Epirus in 6 Days — From the Lake to the Ionian Coast

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The capital of Epirus lies on the shore of Lake Pamvotis, surrounded by mountains. The day begins with a walk through Kastro, the old fortified core with Ottoman heritage — the Its Kale citadel, the Fethiye Mosque and the view of the lake from the ramparts. In the afternoon, a boat crosses to the small island in the middle of the lake, with its little village and Byzantine monasteries among the cypresses. In the evening, a stroll along the waterfront and dinner at one of the traditional taverns in the old town.

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A full-day excursion into the mountainous Zagori region north of Ioannina, where stone villages with slate-covered roofs and old arched bridges over clear rivers line the landscape. Viewpoints above the Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest in the world relative to its width, open up views of steep cliffs and the green valley of the Voidomatis river. Hiking trails set off from the villages of Monodendri and Papingo, and the day ends with a return to Ioannina.

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The drive west along the Egnatia descends from the mountains to the coast, arriving at Igoumenitsa, the main Ionian port of Epirus. The pace is relaxed: the long sandy beach of Drepano surrounded by greenery, a stroll along the harbour promenade, and fresh fish at local tavernas. The town is also a natural gateway to the islands and to the south, making it an ideal spot for a rest before the coast.

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A short drive along the coast leads to Sivota, a small resort tucked among pine-covered islets and turquoise coves. The day is reserved for the sea — boats take you around the islets, to the sandbar of Bella Vraka reached by wading through shallow water, and to Pisina cove with its strikingly turquoise water. There is time for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing at tavernas right on the waterfront.

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Parga descends amphitheatrically down the hillside toward the bay, beneath a Venetian fortress and with a small church on a tiny island in the middle of the harbor. Colorful houses, narrow alleyways, and the beaches of Valtos and Krioneri form the heart of the town. In the afternoon, visitors head to the springs of the Acheron, the mythical river of the underworld — cold, crystal-clear water ideal for a walk along the bank and a refreshing dip, in the shade of plane trees.

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The final stage heads south to Preveza, at the very entrance to the Ambracian Gulf. Nearby lies ancient Nikopolis, a city built by Octavian after the naval Battle of Actium, with remains of walls, a theater, and basilicas. In the town itself, narrow streets of the old quarter and a seaside promenade are ideal for a leisurely end to the journey and a dinner of fresh fish and seafood. The tranquil gulf with its rich birdlife rounds off the journey through Epirus.