Is Ioannina worth visiting in Greece?

Yes — Ioannina is one of the most rewarding cities in mainland Greece. It has a genuinely interesting history (as the stronghold of Ali Pasha, the Ottoman ruler who nearly declared independence from the Ottoman Empire), a beautiful lakeside setting, a well-preserved Byzantine and Ottoman old town, and easy access to some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country — Vikos Gorge and the Zagori villages are within an hour's drive. Most visitors spend two nights.

Can you visit Ali Pasha's island from Ioannina?

Yes. Small motorboats depart from the quayside on Mavili Square, on the lakefront below the kastro, throughout the day. The crossing takes about 10 minutes. On the island you can visit the monastery where Ali Pasha was killed in 1822, the room where his bullet holes are still in the floor, and the small village. The return boat trip costs approximately EUR 5 as of 2026. There is no fixed schedule — boats depart when there are passengers.

What is the best time of year to visit Ioannina?

Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the best times. Summers are warm rather than scorching — Ioannina is at 500 metres elevation, so it never reaches the coastal heat. Winters are cold and foggy, and the lake takes on a dramatic grey atmosphere that some travellers find appealing. The Zagori villages and Vikos Gorge are best for hiking in May–June and September–October.

Things to Do in Ioannina | The Greece Guides

Ioannina sits on the western shore of Lake Pamvotis in the mountains of Epirus, a region that feels distinctly different from coastal Greece. The city was the seat of Ali Pasha — the Albanian-born Ottoman governor who built a near-independent state here in the late 18th and early 19th centuries — and his shadow is everywhere: in the kastro walls, in the island monastery where he was ambushed and killed, and in the complex, multi-faith history of the town he made his capital.

Today Ioannina is a university city of around 100,000 people, with a lively old quarter, a strong café culture, and the best base for exploring Epirus. Here is what to do here. All prices are approximate as of 2026.

The Kastro (Old Town Fortress)

The kastro is the walled Ottoman quarter on the lakeside promontory — the former heart of Ioannina and still the most atmospheric part of the city. Its massive walls were built and rebuilt through Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern periods, and within them are two distinct areas: the main citadel with its mosques, hamam, and old buildings, and the inner citadel (Its Kale) where Ali Pasha had his palace.

Walk the full perimeter of the outer walls for views across the lake and the mountains behind it. Entry to the kastro is free; the Its Kale inner citadel (home to the Byzantine Museum) charges approximately EUR 4 as of 2026.

Byzantine Museum (Its Kale): Housed in the former treasury building inside the inner citadel, this museum covers Byzantine and post-Byzantine art from Epirus — icons, silverwork, manuscripts, and jewellery. It is well-presented and genuinely interesting. Open Tuesday–Sunday, approximately 8am–4pm; confirm hours before visiting.

The Fethiye Mosque: Built over an earlier Byzantine church, the Fethiye Mosque inside the kastro is one of the best-preserved Ottoman religious buildings in mainland Greece. The interior can sometimes be visited; check locally. The minaret provides a useful landmark from the lake.

The Old Jewish Quarter: Ioannina had a significant Sephardic Jewish community — descendants of Jews expelled from Spain in 1492 — until the deportations of 1944. The kastro’s winding lanes contain a surviving synagogue (still in use for High Holy Days) and plaques marking the former community. The Jewish Museum of Greece has materials on this history.

Ali Pasha’s Island

In the middle of Lake Pamvotis sits a small inhabited island — about 10 minutes by motorboat from the main quayside at Mavili Square. The island has seven monasteries (most dating to the 13th–18th centuries) and a small village, but the reason most visitors come is the monastery of Saint Panteleimon, where Ali Pasha was cornered and killed by Ottoman agents in January 1822.

The room is still there, with the bullet holes in the floor from the volley that killed him. A small museum in the monastery covers Ali Pasha’s life, his relationships with Lord Byron (who visited Ioannina in 1809 and was fascinated by him), and the political context of his rule. Entry is free; donations appreciated.

Boat crossing: Approximately EUR 5 return as of 2026. Boats depart throughout the day from the quayside — no fixed schedule, they leave when there are enough passengers. Last boat back is before sunset.

The island village has a handful of good tavernas serving fresh lake fish — eel, carp, and trout from Lake Pamvotis. This is a reason in itself to make the trip.

Lake Pamvotis Waterfront

The Ioannina waterfront — the lakeside promenade running south from Mavili Square — is where the city takes its evening walk. The views across the lake to the mountains are excellent at sunset, and the promenade is lined with cafés, ice cream shops, and a few restaurants specialising in lake fish.

For the best view of the kastro from the water, hire a pedalo (approximately EUR 5–8 per hour in summer) or simply find a bench near the main square at dusk.

Municipal Museum and Silverwork

Ioannina is historically known for its silver — the city’s craftsmen were famous across the Ottoman Empire for jewellery and decorative metalwork. The Municipal Museum on the kastro’s main street covers local history with a strong section on the silver trade and its role in Ioannina’s economy. Entry approximately EUR 3 as of 2026.

Several silversmiths still work in the kastro area — look for workshops on the main street leading through the old town. This is one of the better places in Greece to buy silver jewellery with real craft provenance.

Dodoni Ancient Theatre

About 22km south of Ioannina, the ancient site of Dodoni contains the oldest oracle in ancient Greece — older than Delphi — and one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the country. The theatre seats approximately 17,000 and is used for summer performances during the Epirus Festival (check dates annually). The surrounding sanctuary includes the Sacred Oak (the oracle consulted by pilgrims for over a millennium) and the remains of the Temple of Zeus.

Entry: Approximately EUR 6 as of 2026. Open daily, approximately 8am–6pm (shorter hours in winter).

Getting there: By car from Ioannina, about 30 minutes south. No regular public transport.

Perama Cave

Five kilometres north of the centre, Perama Cave is one of the largest cave systems in Greece — about 1.1km of walkable passages filled with stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years. Guided tours in Greek and English run approximately every 30 minutes.

Entry: Approximately EUR 8 as of 2026. Open daily.

For where to eat in Ioannina, including the island tavernas and the kastro’s best spots, see our Ioannina restaurants guide. For day trips to Vikos Gorge, Metsovo, and Dodoni, see our Ioannina day trips guide. For a broader regional itinerary, see our one week in Greece guide.

Book Ioannina tours with GetYourGuide. Pick up a Greece eSIM before you fly — keeps you connected without roaming charges.

Things to Do in Ioannina: Kastro, Ali Pasha Island, and the Lake

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