Ioannina

Ioannina is a lakeside city in northwestern Greece known for its castle, silverwork and a small island of monasteries reached by ferry.

Find a room in Ioannina Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Ioannina

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Ioannina is the capital and largest city of Epirus, in northwestern Greece. It sits on the western shore of Lake Pamvotis, about 500 metres above sea level, roughly 410 km northwest of Athens, 260 km southwest of Thessaloniki and 80 km east of the Ionian port of Igoumenitsa. The main historic sight is Ioannina Castle, on a rocky peninsula in the lake. Inside its walls are the Fethiye Mosque, the tomb of Ali Pasha and a Byzantine Museum. Ali Pasha ruled the city from 1788 until 1822, and his court and fortifications still shape the older sites.

The city is also known for silverwork. Shops sell silver jewelry, bronzeware, and decorative trays, replica shields and swords. A short ferry ride crosses to the Isle of Ioannina, where six monasteries stand among tavernas, gift shops and bakeries. Summers are hot, winters bring frost and occasional snow, and spring and autumn suit walking around the lake. The ancient theatre of Dodona lies about 22 km south of the city.

Ioannina in five

Walk Its Kale, the fortress quarterThe citadel inside the lakeside walls holds mosques, small museums and the best views of the water. Allow two hours, and check opening days for each museum, as many close one day a week.
Take the boat to the lake islandShort boats cross to the island of Nisaki, with monasteries and a village of lakeside tavernas. Crossings thin out in winter, so ask at the quay for the return time.
Use Ioannina as the base for ZagoriThe stone villages and Vikos Gorge lie 30 to 60 minutes north, and buses are infrequent. A rental car makes a day trip easy, or the villages themselves suit a night.Zagorohoria
Buy silver in the fortress lanesSilversmithing is the city's craft, and small workshops sit inside the citadel. Ask about hallmarks, compare prices at two shops and expect to pay more for handmade pieces.
Drive in by motorway from Athens or ThessalonikiMotorways reach Ioannina in about five hours from Athens and three to four from Thessaloniki. Flights from Athens are short, and long-distance buses use the city's main station.Getting around Greece

Things to do in Ioannina

See all attractions in Ioannina

Museum · IoanninaSilversmithing Museum

Museum · IoanninaArchaeological Museum of Ioannina

Sight · IoanninaIoannina Island

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to IoanninaPut the places you like in Ioannina on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Ioannina (IOA), short taxi ride to town; flights from Athens
Getting there: Motorway from Athens (about 5 hrs) or Thessaloniki (3–4 hrs); buses
Getting around: Walking in the center; a rental car for Zagori and Metsovo
Best base: Near the lake and the fortress
Time needed: 1–2 nights; 3–4 with Zagori

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low0°Cold, snow possible
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low1°Cold, quiet
MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low3°Cool, rain
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Spring green
MayRain15 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°Warm, lake walks
JunePartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low15°Hot, dry
JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low18°Hot, dry
AugustClear5 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Hot, quiet city
SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low14°Warm, clear
OctoberClear10 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Autumn color
NovemberRain13 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh15°Low6°Rain, cool
DecemberRain11 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Cold, festive

Average daily high and low in Ioannina, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Ioannina

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 7°
Humidity: 91%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Ioannina

10:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today12°6°100%Monday: Rain. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue9°6°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed11°5°8%Wednesday: Fog. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 8%.
Thu11°5°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 3%.
Fri10°4°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 3%.
Sat9°3°10%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 10%.
Sun6°4°13%Sunday: Rain. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 13%.

Updated 07:56 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Zagori villagesabout 30–60 min by carStone bridges, slate-roofed villages and the edge of Vikos Gorge.Read the guide
Metsovoabout 1 hour by car eastA mountain town known for cheese, wine and woodwork.
Dodonaabout 30 min by car southwestA hillside ancient theater at a site once known for its oracle.

Before you go to Ioannina

Car hire for Zagori and MetsovoMountain villages are far from busesCompare car hire

Zagori and Vikos Gorge toursGuided hikes and village day tripsCompare tours

eSIM for IoanninaMountain roads and a patchy signalRead the guide

Insurance for IoanninaCover for hiking and winter road delaysRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Ioannina, checked

Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
Non-EU visitors can be fingerprinted and have their photo taken at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's current EES guidance before you travel.
Pack a light scarf for the monastery visits on the Isle of Ioannina.
The Old Synagogue at 16 Ioustinianou Street is open to visitors. The other synagogue is usually locked and opens only on request.
In an emergency, call 112 for police, ambulance and fire services anywhere in Greece.

Plan around Ioannina

All of Greece

Entry rules, ferries and regions

Read the guide Epiros

The mountain region around Ioannina

Read the guide Zagorohoria

Stone villages and Vikos Gorge

Read the guide Meteora

Monasteries on rock pillars, about two hours east

Read the guide Parga

Epirus coastal town with a harbor and castle

Read the guide Northern Greece

Thessaloniki, Macedonia and the north

Read the guide

Ioannina FAQ

What is Ioannina known for?

Its lake, a walled fortress quarter with mosques and museums, silverwork and Ali Pasha's Ottoman past. It is also the gateway to Zagori, which draws most visitors who pass through.

How many days do you need in Ioannina?

One full day covers the fortress, the lake and the island. Two nights suit a relaxed visit with Dodona or a short Zagori drive, and four add proper hiking in the villages.

Is Ioannina worth visiting?

Yes for a quiet, authentic city that sees fewer tourists than the islands, with easy access to mountain scenery. It is less of a stop for beaches and nightlife.

How do you get from Ioannina to Meteora?

By car in about two hours via the mountain road through Metsovo, or by bus with a change. The drive is scenic and winding, so allow extra time in winter.

When is the best time to visit Ioannina?

April, May, September and October for mild days. Summer is hot in town but cooler in the mountains, and winter can bring snow and cold, which suits Zagori hikers who bring warm layers.