Hotels in the Zagori | Activities | Hikking at the Zagori | Touring the Zagori 

See the traditional way of life in Epirus, houses and villages set in a majestic landscape. The Zagori is one of the country’s richest in animal and plant life, as regards to the number and the rare species. It's one of the most beautiful regions in Greece. The architecture is very distinctive. Arched stone bridges, steep cobbled paths zigzag through beech woods, gray stone houses tiled with giant slabs of slate. Each day will reveal something new, from the unexpected to the famous, from stark mountain slopes to the indelible marks of civilization, a contrast to the forest of Vikos-Aoos National Park with its lizards and tortoises. Enjoy independent walks in the Vikos National Park. This is a most rewarding experience for the serious walker, photographer or those who prefer a quiet moment with the tranquility of nature. The temperature is pleasantly cool and the local people portray a relaxed lifestyle, with fine food and excellent Greek wines to enjoy, you will find this trip to be a journey of many pleasures and most rewarding.

The main regions are: Ioannina, the 46 Zagorohoria, Konitsa & Metsovo.

Ioannina or Giannena, (466 km. from Athens, 7hrs. drive) is the capital of the region. A modern city with history of many centuries, built in the banks of the lake Pamvotida. Traditional buildings are excellent specimens of the Epirotic architecture. Its many museums, like the Archaeological, Byzantine, Folk Art, Waxworks and National Resistance Museum give us the grand tour of the city. The University and Hospitals, the sports centre and a number of other buildings, housing sports and cultural events throughout the year, accentuate the city's modern looks. In the Citadel, inside the castle of Ioannina you will find, the former royal kiosk, the grave of Ali Pasha and powder keg in picturesque alleys. Visit, the two kempt panes in the castle, the clock, the central square, the tourist kiosk, the abbey of Agios Panteleimonas and you "must" find the time to visit the island in the "Pamvotis lake". You will enjoy the amazing boat ride around the islet, which is still inhabited.
In the nearby ancient site of Dodoni visit the eminent archaeological space with the ancient Theatre and the oracle, second in importance in Ancient Greece after that of Delphi.

The Zagorohoria are 46 traditional settlements North of Ioannina, set in breathtaking surroundings. They are famous for their natural beauty and fascinate whoever visits the area. Rocky mountains, with rivers, lakes, traditional houses and over 60 stone bridges in the area are few of the elements that make the Zagori area so special. The unspoiled natural environment makes you feel that time has stopped. The distinctive architecture, with houses built of local gray stone, the mansions, the churches and the area with the dark pine trees, full of flowers meadows and lush vegetation provide a unique experience of natural beauty.

The Zagori villages in alphabetical order are: (=accommodation)

