Zagori region in Epirus

Northern Epirus with the Zagori Region is a previously undiscovered pearl on the Greek mainland. Hardly any other region of Greece has so many natural beauties. Evergreen mountains, ancient stone bridges, crystal-clear rivers and mysterious mountain villages enchant visitors right away.

“With its mighty mountain ranges, Zagori is more like Switzerland than Greece from the travel catalogue.”

Above all, the so-called Zagorochoria villages make this stretch of land so attractive for individual travelers who are looking for the original Hellas. Grab a rental car and go on a journey of discovery in a completely unknown Greece.

We enclose our Epirus Highlights from the Zagori region.

#1 Vikos-Aoos National Park

A road trip through this unspoilt stretch of land is an unforgettable experience and you should plan at least a week for it. Zagori is located in the Vikos-Aoos National Park, one of the ten national parks on the Greek mainland.

If you are looking for peace and relaxation, you will get your money’s worth in Epirus. On numerous hiking trails you can explore the intact nature. In many places you will find yourself alone, surrounded by countless plant species and the scent of mountain herbs.

Every now and then a turtle crosses your path. Also a small population of bears and wolves are said to exist here in the deep forests. The streams and rivers of the Zagori region are considered the cleanest and clearest bodies of water in Europe.

The mountainous region around the Vikos-Aoos National Park and the adjacent Pindos Mountains are an ideal destination in Greece, especially for hikers and nature lovers.

#2 Zagoria Villages: Zagorochoria

In the northwest of Greece, hidden between the meter-high peaks of the Pindos Mountains, lies a treasure that has hardly been discovered before. The 46 picturesque Zagoria villages with their traditional stone houses and slate roofs take you on a journey through time.

Here in Zagorochoria, which is derived from the Slavic “villages behind the mountains”, you will be greeted by a completely different Greece. The unique architecture of the Zagoria villages and the lovely inhabitants make this Epirus region a real place of longing.

A round trip through the Zagori region

The best way to explore Zagori is by car. You should plan at least two to three days to get to know the villages with their cobbled streets, gray slate roofs and colorful shutters. Most of the stone houses are listed and have been extensively restored.

An overnight stay in one of the stone houses is a special highlight. Many old Zagori houses have been converted into traditional guesthouses. A stay is an unforgettable experience. We spent four nights at the beautiful Gioraldi Mountain Resort in the village of Ano Pedina.

The Zagoria villages have so far been spared from mass tourism. They enchant above all with their originality. There are no large hotel complexes, supermarkets, banks or shopping streets. The soft tourism of the Zagori region creates an exclusivity that nevertheless remains affordable for everyone.

But the region also has a lot to offer outside the villages. It is hard to overlook the massive stone arch bridges. The architectural masterpieces, also called Gefiri (Γεφύρι), are considered the landmark of the Zagori region.

Many of the old stone bridges can be found between the villages of Dilofo and Kipi. The three-arch bridge “Plakidas” (also “Kalogeriko”) is rightly one of the most beautiful in Zagori. Until late spring, the Voidomatis River flows under the bridge.

#3 Monodendri on the edge of the Vikos Gorge

The Zagoria village of Monodendri is located on an altitude of 1,060 meters, right on the edge of the Vikos Gorge. Although some day tourists from Ioannina get lost here, the rush of visitors has so far been limited.

The village has a beautiful village square with a large plane tree, as well as neat kafenia and traditional taverns. It is worth taking a walk through the photogenic alleys.

From Monodendri, we also recommend a detour to the Oxya viewpoint and the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi. The latter is spectacularly located on a rocky outcrop in the Vikos Gorge.

Daredevils can even hike behind the monastery on a narrow path along the edge of the Vikos Gorge. At the end of the adventurous path there is a small hermitage directly above the gorge. Enter at your own risk!

#4 Megalo Papingo and Mikro Papingo

Another popular destination is the village of Zagori Megalo Papingo in the west of the region. The stone houses are crowded here close to the foot of the Pindos massif with Mount Tymfi. On a clear day, the scenery is breathtaking!

Until spring, the peaks are mostly snow-covered. In Megalo Papingo there are some restaurants and cafes, as well as small shops with handicrafts. The place is a popular destination for a day trip from Ioannina or Igoumenitsa.

Papingo Rock Pools and Tymfi Dragon Lake

From Papingo we continue to the neighboring village of Zagoria Micro Papingo. Halfway along the route, the Rock Pools are very worth seeing. The Rogova River makes its way through a rocky gorge here. Over millions of years, small stone pools have formed, which are a welcome way to cool off, especially in summer.

From Mikro Papingo, the day hike (6 – 7 hours) to the Dragon Lake Drakolimni at an altitude of 2,000 meters. The picturesque mountain lake on Mount Tymfi is said to have a mystical significance. Once a dragon is said to have been at home here.

