10:00

Arrival and orientation in Zitsa

Spend about an hour exploring the village center on foot, among stone houses, narrow lanes, and views over the valley. Distances are short, but the terrain can be uneven: leave the car in an accessible parking area and continue on foot.

Morning is ideal for walking before the hottest hours.

11:30

Church and village views

Set aside about 45 minutes to admire the traditional architecture and the views over the vineyards and Epirus hills. Access to religious buildings may depend on services and local opening times.

13:00

Lunch at a taverna in Zitsa

Stop at a village taverna to try home-style dishes, local cheeses, and seasonal specialties. Expect roughly 15–25 € per person for a full meal, drinks excluded or included depending on the place.

15:00

Visit to Zoinos Winery

Set aside about 60–90 minutes for the winery and for learning about the wines of the area, including native varieties such as Debina. Visits and tastings should be arranged in advance; budget roughly 10–25 € per person, depending on the format and availability.

Contact the winery before setting off: visits and tastings are not guaranteed without a reservation.

17:30

Monastery of Prophet Elias and return

Reach the monastery by car or with a short walk, if conditions and access allow, and enjoy a peaceful stop in the surrounding area. Monastic spaces may have limited opening hours; end the day with an evening stroll through the village.

09:00

Transfer and Ioannina Castle

From Zitsa, allow about 35–45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Spend an hour and a half at the castle, its alleys and the historic areas; entry to the outdoor spaces is generally free, while museums and monuments may have indicative tickets of 3–8 €.

10:45

Byzantine Museum of Ioannina

Visit the collections of icons and artifacts that help illuminate the Byzantine history of the region. Allow about 45–60 minutes and check the closing day and ticket price, typically in the range of a few euros.

12:00

Silversmithing Museum

Discover the techniques and tradition of Epirus goldsmithing through objects, tools and installations. The visit takes about an hour; the ticket is roughly 3–8 €.

13:30

Lunch in the historic center

Choose a taverna inside or near the walls and sample dishes from Epirus, such as savory pies and grilled meats. For a simple lunch, budget around €15–25 per person.

15:00

Boat trip to Ioannina Island and visit to the Ali Pasha Museum

Head to the pier and cross the lake on a scheduled boat: the crossing usually takes only a few minutes and the approximate cost is a few euros per one-way trip. On the island, wander through the alleys and visit the Ali Pasha Museum, if open; allow 1.5–2 hours in total and an indicative admission price of €3–6 for the museum.

18:00

Perama Cave

Get to Perama by car in about 10–15 minutes from the center, or consider taking a taxi. The guided cave tour usually lasts around 45 minutes; tickets are typically about €7–10, with possible seasonal variations.

19:15

Stroll along the lakeside promenade

Head back to the center and end the day with a walk along Pamvotida, taking in the walls and the silhouette of the castle at sunset. For dinner at the lakeside venues, expect to spend around €20–35 per person.

09:00

Departure from Ioannina for Dodoni

The drive normally takes about 30–40 minutes. Bring water and sun protection: much of the archaeological site is outdoors and facilities can be limited.

09:45

Archaeological Site of Dodoni

Set aside about two hours for the sanctuary, the ancient buildings, and the famous theater, one of the largest in Greece. Admission for the site can typically range from €8 to €15; check in advance for any reduced rates and seasonal opening times.

12:00

Archaeological Museum of Dodoni

If the museum is open, set aside 45–60 minutes for the finds unearthed in the area and the information on the cult of Zeus at Dodona. Admission may be included in the site ticket or subject to different conditions: check the updated prices.

13:15

Lunch near Dodona

Stop at a village taverna or along the road back for a simple meal. Allow about 15–25 € per person and keep in mind that choices may be limited out of season.

15:00

Pavlos Vrellis Greek History Museum

On the way back to Ioannina, visit the wax museum that tells episodes and figures from Greek history. Plan on about 1.5–2 hours and an estimated ticket price of 8–12 €; check opening hours and visiting arrangements before you go.

17:30

Return and evening in Ioannina

Reach the city in about 20–30 minutes and leave the rest of the afternoon free for a coffee or a stroll through the center. For a tavern dinner, budget roughly 20–35 € per person.

08:30

Transfer to Monodendri

From Ioannina, allow about 45–60 minutes by car, on winding mountain roads. Fill up and bring water: in the villages and at the viewpoints, facilities are basic.

09:45

Walk in Monodendri

Spend about an hour in the village, among stone houses, the little square and views of the mountains. Park at the entrance to the center and continue on foot, as the inner streets are narrow.

11:00

Monastery of Agia Paraskevi

Reach the monastery with a walk of about 15–25 minutes from Monodendri, following the marked trail. The route offers views over the gorge and may include exposed sections: wear suitable shoes and respect any closures.