Agios Minas (West Zagori) Voidomatis River. • Site of architectural interest: Kastraki.
Ano Pedina Temples / Monasteries: M. Evangelistrias, T. Ag. Dimitriou, M. Ag. Paraskevis. • Housekeeping School of Lambriadeios • Library of Neofytos Doukas.
Anthrakitis Sites of natural interest: Mount Mitsikeli, forests of Central and Eastern Zagori. • Bridge of Anthrakitis.
Aristi West Zagori - Voidomatis River. • Temples / Monasteries: T. Kimissis Theotokou, M. Panayias Spiliotissas.
Asprageli (alt.990 m.)The first of the villages the traveler meets, 30 km from Ioannina. Site of natural interest: Mount Mitsikeli. Information Center for the area of Vikos-Aoos • Monument to the Zagori Woman. Church of Ag. Nikolaos, cultural centre, rifle club an paragliding base.
Demati
Dikorfo Sites of particular natural interest: Mount Mitsikeli, forests of Central and Eastern Zagori. • Temple Ag. Mina. • Bridge of Stathi.
Dilofo forests of Central Zagori. • H.Temple Kimissis Theofokou. • Bridge Ag. Mina. • School of Anagnostopoulos.
Dipotamo Sites of natural interest: Mount Mitsikeli, forests of Central and Eastern Zagori. • Temples / Monasteries: M. Kimissis Theotokou Vissikou, T. Kimissis Theotokou.
Doliani forests of Eastern Zagori. •Temples / Monasteries: T. Kimissis Theotokou. • Bridges: bridge of Doliani, bridge of Kourtias at Vardas River.
Elaphotopos Site of natural interest: Mount Stouros. Sites of archaeological interest: Castle, prehestorical graves. • Temples / Monasteries: T. Ag. Georgiou, T. Ag. Nikolaou (at the huts of Elafotopos between Kato Pedina and Kalpaki), T. Kimissis Theotokou. • Folklore Museum of Elafotopos.
Elati Site of natural interest: Mount Mitsikeli, forests of Central and Eastern Zagori.
Elatohori forests of Eastern Zagori
Flambourari forests of Eastern Zagori, Mount Tsouka Rossa. • Temple Ag. Nikolaou. • Watermill at Flambourari.
Fragkades Sites of particular natural interest: forests of Central and Eastern Zagori. • Temple Ag. Dimitriou. •Bridges: bridge Petsioni, bridges of Fragades.
Greveniti forests of Eastern Zagori. • Acropolis of Greveniti (close to the Monastery Votsas). • Temples / Monasteries: T. Kimissis Theotokou, M. Theotokou Votsas. • Bridge of Tsipiani.
Iliohori area of Tymfi. • Temples / Monasteries: M. Kimissis Theotokou, T. Ag. Nikolaou. • Sheep-pen of Sarakatsaneoi at the site of Gyftokambos between Skamneli-lliochori.
Itea
Kalouta Sites of particular natural interest: Mount Mitsikeli, forests of Central and Eastern Zagori. • Temples / Monasteries: T. Metamorfossis tou Sotiros, M. Kimissis Theotokou Vissikou.
Kapessovo area of Tymfi, Vikos Gorge • Temple Ag. Nikolaou • School of Paschaleios • Folklore Collection at Kapessovo.
Karies Site of particular natural interest: Mount Mitsikeli.
Kastanona, forests of Eastern Zagori. • Bridge at Dragari.
Kato Pedina Mount Stouros. • Sites of architectural interest: ancient graves of 11th – 12th century. • Temples: T. Taxiarchon, T. Ag. Athanassiou.
Kavallari Site of particular natural interest: Mount Mitsikeli. • Temple Agios Triadas at Kavalari. • Bridge at Zagoritikos River.
Kipi, forests of Central & Eastern Zagori • The village of Kipi was the capital of central Zagori • Temple Ag. Nikolaou • Temple Ag. Georgiou • Bridges: bridge of Kokori, else Al. Noutsou and bridge of Kalogeriko, else Plakida between Koukouli and Kipi, bridge of Kontodimou or Lazaridi, bridge of Mylou, bridge at the site Aghios at the Bagiotiko stream, bridge of Petsioni. • Folklore Museum of Agapios Tolis with 50000 exhibits • Folk Art Museum • Mountaineering Refuge of loannina EOS at Mitsikeli.
Koukouli Vikos Gorge, forests of Central Zagori. • Temple Kimissis Theotokou. • Bridges: bridge of Kokori or else Al. Noutsou and bridge of Kalogeriko or Plakida between Koukouli and Kipi. • Cultural Center-Folklore Museum of K. Lazaridi.
LaistaMount Kleftes. Temple Taxiarchon
Leptokaria Temple Ag. Nikolaou.
Makrino forests of Eastern Zagori. • Acropolis of Makrino. • Temples/Monasteries: T. Ag. Nikolaou, T. Kimissis Theotokou.
Manassi Sites of particular natural interest: Mount Mitsikeli, forests of Central and Eastern Zagori. • Temple Ag. Georgiou.
Messovouni (West Zagori) Information Kiosk for the area of Vikos-Aoos.
Milliotades Site of particular natural interest: Mount Mitsikeli. • Bridge of Kamber Agha at Zagoritikos River, bridge of Tsipianis. forests of Eastern Zagori. • Bridge Kamber Agha. • Watermill at Tristeno (in the middle of the route Miliotades-Greveniti).
Monodendri is located at an altitude of 1,060m, 39km from Ioannina. Its name (mono + dendri = one + tree) comes from the tall fir tree that existed in the village up until 1840. Until 1753, it was a community made up of three neighbourhoods: Vitsa, Ano Machalas and Agios Georgios, which evolved in today’s village. It bloomed around the 17th and 18th centuries, when local benefactors decorated it with manors, churches and schools. It attracts the most tourists out of all Zagori, since it is situated close to the internationally known Vikos Gorge, the second largest in the world after the Grand Canyon. Zagorochoria were very popular around the 18th and 19th century, since the locals dominated the trade routes of Pindos and made great fortunes, evidence today by the two-storey manors in the area. Today, most of the villages have been restored, while the local architecture, with stone-built roads and constructions, is a magnet for visitors. The village of Monodendri, on the rim of the gorge, is a good spot for those who want to hike the entire gorge as well as view the famous stone arched bridges over the river below the gorge. Other short hikes out of Monodendri are suitable for hikers not eager to handle the vigorous gorge hike. Nearby Vitsa is also good for hiking the gorge, although it's a distance to reach the entrance to the gorge.

