09:00

Departure from Ioannina

Reach Dodoni by car in about 30–40 minutes, covering a road distance of around 22 km. If you don’t have a car, check local bus schedules in advance: frequency and connections can be limited. As a rough guide, expect about €5–10 each way for public transport, if available.

10:00

Archaeological Site of Dodoni

Set aside about 2–3 hours for the site, taking in the layout of the sanctuary, the remains of the buildings, and the relationship between the complex and the mountain landscape. Admission can vary roughly between €8 and €12, with possible discounts or seasonal changes.

12:00

Ancient Theatre of Dodona

The theater is the most spectacular part of the visit: walk the tiers and imagine the role of performances and public gatherings in ancient Dodona. It’s inside the archaeological complex, so no separate transfer is needed; bring water and sun protection.

13:15

Lunch in the Dodoni area

Stop at a village taverna or along the road to sample home-style dishes from Epirus, such as savory pies and local cheeses. Budget around €12–22 per person for a simple or mid-range meal; in the villages, it’s useful to have cash.

15:00

Sanctuary of Zeus Naios and return

Head back into the sacred area to spot the remains linked to the cult of Zeus Naios and read the explanatory panels. After the visit, return to Ioannina in about 30–40 minutes; allow €5–10 for fuel for the trip, depending on the car and the day’s fuel prices.

09:00

Ioannina Castle

Spend about an hour and a half at the castle, wandering through lanes, ramparts, and courtyards: the complex is one of the city’s most recognizable historic centers. The outdoor walk is generally free; allow around €2–5 for any museum or interior admissions.

10:45

Fethiye Mosque

Visit the mosque and the nearby panoramic area, from which you can take in the lake and the surrounding mountains. Allow about 30–45 minutes and check on site the opening hours and any entrance fee, which may be roughly 2–5 €.

11:45

Byzantine Museum of Ioannina

Inside the castle, the museum offers an introduction to the Byzantine and post-Byzantine history of the region through icons and artifacts. Allow 45–60 minutes and an approximate entrance fee of 3–6 €; check the closing day before planning your visit.

13:00

Crossing to the Island of Ioannina

Reach the pier on the lakeside promenade on foot from the castle and board the boat to the island: the crossing usually takes just a few minutes. A round-trip ticket may cost roughly 2–4 €; boat schedules change with the season and weather conditions.

14:00

Ali Pasha Museum and a walk on the island

Explore the museum dedicated to Ali Pasha and wander through the island’s narrow lanes, where you’ll find traditional shops and tavernas. Allow about 1–2 hours and an approximate museum entrance fee of 3–6 €; for lunch on the island, budget 15–25 € per person.

09:30

Municipal Ethnographic Museum of Ioannina

Visit the ethnographic collections housed in the area of the former mosque of Aslan Pasha, with objects linked to local communities and traditions. Set aside about an hour and check access to the indoor spaces; admission may be roughly 2–5 €.

11:00

Silversmithing Museum

The museum tells the long story of Ioannina’s silversmithing tradition with tools, techniques, and finely crafted artifacts. The visit takes about 60–90 minutes; consider an approximate ticket price of 4–7 € and leave time to browse the nearby workshops.

13:00

Lunch in central Ioannina

Choose a tavern or restaurant near the castle or the lakeside promenade, so you can continue on foot without moving the car. A lunch with a main course and drink costs around 12–22 € per person.

14:30

Archaeological Museum of Ioannina

The rooms display finds from Epirus, from prehistory to the Roman era, useful for putting a visit to Dodoni into context as well. Allow about 1–2 hours and an indicative ticket price of 3–6 €; opening hours may vary on public holidays.

16:45

Ioannina Clock Tower and a walk through the center

Reach the clock tower in the city center and continue through the shopping streets and nearby squares, with a total walk of about an hour. The tower can be admired from outside for free; allow 3–6 € for a coffee or a sweet break.

08:30

Transfer to Monodendri

From Ioannina, reach Monodendri in about an hour, following mountain roads with bends and reduced speed. Fill up before leaving and bring water; the approximate fuel cost for the round trip is about 15–25 €.

09:45

Monodendri

Stroll among the village’s stone houses and narrow lanes, admiring Zagori’s traditional architecture and the central squares. Dedicate about 45–60 minutes to the visit and take advantage of local shops to buy water or a snack.

