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Guide to Filiates
FILIATES · ITINERARY

Filiates (Thesprotia, Ipeiros, Greece) in 1 day – Complete itinerary

1 day / 0 nights · Archaeology, monasteries, nature, villages

A day dedicated to the Filiates area, best explored by car: the sites are spread out and public transport connections are limited. Start from the town center and head to the archaeological site of Gitana, with a short stop by the Kalamas, then continue up to the Holy Monastery of Giromeri and the village of Tsamantas. Site opening times and mountain road conditions may vary: it’s best to check opening hours and set off with enough fuel. Returning to Filiates in the evening lets you end the day with a relaxed dinner in town.

Stops
5 · 5 with location
Mode
Walking
Route
54.4 km · 708 min
Source
Mapbox · walking

Stops on the map

  1. 6.8 km · 81 min
  2. 1.2 km · 19 min
  3. 20.5 km · 265 min
  4. 25.9 km · 342 min
Filiates, Gitana and the Inland Villages
Foto: Wikipedia

Day 1

Filiates, Gitana and the Inland Villages

10:00–21:00 Moderate visits and car transfers

Get to know the main historical and scenic sights in the Filiates area, traveling from the town center toward the north.

10:00

Walking tour of central Filiates

Spend the first hour in the center, taking in the town streets and the rhythm of local life before setting off. No ticket is required for the visit; a coffee and water stop may cost about 2–5 € per person.

Refuel in town: in mountainous areas, gas stations are less frequent.

11:15

Visit to the archaeological site of Gitana

Reach Gitana by car in about 15–25 minutes, depending on your starting point and road conditions. Set aside about 75–90 minutes for the ruins of the ancient city and the theater, paying attention to changes in elevation and uneven surfaces. Entry may be free or have an indicative cost of 0–5 €; check opening times and access arrangements in advance.

Bring water, a hat, and closed shoes: shade on the site may be limited.

12:45

Scenic stop on the Kalamas

Stop at an accessible point along the river to take in the valley landscape and snap a few photos. Allow 20–30 minutes and park only in permitted spaces, without going near steep or slippery banks. The stop is free.

The name refers to the river and not to a developed picnic area: choose a safe access point and follow local signage.

13:30

Lunch in Filiates

Return to town for lunch, allowing about 30 minutes of driving and an hour at the table. At a local tavern you can choose from regional dishes, salad and a drink, with an estimated cost of €12–22 per person. Ask about the daily specials, which may vary depending on the season.

If you prefer to have a picnic lunch, buy supplies before leaving the center.

15:00

Climb to Giromeri Monastery

Head back by car toward Giromeri, allowing about 30–40 minutes and driving carefully on the winding stretches. At the monastery, visit the accessible areas and take in the architecture and the peaceful atmosphere of the complex; allow 45–60 minutes. Access is generally free, with an optional donation, but opening hours may change.

Wear respectful clothing and check before departure that the monastery can be visited.

16:45

Walk around Tsamantas

Continue to Tsamantas, factoring in a mountain-road transfer and variable travel times, roughly 25–40 minutes. Stroll leisurely through the village lanes and enjoy the inland scenery; a 45–60 minute visit is enough for a short exploration. Entry to the village is free.

Check mobile coverage and set your navigation before leaving Giromeri.

18:00

Return to Filiates and dinner

Head back to Filiates with some time to spare for the bends and any stops: the drive may take about 45–60 minutes or more, depending on the route chosen. End the day with dinner in town, budgeting roughly €15–28 per person. If you're driving, avoid tackling the inner roads in low light without checking the route first.

The times are approximate: if the monastery or the archaeological site has limited opening hours, visit earlier.

Estimated budget

Entrance to the archaeological site of Gitana€0–5 per person
Lunch at a tavern€12–22 per person
Dinner at a taverna15–28 € per person
Fuel for the day’s travel15–30 € per car
Coffee, water and small purchases4–10 € per person

Greece uses the euro (€), so no currency exchange is needed for those arriving from Italy. All amounts are approximate estimates and may vary depending on the season and personal choices; check prices, entrance fees, and opening hours before visiting.

Practical tips

  • To visit Gitana, the monastery and Tsamantas in one day, a car is strongly recommended: do not rely on frequent public transport connections.
  • Check the opening hours of the archaeological site and the monastery, especially out of season and on public holidays.
  • Bring water, sunscreen and shoes with good grip: at the archaeological site and along the mountain trails, the ground can be uneven.
  • Take it slow on inland roads and allow extra time: bends, road surface conditions and mobile coverage can make transfers slower.