City of Ioannina spreads out around beautiful Lake Pamvotida. The natural environment, the climate and character of the town are defined by this area of water . The lake, with its still waters and its small island, is a natural monument, around which the entire area lives and breathes. A walk through the city has the feel of a bygone era, full of secret places and legends still living. Wonderful buildings like the House Matei Hussein, the Ottoman mosque of Veli Pasha and the entire historic centre of the town are unique attractions.
Ioannina was always multireligious: Christian, Islamic and Jewish influences. This coexistence of cultural influences is clearly evident in the historic city centre.
Perama Cave
The Perama Cave is among Greece’s largest and most impressive caves. It spans in an area of 14,800 square meters below ground; however, the tourist route is only 1100 meters. This underground walk will be an opportunity to discover 19 different types stalactites and stalagmites with surprising shapes as well as underground lakes and fossils of animal teeth and bones.
Walk down the 163 steps that lead to the first of the chambers and discover limestone have been transformed into crystal and today form fascinatingly shaped stalagmites and stalactites where candles, cactus and even a tower of Pisa can be seen.
Castle of Ioannina
The Castle of location on the western shore of Pamvotida lake. It was built in 528 AD, during the reign of the Emperor Justinian, under the fortification program of the Byzantine territory.
Inside the castle of Ioannina, the two acropolis stand out: the southeast or otherwise Its Kale and the northeast or Aslan Pasha.
Ali Pasha and Revolutionary Period Museum
Museum is housed in a cell of Panteleimonas monastery, where Ali Passa was murdered. Its collection includes exhibits from the period of the Ottoman occupation, Ali Pasha’s personal items (documents, Kira-Vassiliki outfit etc).
Silversmithing Museum
The Silversmithing Museum is housed in the Castle of Ioannina. It occupies two of the bastion’s levels, as well as the building of the old cookhouses adjacent to it. The visitor can discover, through various display means, traditional techniques of shaping and decorating silverware objects.
Archaeological Museum of Ioannina
In the heart of the city of Ioannina, at Litharitsia Park, lies the Metropolitan Museum for the Epirus Antiquities. It showcases a multitude of important cultural artifacts from prehistoric times up to the fall of the Roman rule (4th century AD). Through a variety of finds- such as tools, equipment, weapons, jewellery, coins, architectural fragments, inscriptions – are unfolded aspects of daily life the economy and social organization in camps, villages and towns/citadels.
Plaka Arched Bridge
The historical bridge of Plaka is the largest single-arched bridge in the Balkans and the third largest in Europe. It has an arch span of 40 meters, a height of 21 meters and an opening at the top of 3.2 meters. It connects Tzoumerka with Katsanochoria and by extension the prefecture of Arta with the prefecture of Ioannina.
Lake Pamvotida
Situated right next to the city of Ioannina, this uncommonly beautiful lake is a true gem of the Ioannina Basin region. The lake is supplied by the springs of Mount Mitsikeli, Drabatova, Sendeniko and Krya. Its waters are usually calm, though it freezes on occasions. It exerts a mysterious charm over the locals, who spend sunny summer days on its shores.
