Epiros

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Greece

$27.99

Shop Book

Path in to the Vikos Gorge, from Monodendri, Greece

©Justin Foulkes/Lonely Planet

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Epiros

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

Epiros (EE-per-os) boasts the magnificent 1km-deep Vikos Gorge, part of the larger Northern Pindos National Park, all forests, waterfalls and ice-cold mountain lakes. Add the entrancingly beautiful Zagorohoria (Zagori villages) and the alpine charm of Metsovo, and it's no wonder these mountains draw loyal repeat visitors. Greece's third-largest city, Ioannina, is the gateway, and a lovely lakeside destination in its own right.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Vikos Gorge

Zagorohoria

The Voïdomatis ('Good Water' in its Slavic roots) River, a tributary of the Aoös, carved the 12km-long, 900m-deep Vikos Gorge over millions of years. Per…

Ioannina Island

Ioannina

In the middle of the lake, the reed-encircled patch of land locals just call To Nisi (The Island) is a pretty, peaceful destination, whether you just want…

Forest and Aoos river at the valley of Valia Calda in northern Greece.

Northern Pindos National Park

Epiros

North of Ioannina, this large protected area includes the Vikos-Aoös region around the plunging Vikos Gorge, and the Valia Kalda forest north of Metsovo…

Nekromanteion of Acheron

Epiros

This ancient complex is small but comes with a gripping backstory. According to Homer and Herodotus, it was a place to consult with an oracle …

Nikopolis

Preveza

The ruins of Nikopolis, built in 28 BC by Octavian (later Augustus), after he defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra in the naval Battle of Actium (Aktion),…

Dodoni

Epiros

Set in a wildflower-carpeted valley 21km southwest of Ioannina, Dodoni was the religious capital of the ancient Epirote Alliance. It is most famous for…

Church of Parigoritissa Byzantine Museum

Epiros

Three storeys plus intricate brick domes, this giant block of a church was established in the 13th century under the Despotate of Epiros. A few centuries…

Moni Filanthropinon

Ioannina

This monastery, active at least since the 13th century, bursts with flowers and is tended by kindly nuns – in stark contrast with its church, in which one…

View more attractions