes .
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Aoos Springs Lake, Metsovo 44200 Greece
The artificial lake of Aoos fountain is at an altitude of 1,350m, covers an area of 12km2 and was constructed in 1986 for the purpose of producing energy. It is located between two national parks, Valia Calda and the Vikos-Aoos Geopark
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Vovousa 440 14, Greece
The village “Vovousa” is built on the two banks of Aoos river, and in its center there is one of the most beautiful stone bridges of “Zagori” and was built in 1748. Vovousa experienced great development during the 16th and 17th century
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch break to taste local dishes is paid by the visitor.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Ioannina city
Stop At: Dodoni Sanctuary and Theatre, Ioannina 455 00 Greece
The theatre by the oracle. Imagine a sold-out drama performance 2300 years ago in a theatre seating 18.000 spectators! What kind of cultural life do you think they had back then? What kind of economy could afford the biggest theatre of its time? You may ponder on these questions on the way from Ioannina to Dodoni (22km) and one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History, 12th km National Road Ioanninon – Artas, Bizani 45500 Greece
The «Greek History Museum» is located outside Bizani in Ioannina. 150 wax models, life size, and embedded in a true representation of the environment of their era, mainly revived forms of modern Greek history, in thematic sections.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ioannina Castle, Old Town, Ioannina Greece
This fairy tale castle is full of legends. A crossroad of cultures and religions, the castle was built in 528 by Emperor Iustinianus. And
high above, the Kale, the Acropolis: a cultural park with small museums and collections. In summer this is the area of cultural heart of the city, with concerts and other events that take place.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lake Pamvotis, Ioannina Town, Ioannina 452 21 Greece
The island without a name. One of the few inhabited lake islands of Europe is here in Ioannina! It is the only inhabited island on the world without a name! It is called “Island In The Lake” or “Small Ioannina Island”. It has a population of 250 inhabitands, mostly fishermen. It is filled with pine trees, unique stone houses, a natural port, full of fishing boats and it is the home of seven monasteries (the third largest group after Mount Athos and Meteora).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Perama Cave, Perama 45221 Greece
Just some minutes drive away from Ioannina (4km), the village of Perama is located. There is one of the most spectacular caves in Europe. Get ready for an unforgettable experience! The 1,5-million-year-old Perama Cave is so beautiful that many visitors, full of awe, consider that this beauty can not occur without human intervention.
There are thousands of stalagmites and stalactites, in different varieties, types and formations. No one can compete nature in originality! The most famous stalagmite in the cave of Perama is the Cross, but you can see the «Statue of Liberty» and «Santa
Claus».
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch break to taste local dishes is paid by the visitor.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: Vikos Aoos Geopark
Stop At: Kipoi, Kipoi, Zagorohoria, Ioannina Region, Epirus
The village “Kipoi” was the old capital of the area of “Zagori” and one of the oldest settlements of the area, known since 1431.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Kokkori Bridge, Koukouli Greece
Construction period 18th – 19th century
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Skalopatia Vradeto, Vradeto Greece
Great route for a visitor. The road to the village of Vradeto was constructed in 1970 and until then the inhabitants used the Vradetos steps everyday.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Σαρακατσάνικη Στάνη, Epar.Od. Asfaka – Vrisochoriou, Γυφτόκαμπος Σκαμνέλι 440 10, Greece
In an area of approximately 20000 square meters of forest with firs and pinetrees, a complex of traditional houses was constructed that tries to render the environment of Sarakatsani life.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Konitsa Bridge, Aoos Gorge, Konitsa 441 00 Greece
In the southwest point of Konitsa, right at the entrance of the valley of “Aoos”, is the large bridge of Konitsa, which was built in 1870-71 by a workshop of 50 craftsmen.
The bridge was built with donations from the city’s inhabitants. In the same location was previously constructed, in 1823, a wooden bridge, but which was destroyed.
Today’s stone bridge has dimensions of 36 meters opening and 20 meters high.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: kataraktes sto Iliohori, Greece
From the village of Iliochori we will go to the waterfall Balta di Striιga
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch break to taste local dishes is paid by the visitor.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: Ionio coastline
Stop At: Parga, Parga, Preveza Region, Epirus
Summer in Epirus has two options of relaxing and fun. You
can choose the traditional way down the Ionian Pelago coasts at Parga.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Syvota, Syvota, Igoumenitsa, Thesprotia Region, Epirus
Discover countless beaches on this magical place. Find small, isolated, almost hidden bays, where you will be alone with the sun, the sand and the sea.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch break to taste local dishes is paid by the visitor.
No accommodation included on this day.
