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Ioannina in Greece, capital of Epirus and gateway to the mountains of the amazing Pindos National Park– Vikos Gorge, could not be otherwise than an obligatory stop on our route through the north center of Greece, in our family trip to Greece in a motorhome for 21 days.
Ionánnina is not only the nerve center of the Epirus region, it is the quintessential Greek lake town, the Lake Pamvotis.
After a few days in the Pindos National Park around the Vikos Gorge, we urgently need to empty and fill our motorhome with water and the closest campsite to the Natural Park is the Ioannina campsite, a very basic campsite that belongs to the municipality's yacht club. This campsite will be our accommodation during our stay in Ioánnina in Greece.
The campsite has very basic services, but the best thing about the place is that it is located next to Lake Pamvotis with beautiful views, but it only has pitches. If you go without a motorhome, camper or caravan they do not have bungalows to stay.
What to see and do in Ioannina
From the campsite, as the base point of our stay in Ioánnina in Greece, on foot we discover this beautiful city and lake, which undoubtedly surprises us well.
We didn't expect so much from Ioánnina, perhaps because we're not big on cities, but the truth is that it exceeded our expectations.
Ioannina is not only a beautiful city, but it has a great history behind it and it is the city we visited that best shows the Ottoman and Muslim step in Greece.
Sample of the Ottoman history of Greece
The most characteristic construction is Ali Pasha Mosque, which seems to float on the lake. In the mosque is the Museum of Popular Art, with different collections of typical folk costumes, as well as other ancient pieces. Another building related to Ali Pasha is the palace located on top of the citadel, today converted into Byzantine Museum.
Ali Pasha was a Muslim despot of Albanian origin who separated himself from the power of Constantinople and established in these lands the Despotate of Epirus from 1788. A terrible tyrant known as the "Lion of Ioánnina" but who established Ioánnina as the capital of the Despotate, giving it the importance it has today as the capital of Epirus.
From Ioánnina we walked all around its lake, along its beautiful and well-kept promenade, with the only bike lane we have seen in all of Greece. Then we visit the old town full of minarets, alleys and everything walled. In the Pirou Square, full of life, we have a drink and here we are surprised by a tradition that we had already known in the villages of Zagori. In restaurants and cafes they always bring you free water and even give you something to snack on. From this square we continue the walk towards the Republic Square (Platía Dimokratías), next to which is the Archaeological Museum, and we continue strolling until we fall in love with Ioánnina.
The island of Nissi
Something essential in Ioánnina in Greece, is also taking the little boat to the island of Nissi, in the middle of the lake. It costs only 2 euros per person and the trip takes 10 minutes. You can find the boat next to the Mavili square, before reaching the old town of Ioánnina, full of restaurants facing the sea and with the tiny tourist office in front.
The visit to the island of Nissi is interesting, since houses 5 Byzantine monasteries very well preserved and in its town, where people still live, you will find the atmosphere of a beautiful and touristic medieval town with the Ali Pasha museum.
Without a doubt, you will love Ioánnina and its island Nissi, unique in Greece, despite having 2000 islands (or 6000 if the rocky crags in the water are counted)!
