Ioannina: Castle, Island and Culture

Ioannina brings together historic sites, museums and routes around Lake Pamvotis. For trip planning, you can consider these different highlights separately: the castle and its museums, the inhabited island, the Old Bazaar district and the longer routes outside the city.

Castle and Museums in Ioannina

Ioannina Castle stands on a naturally fortified rocky peninsula. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited fortified settlements in Greece; the earliest settlement traces discovered through archaeological investigations date back to the Classical and Hellenistic periods. In the innermost part of the castle, in the Its Kale area, lies the tomb of Ali Pasha of Tepelen, one of the city’s significant historic sites.

Several museums offer different insights into the city’s history and crafts. The Byzantine Museum is located within the castle, in the southeastern acropolis of Itch Kale. Its silverware is displayed in the so-called Treasury at the center of the citadel; the exhibition on the city’s history is housed in the Fethiye Mosque. The Silversmithing Museum is located in a western bastion tower of the castle’s northeastern acropolis, Its Kale. There, visitors can learn about traditional techniques for shaping and decorating silver objects.

Buildings within the castle also house the Ioannina City Museum, with its extensive collections. If you are interested in historic sites and collections, you can consider these museums as different themes for your stay. Underground caves in the citadel, formerly used as storerooms and prisons, can be accessed from within the citadel.

Island and Lake Pamvotis

Ioannina Island is one of only two inhabited lake islands in Greece. The village on the island is designated a settlement of outstanding natural beauty and probably dates from the 16th century. Two monasteries were founded on the island during the Byzantine period: the Monastery of Saint Nicholas Philanthropenon, also called Spanou, and the Monastery of Saint Nicholas Strategopoulou, also called Diliou.

The Pamvotis Lake Information Centre is also located on the island, in a traditional listed stone building. It presents information about important plants in the lake and the fish, birds, amphibians and mammals that live there. This makes the centre a distinct point of interest for those interested in the lake’s natural environment. An established circuit around Lake Pamvotis is 30 kilometres long; bear this distance in mind if you are planning a longer outing.

Routes, City Life and Regional Orientation

A walking and cycling path runs from Mavili Square to the village of Katsikas. It offers a different way to spend time outdoors than visiting the historic collections. The route of the established circuit around the lake should be considered separately: it is 30 kilometres long, not the distance from Mavili Square to Katsikas. When planning your day, you can therefore distinguish between the named walking and cycling path and the longer circuit, without treating them as the same route.

Ioannina is now a major transport hub in Epirus. The Egnatia and Ionian motorways running south of the city have significantly improved regional connections with the rest of the country. For another location to compare, you can also visit Metsovo.

Old Bazaar and Local Traditions

The Old Bazaar area has retained its commercial character and is among the liveliest streets in Ioannina. Its origins date back to the period of Ottoman rule; it later developed into a centre of trade and social life.

Handmade and traditional products from Ioannina and the region include wooden objects, woven fabrics, embroidery and folk art items. Another cultural highlight is Tzamales, a three-day carnival celebration in Ioannina featuring bonfires, music, dancing and bean soup. These traditions complement visits to museums and the castle with insights into local crafts and festival culture.

For the regional travel overview: Epirus.