13:00

Lunch in Monodendri

Head back into the village to try regional dishes and savory pies. Expect to spend about 18–30 € per person; in high season, it’s a good idea to book, especially on weekends.

14:30

Oxya Viewpoint

Reach the viewpoint by car along the mountain road and complete the final stretch on foot, following the signs. Allow 30–45 minutes for the view over the gorge and photo stops; check road and parking conditions.

16:00

Views over Vikos Gorge

Return at a relaxed pace toward the accessible viewpoints and choose a short walk, without descending into the gorge unless you have the proper equipment and preparation. Full hikes require planning, favorable weather, and much more time.

18:00

Accommodation and dinner in the Zagori area

Spend the night in Monodendri or a nearby village to avoid the evening drive back to Ioannina. A traditional dinner costs around 20–35 € per person, excluding wine.

09:00

Transfer to Papingo

From Monodendri, allow about 50–70 minutes by car, depending on the route and stops. The road is scenic but winding: drive carefully and check weather conditions.

10:15

Megalo Papingo

Walk for about an hour among the stone houses, small squares, and fountains of the village. The alleys are partly cobbled and sloping; leave the car in the designated areas at the entrance.

11:45

Papingo Rock Pools

Head to the natural pools carved into the rock along the stream, a short drive from the villages, and walk carefully on the wet sections. Swimming depends on the season and water conditions; there are no formal facilities and access is free.

13:15

Lunch in Megalo Papingo

Head back into the village for lunch at a taverna, with mountain dishes and local products. Expect around 18–30 € per person and check opening hours in quieter periods.

15:00

Mikro Papingo

Drive a few minutes and visit the village on foot, smaller and closer to the high-altitude trails. Set aside an hour for the cobbled streets and the views toward the Astraka peaks.

16:30

Return and relax in the chosen village

Head back to your accommodation at an unhurried pace, allowing about an hour’s drive to your overnight area. If the weather is stable, take a short walk before dinner; avoid unmarked trails or late departures.

09:00

Transfer to Kipi

From Papingo or Monodendri, allow roughly 45–70 minutes by car, depending on your starting point. This area is best visited with short drives and separate walks.

10:15

Kipi

Dedicate about an hour to the village, taking in the stone houses and cobbled alleys. Park without blocking the narrow streets and respect the peace of the residential areas.

11:30

Plakidas Bridge

Drive to the bridge and round out the visit with a short walk in the surrounding area. Admire the arches and the stream landscape; access is free, but the stones and paths may be slippery after rain.

12:30

Kokkoris Bridge

Drive a few minutes and stop for a visit of about 30–45 minutes. The bridge is one of the most photographed spots in the area: look for a safe place for photos and do not stop on the roadway.

13:30

Lunch in Kipi or a nearby village

Choose a local taverna to sample regional cuisine and oven-baked specialties. Estimated budget: 18–30 € per person; restaurants may have reduced hours outside peak season.

15:30

Dilofo

Drive to the village and continue on foot for about an hour among stone houses, arches, and quiet alleyways. The central streets are narrow and, in places, steep: comfortable shoes are recommended.

17:00

Return to base

Head back while there is still enough daylight, keeping in mind the bends and possible animals on the road. Plan dinner near your accommodation or in a village along the way, with an estimated spend of 20–35 € per person.

09:00

Transfer to Metsovo

From Ioannina, the drive usually takes about an hour, while from the Zagori villages it may take longer. Check the mountain road conditions and allow extra time if the weather is uncertain.

10:15

Walk through the center of Metsovo

Spend about an hour exploring the square, narrow lanes, and traditional houses with wooden roofs and balconies. The walk is uphill and on uneven paving; shops may open at varying hours.

11:30

Averoff Gallery

Visit the gallery for an overview of modern Greek art and Evangelos Averoff’s collection. Allow about an hour and expect a rough admission price of 5–10 €; check the schedule and closing time.

12:45

Metsovo Folk Art Museum

Explore the historic rooms and objects that illustrate local life and craftsmanship. The visit takes about 45–60 minutes; tickets may cost roughly between 3 and 8 €, with guided tours available by booking.

14:00

Lunch in the center

Taste local cheeses and mountain dishes in a village taverna, allowing at least an hour. The approximate cost is 18–30 € per person, depending on the menu and drinks.

16:00

Katogi Averoff Winery

Head to the winery to learn about Metsovo’s wine production and, if available, join a tour or tasting. Book in advance and budget roughly 10–30 € per person, depending on the option; tastings are not always available without an appointment.

18:00

Last walk and departure

Head back into town for one final stroll among the shops and pick up any local products before leaving. If you need to continue on to Ioannina, allow about an hour’s drive and do not schedule the final stretch after a tasting.