Compare prices from several sites before booking

Always bestprice Travel
Guide to Filiates
FILIATES · ITINERARY

Filiates (Thesprotia, Epirus, Greece) in 3 days – Complete Itinerary

3 days / 2 nights · History, villages, nature, coast

Three days to discover Filiates and the northern Thesprotia region, among traces of ancient Epirus, mountain villages, and the landscapes of the Kalamas River. The first day is devoted to the center of Filiates and the Giromeri Monastery; the second follows the valley to the archaeological site of Gitana and the Kalamas wetlands. The final day reaches Sagiada on the Ionian Sea and ends in Igoumenitsa with a museum visit. To easily connect rural locations and the coast, a car is recommended; outdoor visits are more enjoyable in spring and autumn.

Stops
4 · 4 with location
Mode
Walking
Route
18.1 km · 260 min
Source
Mapbox · walking

Stops on the map

  1. 231 m · 2 min
  2. 17.1 km · 251 min
  3. 761 m · 8 min
Filiates and the Giromeri trails
Foto: Wikipedia

Day 1

Filiates and the Giromeri trails

09:30–19:30 Moderate, with travel by car

Get to know the center of Filiates and reach the monastery and the mountain village of Giromeri.

09:30

Walk through the center of Filiates

Spend about an hour in the center, taking in the square, the shopping streets, and the town’s everyday rhythm. It’s a good time to get your bearings, have breakfast, and buy water before heading out to the stops outside town; the walk is free.

The distances in the center are short, but wear shoes suitable for sloping streets.

10:45

Folklore Museum of Filiates

If the museum is open, visit the collections devoted to rural life and local traditions, which are useful for understanding the region’s history. Allow about 45–60 minutes; admission is usually modest, around €0–5, but opening hours and fees may vary.

Check opening times in advance: at small museums, hours may be limited or seasonal.

12:00

Lunch in Filiates

Stop at a taverna in the center for a simple meal, choosing seasonal dishes and local specialties. Budget around €12–22 per person, drinks included, depending on the place and the courses.

For a wider choice, have lunch before departing for Giromeri.

13:30

Transfer to the Monastery of Giromeri

Reach the monastery by car via the inland mountain road: the drive usually takes about 30–40 minutes, but can take longer because of curves and scenic stops. Visiting the accessible areas is free; a donation is optional.

Check access and respect any religious services or restricted areas.

14:15

Visit to the Monastery of Giromeri

Spend about an hour at the religious complex and in the mountain setting, paying attention to the architectural details and the calm atmosphere of the place. Access may depend on the community’s schedule and celebrations; consider an indicative cost of €0–5, but do not assume it is guaranteed.

Modest clothing and covered shoulders are a respectful choice.

15:30

Stop in the village of Giromeri

Walk through the village and take a break at a café or a scenic viewpoint, without turning the visit into a long excursion. Set aside 60–90 minutes; a drink or snack costs roughly €3–8.

Stock up on water in Filiates: services in the village may be limited.

17:15

Return and evening in Filiates

Drive back to Filiates, allowing about 30–40 minutes on the road, then leave time for a relaxing stroll before dinner. For dinner, budget around €15–25 per person, depending on the menu and drinks.

If you are driving after sunset, proceed with caution on rural roads.

Day 2 – Gitana, Kestrini and the Kalamas Valley

09:00–18:30 Active but flexible, with outdoor visits

Explore the archaeological site of Gitana and take in the river and wetland landscape of the Kalamas.

09:00

Departure from Filiates to Gitana

Reach the Archaeological Site of Gitana by car, allowing about 25–35 minutes depending on the route and road conditions. Before the visit, bring water and sunscreen; admission, if required, is roughly €0–8 and should be checked on site.

Check seasonal opening hours and do not rely on it being open continuously outside peak season.

09:45

Visit to the Archaeological Site of Gitana

Spend about two hours exploring the remains of the ancient city, observing the urban layout and the points that help explain the site's strategic position. Much of the route is outdoors and may include uneven surfaces: take your time and stay on the designated paths.

In summer, choose the morning hours and bring a hat; shade may be scarce.

12:00

Stop in Kestrini

Head to Kestrini for a break in the village and a light lunch, also useful for breaking up the transfers through the valley. Expect around €10–20 per person for a simple meal; the availability of places to eat may vary depending on the season.

If you find only a few services open, plan a packed lunch before leaving Filiates.

13:45

Approach to the Kalamas delta

Drive toward the delta area, allowing about 30–45 minutes for the transfer and stops along the way. Observation points are not always equipped: stop only where it is allowed and do not drive onto tracks or unmarked terrain.