area of Tymfi, Vikos-Aoos National Park and the Vikos Gorge, Oxia site (view of Vikos Gorge). • Temples / Monasteries: T. Ag. Athanassiou, T. Agiou Mina, T. Agias Paraskevis, T. Agiou Georgiou. • Carpet-making School of the Rizareios Foundation.
Negkades Mountains Kousta, Koziakos, forests of Central & Eastern Zagori. • Temples: T. Ag. Georgiou, T. Panayias Theotokou. • Bridges of Negkades.
Papigko - Megalo and Mikro (West Zagori) are the most known and most developed of the Zagorohoria. Built at an altitude of 1,000 metres, it is a dominant natural monument, offering breathtaking view and significant finds of Epirus' route in History. The road to Papigo is unbelievable. Divided in two villages, Megalo and Mikro Papigko, built at the foot of Mt Astraka, below the imposing castles and the mythical lake Drakolimni, Papigko is the focus of an area inhabited since the Prehistoric era. The so-called Papigko Towers, vertical rocks measuring 300-400m, rise above the village. Mikro Papigko is located at the foot of Mt Tymfi. Upon entering the village, you come across the central cobblestone square. Walk through its alleys, admire the stone-built houses with the ornate chimneys and the big courtyards. the Church of the Taxiarches is also worth visiting. Papigo is the place for trekking. One idea is to start from the square outside Mikro Papigo, heading for the shelter of Astraka and pass by four fountains. Avragonio, Antalki, Trafos and Krouna, shortly before the road to the renewed shelter in Astraka. These villages is a convenient place to start your trekking trip and other activities or your holiday. The villages of Mikro Papingo and Megalo Papigko, are better suited for hikers who want to hike the gorge as well as east into the Gamilla mountain range.

MEGALO PAPIGKO, area of Vikos Gorge, area of Tymfi (Vikos-Aoos), Towers of Papingo, Astraka Summit. • Temples: T. Ag. Vlassis, T. Ag. Georgiou, T. Kimissis Theotokou. • Bridge between the two Papingos. • Area of educational interest: Library of M Anagnostopoulos. • Mountaineering Refuge of the Greek Mountaineering-Climbing Union (EOS of Papingo) in Astraka (Tymfi mountain).

MIKRO PAPIGKO area of Vikos Gorge, area of Tymfi (area of Vikos-Aoos), Towers of Papingo, Astraka Summit. • Papingo Information Center on the Nature and Culture of Zagori. • Temple Taxiarchon.
Petra
Skamneli forests of Central Zagori, mountains of Kousta, Koziakos. • Acropolis of Skamneli. • Temples/Monasteries: T. Ag. Paraskevi, T. Ag. Nikolaou, T. Agion Apostolon. • Sheep-pen of Sarakatsaneoi at the site of Gyftokambos between Skamneli-lliochori.
Tristeno forests of Metsovo. • Temple Ag. Georgiou. • Watermill.
Tsepelovo is the biggest and most lively of the Zagoria villages and is the capital of the county of Zagoria. There is a beautiful church with remarkable frescoes that should be seen by the visitor. Points of interest: Vikaki Gorge, forests of Central Zagori. • Temples / Monasteries: T. Ag. Nikolaou, M. Ag. loanni Rogovou. • Bridges of Tsepelovo.
Vikos (West Zagori) area of Vikos Gorge Voidomatis River. • Temples/Monasteries: H. M. Panayias Spiliotissas Voidomati, T. Ag. Tryfona, T. Kimissis Theotokou (Panayia Vikou).
Vitsa area of Mt. Tymfi, Vikos-Aoos national Park and Vikos Gorge. • Sites of architectural interest: ancient settlement between Vitsa-Monodendri. • Temples / Monasteries: T. Ag. Nikolaou, T. Kimissis Theotokou, T. Taxiarchon, M. Profiti Elia. • Bridge of Missiou at Skala Vitsas. • School of Vrizopouleios.
Vovousa forests of Eastern Zagori, area of Valia Kalda, Aoos River, Mount Avgo. • Temples: T. Ag. Georgiou, T. Ag. Paraskevis. • Bridges of Vovoussa on Aoos and its tributaries • Watermill of Vovoussa. • Information Kiosk for the area of Valia Kalda.
Vradeto: is the highest in altitude of the Zagorohoria in the altitude of 1340 m and there are the famous Vradeto stairs connecting Vradeto to the village of Kapessovo. It is definitely worth a climb. The stairs are a sample of traditional stone building art and they are so well built that it is extremely difficult to separate the stairs from the surrounding mountain cliff from a distance. Continue your walking from Vradeto to Beloi view point, a natural balcony, which has a great view over the magnificent Vikos gorge, and the Vikos-Aoos National Park, one of the few protected areas in Greece, which still maintain their naturalness. Points of interest: area of Mt Tymfi, Vikos Gorge, site of Beloi. • Skala Vradetou. • Temple Genissis Theotokou. • Bridges of Skala Vradetou.
Vrisohori area of Tymfi • Temple Ag. Charalambous. • Folklore Collection at Vryssochori.