11:00

Monastery of Agia Paraskevi

From the village, follow the path to the monastery overlooking the gorge; the route usually involves a short walk, but some sections are uneven. Allow about 1–1.5 hours for the round trip and stop, with trekking shoes and respect for any access rules.

13:00

Lunch in Monodendri

Return to the village for a lunch of regional specialties, including savory pies, legumes, and local meats. Budget around 15–25 € per person; in high season, it’s wise to book ahead or arrive before peak hours.

15:00

Stone Forest and Oxya Viewpoint

Drive to the Stone Forest area and Oxya Viewpoint, checking road conditions before heading up. Set aside about an hour for stops and short walks: the views over the gorge are impressive, but avoid going too close to exposed edges and allow 5–10 € for fuel for local travel.

08:00

From Ioannina to Papingo

The drive to Papingo usually takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, covering roughly 60 km, with the final stretch on a mountain road. Drive carefully, especially on the hairpin bends; fuel for the round trip can cost around 20–30 €.

09:30

Papingo

Stroll through the village among stone houses, arches, and small squares, taking time to notice the details of the facades and the views of the peaks. Set aside about an hour for the visit; exploring the village is free.

11:00

Papingo Rock Pools

The natural pools are located along the route between the villages and can be reached with a short walk from the parking area. The site is free, but the rocks can be slippery and the water is cold: assess conditions before getting in and do not rely on this spot as a supervised swimming area.

13:00

Mikro Papingo and lunch

Continue by car for a few minutes to Mikro Papingo and explore the village on foot, with its stone houses and views of the mountain walls. Stop at a taverna for lunch, allowing around 15–25 € per person and an hour to an hour and a half for the stop.

15:30

Voidomatis Springs

Reach the springs of the Voidomatis and enjoy a short walk in the river environment, without leaving the marked trails. The visit is free and can last about 45–90 minutes; for an excursion or an organized activity on the river, prices vary and should be agreed in advance.

09:00

Transfer to Metsovo

From Ioannina, reach Metsovo in about 50–60 minutes, over about 50 km, using the main road and checking the weather conditions. Plan on roughly 15–25 € for fuel for the round trip, depending on the vehicle.

10:15

Metsovo

Start in the historic center and stroll among the stone houses, shops, and main square, observing the town’s characteristic architectural features. Set aside about an hour for the visit; allow for 3–6 € for a coffee break or a tasting in a shop.

11:30

Averoff Gallery

The gallery displays works from the Averoff collection and offers a pleasant artistic interlude in the center of Metsovo. Allow about 60–90 minutes and an approximate admission fee of 5–8 €; check opening hours and any weekly closing day before your visit.

13:15

Tositsa Mansion

Visit the historic residence and its collections, which illustrate aspects of local life and traditions. The recommended duration is about an hour; admission may be around 3–6 €, but opening times and prices can change.

15:00

Lunch and Katogi Averoff Winery

Have lunch in the village with cheeses and regional dishes, allowing about 15–25 € per person, then drive to the winery in just a few minutes. Tours and tastings may require booking and can cost approximately 10–25 €; check availability and arrangements before you set off.

09:00

Transfer from Ioannina to Arta

Drive to Arta in about 1 hour and 10 minutes, over a distance of around 75 km, checking traffic before leaving Ioannina. For the round trip, budget roughly 20–30 € for fuel.

10:30

Arta Bridge

Stroll across the historic bridge and admire its stone arches, especially striking from the bank of the Arachthos River. The exterior visit is free and takes about 45–60 minutes; park without blocking traffic and use the pedestrian paths.

11:45

Church of Panagia Parigoritissa

Spend time at the Byzantine church and its architectural volumes, one of the most important monuments in the center of Arta. Allow about 45–60 minutes; check opening hours on site and consider a possible donation or indicative admission fee of 0–5 €.

13:00

Lunch in central Arta

Stop at a taverna in the center, choosing local dishes and produce from the surrounding plain. A full meal costs about 12–22 € per person; leave about an hour and a half before resuming sightseeing.

15:00

Archaeological Museum of Arta and Ancient Theatre of Ambracia

Visit the museum to put the history of ancient Ambracia into context, then complete the itinerary with the theater remains, checking accessibility on site. Plan on about two hours in total and an approximate cost of 3–6 € for the museum; the outdoor archaeological area may be subject to restrictions or specific opening hours.