Epirus

Northern and Central Greece hasn’t really taken off as a tourist destination yet, but it has excellent infrastructure for visitors and is beautifully perched on the edge of the Ionian Sea with a wild unspoiled coastline. It’s also home to numerous interesting little towns, fishing ports and summer resorts. So if you do want to experience this quietly beautiful region before everyone else does, you’d find the best places to stay in Epirus scattered around the whole area, with a cluster in the little resort town of Parga and a smattering in the mountainous interior.

The best places to stay in Epirus all seem to benefit from beautiful views, there are a lot to be had about here, with proximity to charming towns and very reasonable room rates. Epirus also has mountain towns to rival those of Provence and views to rival Scotland. Plus it has brown bears, wolves and jackals, lovely monasteries, golden eagles and happy Greek holidaymakers.

Parga has two castles, the Venetian castle in town and the Ali Pasha castle just outside town. There are well kept sandy beaches and a rather Italian looking amphitheatre. Ammoudia is also very beautiful. On the Ionian side of Greece, Ammoudia has a history based somewhat on mythology, as Homer writes of this as the place where you could find the passage to the netherworld. There are also a number of archeological sites and the beautifully milky Acheron River.

Away from the coast, Epirus is also where you’ll find Vikos Gorge (as far as the Guinness Book of Records is concerned it’s the world’s deepest canyon), the rugged peaks of the Pindus Mountains and the 48 wonderfully rustic stone villages of the Zagori region.

What not to miss:

• Visit the two impressive castles in picturesque Parga.
• Hike through the rugged terrain of the Pindus Mountains.
• Unwind on the quiet beaches at (Parga or Karavostasi).
• View the great depths of the Vikos Gorge, known to be the deepest in the world.

Whether you want a rustic getaway or a beach holiday without the hordes, our pick of the best places to stay in Epirus will not disappoint.

For couples

• How about the luxury country hideaway of the Aristi Mountain Resort? They have rustic chic rooms with lots of exposed stone and a wonderful spa for relaxing after a busy day in the great outdoors. Plus there's a restaurant serving organic dishes with much of the ingredients grown on site. Oh and there are views to die for!

For families

• Also in seaside Parga, the Salvator Hotel Villas & Spa is a stylish, modern hotel with a collection of 20 rooms, suites and villas sleeping up to five. It too has lovely sea views from gorgeous terraces, an excellent restaurant and an extensive spa.
• The Hotel Kastro in Ioánnina, is a charming little hotel right beside the lake. Rooms are colourful and great value. Plus there are lovely terraces with lake views.

For a rural escape

• A dazzling mountain retreat in the remote Greek village, Kipi. Kipi Suites offer travellers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning beauty of its surroundings in the Vikos-Aoos National Park.

For great value

• The Nikolas Guesthouse is a traditional ten room mountain guesthouse with wonderful views over the valley from the terraces. There’s also a cosy sitting room with a fireplace and restaurants on the doorstep.

For an apartment or villa

• If you've decided that a self catering property would be more suitable for your holiday, then we recommend you visit our online booking partner Booking.com where they have a wide selection for all tastes and budgets.

Travel information

• Fly to either Ioannina (domestic only) or Preveza/Aktion (international throughout the summer season). By ferry travel to Igoumenitsa from Italy or Corfu.
• Best time to visit - travel between the summer months of June - September for both good hiking or beach conditions.
• If you plan to hire a car, we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars for the best prices.

Still not sure?

• Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Epirus.
• Alternatively widen your search to include all our recommendations in Greece.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Epirus