The Pamvotis Lake Information Centre is located on Ioannina’s inhabited island; the castle brings together museums, historic sites and traces of early settlement. If you’re looking for hotels in Ioannina, you can tailor your trip to a wide range of interests—from the lake’s plants and wildlife to silver craftsmanship and Byzantine history. Check the current opening arrangements before visiting the Information Centre.
Island on the lake and Pamvotis: nature and culture
The Information Centre is housed in a traditional, listed stone building on the island. Its exhibits cover the main plant species of Pamvotis Lake as well as the fish, birds, amphibians and mammals that live there. It offers a natural history perspective on the lake, focusing on the life found in and around its waters.
The island itself also holds a special place: it is one of only two inhabited lake islands in Greece. The village on the island is designated as a settlement of outstanding natural beauty; it is believed to date back to the 16th century. Two monasteries were founded here during the Byzantine period: the Monastery of St Nicholas Philanthropenon, also known as Spanou, and the Monastery of St Nicholas Strategopoulou, also known as Diliou. A stay on the island therefore brings together landscape and religious history, with neither limited to a single museum.
The castle: archaeological traces and museums
Ioannina Castle stands on a naturally defensible rocky peninsula. The earliest traces of settlement found in archaeological investigations date back to the Classical and Hellenistic periods. The castle is also one of Greece’s oldest continuously inhabited fortified settlements. Its long history can be explored at various sites within the complex.
The Byzantine Museum is located in the southeastern acropolis of Itch Kale. It displays silverware in the so-called Treasury at the centre of the citadel and presents an exhibition on the city’s history in the Fethiye Mosque. The Silversmithing Museum is housed in the western bastion tower of the northeastern acropolis, Its Kale. There, you can learn about traditional techniques for shaping and decorating silver objects. Together, the two museums offer different perspectives: historical exhibits and urban history in one, and the craft of working with a material in the other.
The innermost part of the castle, in Its Kale, is also home to the tomb of Ali Pasha of Tepelen, an important historic site in the city. Underground caves in the citadel, once used as storehouses and prisons, can be accessed from within the citadel. Check local access arrangements in advance. Buildings within the castle also house the Ioannina City Museum, with its extensive collections.
City life, routes and other interests
The Old Market has retained its commercial character and is one of Ioannina’s liveliest streets. Its origins date back to the period of Ottoman rule. The area later developed into a centre of trade and social life. Handmade and traditional products from Ioannina and the surrounding region include wooden objects, woven fabrics, embroidery and folk art. These offer a different focus for a city visit than the museums, while still connecting to local crafts and trade.
For outdoor activities, a walking and cycling path runs from Mavili Square to the village of Katsikas. The established loop around Pamvotis Lake is 30 kilometres long—a specific distance to take into account when planning your own route. Another distinct cultural event is Tzamales: a three-day carnival celebration in Ioannina featuring bonfires, music, dancing and bean soup. As it is a festival, it’s a good idea to check the event dates before travelling.
There are also a variety of places to explore beyond the city centre. The visitor and reception centre at Perama Cave features audiovisual materials and rare palaeontological finds. The Paul Vrellis Museum of Greek History is in the village of Bizani, 12 kilometres from the city of Ioannina. If you’re travelling to the region, it is also useful to know that Ioannina is now a major transport hub in Epirus. The Egnatia and Ionian motorways, which run south of the city, have significantly improved regional connections with the rest of the country.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: MĂ©tsovon, Ioannina, Platania, Klidonia, Ano Pedina, Kipoi, Perama, Dodoni, ArĂsti, VovoĂşsa, Neochori, Milea, Potistika, Neokaisáreia, Pramanta, Koukouli, Anatoli, Matsouki, Tsepelovo, Amfithea, Fragkades, Kapesovo, Raiko, Elati, Zitsa, Konitsa, Ano Ravenia, Monodendri, Kalarites, Paliochori, Delvinaki, Dikorifo, Pyrsogianni, Kalpaki, Lippa, Kastania, Tiria, Negades, Papingo, Fourka, Plikati, Drosopigi, Sirako, Kalendsion, Kato Pedina, Doliana, Eleousa, Vikos, Elafotopos, Ravenia.
For the broader travel overview: Epirus.
