Zagorohoria
Stone villages in the Pindus mountains of Epirus, linked by arched bridges and forest paths, with the Vikos Gorge close by.
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Zagorohoria is a group of stone villages in the Pindus mountains of Epirus, northwestern Greece. The villages sit on steep slopes above forested valleys, linked by old paved paths and stone arched bridges over streams. The Vikos Gorge cuts through the limestone nearby and lies within Vikos-Aoos National Park. Ioannina, the largest city in Epirus, is the usual base for trips.
Zagorohoria suits hikers, slow road trips and travelers who want quiet villages over city sights. Walks range from short paths between villages to longer routes into the gorge, so pick a route that matches your fitness and time. Roads are narrow and winding, and driving between villages takes longer than the map suggests. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking, and winter brings snow to the higher villages. Plan at least two nights, and three if you want a full day on the trails.
Zagorohoria in five
- Base in Ioannina or a village, not bothIoannina has an airport and a lake, while the villages have guesthouses and trailheads. Choose a village if you plan to walk.Ioannina
- Plan the Vikos Gorge as a full dayThe trail from Monodendri to Papingo takes most of a day, so arrange transport at the end. Check conditions with the park or a local operator.
- Go in late spring or early autumnWinter brings snow and cold, and summer is hot in the valleys. Late spring and autumn are best for walking.
- Rent a car, and drive slowlyPublic transport is limited, and roads are narrow with bends. Book a car at Ioannina or Preveza airport.
- Swim in the rock pools of Papingo in summerNatural pools in the stream near the village are cold and clear. Check water levels and safety notices before you swim.
Things to do in Zagorohoria
See all attractions in Zagorohoria
Need to know
- Airport
- Ioannina (IOA), about 1 hour; Preveza about 2 hours
- Getting there
- Road from Ioannina, about 45–60 min to the villages
- Getting around
- Rental car; limited buses
- Best base
- Monodendri, Papingo or Ioannina
- Time needed
- 2–4 days for villages and a gorge walk
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low0°Cold, snowJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 196 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low1°Cold, snowFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low3°Cool, wetMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 138 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Spring, greenAprilRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, green
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°Warm, hikingMayRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hiking
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low15°Warm, long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, long days
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low18°Hot, valleysJulyClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, valleys
- AugustClear5 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low14°Warm, calmSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, calm
- 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°RainNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 253 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rain
- DecemberRain11 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Cold, snowDecemberRain
Poor
- 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 Zagorohoria
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Zagorohoria
10:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°4°100%Monday: Rain. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue9°6°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed11°4°3%Wednesday: Fog. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu10°4°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°3°1%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sat8°3°39%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sun9°1°43%Sunday: Rain. High 9°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 43%.
Updated 06:40 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to Zagorohoria
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Rules for Zagorohoria, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area and uses the EU Entry/Exit System. Check entry rules on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
- Open fires and barbecues in forest areas are restricted in fire season. Check the rules with the municipality or local fire service before you light anything.
- Village roads are narrow and steep. Carry your driving licence and car hire papers, and check the car hire terms before you leave Ioannina.
- Vikos Gorge and the Vikos-Aoos National Park have rules on camping and trail use. Check with the park management before you start a hike.
- Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire. Mobile signal is weak in parts of the gorge, so download offline maps before you walk.
Plan around Zagorohoria
Lake city with a citadel and the nearest airport
Read the guideEpirosThe wider region of mountains and rivers
Read the guidePargaCoastal town, about 1.5–2 hours away
Read the guideMeteoraMonasteries on rock pillars, about 2.5 hours east
Read the guideNorthern GreeceThe wider mainland region
Read the guideAll of GreeceAthens, the islands and the mainland
Read the guideZagorohoria FAQ
How many days do you need in Zagorohoria?
Two days give you a village and a short walk; four days allow a Vikos Gorge hike and a second village. A day trip from Ioannina only reaches the nearest villages.
Do you need a car in Zagorohoria?
Yes for most trips. Buses are limited, so rent a car at Ioannina or Preveza.
When is the best time to visit Zagorohoria?
Late spring and early autumn for walking. Summer is good for the rock pools, and winter is quiet with snow.
Is Vikos Gorge hard?
It is long rather than technical, with rocky ground. Fit walkers manage it in a day with good shoes and early start.
Where should you stay in Zagorohoria?
In a village such as Monodendri or Papingo, so you start walks early. Ioannina is convenient but farther.