A few years ago, I moved to Ioannina in Northwest Greece for five months for work. All I knew about Ioannina was that it’s famous for being the haziest city in the country, although many locals argue that it’s also the most romantic one. What makes it so? The lake, the rain, and the fog. The proximity of two national parks also makes this area unique and outstanding.
At first I thought that I wouldn’t like Ioannina because I’m someone who loves sunny weather, but on my way there I changed my opinion. The view from the Egnatia Highway of Ioannina nestled by the Pamvotida Lake was mesmerizing.
I soon found that Ioannina is a lively city with many coffee shops, confectioneries, restaurants, bars, and outgoing university students. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss if you plan a trip to this amazing place.
Ioannina
The best place to start exploring the city is the sidewalk along the lake. You can walk, cycle or rent a rickshaw while enjoying a beautiful view of the Pamvotida Lake. There are bike and rickshaw rental companies where you can find two- and four-seater vehicles to go around the lake with your friends or family.
Your next stop should be the Iç Kale citadel, where the residence of Ali Pasha used to be. Ali Pasha was an Ottoman provincial governor under whose rule the city of Ioannina had flourished. Today, the main building in the citadel is the Byzantine Museum and it’s well worth a visit!
Close to the Byzantine Museum is the Silversmithing Museum which used to be the city treasury, but now houses a stunning silver artwork exhibition. Silversmiths have been playing an important role for the socioeconomic development of Ioannina since the 18th century. Make sure to also stop by the Fetiche Mosque which offers great, picture-worthy views of the lake.
If you prefer to visit just one museum and spend the rest of your day exploring the city, then head straight to the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina. The artifacts on display are dated between the Paleolithic and the Roman period. Keep in mind that all museums have an entrance fee of 2 euros between November and March, and 4 euros between April and October.
When it comes to eating in Ioannina, there’s a plethora of food joints to choose from—and it’s a tough choice! For heavenly delicious cakes or breakfast and brunch, go to Motley Coffeesweet. The product variety and freshness there will win you over. If you want something more traditional, then Gateaux Ζαχαροπλαστείο is just for you. This is one of the best sweet shops to have amazingly sweet baklava pastry.
There are plenty of options for coffee and drinks, too. Montage boasts exemplary customer service and a great location, while Scala is one of the oldest bars in the city with a cosy environment and good quality coffee. It’s also quite close to the lake.
Dodonis Street is where you should go to have a nice dinner out. The street is full of restaurants or as we like to call them—tsipouradika, as you can find the famous Greek tsipouro liquor in all of them. You can’t go wrong even if you pick a restaurant at random! One of my favorites is Páprika because of its charming atmosphere and good quality tsipouro. However, keep in mind that it might be hard to find a table there because it’s a popular place among locals. If you’re not into loud music and lively conversations, then Bite Bite is just want you’re looking for—its lovely ambience matches the delicious food.
Ioannina island
My favorite place around the city is Ioannina Island near the Pamvotida Lake. The island doesn’t have its own name, but the locals call it “nisaki” which means “the little island.” A small boat leaving from the Ioannina Marina takes people to the island at regular intervals. The ride costs 2 euros for adults and 1,5 euros for children, and it lasts no longer than ten minutes.
The moment you arrive at the island, you’ll be taken aback by the distinct architecture. There are a few monasteries to explore there, but if you were to visit just one, go to Moni Agios Nikolaos Filanthropinon. The murals there are from the Byzantine era and are astonishing.
If you’re into history, then the Ali Pasha Museum is a must. Learn all about the famous Pasha’s life and find out why we say that if you have a good life, you live like a pasha. Inside the museum you can see richly decorated weapons, jewelry, and clothes. Last but not least, don’t forget to check out the Information centre for lake Pamvotida where you can learn a bit more about the lake and the local environment.
While walking around the island, take a bite of some local products, as the shop owners like to give away samples of sweets, loukoumia Turkish delight, and jams, or take a sip of tsipouro and cognac with houndberries and cinnamon. Also, don’t forget to get traditional souvenirs made of wood or silver.
The island cuisine consists mainly of fresh fish from the lake, crayfish, and eel, with the most popular dish being frog legs. I’ve never tried frog legs myself, but from what I hear, they are delicious! My favorite place to go after a walk is the ΔΟΥΝΑΙ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΒΕΙΝ (ΚΑΦΕ -ΤΣΙΠΟΥΡΟ-ΑΡΓΙΛΕ) coffee shop. It’s worth a visit as the friendly owner will make you feel at home. Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and drink tsipouro in the afternoon, accompanied by a selection of small dishes we call meze.
Adventurous sports in the area
Are you a fan of extreme sports or hiking? Τhen prepare to be amazed by the wide range of activities you can do in the broader area of Ioannina. There are many companies that organize trips for the experienced and less experienced adventurers and you can book your activity of choice online. Activities include mountain biking, mushroom hunting, canyoning, horseback riding, parachuting, and many more. I recommend you go rafting or canoeing and kayaking on the Arachthos River. I didn’t have any experience with rafting but still I had a lot of fun.
Make sure to include Ioannina in your travel itinerary next time you visit Greece. The polite and welcoming inhabitants as well as the lively rhythm of life will convince you that this is one of Greece’s most romantic cities.
Have you ever lived in another city? What did you like most about it? Share your experiences in the comments below.
