THE CITY BY THE LAKE
Six museums of great historical significance, a cave of magnificent beauty and hidden mysteries, 12 Christian churches and 16 monasteries, a number of Muslim monuments, art and cultural exhibitions and a charming city built with unique architectural characteristics. Ioannina is a place that will offer you unforgettable experiences, always accompanied by the majestic beauty of the lake.
The city of Ioannina is located in the center of a blooming valley next to Lake Pamvotis. Pamvotis (meaning “the great provider”) is surrounded by the slopes and forests of Mitsikeli and Tomaros mountains, at an altitude of 483 meters, with a width of up to 5.4 kilometers and a length of 8 kilometers. Also known as the lake of Kyra-Frosini, Lake Pamvotis, with its hidden secrets and traditions, has gained a rising international reputation over the years, as its shores’ nature is blooming and the mountains of Epirus are reflected in its waters, concluding to a magnificent and breathtaking landscape. In this unique landscape you have the chance to live The Lake Hotel experience.
Egnatia road, which passes through the town of Ioannina, at the time when the city was build and flourished, was one of the most busy roads in the world, as it united Europe with Asia. The city’s sights date back to the times of Ancient Greece, Eastern Roman and Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman rulers, creating a cultural panorama of images, sounds, tastes and aromas. Ioannina is the city of adventures, old tales and mysteries.
Walk through the center of the city and discover all the local shops of silversmiths and craftsmen, who continue to live by the well-known tradition of Ioannina, since their predecessors’ folk art has been traveling around the world from the time of the Byzantine Empire until today. Taste the local cuisine with the traditional pies and recipes that will offer you the most tasteful memories. Their secret lies in the combination of the ancient Greek cuisine, the influences of the Roman, Byzantine, Frankish and Ottoman conquerors and the geological features of Epirus, that result into exceptional flavors.
As soon as the dusk falls and the lights of the center of Ioannina’s town shimmer, the city’s myths and legends come alive in the stone-built alleys under the sound of the music coming from the local bars. Even during the late hours, Ioannina is full of people, young and old, who constantly fill up the streets and enjoy the vibes of the city. Children spend carefree moments with their families, young people discover the city’s legends by the lake and adults taste the magic of this wonderful location with the wild and mysterious beauty.
In Ioannina you can find everything you’re looking for. In the city by the lake.
