Enjoy the journey
to the lake
and its myths
Both its rich history and natural beauty have endowed it with remarkable landmarks, which you should explore during your visit to the city and the surrounding area.
The Castle
The Castle of Ioannina is the city’s most important landmark. It is the old fortified town of Ioannina, enclosed within impressive walls. The fortifications as they stand today were rebuilt by Ali Pasha during the Ottoman period, incorporating earlier Byzantine structures.
The Castle includes two citadels: the southeastern one, known as Its Kale, and the smaller northeastern citadel, where the Aslan Pasha Mosque is located. You should plan to spend a full day exploring the Castle and discovering its many individual monuments and sites.
Lake Pamvotis
Lake Pamvotis, also known as Lake of Ioannina, is situated at an altitude of 483 meters above sea level, covering 19.4 km² with an average depth of 4–5 meters (maximum 11 meters). It is one of the oldest lakes in the world and is surrounded by Mount Mitsikeli.
The lake is rich in flora and fauna and is part of the protected areas of the NATURA 2000 Network. At its center lies an inhabited island, simply called The Island.
Island of Ioannina
The Island of Ioannina is located within Lake Pamvotis, almost opposite the village of Amphithea. The island is home to over 300 residents and features seven monasteries, the earliest of which were founded in the 13th century. Notably, Ali Pasha was assassinated in 1822 at the Monastery of Agios Panteleimon. The monasteries house remarkable post-Byzantine frescoes.
The settlement developed around the 17th century, and tradition holds that the first inhabitants came from Mani. The island is connected to the city of Ioannina by a ferry, departing from the edge of the castle near Mavili Square, making it possible to visit for the day or stay overnight, as accommodations are available. Be sure to visit the Ali Pasha and Revolutionary Period Museum.
Perama Cave
Perama Cave is located near Lake Pamvotis in Perama, about 4 kilometers from the city of Ioannina. It was accidentally discovered in 1940 during World War II.
Situated at an altitude of 480 meters, the cave consists of numerous halls and corridors featuring stalagmites, stalactites, and columns. Exploring the cave takes approximately 45 minutes, covering a distance of 1,100 meters with steps that go both up and down.
Ancient Dodoni
Ancient Dodoni is located about 19.5 kilometers from the city of Ioannina, and it is truly worth a visit. Dodoni was a center of worship for Zeus and Dione. The area dates back to the Bronze Age, when it was dedicated to Gaia. Worship of Zeus was established later, possibly by the Selloi.
At the archaeological site, you can explore the Oracle of Dodoni, which predates the Oracle of Delphi. Other notable monuments include the Ancient Theater of Dodoni (with a capacity of 18,000 spectators), the Sacred House or Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Themis, the Ancient Acropolis, and the Ancient Stadium of Dodoni.
Vrellis Wax Museum
The Pavlos Vrellis Greek History Museum is a wax museum located 13 kilometers from the city of Ioannina, in the municipality of Bizani. It was founded by the sculptor Pavlos Vrellis and opened to the public in 1995.
The artist’s recreations depict historical events and figures of Greece, featuring 150 wax figures and 36 historical scenes from Greek history, including the Secret School, the Oath of the Filiki Eteria, Klephts and Armatoloi, and more.
