PORT
The new Port of Igoumenitsa was inaugurated in 2003, is primarily passenger and, being one of the most important transport hubs in Western Greece, is connected to Patras, Corfu, as well as Bari, Brindisi, Ancona and Venice.
GITANON'S CITY
Although it may have been inhabited for only about 160 years, it nevertheless left a lasting mark on Thesprotia through the centuries. The city of Gitanae (or Gitani) was founded between 335 and 330 BC and became the second capital of ancient Thesprotia, as well as the seat of the Epirote League of the Thesprotians.
Historic Bridge
Arta is, of course, famous not only for its history but also for its uniquely beautiful and architecturally remarkable Historic Bridge.
The stone bridge of Arta, celebrated in countless songs, is the most famous in Greece, a reputation it owes, of course, to the legend of the “master builder’s wife’s sacrifice,” which the folk muse turned into a song.
The admiration you feel, after all, when you see it from afar, is so great that you immediately want to “touch” it, walk across it, and travel back in time…
The original construction of the bridge is dated to the years of classical Ambracia, during the reign of King Pyrrhus I.
The Arta Bridge acquired its current form between 1602 and 1606 AD.
Pournariou Lake
Situated between the city of Arta and the mountainous massif of Tzoumerka, at an altitude of 140 meters, lies Pournariou Lake. It is an artificial lake, created by collecting the waters of the Arachthos River and constructing a dam near the settlement of Pournari. Both the dam and the lake take their name from Pournari.
The dam was put into operation in 1981, with a base width of 450 meters, a maximum length of 580 meters, and a height of 107 meters. It is the second largest dam in Greece, after the Mornos Dam.
Tzoumerka
Stunning gorges, crystal-clear waters, traditional bridges, lush green landscapes, all in the shadow of the imposing Tzoumerka mountains. The wider area of Arta has many beauties to reveal to you. Live a different experience in a place that isn't a typical tourist destination and remains authentic and picturesque...
In the wider area of Tzoumerka, you can discover picturesque villages with unique beauty, rich tradition, and history.
Tzoumerka is a region with a rich tradition, many activities, and a great reputation for its festivals, attracting visitors from all over Greece.
Koronisia
One of the must-see stops when visiting Arta is Koronisia. Located 25 km southwest of the city, it's a beautiful and picturesque fishing village on the Ambracian Gulf. The route to get there is enchanting, as you travel along a narrow road between the Logarou lagoon on one side and the Amvracian Gulf on the other.
Vrelli's Museum
Thirteen years of intensive work, 2,500 square meters, 150 wax figures, and 37 historical themes are the numbers that define the Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History, located in Bizani, 14 km south of Ioannina.
Rich is not the one who has money, but the one who offers. And I am rich, because I managed to offer this work to the Greek people.
This is what Pavlos Vrellis said, the hyper-active artist who managed to become a landmark for his hometown, Ioannina, with his prolific work and the famous wax museum he created in Bizani.
Perama Cave
Every speleology fan is thrilled by it, not only because it took 1,500,000 years to acquire its present geological form, but also because it is still active.
The Perama Cave is located next to the idyllic lake, just four kilometers away from the city of Ioannina, on the old national road from Ioannina to Metsovo, in the village of the same name. The cave was formed 1,500,000 years ago inside the Goritsa hill. It was discovered by chance in 1940, during World War II (as people were looking for shelters to protect themselves from bombings). After the war, it was photographed for the first time by Konstantinos Kasvikis, a gymnast and amateur speleologist.
It is considered among the best in the world with a great variety of stalactites (19, while most Greek caves have 6-10). It covers an area of 14,800 square meters, and the tourist route is a total of 1,100 meters.
Valia Calda
The Pindus National Park is located in the northeastern part of the Pindus mountain range. It is the National Park of the "Warm Valley" (Valia Calda in the Vlach language), a large mountainous valley lush with pine and beech trees, which is the park's trademark. It is one of the most important areas in Greece as a habitat for the bear, a now rare animal. More than 100 species of birds, including rare birds of prey, nest in the national park.
CASTLE OF IOANNINA
The castle of Ioannina is built on the southeastern edge of the city and on the small rocky peninsula that juts into Lake Pamvotida.
Its current form dates to the late Ottoman period, however, parts of earlier fortifications from the ancient and Byzantine periods have been incorporated.
During the Ottoman rule, work was most likely carried out on the castle walls.
The reconstruction works were completed in 1815, a period marked by Ali's rift with the Sublime Porte. The purpose of the works was to make the castle exceptionally fortified and inaccessible from every side and worthy of the power of the Pasha of Ioannina.
During Ali's interventions in the castle, only those parts of the pre-existing late Byzantine fortifications that were in good condition were preserved.
Εκεί βρίσκονται το Ιτς Καλέ, Το Σεράι του Αλή πασά, Το Βυζαντινό Μουσείο, Το «Θησαυροφυλάκιο», Το Φετιχιέ τζαμί, Ο τάφος του Αλή πασά, Το τζαμί του Ασλάν πασά, Η Εβραϊκή Συναγωγή.
Wharf
The lakeside route, known as Dionysiou Philosophou Street, which starts from the Molos and goes to the Skala area, offers you unique, romantic summer strolls.
At night, the lights from the shops are reflected in the lake, as this specific area is a trademark of summer entertainment.
THE LAKE OF THE DRAGONS
Among the imposing peaks of Mount Gamila, the alpine Drakolimni, the highest in Greece, not only seems hard to reach but actually is. The journey there is arduous, but worth every step.
The landscape at Drakolimni is otherworldly. The five-hour walk is worth the effort!
No matter which way you look at it, it takes your breath away. Gigantic towers fall sharply, and deep canyons slice through the imposing slopes, creating one of Greece's most spectacular mountains, Tymfi.
LAKE PAMVOTIDA – THE ISLAND
The history of the lake, the second oldest in Europe, begins 3,500 years ago. The "island" experienced its period of prosperity in the 13th century, when the Despotate of Epirus was founded. Famous far and wide, the lake keeps its many secrets and gives the area the splendor it deserves.
Enjoy a unique summer boat ride that takes you to the Island.
Egremni
One of the most beautiful beaches in the world is well-hidden in the Ionian Sea. Accessible by sea and also via a 1km hiking trail with 350 steps, it is the favorite beach of those in the know.
The beach bar and its cocktails are a must. The scene looks like it's taken straight out of a movie...
"It's hard to believe that the photo below hasn't been edited at all," notes the Daily Mail publication.
και συνεχίζει: «Όποιος επισκεφτεί τη Λευκάδα και συγκεκριμένα τη παραλία Εγκρεμνοί θα έχει την ευκαιρία να απολαύσει καταγάλανα νερά. Η παραλία βρίσκεται στη νοτιοδυτική ακτή του νησιού και παρά την απομακρυσμένη θέση της, είναι ένας δημοφιλής προορισμός για τους τουρίστες».
PORTO KATSIKI
The famous and beloved beach of every photographer. The 45 km distance from the town is worth the trip. The huge rocky cliffs are breathtaking, while the color palette of the waters—starting from the deep blue of the open sea and ending in the absolutely enchanting white of the shore—will make you lose yourself and forget about the 100 steps you'll have to climb on the way back.