On the way to the lake, halfway there is a refuge that is open in summer. For hiking enthusiasts, this is one of the most beautiful excursions in the Zagori region.

On the way to Aristi, the neighboring village of Papingo, it is worth making a short stop at the Papingo Bridge. Here the Voidomatis River streams with its bright blue water.

The Zagoria village of Aristi is a popular starting point for rafting tours and a real highlight in the Epirus region. There is also an enchanted forest, which is also very worth seeing.

#5 Epirus Mountain Villages Tsepelovo and Dilofo

The largest Zagoria village Tsepelovo is also worth a detour. The place is Administrative centre of the mountain region and impresses with its photogenic alleys and a cozy platia. Here, the locals sit together over a coffee, children play under the large plane tree.

A wonderful village idyll that you can best enjoy by walking through the alleys. Tsepelovo is located right in the heart of the Vikos-Aoos National Park. From here you can take some hike into the Vikos Gorge.

Just behind the village square is also the old pharmacy houses. With its bright blue shutters, you can’t miss what is probably the prettiest retro pharmacy in Greece.

Idyll in the Zagoria village of Dilofo

Things are a little quieter in the Zagoria village of Dilofo. The place is manageable, but no less beautiful than the others. Here, too, a large plane tree lines the village square with its associated tavern. Most of the buildings and the old stone alleys are still in their original state and are best discovered during a short walk through the village.

#6 Hike to the Vikos Gorge

A natural phenomenon of superlatives! According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Vikos Gorge is the most deepest gorge in the world with up to 1,000 meters, at least in the ratio of height to width. The unspoiled beauty of the national park is unique. You should take at least one or two days to discover the Vikos Gorge.

On a six-hour hike, the Vikos Trail, you can cross the gorge on foot. The 12-kilometer hiking trail leads from Monodendri above the Voidomatis River and ends in the village of Vikos.

If you don’t have that much time, we recommend the short version. From the mountain village of Vikos a path leads down to the river and the Panagia Chapel. Sturdy shoes are helpful for the 1.5 kilometers, as the path is full of scree.

You can see the wonderful colors of the Voidomatis from afar. The river is one of the cleanest in Europe and rises here at several sources in the Vikos Gorge.

We immediately filled up our bottles for the way back in the fresh spring water. The entire hike takes about two to three hours, including a visit to the springs and the chapel. In spring, the entire gorge blooms in the most beautiful colors. The scent of wild herbs accompanies you along the entire hiking trail.

#7 Viewpoints of the gorge

You also have a wonderful panorama of the Vikos Gorge at two viewpoints. The Oxya Viewpoint is located about eight kilometers from the Zagori village of Monodendri. Since the tourist buses also stop here, the place is more frequented.

From a parking bay, it is only a few meters walk to the viewpoint. Not all areas of the short hike to the Vikos Gorge are fenced. The ledge drops vertically, so special care must be taken.

Halfway to the Oxya viewpoint you will also come to a bizarre stone forest over. The bizarre gray rocks look like pancakes in the bony landscape. They were used in the past as building material for the typical stone houses of Zagori.

Beloi Viewpoint and Vradeto Steps

Another magnificent lookout into the gorge is located near the village of Vradeto. Since you can walk about 20 minutes to the Beloi Viewpoint this place is not so overcrowded with tourists. The view of the gorge from here is spectacular and we found the frontal view of the canyon more beautiful than at the Oxya Viewpoint.

From the village of Vradeto, it is also worth taking a detour to the “Vradeto Steps” (Greek: skales). An old stone staircase was carved into the mountain here in several pointed notches. The more than 1,000 steps were the only connecting route between the villages of Kapesovo and Vradeto until the 70s.

#8 Ioannina: The capital of Epirus

The capital of Epirus is usually also the starting point for a visit to the Zagoria villages. Ioannina is worth seeing and you should set aside at least one day to explore the city. Let’s surround the city with Lake Pamvotida.

The more than 300-year-long Ottoman rule has had a lasting impact on the cityscape. The Turkish-Albanian ruler Ali Pasha, “the Lion of Ioannina”, whose tomb next to the Fetichie Mosque can be visited, became particularly famous.

Until 1912, this part of Epirus and the city of Ioannina were firmly in the hands of the Ottoman occupiers. The historic old town of Ioannina is still surrounded by a mighty fortress wall.

On a short tour through the narrow streets you will get an impression of the typical architecture. Many of the buildings date back to the Ottoman occupation period.

At the northern end of the old town is the Aslan Pasha Mosque, the most important old building in the city. Today, the temple houses a folklore museum.

#9 Places to visit in Ioannina

Another landmark of the city is the Pamvotida Lake. Since this has no natural water exchange, the greenish-gray lake is heavily contaminated with algae. Swimming is currently no longer possible in Lake Ioannina.

