en-Giannena and Konitsa

Written by Maria Siritzidou

This trek combines it all - worldliness and yet peace and relaxation.

Let's start from the bustling Ioannina. It is a city buzzing with life. The city of 65,000 inhabitants is located in mainland Greece and has a rich cultural tradition. Pamvotida lake, adjacent to the city, has a special place. A walk around the lake or a bike ride is a must. In addition inside the lake is an island, which has around 300 inhabitants and has seven monasteries. There are ferries that can take you there with very frequent routes.

In Ioannina you can admire the Castle which is the fortified old town. The Castle is dominated by its two citadels, the eastern and the western, which were created at the end of the 11th century. In the area of the castle is the impressive Museum of Silversmithing where you can learn many things about the silversmithing of Epirus as well as the Byzantine museum.

The old town is also there and you can admire very beautiful and well-preserved houses.

You can still visit the town hall, the municipal art gallery and the city's trademark clock.

Very close to the city of Ioannina, just 64 km. near the Albanian border, you will find Konitsa, the jewel of Epirus. Konitsa, with a population of around 3,000 inhabitants, is located next to the imposing peaks of Mount Tymfi. It is built at the foot of Mount Trapezitsa (1024m).

In this area, three rivers meet, Aoos, Voidomatis and Sarantaporos. There next to the Aoos river, you will admire the old bridge of Konitsa and walk parallel to the Aoos river, crossing the Aoos gorge, till you reach the holy monastery of Panagia Stomios, where Saint Paisios practiced.

In Konitsa you can still visit the Wine Museum of Epirus, the well-preserved mansions of the area, the house where Agios Paisios lived and the environmental center of Konitsa. It has many hiking trails for nature lovers.

A few kilometers from Konitsa you meet Voidomatis, the well-known river where you can go rafting and enjoy a wonderful mini-trip of about three hours at a cost of 40e per person. This route starts from the village of Aristi to reach the banks of Voidomatis.

For lovers of gastronomy there is also a wonderful restaurant Voidomatis where you can enjoy a smoked trout accompanied by a glass of white wine. Then we enjoyed a wonderful Greek coffee in the picturesque village of Aristi, which is located 7 km. beyond and belongs to the Zagorochoria. It is a village in the prefecture of Ioannina in the municipality of Zagori, built at an altitude of 642 meters. You can spend the night in one of the very beautiful hotels of Ioannina but also in Konitsa from where you can visit many places in the area such as Pyrsogianni and Vourbiani, two very picturesque villages, the Amaranto baths, and Kavasila with its own hot springs.

Konitsa has a lot to offer its visitors. You can cross the Aoo Gorge, go horse riding, paragliding, rafting and kayaking, but also via ferrata, rock climbing and thermal baths. The variety of activities and the natural beauty of the landscape make Konitsa a very attractive tourist destination. I highly recommend it to you!