Epirus
Epirus suits trips built around stone villages, mountain gorges and the Ionian coast in northwest Greece.
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Epirus is a region in northwestern Greece, on the mainland border with Albania, with the Ionian Sea to the west. Its interior is mountainous, crossed by the Pindus range. The best-known part is Zagori, a cluster of stone villages with arched stone bridges and paved paths, set above the Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in Europe. Ioannina, the regional capital, sits on the shore of Lake Pamvotida and has a walled castle quarter. The ancient oracle site of Dodona, dedicated to Zeus, lies a short drive from the city.
A trip here suits hikers, slow road-trippers and anyone who wants mountain villages instead of island beaches. Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for walking the gorges and trails, while summer suits the Ionian coast. Plan at least three to four days for Zagori and Ioannina, and add more if you want the coast or a longer hike. Getting between the mountain villages is simpler with a car.
Epirus in five
- Rent a car for Zagori and MetsovoPublic transport between the mountain villages is limited, and Zagori and Metsovo are far apart. A car lets you reach the Vikos viewpoints and the villages on your own schedule.Getting around
- Carry cash for the villagesSome village tavernas, bakeries and shops may not take cards. Withdraw euros in Ioannina before you drive into the hills.Money and costs
- Set up an eSIM before the mountain roadsPhone signal drops in the gorges and on the mountain roads. Download offline maps for Ioannina, Zagori and Metsovo before you leave the city.Phones and eSIM
- Drive to Dodona in the morningDodona, the ancient oracle of Zeus, is about 25 to 30 minutes by car from Ioannina. Go in the morning, then spend the afternoon in Ioannina's old town by the lake.
- Ask before you drive into AlbaniaRental companies often restrict cross-border driving. Get written confirmation that your car may cross at Kakavia, and check which insurance applies.
Things to do in Epirus
See all attractions in Epirus
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Schengen short stays; many passports visa-free, check mfa.gr
- Emergency
- 112 general emergency, 100 police, 199 fire, 166 ambulance
- Tipping
- Not required; rounding up or leaving a small amount is common
- Time
- UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 in summer, with EU daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low0°Snow, quietJanuaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 196 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low1°Snow, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low3°Cold, rainsMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 138 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, rains
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Green, mildAprilRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, mild
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°Warm, greenMayRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low15°Warm, busyJunePartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, busy
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low18°Hot, busyJulyClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear5 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Hot, holidaysAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, holidays
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low14°Mild, clearSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Mild, clear
- OctoberClear10 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Autumn colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain13 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh15°Low6°Rain, quietNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 253 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rain, quiet
- DecemberRain11 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Cold, snowDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 183 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Ioannina, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Epirus
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Epirus
10:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°8°100%Monday: Rain. High 19°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue16°10°98%Tuesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed18°8°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 18°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu18°7°3%Thursday: Fog. High 18°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri17°5°5%Friday: Fog. High 17°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat17°4°38%Saturday: Fog. High 17°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Sun13°5°43%Sunday: Rain. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 43%.
Updated 08:29 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Dodonaabout 25 to 30 min by carThe ancient sanctuary of Zeus's oracle, set among oak trees and a theatre.
- Metsovoabout 1 hour by carA mountain village known for its cheese, with pine forests on the road from Ioannina.
- Vikos Gorge villagesabout 45 to 75 min by carStone villages and viewpoints over the gorge, best reached with a full day in the hills.
- Pargaabout 1.5 hours by carA coastal town with beaches and tavernas, a good break from the mountains.
Before you go to Epirus
Rules for Epirus, checked
- Your passport must be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area. Check the visa-free rules for your passport at mfa.gr before you book.
- Declare cash over the EU limit on the customs form when you enter or leave the EU. Check the amount and the rules with AADE, the Greek customs authority.
- A rental car may not be covered in Albania. Get written confirmation from the rental company before you cross at Kakavia.
Plan around Epirus
Regions, entry rules and money for a Greek trip
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses, rental cars and taxis for a mountain trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa for Greece and the Schengen area
Read the guideWhere to stayBases in Ioannina, Zagori and Metsovo
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical costs in Greece
Read the guideEpirus FAQ
How many days do you need in Epirus?
Three to four days covers Ioannina and its lake, Dodona, two or three Zagori villages and a night in Metsovo. Add a day if you plan to walk the Vikos Gorge trails.
Is Ioannina worth visiting?
Yes, for the old town inside its walls on the lakeshore, the Its-Kale fortress and the boat trip to Nisi island. Most sights are within walking distance of the old town.
How do you get from Athens to Ioannina?
The trip is long by road or bus, most of a day. Check timetables with the bus operators before you book, since they change.
Is Zagori good for walking?
Yes. Short walks link the stone villages, and the Vikos Gorge trails range from easy to strenuous.
Is Parga worth a side trip?
Yes, for a coastal break on the Ionian Sea, about 1.5 hours by car from Ioannina. Stay a night, since a day trip leaves little time for the beaches.
What should I eat in Epirus?
Try touloumotyri, a soft cheese from Epirus, and the pies sold in local bakeries across the region.