For nature watching, binoculars and a telephoto lens are useful.

14:30

Exploring the Kalamas River Delta

Spend a couple of hours observing channels, vegetation, and birdlife from accessible viewpoints, keeping a respectful distance from the animals. The natural area is generally open to visit without a ticket; any guided excursions or organized activities may have extra costs, to be arranged locally.

Do not leave litter and check for any temporary restrictions put in place to protect the habitats.

16:45

Scenic stop and return

Before heading back, choose a short stop at a safe viewpoint over the valley; then set off for Filiates, allowing for variable travel times depending on the road. A coffee or a soft drink on the way back usually costs around €3–7.

Avoid planning your return after dark if you are not familiar with the local roads.

18:00

Dinner in Filiates

End the day in town with a relaxed dinner and a menu of local cuisine. Budget around €15–25 per person, depending on your choice of dishes, wine, and dessert.

Restaurant availability may be more limited on weekdays or out of season.

Sagiada on the Ionian Sea and museum in Igoumenitsa
Foto: Wikipedia

Day 3

Sagiada on the Ionian Sea and museum in Igoumenitsa

09:00–18:00 Relaxed, with a coastal stretch and a cultural visit

Discover the maritime character of Sagiada and end the trip with an archaeological stop in Igoumenitsa.

09:00

From Filiates to Sagiada

Drive to Sagiada, allowing roughly 35–45 minutes for the journey and a little extra depending on road conditions. Have breakfast or grab a snack before leaving: services along the route are not always close together.

Bring water with you and check your fuel level before leaving Filiates.

09:45

Walk in Sagiada

Explore the center of this seaside town and observe the relationship between the village, the waterfront, and activities tied to the sea. A walk of about an hour is enough to get your bearings; there is no entrance fee.

In summer, plan the walk for the cooler hours of the day.

11:00

Stop at Sagiada Port

Head to the port to watch the boats and take in the atmosphere of this small maritime community. Spend about 45–60 minutes there; access to the public area is normally free, while any refreshments in the local venues are paid separately.

Respect the operational areas and do not interfere with port activities.

12:15

Seafood lunch in Sagiada

Choose a local taverna and ask about the day's available dishes, especially if you want fish or seafood. Lunch costs approximately €18–35 per person, with wide variation depending on the catch and the dishes.

Ask the price of weighted dishes before ordering.

14:00

Transfer to Igoumenitsa

Drive to Igoumenitsa, allowing about 30–40 minutes for the trip; leave some margin for parking and possible delays. If you are not driving, check local connections in advance, as they may be infrequent.

Do not plan tight connections with buses or ferries without checking the schedules first.

14:45

Archaeological Museum of Igoumenitsa

Spend about 60–90 minutes exploring the archaeological collections that tell the story of the Thesprotia region from antiquity. Admission may be free or carry a modest fee, typically €0–8; opening hours, weekly closures and ticket prices should be checked before your visit.

If the museum is closed, use the time for a walk in the center of Igoumenitsa.

16:30

Break and end of the trip

Wrap up with a coffee or a snack in Igoumenitsa and arrange your return or your connection to the port. Allow about €3–8 for a break; any onward transfers are not included in the daily budget.

If you need to board a ferry, allow plenty of time for check-in and traffic.

Estimated budget

Simple accommodation, per person per night in a double room€35–80
Meals and drinks, per day per person€30–60
Rental car, per day per vehicle, fuel not included€35–75
Fuel and parking, for the entire itinerary and per vehicle€25–55
Museum and site admission, per person€0–20
Indicative overall budget, 3 days and 2 nights, per person sharing a double room€220–470

Greece uses the euro (EUR), so no currency exchange is needed for those coming from Italy. The amounts are approximate estimates per person, unless otherwise indicated, and may change depending on the season, availability, accommodation choice, car rental, and opening hours; they do not include round-trip travel, insurance, or personal expenses.

Practical tips

  • To visit Giromeri, Gitana, and the delta at a reasonable pace, it’s advisable to have a car; check road conditions and parking before you set off.
  • Check directly with museums and archaeological sites for opening hours, any closures, and admission fees: in less visited places these can change depending on the season and day of the week.
  • Bring water, a hat, and shoes with sturdy soles: Gitana is an open-air site, and the roads to the mountain villages are winding.
  • To observe the Kalamas delta, keep your distance from wildlife, respect the signs, and do not drive on tracks or through natural areas.