Thessaloniki Trip Overview
The famous Zagorohoria: Stone villages, bridges and monasteries, masterpieces of architecture, culture and history, humanity and nature in harmony.
Towering mountains, virgin forests and impressive gorges; a wild and evocative landscape. Zagorohoria – to give the area its full name – is a cluster of stone villages, masterfully constructed bridges and monasteries carved into the mountains. It’s a pure and seductive holiday destination for all seasons. You’ll discover its beauty walking along the Vikos Gorge, staring up at the Astrakas Mountain peak, listening to the rumble of the Voidamatis River and admiring impressive Mt Timfi.
You’ll feel it walking with your lover or friend in the mystical fog of Papingo, visiting the old monasteries and churches, or just relaxing by the fireplace in a luxurious guesthouse. Zagori is a priceless treasure waiting to be discovered.
Additional Info
Duration: 10 hours
Starts: Thessaloniki, Greece
Trip Category: Day Trips & Excursions >> Day Trips
Explore Thessaloniki Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
The famous Zagorohoria: Stone villages, bridges and monasteries, masterpieces of architecture, culture and history, humanity and nature in harmony.
Towering mountains, virgin forests and impressive gorges; a wild and evocative landscape. Zagorohoria – to give the area its full name – is a cluster of stone villages, masterfully constructed bridges and monasteries carved into the mountains. It’s a pure and seductive holiday destination for all seasons. You’ll discover its beauty walking along the Vikos Gorge, staring up at the Astrakas Mountain peak, listening to the rumble of the Voidamatis River and admiring impressive Mt Timfi.
You’ll feel it walking with your lover or friend in the mystical fog of Papingo, visiting the old monasteries and churches, or just relaxing by the fireplace in a luxurious guesthouse. Zagori is a priceless treasure waiting to be discovered.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Vikos Gorge, Zagoria Greece
Vikos Gorge: the kingdom of the river and the eagles
A unique geological phenomenon: a schism in the earth that could have only been created by a divine hand. The narrowest section of the two sides is just 1,100m wide and its depths reach 900m. The Vikos Gorge is the realm of eagles, of rare medicinal herbs and steep vertical rocks. It begins from the bridge of Kokoros and ends at the bridge of Aristi. Passing through it is an experience of a lifetime.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Papigko, Papigko, Zagorohoria, Ioannina Region, Epirus
Megalo Papingo and Mikro Papingo: famous winter brothers.
Nightime. Your footsteps echo in the cobblestone streets, the moonlight bathes Mt Astrakas, rising high above Megalo and Mikro Papingo. The light in the windows of the guest houses warms the cold darkness. The smell of burnt wood from the fireplace awakens childhood memories. You’re already dreaming of enchanting evenings in your stone villa, with its fireplace, flokati rug and comfortable bed.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Timfi’s Mountain Refuge – Καταφύγιο Αστράκας, Αστράκα, Papigko 453 32, Greece
The majestic “towers” of Astrakas.
The most magnificent mountain in the North Pindus range is Timfi. One of its peaks is Astrakas, with an altitude of 2,436m. South of the peak are huge horizontal rock formations, the famous “towers”, linking it with the Vikos Gorge. Only “awe” can describe the feeling as you look up at Astrakas, especially during winter when snow decorates its slopes.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Drakolimni, Papigko Greece
Drakolimni – a lake attraction.
This alpine lake is stunningly beautiful. A mythical dragon lurks in its depths, perhaps a distant cousin of Scotland’s Loch Ness beastie! Sightings are limited these days, but don’t despair, there are many real drakakia (small dragons) that are actually microscopic amphibians called alpine newts. It’s perhaps the only trace we have of the Ice Age. To reach the lake, allow for 2-5 hours of hiking from Mikro Papingo.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: ΡΟΓΚΟΒΟ -ΟΒΙΡΕΣ, Κολυμπήθρες μονοπ., Papigko 440 16, Greece
Ovires: natural water sculptures
Right next to the road that connects Megalo and Mikro Papingo, stop to see the “Ovires”. They look like small lakes and have blue water and rocks carved by powerful running streams. If you go during summer, you’ll be able to take a swim.
Duration: 1 hour
