(90km - 1 hour 20 mins) 

The capital of Epirus is a beautiful city built on the Pamvotida (Pamvotis) Lake, apart from a great dose of "shopping therapy” Ioannina has many iconic landmarks that you can visit such as the Perama caves, the Vrelli wax museum, the Citadel of Its Kale (Inner Fort) and the Ali Pasha Mosque among others. 

Pamvotida Lake

This is one of the oldest lakes in the world. There are several walking and cycling paths around the lake where you can discover among others, the amphitheater and the Durachani monastery. It is also nice to spend time on the lake or sail by boat to the island.  

Ioannina island

The island in the middle of Lake Pamvotis is the only populated island in Greece without a name. From Plateia Mavili you can take a boat (10 mins) to this almost car-free island. The island has one of the largest monastic communities in Greece. Stroll through the small streets of the village and see the monasteries. In one of the monasteries, you can visit a small Ali Pasha Museum and learn more about the old leader of Epirus. 

The Old City 

The old part of Ioannina is also called the castle. This part of the city dates back to the sixth century and is surrounded by ancient city walls and has a number of beautiful squares and idyllic little streets to stroll through. Visit the Voimoudos tower from 1022, where you have a beautiful view of the Pamvotis Lake and the surrounding area. 

Museums

Ioannina has a number of interesting museums. One of which is the Silversmith Museum, here you will discover everything about the history and technology of silversmithing, which Ioannina is famous for. The Municipal Ethnographic Museum is located in an old mosque and shows how the castle residents lived. The Archaeological Museum is also worth a visit, the exhibitions show you Greek history and display many objects found during excavations. 

Perama caves

Just 5km from Ioannina are the Perama Caves and only discovered in 1940. The caves are fairytale-like. A tour takes about 1hr, visiting six different chambers each with its own theme and beautiful formations of stalagmites and stalactites. The hike is not difficult. There is a visitor center where you can learn more about the fossils and other natural treasures found in the cave. A tour costs approx. €8 and there is a tourist ‘train’ that transports visitors from the parking area to the cave entrance.