4 Day Epirus Itinerary: Greece’s Most Underrated Region
I still can’t get over this amazing undiscovered region of Greece! Welcome to Epirus, Greece. It’s a cozy place to visit in winter with few tourists and you’ll even find snow here!! Even though I visited during winter, it’s a great destination to visit all year long. Plus, the food is fantastic! Read on for my 4 day Epirus itinerary which goes into the best things to do. Think wine tastings, hiking, seeing mountanous landscapes, truffle hunting, and even rafting!
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Is it worth visiting Epirus?
Absolutely, Epirus is one of Greece’s best hidden gems and is definetly worth exploring!
Epirus is located in the northwest corner of Greece and has the most stunning mountanous landscapes. It is bordered by the Ionian Sea and Albania.
The region ranks as the fourth largest in Greece, following Macedonia, Thrace, and Thessaly in size.
This region has an interesting history, having been an important part of ancient Greek civilization before coming under Roman rule.
During this time, Epirus served as a crossroads of trade and culture, with its strategic location connecting the Roman Empire to the rest of the Balkans. Remnants of Roman rule, such as ancient roads and ruins, can still be found throughout the region.
You’ll find it all in Epirus: dramatic mountains, pristine beaches, and charming stone villages.
Some of the highlights include hiking the impressive Vikos Gorge, wandering through the picturesque streets of Zagorochoria, or relaxing at Parga’s coastline.
It’s perfect for those who love nature, hidden gems, and authentic experiences without the crowds.
Plus, Epirus is also a foodie destination! Don’t miss the savory pies and Saganaki – a delicous fried cheese we had for literally ever meal.
Where to Stay in Epirus, Greece
We had 2 bases for the trip. The first was at the beautiful Grand Forest Hotel in Metsovo and the second was at Kôres Boutique Hotel & Spa. The photos above show views of Metsovo straight from Grand Forest Metsovo.
Epirus, Greece 4 Day Itinerary & Best Things to Do
Summary of your 4 days in Epirus, Greece
Day 1
🍄 Go truffle hunting!
🫖 Sip on mountain tea at the cozy chalet of Anilio Ski Resort with stunning Mountain View’s
🧖♀️ Relax with sunset spa time at the Grand Hotel Metsovo indoor pool
Day 2
🍷 Visit the Katogi Averof Winery and taste their famous wines
🏘️ Explore the picturesque village of Dilofo
🌉 Discover Zagori’s iconic stone bridges: Kokoris, Kalogeriko & Lazaridis
Day 3
💦 Check out the natural pools of Rogovo in Papigo
🏔️Vikos Gorge
🚣♀️ Go rafting on the pristine Voidomatis River
🍽️ Lunch at Zisis in Aristi, then tour the charming Zagori villages
Day 4
🏞️ Explore Ioannina’s Pamvotida Lake and boat to the island
🏰 Tour the Ali Pasha Museum and Ioannina Castle
🍴 Have lunch at Il Castello inside the castle
Day 1: Exploring Metsovo, Greece
Truffle hunting and Lunch
Start your morning by going truffle hunting!
Aroma Troufas offers this amazing activity and you can see first hand how truffle is collected by the cutest dogs!
After, you can even arrange lunch using the truffle you helped hunt. The setting is absolutely beautiful and the food is so tasty. My favorite was the truffle inspired desert with honey and yogurt.
Try Mountain Tea at Anilio Ski Resort
One of my favorite activities during my trip to Epirus was visiting the Anilio Ski Resort. We were so surprised to find actual snow in Greece even though just 10 minutes before we didn’t find any!
It was so magical driving up here and playing in the snow. Then, warming up with a mountain tea at the cozy chalet of Anilio Ski Resort. They had fireplaces going strong and all the glass windows offered stunning mountain views. Who knew you could ski in Greece too!
Don’t miss the heart shaped lake here!
Visit the Spa at Grand Forest Metsovo
After our snowy adventure, we got back to our hotel, the Grand Forest Metsovo and relax with sunset at their indoor heated pool. The views from the pool at sunset were gorgeous!
We also got massages during our spa time at the Grand Forest Metsovo and trust me, it was good.
Day 2: Winery & Dilofo
Have wine tastings at Katogi Averof Winery
Katogi Averof Winery, nestled in the heart of Metsovo in Epirus, is a must-visit for wine lovers.
Founded in 1958 by the Averof family, the winery produce exceptional wines. It’s located amidst the stunning backdrop of the Pindus mountains.
You can take a tour to learn about the winemaking process and taste a variety of local and international grape varieties.
The winery is known for its reds and crisp whites and Katogi Averof is especially famous for its “Metsovone” wine. This wine is made from the local grape variety, Debina.
The winery’s cozy, rustic atmosphere has panoramic views making it one of the best things to do in Epirus, Greece.
Explore the picturesque village of Dilofo
The picturesque village of Dilofo is located in the heart of the Zagori region. The village is known for its stunning stone architecture and traditional cobblestone streets.