However, it is worth taking a boat trip to the island of Nissi. Here you will find several Byzantine churches and monasteries that can be visited. Excursion boats usually go to the monastery island every half hour for about 3 euros.

Outside of Ioannina, we recommend a trip to the Perama Stalactite Cave. The 1.5-million-year-old cave is only about four kilometers north of the city. Inside there is a constant temperature of 17 degrees.

The stalactite formations are spectacular and can be seen on about 1.5 kilometers long can be visited. There is a guide (Greek/English) who takes visitors through the cave in 45 minutes.

Ioannina is more than a day trip

Along the waterfront of Ioannina, numerous cafes and restaurants have settled. Despite the more than 100,000 inhabitants the city showed us very comfortable on the weekend.

There are countless small shops and boutiques. Silversmiths also have their origins in Ioannina. Handmade jewellery is still sold today. The city is very popular with young Greeks and is considered an insider tip among Greece connoisseurs.

The high density of bars and clubs also reveals that Ioannina is a lively student city is. We found the alley “Stoa Liampei” with its hip bars particularly beautiful. This is where night is turned into day.

More Epirus Travel Tips & Info

Guided tours in Epirus Zagori

Here we have for you Top Tours in Zagori . Rafting tours on the Voidamits River and organized hikes through the Vikos Gorge are very popular. Above GetYourGuide you can book tours and excursions from local operators on site. Click on the links of GetYourGuide* for details such as availability and prices of the tours:

➲ To the Voidomatis Rafting Tour*

➲ To the guided Vikos hike*

Restaurant recommendation in Epirus Zagori

The mountainous region of Epirus makes every gourmet’s heart beat faster. As already mentioned in the region of Western Macedonia, we have dined in Zagori excellently, too. Fresh mushrooms, wild asparagus, spinach cake, dandelion and wild herb salad are served.

Restaurant Lithos “στου Τάκη”, Dilofo

We dined particularly deliciously in Dilofo in the Tavern “Lithos stou Taki”. It is a typical Zagori restaurant. The traditional food is fresh and homemade, served by very friendly waiters.

Especially the chickpeas with eggplant and the beetroot salad were a real treat. From thecozy terrace you have a fantastic view of the pretty Zagoria village.

Places to stay in Epirus Zagori

If you are planning a trip to the Zagori region, it is worth staying in one of the original Zagoria villages to spend the night. Places like Monodendri, Papingo, Tsepelovo or Ano Pedina are very good starting points to explore Zagori.

The picturesque stone cottages blend perfectly into the landscape. In addition to high-quality guesthouses, there are usually one tavern per village, which takes care of the physical well-being. For us personally, the Zagoria villages are among the most authentic places in Greece.

The Zagori region offers numerous rustic guesthouses for a relaxing holiday. Above Booking.com* you can find more accommodations in Epirus Zagori, from hotels to apartments.

Here we spent the night in Zagori

Gioraldi Mountain Resort, Ano Pedina

We spent four nights at Gioraldi Mountain Resort in the pretty Zagoria village of Ano Pedina. The accommodation is just amazing. The owners Margarita and Kostas have restored an ensemble of stone houses high up in the village, elaborately and with a lot of love.

The rooms are very tastefully decorated and even contain their own fireplace for cold winter nights in Epirus. In the planted courtyard you sit comfortably and enjoy the silence in this peaceful place.

Breakfast is freshly prepared every morning and leaves nothing to be desired. Homemade cakes and jam, homemade bread, omelette and sweet pieces, afterwards you are strengthened for the whole day. The entire team grew very close to our hearts during our stay and we felt like we were in a big family. You can get more information about the accommodation via Booking.com*:

➲ To the booking of the Gioraldi Mountain Resort*

How to get to the Zagori region

You can reach the Epirus region and the Zagoria villages from Germany by direct flight to Thessaloniki SKG or Preveza PVK. With a rental car from Thessaloniki or Preveza, the picturesque Zagori region can be explored very well. You can find suitable flight connections via the Skyscanner* portal:

➲ To cheap flights to Thessaloniki

➲ To cheap flights to Preveza

From Thessaloniki to Ioannina it takes about three hours via the highway. From Preveza to Ioannina a car ride takes only 1.5 hours. There may be small tolls on the route. You can find a suitable rental car for your road trip via the portal Discover Cars*:

➲ To the rental car booking*

Another possibility is the arrival with your own car/camper and ferry from Italy to Igoumenitsa. The ferry port is located on the northwest coast of Greece and is only about an hour’s drive from Ioannina.

Depending on the route, the ferry prices for a crossing fluctuate. The Getting to Greece via Italy is especially worthwhile if you are staying in Greece for several weeks.

→ More travel tips in the Epirus region can be found here: Destination Epirus

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