• Traditional settlements: Aristi, Vikos, Megalo Papigko, Mikro Papigko, Vitsa, Monodendri, Kato Pedina, Elafotopos, Ano Pedina, Dilofo, Kipi, Negkades, Koukouli, Kapessovo, Vradeto, Skamneli, Dilofo, Iliohori, Laista, Vrissohori, Elati, Dikorfo, Kalouta, Dipotamo, Fragkades, Manassi, Anthrakitis, Leptokaria, Doliani, Kavalari, Greveniti, Flambourari, Vovoussa.

The Vikos - Aoos National Park

located in the mountainous area of Zagori it includes the Vikos Gorge, the canyon formed by the River Aoos, one can observe rare species of flora and fauna of Epirus. Over 1750 species of wild plants and flowers are recorded in the region, many of them being indigenous and unique. Part of the Vikos-Aoos National Park, the Vicos Gorge-Canyon (5km.) is one of the most breathtaking natural sites in all of Greece and one of the largest and finest gorges in all of Europe. As stated in the 1996 Guinness Book of World Records Vicos Gorge is the deepest canyon in northern Greece offering an outstanding scenery. The gorge is 12 km long, averages 700 m in depth and 200 m in width. It is traversed by Voidomatis River, a tributary of Aoos River, one of the largest in the region of Epirus.
At the feet of the left wall of the canyon, aprox. 1350 m tall are the sources of the Voidomatis River, just 2,5 Km away from Aristi. A tributary of Aoos River, one of the largest in the region of Epirus, which has the fame of being the cleanest river in Europe with water which is fit to drink.
Trekking clubs from all over the world, as well as individuals, visit the area aiming to cross the gorge from start to the end. There are well defined trekking paths, marked from and to all the villages. Hiking down from Monodendri to the Vikos Gorge, the gray stone building of the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi cling to the rocks directly above a precipitous drop into the bottom of the gorge 1000m. below. A path starting from the monastery winds down the face of the cliff past some terraces and some caves, finally reaching a platform overlooking the confluence of the Voidomatis and a neighbouring mountain stream.

Drakolimni (the dragon lake) which is at an altitude of 2100 m. on Mt. Tymfi and can be reached from Papingo or from Tsepelovo.

Metsovo is a graphic mountainous town and has too many to offer to the visitor. Built amphitheatric in the slopes of Pindus in height of 1160 meters in a very impressive landscape. The weather here is cold most of the time. Metsovo will fascinate you with the house architecture and it is famous for the work of craftsmanship that produces textiles and embroidery. You should visit the mansion Tositsa, the art gallery of Evangelos Averof, the monastery of Agios Nikolaos, the ski centres of Pindus and the astonishing lakes Flegga in Mavrovouni.

Konitsa, is the capital of the Konitsa County, is a picturesque town built amphitheatrically in altitude of 630 meters. The town climbs up the hillside beneath the great "Gymnadi" Mountain at 600m. above the sea. Three rivers join in front of Konista: the Sarantaporos, the Aoos and the Voidomatis. Visit the amazing but small copse of region, the mansions that exist here, the folklore museum and the Mausoleum that is found next to the copse.

For mountaineering excursions: Greek mountaineering Club of Ioannina: 26510 22138

* Activities in the Zagori region
* Walking - hiking tours of Zagorohoria
* Touring the Zagoria villages - Tour No. 1