You’ll find it filled with well-preserved houses, many dating back to the 18th century. It’s next to Mount Tymfi and the views were something that really impressed me!
We stopped for lunch at “Lithos” Takis place which I’d highly recommend.
Discover Zagori’s iconic stone bridges
Kokoris, Kalogeriko & Lazaridis are three beautiful stone bridges in Zagori that are worth visiting.
These centuries-old stone bridges were built by locals and you’ll find views of the beautiful Epirus landscape.
You can join a hiking tour like this one and be guided through several stone villages in the area.
Day 3: Zagori Villages in Epirus
Check out the natural pools
One of the many hidden gems in Epirus is the natural pools of Rogovo in Papigo. These stunning rock formations were carved over centuries by flowing water. The result was small, crystal-clear pools and waterfalls where you can even safely drink from the water.
These pools are situated between the peaks of Mount Tymfi, and are the perfect spot for a dip in summer or just to admire all-year-round.
Admire the views at Vikos Gorge
Vikos Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in the world so visiting is a must during your trip to Epirus.
It’s located within the Vikos-Aoös National Park within the Zagori Villages.
This fascinating place stretches over 20 kilometers and reaching depths of up to 1,000 meters.
There’s plenty of hiking opportunities or you can just admire the views of sheer cliffs and crystal-clear rivers.
Explore many of the Zagori Villages
There are 46 traditional villages in the Pindus Mountains known as the Zagori Villages. They are stereotyped by the stone architecture, cobblestone streets, and ancient churches.
These villages are so beautiful and have even been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We decided to visit Papigos, one of the many Zagori Villages in Epirus. This cute mountain town was very picturesque and quaint.
Minou Mikro Papigos is a cafe with insane views of the mountain. Sitting outside and lounging with a coffee and a view is possibly the best thing to in Epirus, Greece! I wish I could have chilled here all day really.
Go Rafting
One of the best things to do in Epirus is rafting on the pristine Voidomatis River. Believe it or not, we even did this in winter and yes, it was cold! But we got wet suits and it wasn’t too bad. I am usually not that adventurous but it was a fun experience. Especially after going down a huge dip and being splashed by the artic water. It was a memory, I’ll never forget!
Have Lunch at Zisis
Lunch at Zisis in Aristi is a must. It’s highly rated on Google for a reason. Try the fresh greek salad, bean dishes, or some of the hearty meat dishes.
Day 4: Ioannina in Epirus
Tour Ioannina, Epirus’ capital city
A visit to Epirus wouldn’t be complete without visiting Ioannina, Epirus’ capital city.
Tour the Ali Pasha Museum and Ioannina Castle as well as the mosques throughout the town.
Have lunch at Il Castello
This was one of the most beautiful restaraunts we tried in Epirus. Located close to Ioannina castle, Il Castello didn’t dissappoint. The food was so fresh and delicious. We tried our favorite Greek dish of fried cheese and for the main, I had the risotto. The staff were super welcoming and after a cold day, it was the perfect cozy spot for lunch.
Don’t miss this unique experience: East Zagori Farming Experience & Cooking Class
Explore Ioannina’s Pamvotida Lake Island
From Molo, you can take a boat to the Pamvotida Island. This was such a cute stop during our amazing 4 day Epirus itinerary.
The town was even decked out for Christmas with cute doors adorned with wreaths. The main square had these cute santa’s on the chairs. There were very few tourists here which made this such an unique place to visit!
How to Get to Epirus, Greece
The closest international airport is Thessaloniki Airport which is ~260 km and a 3 hour drive to Ioannina, the main city in Epirus.
There are 2 local airports as well – Ioannina Airport (King Pyrros Airport) and Aktion National Airport (Preveza Airport) which is about an hour from Epirus’s coastal areas (Parga, Sivota).
From Thessaloniki, there is no direct train service to Epirus. It’s recommended to drive as transport is limited. However, there are bus services to and from Epirus through KTEL Ioannina.
How to Get Around Epirus, Greece
I’d recommend exploring Epirus, Greece by renting a car as the public transport is quite limited. You can pick up a car rental online at Thessaloniki Airport.
I always rent cars from Discover Cars as it finds the cheapest rentals across multiple companies and they have an option to get full coverage insurance.
Driving in Epirus offers some of the most stunning landscapes in Greece. The main highways, like the Egnatia Odos, are smooth and easy to navigate, but once you head into the mountains or towards the charming Zagori villages, expect narrow, winding roads.
While the drive requires some caution—especially in winter or on steep village paths—it’s manageable with a compact car and a bit of patience.
Renting a car is the best way to explore Epirus, giving you the freedom to discover hidden gems like Vikos Gorge, picturesque Metsovo, and the coastal beauty of Parga.
Hopefully, you enjoyed reading this post on Epirus, Greece and discovered how beautiful this hidden and underrated region actually is!
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