Ioannina
The city of Ioannina is built on the shores of Pamvotis Lake and is the capital of the prefecture of Epirus. Explore your travel guide to Ioannina, a truly picturesque town, combining history and tradition with the contemporary way of life. Thanks to its long historical, cultural, social and financial past, it is a popular tourist destination in Greece.
Your Ioannina travel guide
The Ottoman Empire has left its mark in the city of Ioannina, which is full of eastern architectural style buildings, as well as mosques. The Castle, which was the heart of the Despotate of Epirus, is located in the center of the town. The south-eastern citadel bears the name Its Kale («inner fortress» in Turkish) and this is where the Fethiye Mosque (Victory Mosque) is located, built in 1430 on the ruins of a Byzantine church. Its final form was given by Ali Pasha in 1795.
The city’s Byzantine Museum is housed in a building rebuilt on the ruins of the seraglio of Ali Pasha in Its Kale, which was completely destroyed by fire in 1870. The north- western citadel of the fortress is dominated by the Aslan Pasha Mosque. Built in 1618, it now houses the Municipal Ethnographic Museum and its three departments, Greek, Ottoman Muslim and Jewish.
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The beautiful Pamvotis Lake, the largest lake in Epirus, constitutes a very important ecosystem, since it includes an enormous variety of species. The lake is connected to the story of lady Efrosini, whom Ali Pasha condemned to death by drowning along with other 16 women, allegedly for being women of loose morals. Legend has it that most of them were innocent and unjustifiably executed, while lady Efrosini was the bravest of them.
For quite many years, Ioannina has been famous for its silversmiths. The silverware of Ioannina is among the best all over Greece and includes Byzantine and ancient jewelry, carved utensils, religious objects and a special kind of wire-made jewels and utensils.
Spices and herbs from the verdant nature of Ioannina, fish and frog legs from the lake, as well as traditional desserts such as sker bourek and baklava are some of the flavors of the city that will amaze you!
Ancient Dodoni is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. It is located 22 km. south of Ioannina and it is famous for its oracle.
Mouthwatering dishes from fresh products are served in an atmospheric environment at the restaurant of Frotzu Politeia.
Agia Triada Hill, Ioannina
Tel: +30 26510 21011
Metsovitiki Folia is a traditional tavern and the perfect cozy place to enjoy delicious meat in Ioannina.
Averof 101, Ioannina
Tel: +30 2651 022033
Authentic Greek cuisine and warm atmosphere opposite the main gate of the castle. Enjoy delicious meat, seafood and pasta.
17 Plateia Neomartiros Georgiou, Ioannina
Tel: +30 26510 37722
Ioannina is accessible by car and is connected by air to Athens.
